Hi, My husband and I are in the 35-45 year old range. My husband has been on dirt bikes and motorcycles most of his life. We have 18 and 14 year old kids still at home. Husband is really itching to get two 2006 Yamaha Banshees. We intend to include the whole family in this riding adventure. I'm a little nervous for myself and my inexperienced kids. I have been researching a lot about the Banshees and they seem to appeal to 'racing' enthusiests. Being as my kids and myself have never even been on any type of ATV, will this be too much for us to start out on? Our 18 year old is 5'6" and weighs only 110 lbs. Our 14 year old is 5'8" weighing 135 lbs. I am 5'10" weighing 140 lbs. Husband is 6'1" 240 lbs. He is not insisting I get the same as him, but I don't want to be left in the dust when it comes to keeping up with the gangs. We will be riding out on dunes in Oregon, as well as trail riding in the woods on some private wooded property in Southern WA. My concern is - I don't want the Banshee to take off with me hanging on! The same for my kids. I know my husband can handle it, due to his experience. I want to feel like I can handle it and pick up on the handling and shifting at my own pace.

 

welcome to the forum!

I would not recommend a banshee for you or your 2 kids especially if you have no prior riding experience. That is a big bike w/ a lot to handle....Fast as all heck especially w/ some simple mods. Your husband will be more than apt to handle all of the power that the banshee offers but I would shy away for you and the rest of the family. For your type of riding and a good bike to break the family on I would recommend something like a honda 300/400ex (yes, I'm biased) but they are great all around quads and are able to stand up to a lot of abuse from inexperienced (experienced) riders and maintenance is very easy. They will be a lot of fun in the woods and trail riding and probably out handle the banshee in that aspect but when it comes to the dunes, the banshee will probably take over (just from what I've read on here. I've never ridden in sand). Well, that is my $.02 on the subject. Whatever you all agree on, just be careful and have fun!

 

Yes! Welcome to the forum

I agree with what Coontis said

 

I have to agree that the Banshee would not be the best choice for the second machine. Its not just the power or speed issue either as many of the models I would suggest are not all that different in those areas, but just due to the design of the banshee it would not be as user friendly for a new rider as the others.

Whats interesting is that these same things are what makes the banshee as much fun as it is for the more experienced rider. Basically being a two stroke the banshee makes most of its real power in a limited area of the rpm range (engine speed) and thats up towards the higher end. Without being able to properly operate this machine within this range or a close proximity to it this one would run poorly and not produce a happy scenerio for the new rider or even the machine itself.

Without getting too technical this model just performs much better and will operate better etc when ridden by someone who has the skills and experience to ride it properly, and this is something that needs to be learned etc.

Now there are many four stroke machines (these references are to the style of engine, and they are very different in how they produce their power etc, I can explain in more detail if you like etc) around today that will perform close to what the banshee does, but without the explosive power, and with a more controllable power etc.

What I mean by this is that due to their design they offer the newer rider the ability to slowly increase their skills thru experience etc without causing boredom from too little power or anexiety from too much power like the banshee. A new rider will be able put more attention to learning the basic skills etc on these because the torque of the engine will allow them to have a larger margin of error in many things like gear selection, throttle position etc and they dont need to put as much attention into learning how to make the engine run at its best or properly etc like the banshee.

I would look into models like the 400ex, z400, kfx400, 450r, ds650, atk-cannondale, and a handfull of others. I purposely left out a few models that others may include due to their design that creates or duplicates the higher reving power of the banshee. These models above will all provide plenty of fun while allowing more ease of use for the newer rider to gain their needed skills.

All also can be modified to levels that will keep up with most modified levels of the banshee, and when you throw in some tight turns most will out perform it no problem.

I hope that helps you to make some points to your "ole man"

 

i agree too. has he ever ridden a banshee?

a banshee is a no doubt a thrilling machine - is very unique, hop ups are abundant, and it sounds like no other atv on the planet with that 2 stroke twin. But it is way happier ripping in the dunes than anywhere else. you all would better off with some 300/400ex or z400s. they are reliable and handle well and controllable, with the 'tame' factor favoring the hondas. the z400 is more revvy.

and since the power delievery is fairly smooth, strong and can be fast when you want it to be, a raptor 700R may apeal to your husband. my family and myself have owned banshees since '88 and to honest i like them but- id rather have the 700 just for the handling and verstility of it over a banshee. a banshee is not the greatest handler out there.

i would reccomend getting the kids some bikes of their own; passengers drastically affect the handling of an atv and increase injury risks. most accidents on ATVs are caused by improper riding techniques, so please get certified ATV instructor training (not to insult your husbands riding experinece with motorbikes, but atvs do act differently and it does take some physical movement/body positioning to ride them correctly)- the manufacturers pay for it for you. there are several of those guys on this site that can help you out.
so be careful and have fun.

 

Good points!!!

And for more info on why not to ride dbl up etc and to get training check out the thread here titled "stupid kills".

 

See my comments on the Banshee here: http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/513208.cfm Seems like now that the Shee has been discontinued, everybody wants one. For me, they are old school and their day is long since passed..........

And, the Shee is not the best choice if he will mostly be doing trail riding anyway. I know they call Oregon Dunes "dunes", but it is more trail riding than it is classical desert type duning. There are lots of great 4-strokes out there, and a "trail" quad would be a better choice.

Whatever he decides to get, I would also get a Honda 250EX which would be an appropriate "starter" quad for you and the kids. Later when you all get more experience, you can move up to something maybe in the 400 class.....which are nice well behaved machines but have more performance.

 

Thank you everyone for your good points. We have NO INTENTIONS of doubling up! We can only afford 2 ATV's at this time. We have a couple of friends who own Banshees and LOVE them! My husband has already suggested the Honda 400EX for us as the second one. He, however, has gone off-roading with his buddies for years. He even snowmobiles in the winter. Our kids and I just haven't ever had the opportunity. It's more prominent for men to own these toys and hang. We don't have any friends where the women are involved. We are now at a point in our lives where we can afford to play...We would definitely consider the safety courses.
Extra thanks for your info to Coontis and 440EX026 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

The Banshee is definately a handful to operate, not the best choice if you are just starting out. Do you plan on purchasing any more machines in the near future? If so, I would say go for a 300EX now as it will be a good ride and will leave some cash in the account. Also, you can definately find decent used 300/400EX/Z400's out there. With patience you should be able to get a pair of clean used quads for the price of one brand new one. Actually, the same thing could go for the Banshee. The one nice thing about buying a used shee is that the previous owner usually has put some time and $$ into fixing the bikes shortcomings via aftermarket parts. In any case, you are all going to have some fun times once you make a few purchases.

 

Everyone has made some great points, with the theme being the second quad should not be a banshee and I agree. I am 36 and just purchased my first quad ever...Banshee [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I grew up on dirtbikes and 3 wheelers and then moved to the road about the time quads came on the scene, so I never had one. If your husband has friends' with Banshees on the dunes, I'm going to assume he will make some modifications to his quad. In this case, there's nothing out there that an inexperienced rider/family can handle to keep up. I agree that y'all should look at the 400cc quads to begin.