OK guys, here are the results from my shootout. In 1998, I purchased a new Banshee and a new 400 Sport for my wife (she liked the yellow and purple, and the big beefy look). I had been reluctant towards Polaris for the same reasons as the magazines. Single lever brakes, heavy, big, floorboards, etc.

After a couple of years, I can tell you that the Sport is one heck of a fun machine to ride. We usually ride the sand dunes at Little Sahara and both bikes do well, especially with paddle tires. The Sport can respectably hang with the Banshees on the trails, hill climbs, duning.

When going anywhere but the sand dunes, I will take the Polaris over the Banshee any day. I really like its tight turning, better ground clearance and smooth powerband with the auto tranny with reverse. Reliability has not been an issue.

The Sport now has a K&N filter, HPD trail pipe and clutch and the Banshee has FMF Fatty pipes, Cool Head, and Pro-Flo with K&N filter. The Banshee will outrun the Sport in the straightaway, but I like the Sport for its cushy seat and ease of riding when I feel more like "cruising".

Let me know your thoughts.

 

Does the 4x4 make a differance running up those soft dune hills or is about the same in 2wd mode?Also do you but paddle tires on the front of the polaris or just the back?I see pictures of 2wd sport bike drag racing each other in the soft sand ,would the 4x4 not give the bike a much better launch off the line? I was just curious all I know is it snowed last night.

 

Tim1, the Sport is not a 4WD machine. However when riding on sand, the idea is to maintain flotation, not traction. A quick-revving 2 stroke with paddle tires on the rear can go about anywhere it wants in sand.

 

Sorry I was thinking of a 400 scambler.I was woundering how one of those would go in the dunes with 4 sets of paddles tires on them? Do you see any around where you are?

 

I came very close to buying a Banshee in '98 but
I chose a Scrambler 400 for the 4X4 action. I
remember riding my 350X and coming across a Banshee for the first time back in the '80's. It
looked like a wicked machine, and it is. But I have been stuck too many times with a 2wd and that doesn't happen anymore. I'm sold on 4X4's now and if you want one that will move Polaris is the only game in town. Also backing up on any machine with no reverse can be a pain too, Warriors and 300 EX's have reverse, why not more
sport quads? I guess I'm spoiled now. But I will look at anything the other guys come up with to compete against the Scrambler.

 

I saw a guy last summer at the Pine Barrens, NJ with a super modified 98 400 Scrambler 4x4 with paddle tires ( Not sure which brand ). He was drag racing with some banshee's that had paddle tires too. They were only able to beat him due to their higher top speed and the long 500 yard run.

There are sand hills that are 30 or 40 feet high at an incline of more than 45 degress and because of the 4x4 we were the only bikes that could climb the hill starting at the base from a stand still. The only difference for him was he was getting about 5 feet of air coming off the top where as i was just making it.

Chris Picciotto
99 Scrambler 500

 

i have a 99 scrambler 400 fully modified. i go to the dunes in rexburg idaho. the dunes are steep and long. i cant touch a banchi here, no contest. they can start at the bottom and race straight up where i would need a long run. my wifes 500 scrambler is all but useless in the steeper dunes. banchees are the kings in the dunes you CANT beat them with the polaris machines.if i could i would buy it for my polaris i have got everything else for it. im going to buy a 2000 banchee for the dunes its just to much fun

 

peewee, you will like riding the Banshee. First thing you will want is a Pro Design air filter mount. This will save your motor. The stock air intake system is just too risky. Next, get the FMF Fatty pipes. WOW, what a difference.