100mph from a Banshee?!? In what, the back of a truck!?!?! LOL... I've ridden the Banshee, it isn't the best handling machine out there. It's powerband isn't the most useful, either.

To make those conclusions on the DS650, are we to assume that you have seen one, let alone ridden one sAylt_fmf???

 

With the right gearing and tire height it is very possible for many quads to go 100 or more. It just so happens that a few months back in either Dirt Wheels or 4 Wheel ATV Action there was an article on a sand dragging Banshee and a farmer's dream Banshee and one of them was capable of 106 in first gear alone. As far as the powerband goes I think you have never ridden a Banshee. Mine is basically stock and it keeps on a pulling on the high top end. It may not have a real usable powerband on the trails, but Banshees weren't built for the trails in mind. They were built for speed and speed alone, and that's all right with me. I believe a four stroke has no real chance of a 2 stroke given they both have good traction. The 4 stroke has no instantaneous power like a 2 stroke and even after all the hop ups you can do to them the 2 strokes take less parts or mods to get great results and 4 strokes take more parts or mods to get poorer results. Take a look at the Alba Banshee and Warrior testing in the recent testing of the two in DW I think. 2 Strokes were made for one thing, quick revving power and high rpm's.

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Jeremiah Lucas

1989 Yamaha Banshee

 

I am a firm beliver that when two ATV's are tested they should be equal. In my opinion the DS and Banshee's are not equal, one cost $1200 more. Lets see the test with the guy who bought the Banshee, dropped $1200 right back into it, and the guy who blew 7K on a quad and now can't afford paddle tires for it. Thats a real life test!

Yamaha totaly blew everybody in the dirtbike scene away with the YZ426F, and now with that bike doing so well I look for them to make a few mods to there ATV line, they are having a manufacturer's show in Feb. I think. But, why in Feb. if all they're '00 ATV's are out now...or are they? Just remember, you heard it here first!

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Jerry Goodman '99 400L, '98 TBlazer



[This message has been edited by A400L (edited 11-16-1999).]

 

Sticking YZ426F engine in a quad would be fantastic. By some, the 426 is considered an open-class bike, making near-open-class power. That is saying a lot because it is being compared to bikes like the KX500 and CR500. Those babies make some serious horsepower — try 55! The '99 YZ400F was dynoed at 43.5 horespower, which is significantly less than the big 500s, but the 4-stroke is easier to ride and is hookin'-up and movin' out. Tune the engine like Honda did with the XR400/400EX, and it will be a very impressive ride.

 

First thing the R does not stand for a 250r. So sorry you will have to take your remark back. And the 1200 difference in price between the banshee and the DS 650 would not even buy shocks that would match the ones that come stock on the DS 650 and let alone buy aftermarket frame with better geometry to make the banshee handle. so the price of 1200 isn't that big of a difference considering you are buying todays tecnology not tecnology from 12 years ago

 

Well at least when you buy a Banshee or anything Yamaha you know what you are getting and how it holds up. Can you do that with the Sand-Doo, I don't think so. They're sea doo's aren't even reliable so why does everyone think that this is going to be any different. The Sand-Doo might have more travel in the suspension but it ought to since it's clearly taller than any ATV I've ever seen stock(even 4x4's with lift). I think the tests should be done with a die hard fan of each quad behind the handlebars of their chosen quads, then the heat is on. DW clearly doesn't give a damn about a good test, only to give extra credit to whatever new comes out. I remember the all the hype about the 400EX supposedly being a faster and more powerful quad than the Banshee and better than it at all aspects. Does anyone in their right mind believe this now.

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Jeremiah Lucas

1989 Yamaha Banshee

 

Well...As far as riding the DS...I think not..It looks cool...But is not ready for the market quite yet....Just because a bike has alot of displacement...does not mean it is going to be fast and handle well....The DS looks very tall to me...and an engine of that size has got to produce some torque, and Yes...the Banshee does not have the best track record in the woods...But I don't own a stock banshee either...I don't make a habit out of screaming around at a hundred miles an hour...but under the right conditions...My banshee will do that with no problems...Theres no argument...It all depends on how much money you want to put in to your bike...
We can all argue about how fast each others bikes can go...or we can all stick together for enjoying the same sport...I've been riding all my life...and would be happy to have you over for a ride if your ever in NY.
p.s. Make sure you bring your ds. hehe

 

I think the DS is outragous, it is big and wide like the desert racers but not nearly as much and will definately give any atv a very good run. I say the best test is to put the stock atvs against each other at the Baja 1000 and see who wins. The DS650 motor has been around and there are plenty of mods for it. Just for comparing 2 stoke vs 4 stroke, the stock 500 4 stroke Scrambler will out run the 2 stroke 400 Scrambler. As for the DW test, I believe if you just went out and financed either one of the atvs you probably would not have the money to invest in a new set of tires, so they should test them stock to stock for the average buyer. Not too many people go out and buy a new atv and put a new set of tires on the same day. I am very positive that the atv mags will have some very good test of the hopped up DS650 against the hopped up Banshee soon, then you will see a real race.

 

If they were going to use the stock tires then they should have ridden them in somthing other than sand. No tires can hook like a set of paddles in the sand and 4 strokes don't have a killer powerband so they spin very little if at all. The only thing a Banshee can do in the sand or any soil for that matter is spin and paddle tires are the only thing to help them get traction. Yeah use stock tires but I seriously doubt that any of those quads came stock with Holeshots on them.

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Jeremiah Lucas

1989 Yamaha Banshee

 

Does anyone ever ride anymore? or do we all just compare everything? The important thing is taht you like your ride. As far as im concerned, i could really give a rats azz if someone's ride is better than mine. As long as im happy, i dont care.