Get a Banshee, you won't regret it. Your friend with the Lakota will though, I suggest he invests in a good chest protector if he thinks he will be even close (not likely). Buy a new one or find a good used one and take care of it, and it will last forever.

 

For mostly trail riding get the new Raptor or if your looking for a good used ride get a Warrior. The Banshee will over heat on trails! I just got back from a trip up in Northern AZ at a place called the Cinders. I was riding my Warrior with my friend riding a Banshee (stock w/FMF pipes only) and after every long hill climb we had to stop and wait for the Banshee to cool down. My Warrior did fine and the new water cooled Raptor should be even better. For sand the Banshee's rule, for trail I like a 4-stroke. That's why I have a Raptor on order, it should be the best of both worlds.

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96' Warrior -- 2001 B&W Raptor on order.

 

Hey, Dreamduner... I ride at the Cinders. I'll bet there were a lot of hills where you waited at the bottom for your Banshee friend to come back down.

 

advice from someone who doesn't even own the machine.....

banshees do not overheat on trails - tight or not - unless you sit and idle for extended periods. it is normal for a very small amount of coolant to drip out of the overflow tube, with the tube in the stock position.

people really worry too much about banshees. there are bigger problems in the world.

 

I use my banshee in tight trails and it has not over heated and I have run it on fire roads wide open and again no problem.
I have had my banshee for 2 years now and I have no regrets it is also "ONE HELL OF A RIDE"
If you do buy one, MAKE sure you order a pro-flow adapter(air filter)the stock set up has a tendency not to seat properly and could end up sucking dirt in so the pro-flow is well worth the $64.00 for the plate and the price of a K\N filter.

 

I own a 400EX and a SHEE and I would choose the SHEE For trail riding any day. The ONLY time I take the 400EX is when I am doing severe rock crawling as in that case the 4 stroke will shine. DREAMDUNER seems to be dreaming of his friends bike overheating...OR If it really is overheating something is wrong with the bike or the rider... My 2 cents

 

Nothing offroad with four wheels compares to the Banshee. The "white knuckle" ride you get as you fly thru the trails, dunes, woods, air... is incomparable. Don't you deserve the best?
As regards the Raptor, well...
I saw this really hot chick moving in to the house next door. Did I mention she was HOT!!!!!
She was wearing the sexyest shorts and the skimpiest top....
After she moved in I found out she was dumber than a bag of sand. AND all of those HOT parts I was looking at were FAKE!!!!!!!!!!
I guess I'll stick with my Banshee, I know what it's made of!!!!!!!!!!!