I hate to ask it but...

[zmaro]

I im wondering if a banshee is the right ATV for me. I currently have a blaster with a toomy pipe and it is getting a little small so im looking to upgrade. I ride mostly trials and fireroads. I know some say the banshee is a handful on trails, but by searching around I see that others disagree. I love 2 strokes so thats why im lookin at the banshee. my blaster got a "dead spot" in low RPM's after putting on the pipe but i have gotten used to that so i figure i could handle that part of the banshee. basically would the banshee be a "worse" trail quad than a blaster? I do ride on fire roads too so that would be perfect on the shee. Or should i be looking more towards a 400ex?

 

I know this has probably been asked a thousand times, but i would appreciate the help

Thanks!

[LeeC]

Most of the people that say banshee's aren't fun/fast on trails, haven't ridden one before. They can be VERY fast on trails, not every banshee has to be a drag ported street quad! A simple piped banshee has a nice trail powerband, sure it won't have the low end of a 4stroke but you already know that, the style of powerband is pretty much identical to your blaster, just more power all the way through!

 

Lee

[WINDYCITYJOHN400]

If you want to stay with a two stroke and your blaster is getting small/lame at this point...than YES! A Banshee is right for you. (That dead spot in the Blaster might have been jetting related.) But, you can ride a Banshee virtually ANYWHERE you can ride a 4-stroke. The only real question is what style of power delivery do you really want. Also a 4-stroke will tend to go alot farther on a tank of gas, so you have that to consider as well. But I wouldn't look at a 400EX for your style riding. I'd say you have to choose between Banshee-YFZ450-Raptor700. Or similar styles in another brand. But, I'd say you would enjoy a Banshee in a 370 Long Rod motor or up to a full 4 mill stock cylinder set-up with a Woods/Trail/ MX or maybe even Dune port job. Spend the most of your cash on suspension.

[AKheathen]

well, it's the same thing, with your blaster.....i know you can lug a blaster down like a 4stroke with the stock pipe (not 4stroke power lugged down, but still possible) throw a top-end pipe on there, and you loose some of that. you can also choose a low-end woods pipe, like ptr mis, tr-6 fmf gnarley, fmf gold, signiature series torque pipes, but the most fun is the pro-circuit platinums, which have an insane, and wide mid powerband that comes on low, and revs up. there is a tremendous amount more potential to make a monster out of a banshee.......the 2 things that bugged me about the blaster, was lack of power, and aleways ending up on my ass when it would buck. i shred the old blaster in the woods, now

[jayzx10r]

I took my LTZ400 out in the trails, rocks, and fireroads while my bud rode his Banshee. I had a way better time than he did because my suspension design isn't something from the '80's and the powerband is user friendly. I thought it was the perfect trail quad. You get much wider (any of the 450's) and it could be a handful...not to mention the LTZ400 motor will probably last a lot longer than any of the high output grenade prone 450's.

Jason used 3/4ths of a tank of fuel, I used a couple inches...lol. All I have done to mine is a full exhaust, rejetted, and a Velocity air filter kit, I'm real happy with it. Only look at '05 and newer if you gonna consider the SuZook.

 

I have a modded Banshee I ride in the sand...and a LTZ400 for everywhere else I don't ride the YZ250.

[06specialedition]

Get a banshee. The awesome thing about these machines is you can mod them for any type of riding you like.

 

For trail riding you could run some PC's, cool head, reeds, filters, timing, and maybe even a good trail port......that would be a good running trail bike IMHO.

[12 0 Clock P I M P]

I ride trails thats all i ride...the banshee is fun but it is nice to have a four stroke in ur back pocket to put around on when the powerband is too much for a slow moving type trails....for fireroads and such io am sure a shee is just fine......just do a plus 2 suspension and it will be a nice ride.....stock motor is all you need to trails

[burhead]

The z400 and the raptor are probably the best trail machines I have ever ridden. That being said, I love 2 strokes and the power they deliver. 90 percent of my riding is sand trails and the banshee works flawlessly. 10 percent is tight wooded trails with alot of obstacles. I have a 400 4x4 scrambler for this type of riding. The banshee is an absolute blast on the trails as long they are somewhat groomed. It is always my first choice and everytime I take it out, it manages to scare me at some point.

[mofoka]

I love mine on the trails, but the 4 strokes are easier to ride the tight trails.

 

Like burhead said, I manage to scare myself every trip at least once. A definite rush

[zmaro]

thanks for the help. The trails i ride aren't too tight, i normally am in 3rd or 4th on the blaster which is 17-27MPH and on roads 5th or 6th just cruising at 30-40MPH. I have also rode my dads 700R (in my pic), our rincon 650, 250X, trailboss and a friends scrambler. Would the actual handling and suspension on a stock banshee be worse than on a blaster? and what are good trail pipes? I would want to go with Toomey T-6 for the looks, sound and performance, but would others be better?

Thanks again!

[burhead]

I run the FMF fattys and I think they are a good trail pipe that can be had for little money. I also hear the Pro circuits are awesome. I will be putting a set of Rocket 2 pipes on when I get back in the states. I can't wait to try them.

[zmaro]

any input on the handling vs a blaster? Also has anyone had any experience with the DMC 916's with the center exit? the dyno sheet on there web site looks impressive, just wondering if it really is accurate?

[CFH87]

The banshee by far handles better than the blaster hands down. Now for pipes I my self think rocket R2 pipes are going to be the best bet, that is if you want to cut your plastic ... But other than that the banshee is a pure rush as long as you know what your doing. But with a banshee trees do come up awfully fast... just my .02 cents

[midlifecrisis]

I mx and trail my banshhe only. It is a great bike for this type of riding, You have to invest a little in time on your suspension and even a arm setup, as its quite narrow, but you dont want to be too wide for the trails, and you certainly can do this at any time, not necessarily right away. I have pro circuit platinums on my bike, and in my pinion, are the best pipe for this type of riding, good low end, and awesome mid to top end punch.

 

I have a buddy who rode up to my place on his ducati 1000r and took my quad out for a rip, it scared the crap out of him. Now for someone who rides a bike with that much low end to have the crap scared out of him, says something about the banshee.

 

Good luck!

[Larry's Shee]

If you like the Blaster a 'shee is at least twice as much fun !! If you've been on the Blaster forum you know it needs better suspension , so does a Banshee . If you test drive one imagine the areas you usually ride, will the power be useable for you? Crazy wazoo power is nice, but will it fit your needs? Find one that fits your needs. Good luck , JMHO your results may vary.