TELL ME ALL ABOUT BANSHEES

[MONSTER450]

Ok, i have been wanting a back -up bike to go with my kx450 and my lady says if i do i should get a bike with a green sticker "CA" and lights. The lights because we like to go on night rides and flash lights don't work real well on bike fenders.... SO, i wanted a 2 stroke and i don't see any 2 stroke bikes i like that are 03 or older with lights. So that leaves me with a banshee. SOUNDS LIKE FUN, it'll be a toy and strictly a toy / back up ride when the kx450 has a prob... SO i want to know what i am buying before i buy. I want a 2000 - 2003 banshee and i would like to know everything you know about banshees. I will be riding it in the desert, slamming it into whoops, doing massive sand hill climbs, and some sick #^% doughnuts. INFORM ME PLEASE !!!! need to know maintenance, life expectancy, common probs, about how many miles can i go on a tank.... all the goodies !!!!

[crfjedi393]

I don't care for quads in the least but here's a [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[MONSTER450]

wow, you rock. thank you. I'm not much of a quad fan either but my chick rides a quad and when i go for rides with her it's real tough to go the same speed on the kx450, also i can't go on night rides... Night rides are dangerous so i figure 4 wheels is the way to go. Thanks for the link, i need to get all the info i can on bashees because after i make my next purchase... thats it, i'm cut off. Wedding day in august and i'm assuming it's all downhill from there..... :-)

[crfjedi393]

No sweat. If I had a chick that rode a quad, I might feel differently.

[2000 cr250rider]

ill tell u there fast. my buddy has a 98 banshee bored out, bigger carbs, piped. he could race it. he had a buddy follow him and it topped out at over 100. there a blast to ride

[four26stroker]

King of the Dunes for about 10yrs easy. When pinned they sound like a giant pissed off bee. The aftermarket on these bikes seems endless. EVERY motor builder who is anybody has a complete selection of mods available. Keeping the motor cool is sometimes an issue. Just convert to coolheads and over sized radiators and bore it to your hearts content. I've rode a few each setup differently. The woodsbike for the GNCC's was toned down and the powerband was less hit over a longer span. The moto bike boosted the bottom and gave the motor big HP feel. The flat track/TT/Pikes Peak bike built by Trinity Motors was by far the fastest Banshee I ever put a leg over. Harry builds a nasty firebreather that is rock solid. The handeling on each machine was very predictable, but each had full A-arms and race suspension. I think for $3500 you could choose a dunner already done, minus chrome cleaner. Good Luck

[kwmotocrosspunk]

Originally Posted by crfjedi393

No sweat. If I had a chick that rode a quad, I might feel differently.

amen to that wouldnt we all, though i would still rather see her on a big blue stallion

[The Baron]

I've ridden a few and they are fast for sure, and there is nothing that sounds cooler. But I have one gripe, I hate the powerband of them when they are mostly stock. I had one try to kill me at the dunes. I went up a dune and as I got to the top and tried to carve, the motor fell off the pipe and I proceeded to roll down the hill. They just have this light switch power that can bite you if you aren't careful. Either they are on the pipe and pulling like crazy or they are falling on their faces.

[2fun]

crfjedi's link is a good one for Banshee information. In fact, I think I may still be a member there though I haven't visited it for a few years lol!!

As for other 2-strokes with lights, there are some nice 250Rs out there too, and they tend to have a broader powerband than the Banshees. Just something to think about

I have owned a total of 5 Banshees, and 4 250Rs, and by far, I enjoyed the 250Rs for powerband, handling, reliability, and ease of maintenance. But thats just my opinion.

You will find GREAT info about the Banshee at BansheeHQ, but they are also very biased toward the Banshee LOL!!

Why not one of the newer 4-strokes??? Z-400, YFZ 450, etc....?

[MONSTER450]

Originally Posted by 2fun

Why not one of the newer 4-strokes??? Z-400, YFZ 450, etc....?

thats the "hip" thing to do.

I want a 2 stroke back. i miss the smell and the obnoxiousness. I also looked into the raptor 660 and i just don't think i want another 4 stroke. The big 4 strokes are just too common now. that bansheeHQ site has an enormous amount of info but everyone has varying opinions on everything so it's tough...
Thanks for all the input so far.

[2fun]

Originally Posted by MONSTER450

thats the "hip" thing to do. .

Well, I don't usually do things because they are "hip" lol

I said I'd never give up my 250R till something with as much or more power came along in a package that handled as good.

It did. The YFZ450. I have beed extremely impressed with the power, suspension and handling of the newer 4-strokes.

Now I ride only at the dunes, but I don't think I'd ever go back since this last purchase Broader powerband AND with more power than you'll find with any mildly modded Banshee (at least until you go into the motor and get it ported etc). Even then, the powerband is going to be WAY narrower on the Banshee than any 4-stroke.

Again, something to think about.

Either way, I wish you the best on your decision.

[char393]

There is nothing sweeter than hearing a banshee coming across the desert at full song.

[ekholms-mx-farm]

Here I am a bashee owner and I am just now getting into this

Banshee's are the best

Ok seriously. They are light switches. They can be tuned for a little better bottom end. But they really love to be rapped out. I have done mx,ax,dunes and desert on mine and love it. Maintenance is a little higher because you have to buy 2 of alot of stuff. But if maintained well they will last for ever. Parts are easy to find and mods are everywhere. 100mph is not that hard to get out of them. In stock sus. they are slide happy and but very controlable. I would say they are not a bike for a beginer.

I got a pretty beat up one that I may be putting up for sale

[ekholms-mx-farm]

Originally Posted by char393

There is nothing sweeter than hearing a banshee coming across the desert at full song.

I had a track owner tell me that when I was running hard it sounded like a f1 car

[MONSTER450]

ok i have 1 in my sights that i like. I am shooting for under 3000 on this one. I noticed the cylinders are painted black (guessing it's been rebuilt before), there is light surface rust throughout, green sticker (big plus), rear tires worn. please let me know what you think. I want to buy froma dealer just because they are a nit more liable if it's a junker. 30 day warranty on the motor.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[ekholms-mx-farm]

Looks pretty nice. From what I can I would offer $2500 and ask way the overflow is conected back into the carb? Unless someone knows why you would do that

[MONSTER450]

Originally Posted by ekholms-mx-farm

ask way the overflow is conected back into the carb? Unless someone knows why you would do that

i was confused there too, thanks for pointing taht out. 1 guy from here at work told me it looked beat??? In my opinion it doesn't look beat, it does look used which is what i understand given it's 7 years old.....

[ekholms-mx-farm]

I would not say beat A little warn. Look closely at sus. seals and feel for play. I sorry I typed $2500 I ment $2000. But with out seing in person it is hard to tell.

[MONSTER450]

going rate in this area is minimum 3000 on a banshee of any kind 99 and up. even stock like 95' are in the 4's.... ridiculous..... but thats ok. We are actually trying to get over there tonight... we'll see if i'm able to piss off the neighbors tonight!

[ekholms-mx-farm]

Gee.............I wonder what mine would be worth out there