Well, I got the LSR swingarm/Durablue axle combo for my Banshee. The seller told me it was stock length. However, when I got it on my quad, the brake line chain had a ton of slack. Something didn't seem right. Measured and sure enough it's a -2" swingarm. I initially wanted to go+2" for more stability when hill climbing, however I've done some research and past threads seem to suggest that for trail riding (which is mainly what I do), the -2" is the way to go. Those of you who have shortened swingarms, what are your opinions on them? How does it handle? Wheelie easier now? Cornering... any comments would be appreciated. I need to get a new axle nut (seller didn't have it), so I can't take it out for a few days, so I'm curious if I'm going to like the shorter swingarm.

Colby

 

Eh....I say give it back to him for one that is stock length. Banshees don't need any kind of shorter swingarm with the power thay have.

 

LOL yeah... You want to go bigger not shorter..

 

That thing is going to feel like a blaster with a banshee engine, super tight cornering. Ridley is right on with everything he said. You'll have better traction which will mean you will have a harder time keeping the front end on the ground. Make sure your rear grab bar is nice and tight, you're going to need it.

 

This thread basically summarized my thoughts as well! Ever since I bought my Banshee, and it wheelie'd once it hit the powerband (and it was stock back then), I was dead set on extending the swingarm. Then I read past threads that said what Ridley said. My wife has a built Warrior, and the bulk of the time I ride the woods with her when we go camping. So I need the Banshee to be able to handle the slower speeds and tighter trails (a 2 to 1 carb and +2+1 a-arms are the next mod). I will occasionally ride w/ friends who have Raptors and Banshees, but not enough (and when we do, it's still usually trails and not straight drags) to justify an extended swingarm. Well, once I get it back together, I'll let you know what I think. Thanks for the input!

Colby

 

Some years ago Dirt Wheels did an article on a Banshee built for I think desert racing or Baja something like that. They put the -2 swingarm on it and +2 +1 a-arms. They said it balanced the bike quite a bit. After being on some stock and extended swingarm Banshees I can see why.

 

If your trail riding alot,then the -2 is a good move,not to mention all of the traction your gonna gain.You will have fun with the 4strokes,thats 4 sure.Especially when your stomping them out of the hole.Just be ready,cause the front end likes to come up easier.
The guys who ride the Raps and DS are amazed at how much traction those -2 banshees get.It makes the power alot more tractable,somewhat like a 4stroke.

 

I agree also on the -2 I welded mine up for my buddy. He only weighs a 140 lbs and it helped him out alot I weigh 256 and when i came down his drive way I was doin a wheelie with a powerslide good stuff.

 

I have a -2.5 (can adjust to -1.75to -3.25 via chain adjusters)..... you couldn't pay me to go back to stock. I do every kind of riding under the sun and I have not a one complaint. Makes my 'shee handle/jump like a dirtbike. I can launch up a 75degree kicker in 2nd gear and pitch my bike 90degrees to the right/left in the air...........sweetness. BTW: I picked up 3-4 bike lengths in a 300ft dirt drag.

Mike

 

I would not ride a banshee without a shorter swingarm. (unless I lived near the desert). The -1 swingarm had to be the best mod I ever did. Coupled with +2+1arms up front, the riding geometry is now perfect for me. It eliminated most of the problems with the banshee wanting to nose dive off jumps. It hooks up out of the corners faster. Good mod in my opinion. I'm not sure I would have gone -2 though...that seems very short.

I opted to go with a round housing to eliminate that god awful chain adjustment procedure that yamaha loves so much.