Hey,
I am new to this site, and am looking for some input.
I currently own an 05 grizzly, (ride in mud & water,hunting, etc.) I would like to buy another bike for fun riding. I am looking at a used 04 Banshee $3700 (seems a little high to me) and an 01 Raptor $2000 (haven't seen it in person yet).
We have 100"s of miles of sandy winding trails through the woods & sand / gravel roads where I live and ride ,mostly flat landscape some hills.
I am 43 years old, I like to ride fairly aggresive but my jumping days are over, I am 6ft,1in - 190 lbs.
Can anyone suggest what the best machine to buy might be?
I heard the Banshee is wicked fast but suspension sucks, unless your in the dunes, I also hear the Raptor is pretty fast and better suspension.
any comments / advice - welcome.

 

Hi Sicric. I owned a Banshee for a few years. They are screamers (Twin piston 2-stroke).

They're fun, but you'd better hold on when that power band kicks in.


My father in-law has a Raptor 700. I've riddin' it a few times. It's got plenty of power out of the box. It is really smooth, both power and suspension.

You can probably find a better deal on a Banshee than a Raptor.

I haven't riddin' the 01 Raptor 650. I believe that one is carbureted.

Overall, I think I would get a Raptor now. The 4-stroke torque and power is hard to beat.

Check out this earlier post on similar subject: Raptor vs. Banshee

 

Macho Man ,
Thanks for the link, & your reply.
I just read the whole thing, I see there is quite a differance of opinion on the 2 machines.
I know the Banshee might be outdated , but it has been in production for 20 years, thats saying something. ! I also wonder if a Banshee wouldn't corner better on the twisty , sandy trails because of its lower COG.
I would actually like to ride them both on the same trail and compare them.
I don't think that will happen though.
Most of my friends all ride utility ATVS.
Thanks,

 

a raptor most likely will be more comfortable overall for you, stock vs stock a banshee will win, if you pipe,jet,airfilter mod a rappy it really wakes them up, it being an 01 though they are known for tranny probs that can cost $700-900 bucks to fix, rappys are fun anywhere trails,dunes whatever, a banshee wont be as comfortable in trails and tight places as a rappy will, rappys also ofcourse will last longer, both are twin carbed and the shee would top out a lil faster

 

First of all, $3700 is steep for a Banshee. 2nd of all, not a bad deal on the 660, just be careful buying an '01, as they had some transmission issues. I think the Raptor would be better, you get more creature comforts like elec start, reverse, way better suspension, don't have to mix gas/oil, change sparkplugs, etc. I've ridden Banshees and Raptors, and I prefer the Raptor for trail riding. All my friends used to have Banshees and have converted over to Raptors and 450's, and they never want another Banshee.

 

Thanks for the input guys.
I think I will look at a Raptor, I also think I will stay away from the 01 (tranny problems).
I usually buy new, but this time I am trying to save some cash,so I am looking for something that hasn't been beat. Hopefully I can find a good used one , that someone took care of.

I know its probably on this site somewhere, but to get right to it, do you guys know of any other problems I should watch out for on a Raptor from 02 to present ?
Thanks again.

 

I have a 01 raptor 660 supposeivly a junk tranny year no problems yet knock on wood i LOVE it it has a holeshots a white brothers r4 slipon a hot cam a k&n filter and rejetted it just flat out rips no lie it goes 75 80 mph and does it quick itll put u on ur back quick to the only gripe i have with it is it likes to wheelie vrs slide yeah itll slide if youre on to it hard but like doing rainbows in the sand when i go to slide around to go back down its tryn to wheelie maby the holeshot tires? but it would go by a stock banshee but it dosent take much to make a banshee decimate most of the compitition i love reverse ive never had it and ive had alot of sport wheelers( i loved my atc350x the most)the banshee has a way dated chassie not much good except just trail riding or duneing but they are awsome but id go with the raptor there sweet an the 660s are nice machines despite what some of these snobs say there just talkin out there *** im sure a newer 700 is better but dosent mean the 660 is junk or slack ive never ridden a stock one there is a guy that rides in the same pits as me he got one cuz he liked mine his has a slipon and mines noticably faster he even said so when he tryd mine why maby the cam ect? maby his has a problem but ther fast ride nice have reverse what more could you ask for[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Sounds like a piped shee might be your best bet. The power band is not as bad as these people make it sound. I personaly dont like the raptor because it feels top heavy, and more unstable than my banshee. The suspension on a banshee is not like a cheap walmart gocart. I believe it comes with the best setup. Not to stiff like the 450's, and not to soft. As far as mantanence goes for the shee, there aint much if it already has forged pistons. I also found that running 50:1 ams intercepter is best for trailing because it dosent foul the plugs as bad. I also broke in my quad on ams oil 2 years ago with none of the problembs that all these goofy people talk about, and i do ride my quad hard. Stay away from the 01 raptor unless you plan on sinking in a grand to the tranny.