Catmaster Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 So bought myself a bone stock 98 banshee last spring and rode the hell out of it all summer, and I LOVED IT! Now I'm new to banshees but not to powersports. I am actually an arctic cat technician so I know my way around 2 strokes. What I have questions on is suspension/ aarms. Like I said I had a lot of time on my bike last summer and I defiantly saw I need some suspension upgrade. I ride mostly in the u.p. of michigan which consists of fast trails and logging roads. I did ride a few mx tracks here and there as well. My main concern is I'm tall... 6'6" and I want to make my shee a bit more comfortable. I know bar risers or an extended steering stem is the first step. I also want to make it wider and a longer. I just have no idea where to start. I know I want to do at least +3 aarms and maybe a +4 swingarm, with a + 4 axel. I have been reading and browsing but I'm not quite sure what companys/ products I should focus on. I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but I do want to set my bike up right. Also I would love some input from taller riders about what works for them! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catmaster Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Her she is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickedcarbine Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Right on. I'm from michigan as well. Your wallet is fucked, just spend and try not to think about it. +3 is typically long travel arms. Not many companies producing + 3 standard travel arms any more. If you're in the UP Atv trails, they are 50" right? Or are they widening them up for the UTV guys now? Otherwise stick with +2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catmaster Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Yeah they are 50" but I ride in copper harbor way north so I'm not really worried about width. I don't think I have ever seen anyone one else on the trails much less Dnr. Since I'm so tall I just want a more stable stance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catmaster Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 And I'm fine doing long travel. I was thinking of doing some fox floats since I get them at cost where I work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickedcarbine Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 DNR doesn't care about width. The problem is when Michigan lists a trail as a 50" trail, it is typically only cut cleaned up one time to 50", then neglected and overgrown. If you are on a banshee with +3 arms, you aren't getting through 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gusto Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I have wondered about going with a desert type seat to raise you up higher and give a little less stress on the knees for tall guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfaith08 Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 I've considered cutting my seat because I can't get over the side like I can on a YFZ. I can only imagine a taller seat would make it worse, but I may be wrong. I'd vote for a taller stem or handlebars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankthetank Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 CatMaster...I have a +4 round house mx style F.A.S.T built swingarm that I would sell you if your interested. I only used it twice. I think your idea of Fox floats is a good one, but look into Works dual rate shocks. I bought those for my shee and have loved them. I am looking myself to redo my front end and I was looking to get +2+1 front j-arms from Fireball. I would also look into a steering stabilizer too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlaits Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Catmaster where exactly do you live? I live in Negaunee but originally from Calumet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfaith08 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 CatMaster...I have a +4 round house mx style F.A.S.T built swingarm that I would sell you if your interested. I only used it twice. I think your idea of Fox floats is a good one, but look into Works dual rate shocks. I bought those for my shee and have loved them. I am looking myself to redo my front end and I was looking to get +2+1 front j-arms from Fireball. I would also look into a steering stabilizer too. If you're serious about riding and have the cash for works, just go ahead and save up for some Elka, Axis, or Evols. I outgrew the Works triples w/ res about 2 months after getting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jriffe23 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 I would push for elka. Heard something about the seals on the floats. might have to drag it home if one goes on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider11 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 I would push for elka. Heard something about the seals on the floats. might have to drag it home if one goes on you.This is true. If you blow the air shocks you loose everything. It'll slam down and be stiff. A coil type will just be bouncy and you can still ride bBut, I have never seen a fox or axis air shock blow. I see way more pros riding them and a lot of freestyle guys using them on sleds and quads. I'm sure if there not blowing them, then you won't either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jriffe23 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Ive also never seen one blow, but i do know it can happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfaith08 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 I didn't think about that until you mentioned it, sheerider. The last time I looked up anything to do with MX, XC, etc., almost every single rider was using Evols. Again, that could be that it's easier to carry around a bunch of seals than it is to carry around a bunch extra shocks. It must also be nice to just have to pump or bleed for a better setup than respring and revalve every time. I imagine it has as much to do with time for adjustments and repair as it does performance. For whatever reason, you'll see Evols more than anything else. Plus, they're cheaper than Stage 5s and Axis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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