BigBeez Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 hey guys I'm new to the forum and would like to hear your opinion. I've been out of "offroading" for years and I think I'm ready to get back in. I'm itching for a 4wheeler and I'm trying to choose between a Banshee and a YZF 450. I'm a Yamaha guy, used to have an R6. I've never ridden the new breed of sport 4 strokes such as the Yamaha 450 or Honda 450 but years ago I rode a RM125/250 and my buddy had a Banshee and it was just wicked from what I could remember. I'm gonna mostly be trail riding and wonder which bike is for me? I looked at both yesterday and I can get either one for about 5K new, is this a good deal? My gut says get the Banshee but I've heard they are a ton of maintenance and are tempermental, pluse they haven't changed forever and the YZF is supposed to be the latest and the greatest. Please hit me back with your opinions and experiences. Thanks fellas. Brian :beer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Blue Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 If I was to buy another 4 stroke I would buy a 700 raptor. As for the banshee it is no more maintenace than the 450 would be and just a reliable if not more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mavbike Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 hey guys I'm new to the forum and would like to hear your opinion. I've been out of "offroading" for years and I think I'm ready to get back in. I'm itching for a 4wheeler and I'm trying to choose between a Banshee and a YZF 450. I'm a Yamaha guy, used to have an R6. I've never ridden the new breed of sport 4 strokes such as the Yamaha 450 or Honda 450 but years ago I rode a RM125/250 and my buddy had a Banshee and it was just wicked from what I could remember. I'm gonna mostly be trail riding and wonder which bike is for me? I looked at both yesterday and I can get either one for about 5K new, is this a good deal? My gut says get the Banshee but I've heard they are a ton of maintenance and are tempermental, pluse they haven't changed forever and the YZF is supposed to be the latest and the greatest. Please hit me back with your opinions and experiences. Thanks fellas. Brian :beer: If you are a good rider, or very agressive and will learn fast, the Banshee is a hoot for trail riding. That is all I do. Don't race, no sand, just trails. Love the Shee :geek: . When I ride with the wife and kids, I have no problem riding slow enough for the three year old to ride with me (he wears helmet and goggles just like dad) :biggrin: . But neither is a good choice for a beginer or someone that is not verry aggresive. As far as maintenance, I have been riding two strokes for years. Maintenance is easy. People buying the new "race" four strokes, thinking they are going to be like the trail bikes (honda XR's or Quads, EX's) are in for some surprises. With the higher rpm the new 4-strokes are turning, they are not lasting much if any longer than a 2-stroke. The 4-strokes have routine valve checks/adjustments. When one needs a top-end, you are looking at piston and rings (just like a 2-stroke) AND valves, springs, locks, possibly machine work on the head...ect. The only real advantage to the four stroke for every day Joe, is a wider, easier to control, power band that does not take as much energy to ride. Giggles and grins per dollar, I'll take the Shee :beer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locogato11283 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 yfz450 for sure... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 a topend job one a new fourstroke will set you back four digits, easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animalman294 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Welcome the HQ............. :beer: You are asking about two different bikes, which are mainly used for two different things. I mean I race and dune carve in the sand and run loggin roads and am fine on my shee. I also ride my wifes Raptor and it holds its own, but it still doesn't have the fun factor that my shee does. Do you know anyone who has either or both of these bikes so that you can test them out for yourself? :thumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dajogejr Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 If you are a good rider, or very agressive and will learn fast, the Banshee is a hoot for trail riding. That is all I do. Don't race, no sand, just trails. Love the Shee :geek: . When I ride with the wife and kids, I have no problem riding slow enough for the three year old to ride with me (he wears helmet and goggles just like dad) :biggrin: . But neither is a good choice for a beginer or someone that is not verry aggresive. As far as maintenance, I have been riding two strokes for years. Maintenance is easy. People buying the new "race" four strokes, thinking they are going to be like the trail bikes (honda XR's or Quads, EX's) are in for some surprises. With the higher rpm the new 4-strokes are turning, they are not lasting much if any longer than a 2-stroke. The 4-strokes have routine valve checks/adjustments. When one needs a top-end, you are looking at piston and rings (just like a 2-stroke) AND valves, springs, locks, possibly machine work on the head...ect. The only real advantage to the four stroke for every day Joe, is a wider, easier to control, power band that does not take as much energy to ride. Giggles and grins per dollar, I'll take the Shee :beer: You forgot the single biggest factor of one vs. the other stock vs. stock. The chassis and suspension on any of the new breed of 450's is leaps and bounds over a 20 year old suspension and chassis design.... You can easily ride the 450 longer and easier than a banshee. Period. I too would get the 450 for your riding. Yes, the maintenance costs vs. intervals does weigh pretty evenly now a days vs. a two stroke top end... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollister_Hitman Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 I would say get the 450 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animalman294 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 You would, ya trader................ :yelrotflmao: Just yankin' your chain Hollister. Me, I have never been on a comfortable quad, they all feel the same for comfort. Try the 450 or the new 700 and if ya don't like it sell it and buy somethin' else........ :beer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MYquadsFaster Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 i would also say 450 , the banshee is way easier to work on if it breaks but generally the 450 is more reliable if ur looking for an everyday ride go w/ the 450 . i feel like im wresstling a bear riding through tight bumpy trails on my banshee but once i get to a strait away im gone ....you will be happy w/ a 450. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99,88banshee Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 450 for sure. All i ride is trail, ihad 2 banshees with lots of goodies on them, and my dad has one. I sold mine and got a 04 yfz450 and i love, suspension and power is great. I feel as if i can go over any terrain with out a problem where as the banshee i just did flat riding. I mean i can jump my stock 450 with out bouncing the handle bars off my googles. Banshees make great power! 450 combine great low end power with handling and reliability. Get the 450 you will be happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRed350x Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 I have both and I will say that if I am going to ride any kind of trails I take the 450. I don't even take my banshee to the ranch any more unless my girl is with me. The banshee stays on the sand from now on. Spent too much money on it for beating it up on trails like I used to. The 450 is great on trails, tight or wide open. The suspension on the 450 feels a little stiff to me, but I'm used to a banshee with aftermarket suspension. I feel like the 450 beats me up after a while, but I've kinda gotton used to it. Its light and nimble and you can do pretty much anything you want with it. - Jared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeez Posted October 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 Hey guys thanks for all the feedback. At first I really wanted a Banshee, but after talking to several local riders who have had both and reading your feedback I think I'm gonna go with the YZF450. I live in WV and the terrain is Mountainous, with wooded trails and monster hill climbs. I think the 4 stroke will be better suited to the kind of riding I'm gonna be doing. If I lived out west with accessible dunes I would buy the Banshee no question. Again thanks for all the feedback and I still have a ton of respect for the 'Shee! It's one wicked machine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeez Posted October 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Well fellas I'm really confused now. Yesterday I had to get up in the wee morning hours to feed the baby and just turned on the TV for some light and I catch this big Paid Ad for the "Can-Am Outlander". I watched this 30 minute video on the Can-Am Outlander and how it dominated the Rincon, Grizzly and Polaris so now I'm thinking about the Can-Am 650, do you guys know anything about this bike? Today on the way home from work I saw a '05 Banshee (stock/50hrs) for sale for $4500. What do ya think? I thought that was a tad high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooker82 Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 a topend job one a new fourstroke will set you back four digits, easily. I did my 720 stroker in my raptor 660 for that. 4mm stroker crank 102 mm cp piston new valves new double valve springs hot cam stroker cam Kenz Cycle Tech Ported head full gasket kit A top end on a single cylinder 4 stroke isnt any more expensive than one on a twin cylinder 2 stroke. It all depends on your riding style. For trail riding you should take a look at the 700 raptor. Reverse on the trails is handy. The big engines are kind of nice. When my raptor 660 was just piped you could leave it in 3rd and trail ride all day. Has a really broad power band. I have the stoker cam in now and it doenst have the bottom end that it use to. It build its power now by being reved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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