Jeremiah,

The fact that a 4 stroke is doggy compared to a two stroke is conventional wisdom; however, that is all changing. The new 4 strokes are constantly being improved and are beggining to deliver better power than the 2 stroke counterparts. The key to 4 stroke power is additional cc's. This is why the AMA allows 400 cc 4 strokes to race in the 250 cc 2 stroke class. Do you want proof that the 4 strokes are at least competitive with the 2 strokes, look at last year's AMA motocross champion--Doug Henry. He piloted the YZ400 (yes its a four stroke) to the number 1 plate against a field comprised of nothing but two stroke bikes. A season championship is a far cry from winning a race or two--its total performance for an entire season. The motocross world recieved its high performance thumper, and now the ATV world has a TRUE high performance thumper as well. As far as the looks of the DS, that is merely personal opinion--if you all think back to 1987, the Banshee's appearance wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms either. The simple fact is that the DS is a radical machine that heas shook up the ATV world, and that is exactly what the industry needed.

 

What I am really curious about is how the DS650 will compare to my '89 TRX250R, the acknowledged 'King' of the high-performance machines...

 

I think Mr TRX is wrong, from what I can
Remember the Banshee could outrun the LT500
(the RM500 it was based on was not the least
bit impressive in dirt bike form, Weakest
Open classer of it's time).

the YZ400-426F, dose so well due to the simple fact that the darn'd thing still makes
over 30H.P.@11500, while the current Open-Classers(KX500, CR500) sign-off @8000
and they drop below 30H.P. @7000, nothing
bad to say about either of those fine Bikes.


Maybe Yamaha has sat too long on most of it's
Quads, but there are us who still love them.

Y2K

Have a Great day

98 Grizz, 98 YZ400F, 99 YZF-R6, 2000 Kodiak.

In a Dune/Drag Race the DS650 will most likely
kill a 250R, sorry
in those areas a Banshee will also kill a
250R
250R's are the Kings of M/X and will kill
a Banshee(or maybe too a DS650) on those
terms, or limited area GNCC.



[This message has been edited by y2kodiak (edited 11-19-1999).]

[This message has been edited by y2kodiak (edited 11-19-1999).]

 

Hey Rad-r take it easy on the banshee its old but i think wrong about a banshee a stock banshee will run 88-90mph on radar but thats a stock quad that is detuned ,as far as im concerned. so a new and unexperienced rider wont jump on and kill their self. I own a very old 87 model that is bored,piped,polished ported stroked and every thing else you can do to it and it always turns head of all quad owners and i promise you it will run 120mph without the bottle or alcohol i some times race it on a 1/8mile drag strip and run sportbikes and camero and stangs and i dont loose a two stroke can turn 10000-13000rpms and dont try that with a four stroke but that is what was built and designed four. im not knockin the four strokes there good for other types of riding but i dont think they will ever run 100yard sand drag in 4seconds do you.

 

Interesting to hear that a 350cc machine can take a 500cc machine, both being two-strokes. I have personally witnessed a LT500R drag race a (at the time, new) '96 YFZ350 and the Banshee lost. No it wasn't the dunes, but it was a straight gravel logging road. But, I can't give the Banshee too much crap, because it was bone stock (so was the LT500R), but the Banshee didn't have much over my TRX250R in a straight line. On trails with actual bumps and turns, the Banshee has nothing at all.

 

From a business aspect, Yamaha saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by NOT redesigning the Banshee and still selling out of them each year (good job Yamaha). From a riders stand point, I applaud Bombardier and Honda (400ex) for giving the Banshee some competition and forcing Yamaha to redesign to stay competitive. And when they do, I’ll buy another Yamaha and still beat you!!!!!!!!

With Love,
Jeff

 

OK...this post is getting really old now...About the only thing we have accomplished here ...is proving that everyone is not going to ever agree on one quad being the "BEST"..Which is good...because diversity is what the world is all about...You might love your two stroker....or you might love your 4 bangers...but one thing is for sure...Everyone with their respective quads are having a great time.. I know I am...Yes I love my Banshee...And I love the 400ex sitting right next to it in the garage.

It's real easy to soak in all the articles about quad tests and speed runs...and associate the results with your own quad...Thats OK I guess...But most of these tests are done with some kind of professional rider..under controlled environments of some kind. I know that I feel it is a waste of time to argue with someone over the internet..on how much better my ride is...When I can be out riding and not typing.

-good day

 

well you talk about the ds650 and the banshee and the 400ex but my 300ex will blow all of you away
____________________________________________

Just so you know i was joking i am glad the ds650 is here i dont care what will beat what just be glad we have hi perf quads

------------------
T.J. Flynn Honda 300ex - stock but not for long

 

Well, I guess since you witnessed it that
must make it fact.

Really interesting, the fact that a 350cc
Twin out of a very respectable road racer
is defeated by the most limp-wristed Open-
Class M/X motor ever concieved.


One hint, it is not the Banshee that
has nothing.


Great Day
Y2K

 

Atv Action Said that they will drag a DS against a Banshee on tar. Shouldn't be a problem getting traction then.