we all know that banshees are famous for blowing pistons, especially the built ones.

The four strokes are easier because you have the bigger powerband and so you don't have to keep up the rpms. Having said that, dollar for dollar the shees and 250r are the best for the hill shooters. Just cruising the dunes the thumpers are good, but for flat out flying, the shees are the best.

 

thanks for all the info

 

In the dunes you want a 2 smoke, I'm a Raptor guy myself and dont regret it a bit but a Banshee is a better duner. The Shee can rev and sidehill like my Raptor only wishes it could do. The 2 stroke just revs so much faster it's a better duner hands down. For an all around machine the 4 stroke is the way to go but you specified dunes so truth be told, the 2 smoke is better. Fellow Rappy owners go ahead and flame away, I can chew up and spit out most Banshees with my 686 but for the instant sand slinging the 2 strokes still win they just rev faster.

 

2 Strokes are definetly more high maintence. You have to change plugs often. You have to constintly tune and tinker with them. They are high maintence. And they are way less reliable then 4 strokes. You can't even get a extended warrenty on them because they are prone to break down.

I'm not bashing on the 2 strokes, just telling it like it is. With proper care, a 2 stroke will break down a lot more then a 4 stroke.

 

2 stroke

 

So the only part that breaks more than a two stroke is the plugs? Or are there other parts? If so, please say what those parts are. What I tried to say in my last post is the 4 stroke has the same parts as the 2 stroke + about 30% more junk to go wrong.

I'm saying the only part that wears more on a two stroke are the rings, the bottom end bearings and wristpin. The only reason they wear more is because they usually twist about 30 to 50% more RPM. These parts are very easy, cheap and fast to replace. Like shlekter says, you usually only have to replace the rings out of the three I have mentioned.

I have had my plugs in my 500 two stroke for three years now. I don't even bother checking them anymore.

What I am trying to say is the major % of two stroke problems are with the person holding the handle bars!!!!!! The biggest problem I see is drowning them with oil. My 50 to 1 looks like a 4 stroke plug and I have never stuck a piston yet.

Please tell me what parts fail more? Please tell me what parts I have to tinker with more than a 4 stroke?

 

The rings and pistons dont last as long because of the ports and because the only oil they get is from the gas. Same problem for the crank and bearings. The only oil they get is from the mixture. Which is enough but not enough to promote long life. Id still take a 2 stroke over a 4 stroke any day though. Cheaper to mod, simpler to work on, cheaper to repair, lots more power for their size, etc....

 

both the rappy 660 can kick @$$ and so can the banshee

 

you guys have some great input. I think I'll go with a 4 stroker even though 2 seems to be a better bet for dune hopping. I really want something low maint. and reliable untill I get a little time on one.

thanks for all the advice[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Jodster I wouldn't listen to yamaha660r too much he obviously doesn't know much about 2-strokes. If you set up your 2-stroke properly you can run one for a couple years easily before you have to do a top end which depending on the bike $150 for single cylinder to $300 for a banshee. The secret is in how you set it up and do your maint. In the dunes you'll have to think about rebuilding your 4-stroke more often as well because of the additional load on the motor thats if you want it to keep running like new.