Hey Guys,
I need some advise. Should i buy a 87 banshee for $1600? Dont worry im keeping the sport 400. I will never sell that. But i have found one. It has a boost bottle, nerf barfs, 2-1 exhaust pipe for trail riding. I have pics of it in my yahoo albums.

Let me know what you guys think. If i do get it i will sell the suzuki i got for my wife.

Thanks for the help,
Bob

 

From looking at your pics I'd buy your Sport anyday over the Banshee.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

If you ride with this guy you should probably have a good idea of how it is taken care of. If not then check things real close. This is a pretty old bike. Ask if things have been replaced over time and maintenanced regularly. My .02.

 

what do you want it for? I mean as in, what use do you have for it. I feel the sport would be a better trail rider. But If you want a drag quad, or just enjoy modding then the possibilitys are endless when your talking banshee.

I came real close to getting a banshee over my scrambler, the dealer had both but I knew I would mod it as I went along, and no one in my area has a modded scrambler, but theres more then a handful of shees.

 

I only ride the trails with my kids. I have a 87 suzuki lt4wd for my wife. But you have to shift it and i still have to look at the clutch and exhaust. I just rebuilt the engine on it.

But she can drive my sport since its an automatic. I was thinking get the banshee so we all can go. I would get the bansee for $1600 and sell the suzuki probly for $900 its a 250 4x4, and then use them all.

 

If i were you i wouldnt buy it. i have a shee and a scrammy. The scrammy is so much more fun to ride. yeah the shee is fast but the damn clutch is jus not fun to pull. jus my 2cents

 

I looked at the pics, I think it would be a good buy if your looking for something fast and lighter.

remember as well the largest banshee complaint I have heard is from suspension as its received little updating. Not that its great on the 400's but figured I would share. There also peaky.

what rear rack do you have?

 

Thanks for the replys I think my brother in law is going to get it. He doesnt have a quad and wants a banshee.

The rear rack i have on the sport is a sixpack rack. Im not sure the name on it. I got it used from someone on one of the forums at the end of last year. I have not seen one like it. I only paid $30 for it. I cant find one that looks like it. It does match the front.

 

The Banshee is not a good trail bike. The front shocks are crap (hopefully they have been replaced?). You will be burning out the clutch on the trail. The Banshee will run hot on the trail, spitting coolant. Pre-89s all had the J-arms, which bend easily. Expect lots of maintenance. How many times has the top end been rebuilt by now? Expect to have to re-build it. Are the chain and sprockets worn out? Does the kick starter ring like a telephone bell? Is the steering stem loose? Does it have a good aftermarket air intake, the original is crap. Definitely take it through the gears to test the tranny. The swingarm bolt has a tendency to freeze up, have the bushings been replaced recently?
Almost any 4-stroke is a better trail bike than the Banshee. But, if you set it up right, it will SCREAM.

$1600 does sound like a good price, but my guess is you will be getting what you pay for. If you are just riding with the wife and kids, it would probably get you by OK. Have someone who knows Banshees take a look at it for you. If you like to wrench and add $$, maybe it would work out OK for you.