I will agree that the suspension is crap pretty much, but I still have a blast riding a shee once in awhile myself. Also rode a 450R and wasnt too impressed but didnt take it through alot of jumps or trails or anything. But my main deciding factor is that I am anti 4-stroke. I love my 2-strokes and am avoiding trading out my ride for a 4-stroke, although something like a 400ex or a 450R are still fun to ride just for different reasons.

 

I was able to ride a 450R today in more of its fullness. The only bad thing about it is first gear is WAY to tall for me. Other than that I have no real complaints. It does ride nice and smooth but doesnt seem to show off the power like it should IMO. I would compair the ride to a 400ex but I think the 400ex will wheelie easier than a stock 450R. I did line it up with a piped shee and the shee spanked it with ease. Just to be fair we then switched bikes and once again the shee won with ease. Keep in mind that the shee is piped with, I believe, a 19cc dome coolhead.

 

The 450r isn't really all that fast. Actually both the 450's are very over-rated. I spent all weekend riding a stock 450r and rode this guys yfz for about 30 minutes. THe YFZ had full factory4 exhaust and mxr holeshots. They were extremly fun and jumped really well, but its not like they are worth the extra 4 grand over my 400ex. Everybody makes them out to be untouchable and that you can't even mod a 400ex to compare to them stock, but in reality I could spend the extra cash I saved on my 400ex and make it way better than a stock 450. Not to say I wouldn't want one of them they are so fun.

 

I dont know where your shopping where they have a 450r that is selling for $4000.00 over the price of a 400ex. Also being an owner of a 400ex as well as a 450r, I would have to say the EX does not even compare to the 450r. To even make it close you would have to dump a lot of money into the EX.

Anyway, back to the original topic (Banshee vs 450r). Who cares? They are built for two totally different purposes.

 

I have a buddy that has a 450r and if you like four strokes it is a great bike......I have two banshees and you are right the suspension sucks, but lets talk money here.......The 450 is 6300 and the shee you can get for 5300 now if you take that extra 1000 and get suspension Then you have a bike with unlimited power and good suspension for the same price.......Now do not get me wrong the 450 is a great bike but I could not walk away from the two stroke power for a little suspension......I love my shees and I love the buddies 450 but I would not chosse the 450 over the shee.....But I am a two stroke man...and ps before anyone gets offended by any of that I meant no harm in. PROMISE! I am just glad so many people are into the sport.....regardless of thier bike of choice.