Specs on the 2004 DS650
I can sort of understand the narrowing, but it still sucks. The reason no other manufacturers make one this wide stock is that a couple of states have a maximum width limit for what can be called an ATV, and the DS is over that limit, so they can't be sold in those states. In the past, bombardier's "follow no one" attitude prevailed and basicly said screw em, we won't compromise. so they don't sell the ds in those states. If this new width is true, then they would have a 50 state model. I like the idea of the 1/2" shorter aluminum swing-arm that DW described, but 2" is just right out! it's insane.
The other problem that I see is traditional word of mouth. It holds true that an happy customer will tell 2 to 3 people about their experience. An unhappy customer will tell everyone they know about their experience. What I see happening is that most people (including all the atv mags) automaticly assume that because of the size of the ds, it won't be good on the trails, or it's too heavy etc... But most of them have never ridden the DS let alone taken them out trail riding. The DS has a rep of a dune machine, (as it should) but it doesn't have a rep as a trail/cross country/motocross machine. This really hinders the DS sales, no matter how good it is.
Personally, I can tell you that I haven't ran across any terrain that my brother inlaw's 400ex could go that I couldn't run faster and safer on.
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