why do all the pro riders ride on 250r's. I know they only really use the frame and then heabily mod them, but why not ride a banshee. They are just as good if not better.

 

the suspension geometry of teh 250'r is widely recognized for its stabilty and handling characteristics. as well i think it has to do with regulations that define the classes, in respect to engine dispacement

 

250R's, 400EX's and Raptor's are more balanced. Banshee's and Warrior's are front heavy. 250R's and 400EX's sit lower to the ground for better stability and have small enough displacement to be legal. Depending on the class, two stokes are 250cc or 330cc max. and 4 strokes are 440cc max. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) That's what excludes Banshee's and Raptor's.

 

from the sounds of things you have not been able to compare the two yourself. i have a friend that owns a 2000 banshee and an 1986 250r and i would take the R over the banshee any day. the banshee has arm ripping power which is fun but tires you out quickly. there has very smooth power handles 100 times better and way better for jumping. in the 250 pro gnc class you can only run a 265cc 2 stroke motor or a 440 four stroke. the rules in gncc are a bit diferent. i could be rong but i think it is pretty much open thats why you see banshee's and R's together but most of the R's in the gncc have 310 or 330 kits. the banshee was pretty much bulit for the dunes.

 

yeah i see what you are all saying . Im a fan of two strokes myself, but in that case why dont you see quadracers, tecates, ect. It just looks weird when everything on the track is either a 400ex or 250r.

 

It's pretty plain and simple, and I am a Yamaha fan and hate to admit it, but the Honda's are just the superior machine. I think we'll have to wait and see how the Cannondale's can compete though.

 

You guy's are blowing me away!!!! I own a 2000 banshee and here is what the truth is. stock for stock a 250r might handle better than a banshee, but who races a stock machine? I put +2 a arms, shocks, swing arm, axle ect. into my chassis and I can by far waste any of my buddies 250r's. And that is just in handling, Now it is true about the hit of power that is hard to control on a banshee, well here is a recipe that will fix that,add two parts paul turner mid pipes,one part pro flow kit,one part cool head with two parts 21cc domes, and v force delta reeds, jet it to your elevation and presto. My bike handles just as good as or better than a 250r (even ones with similar mods)and tottaly kills them in power. and as far as the pros ridding mostly 250r's... well most pro's race in the 250 class. except of course for those who have the ***** to race the banshee like those guys at duncan
just my 2 cents

 

All the pros race 250Rs because they're better then banshees......really I have no fugging idea but I do know that stock for stock a 250R will smoke a banshee in handling and slightly be beat by in speed. I dont care what you do to a banshee a 250R will still outdo it on the track modded for modded stock for stock.
just my 2 cents.....


Icav

 

even with longer a-arms the front between the a-arms of a banshee is way wider than an R so there is way more bump steer resulting in rider fatigue which then makes lap times slower. the guys at duncan racing have after market frames that are designed like a 250r style in the front so the bump steer is not so bad. the older lt250r had the sorta front end design as the banshee only they handled even worse.

 

undeadinfantry, you must live -50km from me. I live 10 minutes from stoneycreek, too bad they closed down the dairy, that place was packed all day and night. I live in caistor center, its near 20high way and that new fortinoes... im up the mountain, btw. where are you?