Help me out, guys! I am having a heck of a time picking which bike to buy. Since Suzuki has killed their LT 500 (I am a long time Suzuki fan), and I want a new, not used bike, I am going with either of these two Yamahas. Question is, which one!? I have always been a 2-stroke guy, but must admit, the Raptor looks like a screamer. How do these two bikes compare in stock form as well a modified? Top speeds similar? Does the Banshee really foul plugs as much as I hear they do when not ridden flat-out all the time? Sometimes I do like to putt around and don't want to have to push the bike back to the truck to swap out plugs. How do these bikes compare in the low-speed department? Help!!

 

The raptor will absolutely smoke a banshee down low. I raced my raptor against banshees on an mx track and had no problem pulling them out of the corners. The banshees were spinning where my raptor just hooked up. I think the raptor is a much better all around quad then a banshee in my opinion. If you do a lot of hillshooting and big bowl riding get a banshee.

 

I kinda figured the Raptor would have more grunt down low. After all, we are talking about a 2-stroke and a big bore thumper. How do they compare in the mid range and top end? Does the Raptor pull like the Banshee? I really miss that turbo-like powerband of a 2-stroke. I have 3 vehicles, all turbocharged. A 10 second '87 Grand National, 11 second '87 T-Type and a high 14 second 7000lb. turbo diesel Dodge Ram 4x4. As you can tell, I like turbo-like powerbands.

A few more pluses for the Raptor are electic start and reverse. Is the Banshee a reliable one-kick starter? Nothing sucks more than taking a bunch of kicks to get a bike running. The Bansee also so has a huge aftermarket following since it has been out since the mid 80s.

Decisions, decisions...

 

I have a 97 shee and it has a terrific power band . It was ok when it had stock pipes but when i put toomey T-5 pipes and silencers on it it was like a different quad . My son races it on MX tracks in the 2 stroke class and has several 1st places and has run in the pro class 2 times and both times a raptor was in the same class . The banshee ate the raptors but i think it was riders not machine . I have never riden a raptor but from what i see if i was going 4 stroke it would be a raptor . With the right rider and mods they do kick butt . 1986 TRX250R mx mod's 1988 TRX250R mx mod's 1997 Banshee mx mod's ( for sale pics at www.bowlingracing.8k.com )

 

Banshees are reliable and I doubt you'd be pushing one. With any 2 stroke extended putting around will take it's toll on your plugs. However I'd just check on their condition every couple of rides and maybe carry a couple spares on board and you'll not need to worry about it. Stock to stock the Raptor and Banshee are very comparable. A toomey equipped banshee is a force to be reckoned with! I havent really seen it in person but I would imagine the CT pipe on the Raptor would be pretty close to the Toomey Banshee. Check out the dyno chart on www.ctracing.com and compare that to some of the other mfr's dyno charts for various machines. Of course we dont often ride dynos and it's the real world that counts.

 

Well I used to prefer 2-strokes as well until I purchased my Raptor. Plus with a banshee its two of everthing when it comes time for a rebuild. They are pretty close out of the box. I have race a couple of piped and jetted shees with my raptor and have had no problem it stays close but is still a little one sided

 

Well, guys, I have made up my mind. I am going 2-stroke. I can't help it, i'm a powerband junkie!

Thanks for all the input!!

 

Good choice. Although the Raptor is right there with a Banshee, it does not have the 2 stroke hit ou like. I rode my friends Raptor for about 1 minute, and was like, ho hum, time to get the banshee back...Not that the Raptor is not nice, just doesnt give you the same rush...

RoostKing...

 

If u want a real rush get a turbo banshee

 

I'm already looking into a turbo kit for the 'shee. I can't spend any more money until we close on the new house, but it's safe to say a turbo 'shee will be in my future. It will look great next to my 2 turbo Regals and the Cummins powered Ram. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]