Reading the recent Dirt Wheels Mag. about the new DS650 kinda made me irratated. They tested the DS650 against the Banshee and 400EX in the sand. We all know that the Banshee will eat a 400EX but they tested it anyway and that's not the problem. They tested the Banshee in the sand with no paddles or any tire that would be better than plain knobbies in the sand. We all know that Banshees will spin their heart out on any kind of dirt, sand, or pavement. How can they expect to get a real test without giving the Banshee some paddle tires to give it a little traction and for that matter give them all a set of paddles to get a more accurate test of the three. I don't like the new Bombardier for the fact of it's Jet Ski looking body and for sitting high like a big foot or somthing. It's supposed to be a bad quad but why didn't Dirt Wheels test them on some other track or riding area or put paddles on where they tested them because they knew that the quick and high reving 2 Strokin Banshee could never hook up with the tires it had on in the magazine article. Just my thoughts, anyone else can sure put theirs here as well.

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Jeremiah Lucas

1989 Yamaha Banshee

 

I totally agree with your assessment. I also think that we'll never see a production 4-stroke quad that can get near a Banshee in the dunes, unless they turbocharge them and/or use fuel injection. I found out for fact last weekend that the 400EX can't get close, up hills, down hills, around hills and in bowls. We had 3 Banshees and 1 Honda, time and again it ended up in the back of the pack. We even traded off from time to time, same result. I have to say though, in fairness to the Honda, everyone really enjoyed riding it, it's a real nice feeling quad for sure. Heck, if I rode in places other than the dunes, I'd a bought one instead of the Banshee (I think)!

Let's see how dependable that new 'Sand-Doo' is, at least the manufacturers are heading in the right direction. Wait until they supply these 4-strokes with fuel injection and turbocharging, I think it's coming and boy will it be interesting!

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'87 CR500
'00 Banshee

 

Dune It I agree with the turbo and fuel injection aspect of future performance mods. If it weren't so expensive I would get a fuel injection system on my Banshee, but prices are up there. Just think, no more jetting for temp or altitude changes and no more problems with carbs. The only real problem with injection is you have to have some sort of computer and from personal experience with my hopped up 89 LX Mustang I know that computers are a pain in the azz. It's gonna cost me $700 for 4 discs and the use of my laptop to reprogram my cars computer for it to learn the motor is not stock any more and get it to run to it's potential. I don't know about other Banshee owners out there but I have a problem with riding and popping wheelies because it always wants to just melt off the tires and spin. I can't wait to see one of those big, bulky looking Sand-Doo's around where I live and hopefully have some good hooking tires by then to give it a run for its money. I sure hope Yamaha and others don't decide to follow the design of the DS650's and make ATVs look like they should be in the water and not land. I wouldn't have a problem with some more power from the factory though. I always wanted to put a motor like my race ready CBR 600 F2 with 155 horses into a quad frame and have some fun. Although I would probably end up in the obituaries section of the local paper, it would be an incredible rush until then. Well I've dragged on enough.

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Jeremiah Lucas

1989 Yamaha Banshee

 

Hey guys, Look for this part of the article!
The race they ran, if you read correctly it says the ds650 had the holeshot tires. As well as the banshee and the 400ex. So those 3 quads were in the same type of tire.
But, if the banshee is $5799 and the price of the Ds650 is $6999 Why not put 1200 dollars worth of parts to equal out the machines! I Gaurantee Ds650 can't scrape the banshee! I currently own a Banshee! And I just bought a 400ex. I already put a 440 kit sold in the one article on the 400ex. The dunes and Track The banshee dominates.
But I LOVE the quick Handling and feel of the honda. I also love the ease of wheelies.
Both Machines Jump Incredibly!

 

I think it would've been a fair comparison if they put paddles on all of them. As you know, a Banshee really has to have paddles to realize it's full potential in the sand, way too much wheelspin. Not so much the case with 4-strokes, they're power is so much more linear and tractable, more controllable wheelspin. That's a compliment to them though!

 

I also had to laugh at the somewhat one-sided
comparison, according to the Dirtwheels crew
the Banshee in that article made 35H.P.
@rear tires, then in another article about
the ALBA Banshee and Warrior, the Banshee
they said makes between 35-38H.P.@rear tires
according to the Dynojet dyno(stock readings)


Better yet was thr Quote"with the claimed 54
H.P. at the Crank the D.S.650 has approx 48
at the Rear Tires"

The picture of them drag racing shows the
DS and Banshee tied.

Just like the Performance shootout
Banshee, 400EX, Sport 400,
in Dirtwheels, the Banshee according
to the Bar-graphs sported the Best-accel
highest top speed, and out of the three
testers on a virgin m/x track,
2 posted their best times on the Banshee
and the accumulated times for the Banshee
were also the Best.

Guess which one Won?


Great day
Y2K

 

3Cross I dont' think all three machines having Holeshots on them qualifies for having paddle tires or even a decent sand tire. Holeshots are not made for sand so they shouldn't be used for a drag test. Everyone knows that Banshees have a very hard time hooking up so why in the heck did they do a drag test in the sand with NO PADDLES? Not to anger anyone but Holeshots are not good sand drag tires, especially for Banshees and their quick, instant, and powerful powerband.

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Jeremiah Lucas

1989 Yamaha Banshee

 

well, from what i remember reading, the article that talked about having holeshots in the sand was the one about the alba warrior and banshee, not the ds650 and banshee shootout. and i wont say anything about how fast the ds650 is until i see one run but i bet the banshee will beat it.

 

Hey y2kodiak. I believe the Warrior made that 36-8 hp. The Banshee made 61.something. I sat down and read it today at the news stand. Check it again.

 

I have a new Alba Banshee and I think the figure I heard was 48 hp...Albas are no different than any other banshee w/Toomeys, jetting kit and Boyesen's...I can't say if that's rear wheel hp or not though. I believe that figure, it feels real fast. Although certainly doesn't feel like my CR, which is supposed to have over 60 hp, it's the only thing I have to compare it too. I can't wait to race the new 650 in the dunes, see what it's got!