The R has the best power to weight ratio, especially when you do a few performance mods such as pipe/rejet. The R only weighs 328 pounds, I believe the 400EX weighs 375, that's a big difference!!

 

Well, it sounds like you are concerned about having a RELIABLE and FAST machine, right??? Well, remember the NEWEST 250R you're going to find is going to be 14 years old. That a long time for problems to accumulate and parts to wear out. Besides the age they are EXPENSIVE!!! I would recommend a late model Banshee that already has the basic bolt-on mods for the same or less money. You should be able to get a pretty new Banshee for the money a 14 year old 250R would cost you.

Besides all that - the Banshee is just so friggin fast you'll never want to go back to anything else.

 

I own an 89 R that I restored with some mods, and I love it. However, if I was to do it all over again I would most likely buy a used banshee, because they have no resale value in my neck of the woods. Its common to see an 89 R going for 4500 in the newspaper while a 2000 or 2001 Banshee goes for $3000-3500. The fact is that more often than not the Banshee is in like new condition while the R needs a ton of money to be in comparable condition. There also is no comparison to that banshee power.

It really depends on what you want. In my mind nothing compares to the R, but its expensive to restore one, or to find one in mint condition.

 

Thanks for all the help. I have considered getting a newer (01+) banshee. I havent ridden a R or a banshee yet, but what I have been told is that banshee's are tiring to ride on the track because of the hard hitting power. Im not worried about the banshee handling, thats something I can get used to just like my 86 LT250R which handling I have no complaint about. I am concerned about a 15 yr old R having fallen apart and not knowing about the previous owners. At least with a newer banshee I know it couldnt have been pounded for more than a couple years. Are banshee's as hard to ride at the track as I hear? How strong is a banshee chassis? Thanks again!

 

I would MUCH rather buy an R and rebuild it, but, a freind of mine has a Banshee with a 2 into 1 intake, and a 2 into 1 exhaust. It seems much easier to ride now. He probably gave up some peak horsepower, but, power does no good if the tires are just spinning. By the time you make a Banshee easy to ride(money wise), you probably could have built a nice R. If you do buy a Banshee....Get rid of that abortion that they call TORS right away. YAMAHA...It was a dumb idea! Please stop!

 

Well I dont have personal experience with a Banshee, but my brother just got rid of his. I thought it was a decent handling quad, but it has great power with lots of potential. Regarding the cost comparison of rebuilding an old R--there is no comparison. I paid 3000 for my R before I restored it plus I'll give you a brief list of other expenses.

Powdercoating $500++ ( includes everything that originally had paint on it from the factory--all original colors)
Elka shocks $750
Elka rear shock rebuild $300
seat cover $70
tag bars and mounting clamp kit $135
Top end rebuild $150
Duncan front bumper $130
Ac polished Grab Bar $60
Axle carrier $220
Lock nut for axle $50
new wire harness + coil and plug boot $100
gas tank cover $50
every bearing and bushing replaced (estimated) $200

None of these prices include shipping!

I'm almost up to 6000 on this list alone and that doesnt include a ton of other parts purchased from Honda, which I estimate to be roughly an additional 1000.

Just to emphasize I was a fanatic when I rebuilt it because I wanted it to be better than brand new and you may not have the desire for the same outcome. Its quite expensive to rebuild one or buy one that has been redone.Anyway, I am just telling you my experience, others may do things differently.

And to sum it all up, my R, as awesome as it came out will still get smoked in a drag race against a piped Banshee( on the track its totally different).

 

I love my 2 strokes. They require a different kind of keep up. You had the early year lt and the 250r and the 87 plus lt ran and had better reliabilty,

 

i've never had a problem with my banshee other than the chaing adjuster bolts falling out. after riding a two stroke, a four stroke is like pop without the fizz.

 

THats it [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

there is so many aftermarket parts that you wont even have to buy an old one. just make yourself a brand new one that will rock everything