Ask The Editors: Is There a Mistake on The Yamaha Banshee Spec Sheet?
Dear ATVC:
I recently got into ATV riding in the Oregon dunes and discovered what has to be the most insane ATV ever created, the Yamaha Banshee.
Are there mistakes on the spec sheets or what? How is it possible that the liquid cooled reed valve 350 parallel twin cylinder is putting out only 35 (stock) horsepower?
No that’s not a misprint; the answer is lack of technological progression. The Yamaha Banshee was released as a 1987 model year back in 86 and really hadn’t been updated throughout its life cycle (which ended in the United States in 2006).
Not only that but the engine was notoriously restricted at the OEM level to meet sound and pollution restrictions. Fortunately due to its abnormally long (and unchanged) history, countless tuners throughout the world have mastered extracting hidden ponies from the stock engine and the aftermarket for the model is absolutely enormous.
Additionally deceiving is the way a 2-stroke (like the Banshee) delivers its power compared to the more linear spread of a modern 4-stroke. 2-Strokes typically deliver acceleration in a relatively short RPM range across each gear which is felt in the saddle like a harsh surge of forward momentum.
Finally, remember that the Banshee’s unique engine wasn’t actually originally designed for ATV use, having been lifted from Yamaha’s RZ350 street bike- which, oddly enough, had a power valve (the Banshee’s variation does not)- this omission is credited with making the power spread even tighter and the “hit” harder in each gear.
