I don't know why, but I am jonesing (craving) to get a Banshee again too...

It was a pain to trail ride on, but when we got into the open trails I could really rip it open. Plus a few local Yamaha dealers have some 06 models in stock for about 5100. For the price of a 700 I could put pipes/sil, tires/rims, coolhead/domes, nerf bars, shocks, all on a banshee. But on the other side, I don't feel like messing with premix, kick starting, cleaning carbs after every ride, etc. etc. etc. 2 stroke maint.

CRAP!!! I'm to damn wishy washy on what I want [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] Wish I had the money to just get both lol

 

You can always pick up a used Banshee later on. My brother used to have a Banshee, and while it is true with the $$ difference you could do a lot to one, that 4 stroke torque and better suspension is going to blow you away. With just a pipe and intake either the 700 or 450 are going to be pushing 50hp at the crank. They still go like stink on a dog down the trails. Of course with the efi you have to shell out some cash for an efi controller too. I wouldn't mind having a Banshee, but as a second/backup ride

 

I own a '07 450 SE and an '06 700R

Overall I agree with what everyone is saying, if you plan on riding mostly trails then the 700R is the more capable bike. That is not to say the 450 can't ride trails, I ride trails all the time on it and it performs just fine. Do yourself a favor though and get the SE with the adjustable shocks. That is my biggest complaint about the rappy, the stock suspension feels way too soft...even in the trails. Doesn't feel nearly as stable as the 450. The FI is a big plus, but I never use reverse...

I think you'd really be happy with either one. Or just do what I did and get both [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i would personaly get a 450 in our group we have 6 and each one has a blast at competition hill in glamis. i own a ds650 and i'm planning to pick up a light bike i could toss around and ive decided to get a 450.

 

Id recommend the raptor, All I had ever rode was banshees until I moved form cali back to NC and found out the hard way that banshees are not for eastern wooded areas, theres no room to enjoy them in tight woods and mine have always hated water. As far as th e yfz450 its a great track bike but is a little harsh on wooded trails. As far as power you can get every opinion that you want to support the bike that you think is faster, my personal experience from racing 4 or 5 of the 450s my basically stock 700 has beat them when I ride it but if I let my brother ride it it looses. Dead stop races are tricky to launch because the rapp has alot more torque than the 450 and will stand on you in the first three gears especially at your weight but thats part of the thrill. Im completely satisfied with mine and its probably the ONLY 4 stroke machine that I would consider. 700R-ALBA KIT BARS BLAH BLAH ETC.

 

Where did you buy, and how much was it, out the door (OTD)?

 

Hey 450kid i live write around the corner from you where do you ride? I live in Newtonville just got 250 ex for the wife and i got 700raptor let me thanks .

 

JIGA
The 700r is sweet and if you have the need to race it no problem. I have the after market a-arms and elka shocks on the front of mine and it lowered the front end 2 inches and with the extra 2 inches in width it puts it real close to the 450's geometry. I have the old school colors and love it I also have a 450 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] I am to old to race it but love playing around just hate adj or rejeting carbs and things like that. Fuel injection is awsome and easy to fix with a controller for after market stuff or when you take it to the mountains.

 

What up Vulcan? I was check out your pictures sweet raptor i have a question about your +2 a-arms and +4 axle How wide is your 700 now is it over 50in wide? I am looking to widen mine in the future I like to stay around 48inchs if can. Do you have any idea how i can do it. Right now i think the 700 is 46inchs wide so looking to get 2 more inchs 1 inch on each side. I am thinking maybe with a diffrent offset rim in the rear or a +2 +4 axle and a +1 a-arm up front. tell me what you think thanks

 

The bike is 52 inches wide on the outside of the rear rims and 32 on the inside rim.
Off set rims are going to through the geometry off like wheel spacers will. They make rims with less off set like the Baja rims I have you can stay with stock 2-3 or they make a 1-4 that will make the wheel closer to the axel and that keeps the correct geometry. All the big races guys use the 1-4 rims on the 2+ a-arms to keep the front correct. I have the LSR axel from loan star and it can go from 1 to 4 inches. The a-arms are 2+1 and the top ball joint can be adjusted in & out for pos or neg camber on each wheel. The +1 gives it more caster that helps the tire track faster or straighter. If you get the +2 a-arms then put the 1-4 rims on the front that will make the front 2+ overall and the axel can be spaced anyway you want to come up with your 48 inches. I love the Houser a-arms they dropped the front of the bike 2 inches that helps a lot when doing hairpin turns.