The finese part by Daimon is the biggest problem with riding a Banshee in my area. If your riding area has difficult trails with ledgerock and hills with sharp turns and other obstacles the Banshee is not going to be in your best interest. The Banshee is a WFO quad and the Raptor has the torque to be lugged around and hopped over fallen logs and other obstacles. The Raptor will never have the feel of the 2 stroke's powerband but performance wise when stock there is very little difference and if your on loose terrain the Raptor will usually outrun a stock Banshee.

 

I don't know what kind of trails you have but in the woods it is much easier to ride a Raptor fast than it is to ride a Banshee.

 

I know what you mean. Out here in CA., newer Banshee's out here get red stickered (offseason or race only use). I must find a good used one or get a 4 stroke.

 

I own a DSbaja an Banshee and just sold the raptor due to too many problems.

In my own opinion and i mean this with no offence the Raptor should be recalled by yamaha and 98% of it should be redone. I drive hard but I should not have had any of the problems. Anyway it was probably a lemon but when it was working there were other things i didnt like about it. Hopping over logs was very dangerous, it would spring up on you right away. It loves to ride with the wheels of the ground.

The banshee is the most fun. It is great to drive but you have to get some good skid plates for it. It is a very fast bike and i would take one over a raptor anyday.

The baja is much faster in any terrain then both bikes. In rought trails the bajas suspention will not allow you to feel it. Combined with its great handling and width it passes both bikes easly.

In a drag vs. the banshee its very one sided. the Ds will win a 450yard race by 200 yards.

So you have to make a choice. If its strictly between a rap and banshee go with the shee. If you bring in the baja i would definitly recommend that..

Good luck.