I have the 98 Banshee down in my Sig, and my buddy got a Blue Raptor. I was able to ride it some, and we rode all weekend at Hocking Hills (athens) this weekend.

Couple of things, Banshees and Ratpors are 2 VERY different beasts. They feel completely different, they behave differently.

My banshee is a tire spinning beast, the power comes on in a blast, and pulls hard and fast in a short RPM range, the Raptor, has gobs of power from the bottom of the RPM range all the way to the top. I found it really hard to get the tires spinning on the raptor (unless in gravel), it just wants to pull the front in up, and up, and flip. It's got gobs of power, just so different from my banshee. In a flat race I could take him, but he's stock and I'm modded to all hell. I also have 100 pounds on him, and I could still take him, but have no doubt, the raptor is damn fast. Deceitfully fast the raptor, you can get in trouble quick with it.

On hill climbing, where I am clutching the heck out of the banshee to keep the RPMs up, the raptor justs keeps on going, never acting like it might die, really nice on the hills, till it starts to pull the front end up and over anyway.

I would spend weekends learning how to ride a raptor, I am so use to a 2 strokes and how they power up.

As far as looks go, the raptor KILLS any quad on the trails, pure wicked looking.

I would be proud to own either one, they are both great bikes, just suited to very different riding styles.

 

How bad did your Banshee beat the Raptor? If it was sorta close that is saying a lot. Not too many stock machines can atleast hang with a super modified banshee.

 

I took him pretty good, and I was spinning more than he was, but I also weigh 100 lbls more than he does so he had a huge weight advantage. If we'd have switched bikes it wouldn't have been near as close as then the raptor would have been lugging an extra 100 lbls around.

His Total Weight would be around 600 lbls, I'm at 690, so he's 15% lighter than me. Thats 15% less horse power he needs to go the same speed. Doesn't sound like alot but if has 35hp then I'd need 40.5hp just to offset the weight.

 

That sounds about right. This weekend I raced a 3 way race: my raptor against a 97 polaris 400 sport and a 98 banshee. I have stock raptor other that white bros slip on. The banshee was stock far as I could tell. The banshee was the one who challenged us and his buddies were videoing the whole thing. All 3 of us were real close in weight. I destroyed the banshee.(3-5 bikes) when I looked behind me I could not believe my eyes, the polaris had the banshee by 2 bikes the polaris is modified :clutch pipe ect.
then dude on the shee was amazed so was I actually
and its all on their tape. his buddies ought to have fun with that one!

 

i saw a stock banshee race a stock raptor here in pa. they did it about 5times and the banshee one everytime by alittle it was close.

i also saw 2 brand new raptors getting towed out of the woods by 4x4's. that didnt look to good. who knows what happened.

 

forgot to say they raced on pavement

 

Stock vr Stock a Banshee does not stand a chance! Don't make excuses fool, because a Banshee cannot hang.

 

Bansheebrad, that banshee has me droolin.. got any pictures of it? Sounds bad a$$.

 

I disagree.. stock banshee vs stock raptor, even weight on the riders, then it's all up to the clutch work and traction. Don't count out a 2 stroke!!!!

 

Rapter316....I would have to agree. Before I recently sold my low hours 2000 Banshee, I raced it on pavement many times with my Raptor, and the results were always the same with either rider. The Raptor would just pull away after initial take-off. At the time both machines were completely stock.