After posting my review earlier, I figured that testing the maching on another type of terrain would be wise before making a final judgement. So I went out today and rode in the dirt rather than sand. I got into some fire roads and woods areas and this Raptor really rips!!! The sand just has too much resistance for the Raptor's gearing. But in the other terrain, it flat out flies and wheelies at will. Handling is good and the suspension absorbs the nasty stuff with no problem.

Hope I didn't give you guys the wrong impression before. I love the Raptor. It is geared for high speeds, but for riding the sand, a gear change is definitely in order. Hopefully someone offers a sprocket for it already.

 

Are you saying that the results of your previous race would be different? I'm curious to know?


Thanks,
j/t

 

Sure, the results could be different on other surfaces. On hard-pack surfaces, the Raptor is going to do better than the Banshee. On the sand, the high RPM wheelspin of the Banshee creates flotation giving it the advantage. If we ran all of these machines on asphalt, they would all be very close.

What I am saying is that each machine performs diffently in different riding conditions. The Banshee is still undoubtedly King of the Sand. The Raptor will outperform the Banshee in most other conditions.

I really can't say whether the DS or Raptor is better, because I don't have a DS. But, the DS is marketed toward duners and the Raptor is not. Again, it depends on the terrain you intend to ride on.

 

Note to self: Be careful to break in Raptor in desolate area, with NO other quads, to prevent temptation of Drag Racing a fresh motor.

Okay, got it.

Nice review though!!!!

 

Hey wait a minute I'm a DS guy! Why rip on me? Anyway I applaud you for you honesty. My 2 buddies have both a ds and a Raptor. They raced each other and the ds pulled away after a while. But I still think the raptor is cool looking, just a little too small for me. Well good luck with your raptors boys.

 

That's exactly what I have been doing. No one around.....no taunting or temptations. Sure enough if someone see's me on my Raptor...their going to want to race. 4 hours and counting..only 16 more to go.

 

Im glad you mentioned that Pairof98s,

The Raptor was not made for duning, thus the gearing isnt gonna be right for the sand. All these race results are in sand uphill. The only review from an owner i could find, that raced on dirt or pavement stated that the Raptor crushed the Banshee (stock), and was running even or better against a ported/piped Banshee. Thats pretty fast folks. Much much quicker than these "sand" reviews. WE need Banshee, Raptor, DS, all lined up for a few hundred yard drag on hardpack. I know whos gonna win )

 

Yeah, the Banshee. If a stock Raptor can't beat a stock DS then it stands no chance with the Banshee on pavement because that is one terrain where the Banshee can get all of it's horsepower to the ground!

 

I sold my 99 Piped and jetted Banshee last Tuesday and picked up a new Raptor. 2 weeks ago I raced a piped (Slip-on) and jetted Raptor on Hard pack. It was pretty close race but the Banshee did win everytime by 2-3 Bike lenghts.

Mac

 

FYI,
I just raced my first Raptor today. It was the first Raptor I've seen around here. That Blue color is neat.
I also raced a piped Banshee. It also had bored carbs & a cool head. I won though.... the Banshee's problem??? Pathetic stock rear tires. Even on hard pack it still spun noticeably. Yamaha should put the Raptor's tires on the Banshee too.