I've Owned my Banshee for 3 years. Trails are all I ride. The banshee is a great choice for the trails. If you like lots of mud, deep water, tight Steep terrain at slow speeds, then the shee is not for you. I think its about what kind of riding you like. the Banshee was designed over 20 years ago. Until the past few year has the industry come up with a sport Quad that offers more than a Banshee. If you are running hard pack open trails the KFX 400 doesn't have a chance, but in tight difficult terrain I would pick the KFX as the winner. What ever you ride, love it for what it is. thats what its all about.

 

Banshee no doubt would win. I agree the 400 would be better in the trails. But it depends on the rider alot.

 

just got my KFX400 yesterday, and it's def a beast in the "pick up" department compared to the mojave. I like it alot. My buddy did get the shee as well.

I'll give a short comparison for both since we traded for a minute.

KFX400- (see mods below)
+'s low end grunt. Pops up real nice when wanted, and powerslides are cake. great throttle response. (never got out of 4th after two hours of riding because there was no need). We have a very small track (snow covered at the moment) and once we packed it down I loved how it went into the corners and had the pep to come out of them into a straight away. No downshift required which is a plus somewhat.

-'s terrible in snow (I know it's not made for snow, but I just have to get used to it compared to my 250). Straight lines were awesome for the speed, but anything that wasn't on an angled and required turning...I just had to ease the gas after learning this puppy loves to either spin extremely easily or slide. Again, this is in the snow, but had a few close calls because of the sliding. A little high in the rear for my taste, but hopefully some hole-shots solve that slightly.

Banshee-

+'s this thing was awesome when it came to the turns I hated going through in the 400. No sliding (spinned, but no sliding all over). Stayed right in the ruts (snow ruts) that we previously just made at any speed. Seat was very very comfortable and the suspension felt decent for what we have to ride on around here. The seat alone would was just awesome.

-'s I just plain out didn't like the feel of this engine. I am by no means saying it sucks or anything, but it is just not for me. The thumb was terribly stiff compared to either my Mojave or KFX400, along with the clutch. I'm just not used to the "no low end". I'm sure I would get used to it, but I honestly just don't care for the mechanical feel of the bike. It's a screamer, and would be awesome to drag with, but I would never care to ride this thing in the trails.

well there ya go, there's my two cents on both. These bikes are most likely completely different in the dirt, but they are what they are in the snow that's one thing for sure. Thanks for all the help and opinions you guys, and I'm happy I stuck with the 400. I'll see if I can get some pics up and show you both of them.

 

Well, I am Randall's buddy that just picked up a 01' Banshee. I've always wanted on and finally got it. There are def. +/- to this quad.
I am use to riding my Raptor 350 4 stroke.

I know everyone says that the suspension is poor on the banshees but I will have to strongly disagree. It was awesome in the trails. Randall tried to keep up on his KFX 400 and he said I was just gone!! Yea, riders have a lot to do with it, we are both very experienced and on equal playing fields since we both got new bikes 2 days ago.

I was having second guesses about buying a 2 stroke banshee(mix the gas, no reverse, kick start etc...) And then realized that I just wanted the raw speed that is has to offer stock. Add pipes, K&N and a boost bottle and hang on.

 

As I wrote Earlier in this thread, the Banshee is a Remarkable machine. it handles up to my expectations. Like any thing you buy, it has its strong points, and its weak points. Whats most important is that you like What ever it is that you own. thats the secret. Theres a machine for every purpose. If you been raised on a 4 stroke; a 2 stroke takes some getting used to. they require a little more involvement in using the gear box and the power band, and this is wear the fun in ridding is. well not for everyone. I was raised on a 2 stroke and I find it hard to go with any thing else. once you get it; how to use the power band and the gear box its hard not to love a 2 stroke. don't get me wrong a 4 stroke has Qualities a 2stroke will never have. how ever I always kind cringe when I hear people say that a 4stroke is better than a 2 stroke, and vice versa. these are very diffrant animals for diffrant types of riding, and can't really be compared. the banshee is a great choice, you won't be disappointed. I'm very very happy with mine! one of the best Quads ever made in my opinion. and unlike all the others its a timeless legacy. by the way don't listen to all that talk about maintaining this Quad. I'm on my third year and still have a stock untouched power plant.

 

I have been a Banshee Owner/Rider for 14 years. I have two of them that I bought brand new a 94 and a 95. The 94 has a ported 4 mil stroked 350 with pipes, high compression head, K&N, advanced timing, 34mm Carbs, lock-up clutch. There are no 4 strokes that can keep up on straight lines, hard packed, fire cuts. It rides very well on the trails due to the higher compression than a stock banshee. Lets face it...you buy a Banshee to go fast. Real Banshee owners don't buy it to putt around on trail rides. It was meant to be a duner....open riding styles.

If you know how to ride, a Banshee can run trails. It's a lot more work with shifting and clutching. If you want to ride trails comfortably...get a 4 stroke. If you want to go VERY fast and don't mind the extra work on the trails...get a BANSHEE!

I will NEVER sell my Banshees. They are Hall of Fame'rs when it comes to quads. Until you have ridden a properly tuned one...you will never know what I am talking about.

 

I completely agree with the banshee being a nice trail machine. I have no idea why anyone would say the suspension is terrible when AllthrottleShee's rode awesome on our little trail. Soft suspension, took turns nice, seat was softer than a ghetto booty, and it just hugs the ground.

I agree with you though Baddboyy21, it was the first time I ever rode a 2 stroke, and grew up riding Kawi quads. Completely different and does require getting used to. No biggy though, we'll trade more often and get used to eachothers machines.

 

Well put! Thats how I feel about my Banshee. I will never sell her!! Its a shame that the industry is pretty successful at getting the public to drink their koolaid (the thought that the 4 stroke is the answer to everything.) its for this reason, that the real speed kings have disappeared from the seen. I remember the days of the 250 Quad racer, Honda 250R, and Quadzilla 500. When the Banshee was put to rest in 2006, the customer's choice to buy a real screaming trail burner has been lost for ever. nothing against the 4 stroke they have there place, like you mentioned. My Banshee is bone stock, with the exception of polished ports. its well tuned. there isn't a Stock 4 stroke that can stay with my shee in open long range trails. its great on over all trails as well. Its all about the kinda riding that you like. the 2 stroke has its place too, but your political leaders let the socialist groups tell the powresports industry how they can serve the consumer. so it is, that another great part of power sports is history. Whats next??