OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[Random]

Its the new kids on the block....

since coming into the quad scene ive only really ridden my quad (outlaw irs 500cc) and have since wondered how well other bike ride/handle/power-on!

coming from an around 200kilo weight to a 40 kilo lighter bike would be a huge difference but i dont that anything would be more differnt then the suspention setup.

however what i wanna know is thoughts and comments about the above noted quads.... (didnt put in the honda/kawaka/suki/yam as there's like a billion threads and information on these already)

i know selection is up to the user but wanted to hear or start a thread on people riding these bikes already and knowing there maintenence records/rideability and overall feel.

with regards to how i ride... i do alot of trail riding along side attempting to get into freestyle..... so outlaw (for now) is perfect having Irs it corrects most offcamber jumps and bumpy terrain. As i get into freestyle more i m looking towards something more so for that and also mx/flattrack race style quads....

feel free to give an opinion and leave a comment as to your own riding/quad choice and the choices you may thing i need to make:D

(i dont just go on visual apeal tho i like the look of every brand name quad!)

[Random]

wast of time putting votes on the poll having no comments...

[PeteW]

For my money it would be the DS450X at the moment. pretty much race ready, and the Rotax engines are, aside from being bullet proof, generally easier to work on than the Kato engines. the new twin cam version of the KTM engine (which I believe will be in thier MX version) is better to work on than what is currently in their XC quad and the Poolaris though.

Also the DS has a major weight advantage over the other brands, the only thing missing from the Can-Am is the lack of a big bore brother in the same chassis.

from what I can see, even as a slightly biased observer all three of these model have had major failures to a degree, but all have been caused by extreme conditions as apposed to stuff just breaking.
_________________


www.thumbpump.com
www.dirtcomp.com.au

[chino180sx]

i went can am cos they look sic... and they have better power to weight then the jappers.. i got a yfz love it.. but thinkin of a can am next.. just the dollar tag is huge..
_________________
1 x yfz450 2007 all the fruit, looking for a second bike

[chino180sx]

PeteW wrote:

For my money it would be the DS450X at the moment. pretty much race ready, and the Rotax engines are, aside from being bullet proof, generally easier to work on than the Kato engines. the new twin cam version of the KTM engine (which I believe will be in thier MX version) is better to work on than what is currently in their XC quad and the Poolaris though. Also the DS has a major weight advantage over the other brands, the only thing missing from the Can-Am is the lack of a big bore brother in the same chassis. from what I can see, even as a slightly biased observer all three of these model have had major failures to a degree, but all have been caused by extreme conditions as apposed to stuff just breaking.

um dood question..

how does the can am 450 the race ready one have it over buying like aftermarket shocks and buying the standard bike and doing it all yourself.. does it have decent shocks and wider axle?? +2? hrrmmm i want
_________________
1 x yfz450 2007 all the fruit, looking for a second bike

[Random]

Quote:

um dood question.. how does the can am 450 the race ready one have it over buying like aftermarket shocks and buying the standard bike and doing it all yourself.. does it have decent shocks and wider axle?? +2? hrrmmm i want

they have a shorter axel and extended hubs to lose more wight....
aparently they've made em so that you dont need to make it wider

mag's have written things like "it feels wider then it is" (or something similar)
also as for suspention... the crusty lad who did the world record (on the can-am) had more or less a stock bike with some work done to the stock suspention... although he has said that he would find it hard to make a choice between the can-am and the ktm....

(i have been researching elseware... but seem to only be getting info from sponsored riders and or actual companies)

[ozquad44]

I rode a 450X for the first time on a track on the weekend. So I can give you my impression of the DS if anyone is interested. Just to put things in context. I own a YFZ450 (modified slightly) and an LT-R450 (basically stock) and have raced both of these machines.

Sitting on the DS it had nice high bars and a nice seat. All the controls pretty much good position for me. I had to raise the bars on my other two quads. It did have a spacer block under the bars though. I didn't ask if that was factory fit.

Engine was OK. Not much down low, but had plenty of get up and go on the "pipe". My YFZ feels way more powerful and I imagine it would eat the DS for breakfast comming out of a loamy corner. But the DS power was very good for a stock bike, you just need to be in the right gear.

Suspension on the DS was very good, I would say better than stock Yammy/Suzuki offerings. My fingers did go numb on the third lap so I backed off a bit for a while to get the feeling back in them. I don't know if that was a vibration issue or the fact I may have been holding on a bit tight being a new machine? Would be interested to know if any other owners have experienced a similar issue

The handling wasn't bad but not what I would call great. Its a lightweight and you can manhandle it. But I guess I've just been spoilt by owning two wide quads, so punting a narrow quad around on an MX track took a little bit of readjustment on my behalf. It pushed out wide on me twice whilst I was trying to power out of a tight corner. I know the Yank magazines say they handle just as good as a wide quad, but honestly I think that is a bit of factory funded BS. Probably the Doug Gust's of this world could match lap times on a wide or stock quad, but not for mere mortals like myself. If your racing a DS you will still need to make it as wide as the competition. Thus increasing its weight.

Overall, I thought it was a good ride. Really nice suspension, good power on the pipe and easy to chuck around. For me I was a little let down by the power delivery, a suspected vibration issue and narrow track.

Would I by one? If I wanted to do a bit of MX and I didn't already own a 450 Jap race Quad, I would certianly consider a DS450X. As I already own a race ready quad I don't think it would be worth the trouble.
_________________
State governments give us REC rego + area to ride ATVs legaly! State Status: VIC-No (Nazi's) QLD-Yes(no place to ride tho) NT-? NSW-Yes, Stockton. TAS-Yes, Areas for ATVs + ATV rego, Go Tazzie . WA-Yes, 2 top places within 1hr of Perth. ACT-? SA-No

[Random]

thats an awsome opinion given by ozquad44!!!

thanks!

need some more of them sorts of opinions both good and bad...
i think it'd help anyone looking at buying a new quad...
especialy the new to the market quads!

[chino180sx]

ozquad44 wrote:

I rode a 450X for the first time on a track on the weekend. So I can give you my impression of the DS if anyone is interested. Just to put things in context. I own a YFZ450 (modified slightly) and an LT-R450 (basically stock) and have raced both of these machines. Sitting on the DS it had nice high bars and a nice seat. All the controls pretty much good position for me. I had to raise the bars on my other two quads. It did have a spacer block under the bars though. I didn't ask if that was factory fit. Engine was OK. Not much down low, but had plenty of get up and go on the "pipe". My YFZ feels way more powerful and I imagine it would eat the DS for breakfast comming out of a loamy corner. But the DS power was very good for a stock bike, you just need to be in the right gear. Suspension on the DS was very good, I would say better than stock Yammy/Suzuki offerings. My fingers did go numb on the third lap so I backed off a bit for a while to get the feeling back in them. I don't know if that was a vibration issue or the fact I may have been holding on a bit tight being a new machine? Would be interested to know if any other owners have experienced a similar issue The handling wasn't bad but not what I would call great. Its a lightweight and you can manhandle it. But I guess I've just been spoilt by owning two wide quads, so punting a narrow quad around on an MX track took a little bit of readjustment on my behalf. It pushed out wide on me twice whilst I was trying to power out of a tight corner. I know the Yank magazines say they handle just as good as a wide quad, but honestly I think that is a bit of factory funded BS. Probably the Doug Gust's of this world could match lap times on a wide or stock quad, but not for mere mortals like myself. If your racing a DS you will still need to make it as wide as the competition. Thus increasing its weight. Overall, I thought it was a good ride. Really nice suspension, good power on the pipe and easy to chuck around. For me I was a little let down by the power delivery, a suspected vibration issue and narrow track. Would I by one? If I wanted to do a bit of MX and I didn't already own a 450 Jap race Quad, I would certianly consider a DS450X. As I already own a race ready quad I don't think it would be worth the trouble.

"profanity removed" i almost bought one yesterday... haha theres a really good deal for a can am ds430x with full yoshi pipe and widened axle and a-arms..

i already got a yfz450 with all the widened stuff and full pipe i thought the DS would eat my yamaha up...
_________________
1 x yfz450 2007 all the fruit, looking for a second bike

[chino180sx]

dammit i meant ds450x lol
_________________
1 x yfz450 2007 all the fruit, looking for a second bike

[cowchaser]

I haven't ridden a Yamaha for a few years but my DS is alot quicker than my LT-R's were with the same mods. Thats lap times on a MX track and it's also got about another 15-20km's in top speed for desert racing. The LT-R had more down low but the DS is a revvy motor and eats the Suzuki in mid to top end power.

Remember I am biased but I think that you guy's that know me on here, know I don't talk corporate dribble.

I think the biggest advantage the DS has over the rest of the pack is the weight this thing is light and you can notice it.
_________________
Smitty

[dillon66]

how many times didu vote smithy??
_________________
ride hard

[Random]

arent many people riding the polaris?

i figured thats why there was a huge drop in price for their quads...
would still like to know how well they go and in comparason to the other quads:D

soome good feedback tho!

i think i m still keen on the Canam for my next bike...
mainly cos it's light..... sounds like something i'd like:D and in comparason to other bikes seems to suit the taller rider (alike the polaris)

then again i'll test all the different bikes i can and choose between them after that!

[chino180sx]

Random wrote:

arent many people riding the polaris? i figured thats why there was a huge drop in price for their quads... would still like to know how well they go and in comparason to the other quads:D soome good feedback tho! i think i m still keen on the Canam for my next bike... mainly cos it's light..... sounds like something i'd like:D and in comparason to other bikes seems to suit the taller rider (alike the polaris) then again i'll test all the different bikes i can and choose between them after that!

yyeerrr im thinkin can am very soon too.. just abit worried about the lack of power down low now cos i like the torqueie yfz.... hrmmm wonder if a pipe and intake would make much difference in that
_________________
1 x yfz450 2007 all the fruit, looking for a second bike

[bullet]

Hi 180sx
Choosing between bikes is allways difficult.
For me the power characteristics of an engine are not a big decider.
I always liked the strong bottom end of my Honda but now ride the Can-Am faster and with no problems.
The Can-Am is weaker in the bottom end but still runs well to right down lower in the rev range.
Smart fuel injection usually outperforms carbies in that respect.
So while it won't rip your arms out down low, it will pull nicely until it gets going.
To ride it, if you want the power you very quickly learn where to change gears etc. Like within half a lap.

For me 'manoeuvrability' is more important.
Good geometry and light weight is your friend here.
The Can-Am's have an incredibly balanced feel about them.
For a first ride, most people are very suprised with how comfortable and confident they are on a strange new quad.

I'm pretty sure the Can-Am is one of the skinniest quads around, at not 1mm over the 46 inches.
But as the write ups say they do feel a good inch wider than the other 46's.

Engine power can be changed easily, mass centralisation and over all weight can not.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[cowchaser]

If you want more low end power, some new cams or retime the stock ones is what my engine builder recommended. But really it's not that big of an issue
_________________
Smitty

[Random]

we havent really heard much from the KTM's as yet...
anyone got one an know about their power (should be higher being a KTM and larger 525cc version) manoverability and maintenence values....

I still think i m looking at the Can-am as my next quad!
but will still put it down to a test ride on the canam - ktm - polaris....

[rumxpress]

I got a KTM 525 xc. I love the thing. i had a 660 raptor prior to this with jets and exhaust and air filter done to it and the 525 eats it stock.

I only use the bike for rec riding at the moment but i have since put a jet kit through it, tinkered with the gearing and i am very happy with it.

The suspension is good, when you first ride it it does help to set it to your weight etc. but when that is all done it is a great bike. Not many of them around so you always get people asking about them. Once you jet the motor correctly with standard gearing it is pretty quick. i rekon it could probably use a tiny bit more power up top but im not that worried about it. it is quick enough top keep up and beat most stockers but once you start playing with it then you can really start to scare your self..

The down side is that doing an oil change on it is a mission. you get "profanity removed" every where even if do try and do it cleanly. There is not many aftermarket parts available for them yet, but they are still fairly new so it is getting better.

So yeah, i am very happy with it and would not change for anything at the moment.. may be if can am build a 2x4 sport quad with the renegade 800 motor in it then id change.. but for now its all orange..
_________________
08 KTM 525 xc with a few bits on it