I'm looking into purchasing a high performance quad for myself but i can't decide which one. I really like the two stoke thrill, but i need some more information on the banshee and 250R. I know I can get a newer banshee in the same or better condition as an R for the same price. Also i got to ride a banshee the other day and i loved it. It flat out hauled. The reason I didn't consider the 400ex is because it's just not on par with the power of the these two, unless i spend a lot of money on aftermarket parts. The only bad things i've heard about the banshee are that when you rebuild the engine, it costs twice as much since there are two cylinders. Is this true? and if so, how often do i have to rebuild the motor and how much will it cost? Another thing ive heard about the banshee is that it has a lack of low end. I mainly ride in woods, and in some open areas. I like to jump, even though the biggest jumps i jump will prolly give me five to seven feet of air. Also i really love hill climbing, so which would be better at that? Also i've heard that the banshee is nose heavy? i'm used to jumpin my 4x4, so would this be a big issue with me, considering i'm not hitting huge jumps in third and fourth gear. i could prolly hit all my jumps in first and second, maybe occasionally third. I originally like the R better overall just for the fact that it was honda and i had heard so much good stuff about it. But now after riding the banshee, i don't know if the R with 100cc's less will have the power to keep up with a banshee. Because i want the fastest quad where i ride. And i need power in all the gears. Low Rpm, mid rpm, and high rpm. I just really need some help here, someone answer my questions.

 

SOUNDS LIKE YOU WILL BE BETTER OFF WITH A 250R. THE BANSHEE HAS NO LOW END AT ALL, THE 250R IS A GREAT WOODS BIKE. YES IT DOES COST TWICE AS MUCH TO REBUILD A BANSHEE AND USALLY YOU HAVE TO DO IT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.
GOT FOR THE 25OR

 

I currently own a 99 Banshee with PT midrange pipes and a 89 250r set up for MX.

I addressed your jumping post already, but I will add some more information. For play riding, either machine will allow you to jump. With the stock suspension on my Banshee, I have jumped about 30 feet out and 10 feet up. The landing was not bad. So getting 5 feet of air will be nothing to either machine.

For the power feel, and were the description of your riding, I would vote for the 250r. My Banshee has a great low/mid power. But I can fly much faster down trails on the 250r. When you get on the power with the Banshee, it pushes to the outside. This can corrected with wide arms and shocks, but the same mods to the 250r will only improve it more.

At first, my biggest fear switching to the 250r, was the power. That arm pulling, bug in your teeth type thing. And at first I did miss the Banshee, and wondered if I should go back. But I found out that I needed a new top end. After the motor was rebuilt, I could not believe the power. It flat out hauls. I have switched between the two while out riding, and now that I am used to the 250r, I prefer it much more. But that is my opinion. Either machine can have mods added to improve them. It is up to you which one you prefer.

I have not rebuilt the Banshee yet, and I have raced 1.5 seasons and one additional play season. But it is getting due. The kits cost 2 as much, as $100 compared to $180, I think. Oh, and another big thing I found. Working on the 250r is so much easier because of the single carb and pipe.

If you have any more questions let me know.

 

Ive got both and after about 500 in mods to the Shee it dust most Rs with ease but for handling the R is king me and my 2 sons race MX and my 17 year old kicks butt on the Shee . I think a lot has to due to his weight at 150lb that Shee has all the bottom end needed on the MX tracks but ill stick with my R 2-86 250R MX 97 Banshee MX