[Grits'n'Gravy]

Hey everybody, wanted to register and share some riding stories with the group. I ride a 2008 DS 450 with a Motoworks SR4 slip on. Love the bike and love the sport. Ordered the Motoworks FMI and EHS racing air box lid kit today.

I ride with a pretty big group but primarily four guys. They ride a 2008 Raptor 700 (with the big 3 mod), a 2009 YZF 450R (stock), 2007 Outlaw 525 IRS (Stock but not for long), and another DS 450 with SR4, K&N with the lid off, and pink wire cut. We ride a lot, we ride each others bikes, and we ride in a lot of different terrain.

some fun...

Sound: The DS's with the Motoworks SR4 sound the best out of the group. The Raptor 700 has some awesome looking duals that sound deep and loud, but the DS's with the Motoworks slipon are loud and sound the best. This might change when the YZF and Outlaw get pipes.

Straight line drag: First off, no-one blows anyone away and shift points are key. In a hundred yard dash on dirt and sand, the outlaw and raptor are maybe half a bike faster then the DS with the slip on. The outlaw is hardest to control. They all wheely, but the outlaw likes to wheely and there is some tourqe steer. YZF didn't participate but will update. Don't stay in the gear too long!!

Check this out. The other DS450 with pink wire cut, K&N with lid off, and SR4 got smoked by all of us. We think that it must be that it is running way to lean and he needs an FMI. I got a real good baseline so we'll see, but I would wait on cutting the pink wire, as you'll need it for an FMI.

Handling: DS and YZF hands down. This includes turns, whoops, and hole shots. These bikes are awesome. The outlaw has IRS and we thought that would be cool for whoops but it is kind of all over the place. The best thing about the IRS so far is that it is comfy and has massive ground clearance.

Durability: So far the DS has had the most problems. Screws falling out, but screwed back in, starter switch problem, Grab bar whip weld broke, coolant hose clamp loose... No biggie but so far out of the bikes it has had the most problems.

Jumping: In third gear approaches they all do well but the DS is lightest by far and is made for jumping. I weigh 220 and so does the Raptor rider. My DS stock suspension tuning takes my weight while the Raptor bottoms out. Its about 45 lbs heavier and this should be better once adjusted.

I'll update after the FMI and Airbox lid mods.

Have fun!
RD