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Posted by: Rudedog
I have a Banshee a Raptor and a YFZ and I've ridden a DS. My opinion is based on "Duning only", as I only ride in the sand. If I were a basic recreational rider I'd get a Raptor. Soft plush suspension, plenty of power. Down side: High center of gravity/tippy. Once widened out (a-arms and an axle), it would be pretty sweet. YFZ: I love the handling. Stock for stock it seems as though it would out handle the Raptor and the DS in the tight stuff. Down sides: Seat and suspension are kind of stiff. Great for MX riding and for "constant" agressive riders, but for me it's kind of stiff for duning. Now if I could get the plush ride of the Raptor, handling of the YFZ and a slightly softer seat I be set. The DS has a big time kooshy suspension and pleny of power, but in my opinion is just too big overall. It's really seems to be home in the wider desert spaces. On the one I rode, I noticed that the handle bars seems to get a lot of vibration. This probably was due to the (rear) paddle tires it was running. Just another 2 cents...
Rude Dog
Posted by: Trx440
The best duner is a used trx440 or 465 if you can find it. Under $3500 built. They are everywhere. If you can't afford $3500 cash then buy what you want if you have the credit. It's amazing how many people can't afford a used quad cuz they don't have any money.
Posted by: Trx440
Quote
Originally posted by: Predatorkickass
I have 03 pred with pure polaris slip-on and k/n filter and have beat at least every quad mentioned here so if you want a good 4-stroke duner i would suggest predator. Just today I raced a 686 raptor up thunder mountain and a piped banshee and beat both by length and a half. The closest stock or with same mods as me i have had beat me or been even was the yamaha 450. The raptor and ds take money to get them to go good in a drag with the predator. It all comes down to what kind of riding you do. I have had mine on mx track, woods, and dunes and loved it everywhere!!hr>
Raptor 686, DS, YFZ, piped Banshee? You better go put on your fire-retardant jammies cuz the flames are on the way.
Posted by: Trx440
Sometimes, 250lb riders go big and rip. Sometimes 140lb riders are squids. Sometimes 180lb riders are average at best. Sometimes 160lb riders with Axis shocks can't loft their bikes 3 foot in the air but they look damn fast sitting at camp, drinkin' a cold one in their new Bubba Stewart pink Fox gear. Day Glow is back just in time for Poser season. Sometimes some old school 80's ATC racer busts doubles on the side of Comp on a stock suspended Honda quad.
Best of all, sometimes you go duning at Buttercup with a 270lb incredibly handsome, chiseled freak on an EX and 15 minutes later you find yourself lost south of the border wondering why your [ insert any quad here that the magazines have convinced the public is faster than a 440ex ] couldn't keep up with that air-cooled, 80's tecnology POS.
The answer is: 90% of the people who ride are not as fast as they think they are and about half have a governor built into their right wrist.
Posted by: Trx440
Yes I was Shady. Guys I hope that wasn't to over the top for you but sometimes it is hard to honest and modest at the same time.
Posted by: Trx440
Nope, not going till the 26th - 29th of December. Got a shorty on the way this month.
My old bike wasn't that fast [as in hillshooting]. It was a full spec, low-mid 40's hp MX bike. ALWAYS first through the whoops then watched the big HP stuff pass me at the top of the hill. It was a GREAT duner though. I sold it for some still undetermined reason. Got a 450R coming from Canyon Honda, they said it will be here at the end of the month. We'll see.
Posted by: RoostItUp
Raptor is the king of dunes period.
Posted by: Batoutahell
this is a tough question, I have had a raptor, ds, banshee's and they were all ok. I am going to buy a 450 to try it out.
I think the best duner out of all of them was the ds, however my wife did not like it at all. It is what fits you best and works best for you. I am getting a 450 because we are going to be a one quad family and I know my wife can un stick the yfz, with the ds she would need help. We are building a rail to take the whole family out, but cant afford to have too many quads because of the money needed for the rail.
So, I think the bottom line is you need to find what fits you best and is most comfortable to YOU.
All the machines can be made to be as fast as the others, just wait for all the mods to come out for the yfz and trx.
Posted by: 1BigDSRider
How can a Raptor even try to compare to a DS in the sand? Ds more power, wider, longer, more suspension, Might be the best duner ever. Though I know a bunch of zilla owners who beg to differ.
Posted by: 1BigDSRider
Why??????
Posted by: sandjunkie
RAPTOR! Stay away from the short yellow duning school bus J/K
Posted by: speeddmn
TRX440 are you going to Glamis for turkey day? I've got a 400ex I'd love to race you with. That goes for you too predatorkickass. Why is everyone telling this guy to get a different quad? Keep your banshee and do a few mods and it will be the best dune bike out of all of them.
Posted by: TheSorb
I'm a big guy so perhaps my opinions are biased, but the only choice as far as I'm concerned is the DS650. I used to ride Banshees and I've ridden a Raptor, all in the sand. I have not ridden a 450 yet. In much the same way that 5150tom described his experience with the 450, most will feel about the DS650 - it feels big and heavy when you sit on it, but once you ride it, you realize that its weight and girth normalize very quickly. I find that it handles extremely well and you can do whatever you want with it in the air. The other machines just don't cut it for me anymore. Anyway, good luck with your decision!
Posted by: DuneMe
When we dune we dune all day.
The YFZ is stable but, way to small for someone over 5'10" for long rides. The hard seat will make you sore for day two of riding. Power is great (out of the box).
Raptor has great power potential. Need to widen it up for real dune riding and if you add power you'll need a swing-arm for the steep hill climbs. Turns quick but a little tippy on the ridges.
DS is great. You'll need the 22" Haulers though (20" will get stuck on starts in the soft stuff - this is the only issue I have seen as far as weight.) Seat is soft and the suspension will let you ride all day for many days. I'ld pick it again in a heart-beat!
Posted by: DuneMe
Quote
Originally posted by: Predatorkickass
I have 03 pred with pure polaris slip-on and k/n filter and have beat at least every quad mentioned here so if you want a good 4-stroke duner i would suggest predator. Just today I raced a 686 raptor up thunder mountain and a piped banshee and beat both by length and a half. The closest stock or with same mods as me i have had beat me or been even was the yamaha 450. The raptor and ds take money to get them to go good in a drag with the predator. It all comes down to what kind of riding you do. I have had mine on mx track, woods, and dunes and loved it everywhere!!hr>
My experience is any of the above can be the fastest (if the rider on it is 100 lbs. less than the competition!) Throw a 140# guy / gal on one of these and a 220# guy on the other and the 140#'er should win. Anytime I have seen people of equal weight race, the Raptor, Shee and DS will walk away from a Predator, Z400, etc. I have seen the YFZ do well with the smaller people on them but, I haven't seen a fast YFZ with a big person on it on climb a hill.
Posted by: bigben
I think nobody mentioned the C'dale because he didn't ask about it.
I'm kind of biased, but I think the DS is the best duner. Look at any modern sandrail or modified quad to find out what people want in the dunes: length, width, and suspension travel. No stock quad matches the DS in these departments.
The Raptor, DS, and YZF all make great power.
IMO the DS is proven reliable, YZF is probably reliable, and the Raptor is not reliable without some work, especially the old ones.
Posted by: SANDMAN430
all three are good, the ds would be the reliable one the price being weight.
Posted by: SANDMAN430
have you rode a ds in the dunes?
Posted by: SANDMAN430
well not sure i would totally agree on that one but then not everyone is going to like every machine it has taken the magazines three years to start to come around.
Posted by: SANDMAN430
the predator is a nice choice, and the price is good on them also. maybe you could go to your local riding area and watch what is going on there.
Posted by: SANDMAN430
all the fourstrokes are great, good on fuel and lots of torque. just pick a quad that fits you well.
Posted by: raptor03
Raptor all the way,best dune quad...
Posted by: duneittilludie
for strictly riding in the dunes the ds is far better than the raptor because of its stability and its superior suspension.i own both and even though my raptor is modified in both the motor and suspension the ds is still a better dune machine for most situations.the ds has a broad power band that is very useful in the dunes.the yfz is a very fast quad but its motor is unproven and it is very small so if you are even slightly larger than average i wouldnt think that it would be a comfortable ride for a long day of duning.as for reliability the ds is the best without question.
Posted by: duneittilludie
predatorkickass- Either you are far more skilled at riding and racing than anyone i have ever seen or you just havent raced that many 686 raptors, piped banshees or 450s because those are some lofty claims.If you are going to make statements like you have made you had better ready for some opinions that differ from what you have said .I for one ride the dunes a lot and i have seen a lot of races and unless you weigh 100 lbs and are the most skilled rider around your story just doesnt fly.IMO.
Posted by: reconranger
I think the YFZ has good potential as a duner. It will need some softer aftermarket suspension though, if you want to make it a dedicated duner.
The DS is to big and heavy. I don't care how much horsepower it has!!
The Raptor has nice power. It is a bit top heavy and needs to be widened, so that will cost you some extra $$$.
Posted by: reconranger
I have ridden many hours on the DS, both in the dunes and XC!! Like I said, big and heavy! My buddy just got a YFZ, and his DS is up for sale.................
The YFZ has a 130 lb. advantage over that DS!!! The DS is like riding the YFZ with a passenger on board!!
Posted by: PUSHINTHELIMIT
Hands down the DS650 is the best 4stroke duner! That's what the DS650 is made for. DS stands for Dune Sport so it isn't multiple choice here......
Posted by: XxDumontRaptorxX
I believe the Raptor is the fastest at the dunes (no not the 660, the other one)
That little thing owns
Posted by: Hossblur
I have a raptor and once you get used to how it reacts in the sand, especially rolling over the knife edges, it is a great bike. I have been impressed with the predators though
Posted by: spoolnaround
Quote
Originally posted by: 5150tom
Sorry about that bradracer18 that thread was directed to Iwannatrx450r.
As far as you question, I have not seen the dune series yet.
but the research that I have done on the original predator is, that it won't cut it if you like to ride hard and going fast, SORRY.
But that is only from what I have read, and people have told me.
The predator is the only bike no one seems to have in our group, oh except for the 90cc., lol
You havent ridden one have you? I love mine in the dunes. I ride as hard as anyone out there. I dont think you can go wrong with any of the bikes mentioned.
Posted by: bad350twin
Rappy all the way
Posted by: ShadyRascal
Quote
Originally posted by: Trx440
Best of all, sometimes you go duning at Buttercup with a 270lb incredibly handsome, chiseled freak on an EX and 15 minutes later you find yourself lost south of the border wondering why your [ insert any quad here that the magazines have convinced the public is faster than a 440ex ] couldn't keep up with that air-cooled, 80's tecnology POS.
That wouldn't happen to be a reference to yourself, would it??? img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">
Posted by: ShadyRascal
Quote
Originally posted by: selector
Quote
Originally posted by: Predatorkickass
I have been getting my pred tuned in all summer and have got jetting perfect and in the last 4 weeks have raced them so if you don't belive come on over and try me!!
St. Anthony? Hmmmm... I'll be there next spring/summer. Please keep the invitaion open and your pred tuned - real tuned.
I'll be there, layin odds and takin bets.
Posted by: Sm0k3d
I'm 300lbz and rip on any quad i ride (or dirt bike).. Last time at pismo i was riding a Z400 (pipped, cam, jetted, 110 octane gas) and was wasting any one that tried to follow me around all those bowls.
Posted by: SJRDKevlar
Wait for the R !
Posted by: SJRDKevlar
Quote
Originally posted by: 1BigDSRider
Why??????
Because in my opinion it will be a screamer and at the very least it will bring down the price of the YFZ.
Posted by: SJRDKevlar
Quote
Originally posted by: DieScarred
Dude just shut it the R isnt even out yet ...
That is exactly why I said wait! Man oh man, you Raptor guys got issues!
Posted by: green700
I live 1.5 hrs from sand mtn utah. And I've duned about every quad there is. I wont tell you what to get, but I can say I really enjoy the KFX700. I can ride it for 3 days straight, 8 hours a day, and it doesn't wear me out. It a dune cadillac, and it will climb anything. Even the chutes to the left of the face of sand mountain.
Posted by: HA2
Quote
Originally posted by: BigBubba
Raptor is the king of dunes period.
i didnt get that memo.
id go with the Raptor out of those picks.
Posted by: HA2
Quote
Originally posted by: 5150tom
I just came back from Sand Mountain yesterday hardly anything could beat me...
What were you racing? 400ex's?
Posted by: HA2
i wasnt joking, 400ex's are fast.
Posted by: HA2
so how is the torque compared between a raptor, ds, and yfz. these 450's seem pretty high strung and the big thumpers seem more dune orientated IMO. just because one quad is fast on the hill, doesnt make it a better quad for DUNING.
Posted by: hoover7
Best 4 stroke duner?.....WARRIOR! HANDS DOWN! JUST DUNE IT! YEAHHHH!
Posted by: K2Snow
The YFZs are awesome. They are becoming a lot more popular out at Pismo. They own out on the drag strip against a lot of other 4-strokes, and seem to jump really well. I've only ridden one on flats, and it was a pleasant surprise let me tell you. As for the Raptor, they have a lot of potential with a couple of mods, so if you don't mind putting a little extra into a stock bike, that might be a good choice. Personally, I'd take a YFZ over the Raptor... they are absolutely amazing stock. As for the Predators, never ridden one myself, but ahve only heard good things about them. If you've got the cash and time, see what Honda's 450 will do. Sounds like you'll be happy with whatever you get. I also just love to ride. I've got a bone stock 300ex, and ride out on the sand all the time. I don't even have paddles yet I can still keep up with a majority of the guys out there unless we are on the flats. Then again, the dunes are really small out at Pismo. OK starting to rant: In conclusion, YFZ 450.
Posted by: K2Snow
iwannatrx: i was there this most recent summer. i got my quad sometime in july. went out to the dunes several times a week for awhile there. haven't been lately cause of work but i am def. heading over on october 18. i'd love to get some paddles or some basic performance mods, but i am broke. the 300 works fine for now though, i'm just waiting for something to break from jumping it. when you heading out to pismo next? where do you live?
Posted by: wteceraserman
Have had a few quads, check my bio. All good duners but my WTEC Eraser by far the best .Wish U could all try it! If U see me on the dunes ride over and give it a try!
Posted by: wteceraserman
5150,
Thanks, yea,up there with the YZF450. Do U like yours?
Posted by: DieScarred
I think the Raptor is the best duner period... My dad had a DS650 for three months and he sold it cause it was too heavy and big... He loves the Raptor and we like them more... The yfz isnt like the Raptor in the sand.. The thing that i liked just as much as the raptor was the almighty Zilla
Posted by: DieScarred
Dude just shut it the R isnt even out yet so dont get any ideas... And I dont know how you can say the Raptor is not reliable... The only problem that the Raptor had was the 01's with the tranny problem! And that can be fixed if you even get an 01.. My 2002 Raptor has been more reliable then my old Warrior.. I havent had ANY PROBLEMS with it and i think it was the fastest bike ive ever rode.. besides that one zilla i rode... dang.. theres nothing like burning out through three gears in the sand. lol
Posted by: selector
Quote
the yfz is a very fast quad but its motor is unproven
Huh?
Quote
...it is very small so if you are even slightly larger than average i wouldnt think that it would be a comfortable ride for a long day of duning.
I'm average (5'10" 205-210lbs w/ gear) and I can ride the YFZ all day.
I'm sure the DS has its merits, but the YFZ will drag an average guy like me around the sand all day and get me up anything I want to ride anytime I want to - so long as the wrist pin is installed properly.
selector
Posted by: selector
Your username suggests you already know what you want.
selector
Posted by: selector
Quote
Originally posted by: Predatorkickass
I have been getting my pred tuned in all summer and have got jetting perfect and in the last 4 weeks have raced them so if you don't belive come on over and try me!!
St. Anthony? Hmmmm... I'll be there next spring/summer. Please keep the invitaion open and your pred tuned - real tuned.
Posted by: selector
Quote
Originally posted by: ShadyRascal
Quote
Originally posted by: Trx440
Best of all, sometimes you go duning at Buttercup with a 270lb incredibly handsome, chiseled freak on an EX and 15 minutes later you find yourself lost south of the border wondering why your [ insert any quad here that the magazines have convinced the public is faster than a 440ex ] couldn't keep up with that air-cooled, 80's tecnology POS.
That wouldn't happen to be a reference to yourself, would it??? img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">hr>
Actually he was talking about me, but got the weight and bike wrong. Damn!!!
Posted by: selector
Quote
Originally posted by: Predatorkickass
I will be ready for it just look for the yellow predator!!!
OK
Posted by: predator0485
predator is not that bad in the dunes, i have alot of fun with it out there
Posted by: 5150tom
I just came back from Sand Mountain yesterday hardly anything could beat me. there was nothing I could'nt climb in 3rd gear. The stibility was awsome. it handled great. no tiping feeling at all, low center of gravity made turning around on the 600 ft mountain easy. It is a great bike ,as far as it being to small I am 6'2" tall siting on it at first was strange, but ut feels good when you ride it.
I posted a couple of pictures check them out..
Posted by: 5150tom
Sorry the rapter, as much as I love them are not the king of the dunes anymore even my friends with modefied rapters came back after riding myYFZ450 with only the baffle pulled out, saying damb now I have to sel my Rapter. I beat rapters this weekend, I hate to say but fairly easily.
Posted by: 5150tom
You are a funny guy ha2!! I would never be so ignorant as too say I have the fastest atv. If you read my thread, then you probably noticed that my YFZ450 is "STOCK".
Posted by: 5150tom
killer fast!!!made a good point "it depends on the money you want to spend"? The DS550 is a good bike but heavy, the rapter is awsome but, but too tall, the YFZ450 Even though I have one and would'nt want anything else. It has not proved itself yet,which also means how big of a huury are you in? It feels small to some people.I am 6'2" and it feels good when you are riding it ,except for the hard seat. There are many factures in this. What is your riding style, all over the dunes like a bat out of hell like me or drag race , (must not be drag racing because you already have the best drag racer). Are you aggresive or not?, money? Those kind of things that count. Don't listen to close minded people like ha,ha2.
If you want a true opinion let us know the details.
Posted by: 5150tom
Sorry about that bradracer18 that thread was directed to Iwannatrx450r.
As far as you question, I have not seen the dune series yet.
but the research that I have done on the original predator is, that it won't cut it if you like to ride hard and going fast, SORRY.
But that is only from what I have read, and people have told me.
The predator is the only bike no one seems to have in our group, oh except for the 90cc., lol
Posted by: 5150tom
Hey!! wteceraserman, Beautiful bike is it as fast as it looks?
It looks like alot of care, and presidents went into that bike!!!
Posted by: 5150tom
wteceraserman
I love my YFZ. It handled every square inch of Sand Montain with ease.
Butt my ass hurts ,hard seat. You don't notice it on the track because you hardly ever sit down.
you do alot more sit in the dunes.
Posted by: 5150tom
My first thought when I sat on a the YFZ450 was , Damn this thing feels like a kids bike.
I am 6'2" and beleive me once you start riding it, it stops feeling so small. The size makes it easy to move in the air. I sat on a friends z400 and it feels like a huge 4x4 now.
Just saying it felt small to me at first also.
Posted by: draggincannibal
How come no one ever considers a cannondale. They are a very reliable bike and the ohlins suspension is great in the dunes. They weigh about 375 wet. Plus they are one of the fastest 4-strokes made (used to be made at the moment). You could find one hella cheap right now and you can still buy parts for them. If your afraid because they're out of business, don't worry. They'll be in production again next year, only made by a different manufacturer. Just don't throw cannondale out of the picture.
Posted by: draggincannibal
If you ever come out to Horsfall during one of the 3 big weekends or during Winchester's dune fest. Look for an all red extended cannondale. That predator of your's wouldn't be able to handle it. If you actually came up against a REAL 686 you would have been spitting out sand for days. Try to race some real bikes.
Posted by: DC504
I would buy the Raptor, only because of the reverse gear. I think I posted this before, but I'm big on reverse. I would only buy a quad that has reverse. However, if the DS and YFZ had reverse, I would choose the YFZ and not even think twice about the other two.
-----------------------
1986 Yamaha Moto-4 225
2003 Suzuki z400
Posted by: fishslab
How big are you? If your over six foot this is the order I would choose. DS,KFX700,Predator,YZF450,Raptor. IF only speed is your deal then I would go this way DS,YZF450 or Predotor,KFX,Raptor. These choices are out of personnal observations and not brand loyalty. And all are so close in comparison that you wouldn't go wrong with any of them.
Posted by: Bradracer18
hey fellas, i know this isnt in the discussion and i also know that most of you hate Polaris, but what do think of the Predator-the dune series.??? just wondering how it was keeping up on that end of things. thanks
Posted by: Bradracer18
hey fellas, i realize that this is not in the topic and you dont like Polaris, but what do u think of the Predator-dune series, in the dunes??? i was just wondering how it help up in that part of the world. thanks
Posted by: Bradracer18
no money isnt a real issue, yeah i like all kinds of speed, i also like trails, large dunes, drag racing, mx, i love riding all together. if im on my quad im happy.
Posted by: glamis250r
hi,
yfz 450 is the best bet for those 3 choices
Posted by: IwannaTRX450R
I own a stock banshee and I am considering selling it for either a raptor, DS 650, or YFZ which of these is the best duner but is also reliable?
Posted by: IwannaTRX450R
K2 Snow: Were you at Pismo last summer. I was at Pismo on June 14, July 28, August 16, and September 6th. Pismo does have small dunes and is not nearly as big as Glamis but it is still fun. I have Kenda Sand Geckos and they work great. They slide good and have great hookup. I have tried the Sand Sharks, Sand Geckos, and Sand devils and the best so far have been the Sand Geckos. I also think that ITP Sand Stars look pretty good.
Posted by: IwannaTRX450R
I probably won't be going out to Pismo for a while. Hopefully I can go in April. If I get my new quad this year then I might have to hold off going to Pismo until about July because I want to break the motor in before I go.
Posted by: killerfast
id go wit a ds if money is tight if not id go wit the raptor but wit mods.
Posted by:
The ds 650 is the best duner
Posted by: TexasPsycho
did i read a lot of bad articles or isn't the DS the fastest in sand drags? i remember reading how the yfz would get the jump but he DS would take it on the upper end. i've raced a few raptors in drags and bet them, not by a lot, and raced one yfz and beat him by about 8 lengths! i have to admit though he could not ride, at all, missed gearsrunning it against the limiter and was letting his rpms drop off when shifting. so that really wasn't a good test between the two, sure made me look good thought
Posted by: AJ1162
I would have to say get the Yzf450, or the raptor, the DS650 is too heavy!!!
Posted by: jski
You should bring the Pred to Sand Mountain here in Utah because it would be fun to watch it get beat time and time again at the mountain. It's funny watching or racing guy's on almost stock quads that think they are the fastest thing on the sand. So hey if you ever make it to SM I'll race you to because it would be fun to beat you by half the hill on my little old 3-wheeler.
Posted by: Crapo85
I have 03 pred with pure polaris slip-on and k/n filter and have beat at least every quad mentioned here so if you want a good 4-stroke duner i would suggest predator. Just today I raced a 686 raptor up thunder mountain and a piped banshee and beat both by length and a half. The closest stock or with same mods as me i have had beat me or been even was the yamaha 450. The raptor and ds take money to get them to go good in a drag with the predator. It all comes down to what kind of riding you do. I have had mine on mx track, woods, and dunes and loved it everywhere!!
Posted by: Crapo85
I weigh 180 my buddy was on the shee and he weighs 140 the raptor i don't know but he didn't look big. Bring it on I'm up for a race anytime!!!
Posted by: Crapo85
I have been getting my pred tuned in all summer and have got jetting perfect and in the last 4 weeks have raced them so if you don't belive come on over and try me!!
Posted by: Crapo85
I will be ready for it just look for the yellow predator!!!
Posted by: HappywithVForce
Quote
Originally posted by: Z400Rider03
Is buying sand paddles worth the money? But the other thing is I do alot of trail-riding to so u guys tell me?
If you find yourself riding the dunes alot, and you find yourself not making it up the hills (fast enough). Then it would be worth it to get another set of rims with paddles to swap. You will still need your stock tires to trail ride.
Posted by: Z400Rider03
Is buying sand paddles worth the money? But the other thing is I do alot of trail-riding to so u guys tell me?
