Sorry for the off topic thread, but I have come to respect many of your opinions and so I thought I would post a question here.

I had a 93 banshee four wheeler and had to sell it a few years ago and now am in the market again.

I can get a 2001 banshee for $4000 that from the pics and what the seller says is in like new condition. It is on ebay and I have not personally seen it. I have seen pics and it looks very nice.

It is only 3 months old and he got injured on the job and has to sell it.

or I can get a 2002 raptor. It is the color I like which is black and white and it is brand new. It is $6400.

Any of you guys with quads have any suggestions for me. I do like both and think both have some strong points. I know that both would be wild rides and just can't decide.

Any opinions would be great.
Paul

 

pgio,
Well, first thing I have a 2000 Banshee so I might be a little bias. The Banshee is a blast and kicks some ***. The Raptor is a bad machine as well, and a four stroke to boot. If I was in your place I would have to buy the new Raptor, number 1 you will get a nice warranty with a four stroke, where as the Banshee's is most likely already up, they don't like to give very long warrantees with two strokes, I think I only got 90 days or so when I bought mine new. Number 2, in the long run I personely think the Raptor would be the best machine, Four strokes last a long time. Number 3, Buying the Banshee on E-bay there is no way of telling how good the machine really is, I say spend the extra few grand and get a brand new Raptor in the color that you want.
Let me know what you end up doing and how it turns out.
Good luck, Bill

 

I don't own a quad myself (I'm a bike guy), but I worked at one of the larger motorcycle/atv/jet ski dealerships in New England for over 5 years, so I might be able to offer some useful advice. Given the two choices, I think I'd have to go with HD on this one (the Raptor). However, I think before you lay the cash down on either one, I think you should figure out which model is actually the best machine for you...not which is the best deal.

Both quads are very nice machines, are both are very fast, but they are two different animals all together. The Banshee is a 350cc twin cylinder two-stroke, while the Raptor is a 660cc singe cylinder four-stroke (i.e. with about twice the overall displacement of the Banshee). If at all possible, I'd say try to find someone that owns a Raptor and see if they'll let you take it for a spin (not likely, but worth asking). Although the Raptor is the most visually appealing and most exclusive quad going right now, that doesn't mean its the right quad for you or that it offers the type of performance you're looking for.

I see the Raptor turning into the atv equivalent of an R1 or a Hayabusa (street bikes). Sure, they are the nastiest thing available right now, but just because you have the cash to afford one doesn't mean its the right machine for you and that you should actually buy one ("You could drive your car with your feet if you want to...don't make it a good Fahkin' idea!"-Chris Rock, Bigger and Blacker).

I'd even go so far as to say that probably 60 or 70% of the people that buy a new streetbike (not incl the cruiser style) buy wayyyy more bike than they should, or are capable of handling. Every summer some kid shows up with a wad of cash and little to no riding experience (evidenced by the fact they don't even have a helmet), yet instead of looking at a 600cc which you know they can't ride to its potential (very few people can), they go right for the new R1 or ZX-12 in the center of the showroom, because of the "wow" factor it offers, and how impressed their friends will be...and every year at least three of these people don't even make it out of the parking lot before looping the bike out and doing over $1000 in damage to the left or right side (take your pick). Just because you have the nastiest thing going doesn't mean you know how to ride it...all it means is you have good credit (and most likely don't know how to ride it); if you want to show me you can ride, prove it on the track. Alright, I'm getting off track here...

The simple end to my story is this...

Before you decide between this new Raptor and used Banshee, I think you should concentrate on which quad is the best for you (regardless of new or used, or the price at hand). Once you've determined that, then look to see what the best deal you can find is. If you can find the quad you really want at a price you're willing to pay, then great. But if not (most likely), then you're going to have to figure out which is the best tradeoff: i.e. should you buy the quad you really want for more than you really want to spend, or the quad you like at a price you can't resist. Don't let the price alone be the deciding factor.

I hope whatever I said helped.

Later...

GK

 

pgio,
I would say to go with the raptor. The power is in a more useable form. The Banshee hits the power hard but is not as forgiving as the raptor. The Raptor will need a -1 front sprocket first thing...the gap between 1-2 is crazy. The sprocket will make it alot better. The perform well with aftermarket exhaust/k&n/jet kit. In the long run the Raptor will hold its value better than the banshee. I will say you need to buy the extended warr. I have seen to many raptors with problems i.e. starter clutches. It will help in the long run. Before you buy the raptor you might want to look at the 400ex...It is an awesome machine. Less problems better handling, a ton of aftermarket parts, Cheaper, Parts are alot Cheaper. Or if you are not in a hurry wait til the dealers have the show for new models for 2002 and you might change your mind all together. Rumor has it, a new honda sport quad.
Sorry for the lengthy post
Graeme

 

That is an easy question. The Raptor hands down.
It has electric start and REVERSE.

Marvin

 

I just recently sold my 98 Banshee, I loved that bike to no end but am not bias towards them. I say it depends mainly on what type of terrain you ride on. I loved my Banshee in the dunes but rarely got to ride there, normal riding for me took place mainly in wooded areas with few straits, and it was kind of a pain for that(mainly with g/f on back). If you want something you can mod to no end go with the banshee, but if you want something that has plenty of power and easy to ride with very low maintence go with the Raptor. A friend of mine with a Raptor (pipe kit) would give my Banshee(pipes,head,rad valves,dual K&N,and Holeshots) a hell of a race on grassy terrain. But in the sand with paddles I would blow him away. You need to pick what fits your need's the best. If I had to choose again it would be a Banshee, but I loved the sound of that screaming 350 and really can't stomach a four-stroke. One last thing, I definatly wouldn't buy a used bike without riding it first, Mine was very nice in pictures but had alot of problems that you wouldn't of known about without riding it.

 

I am a bike man also i always rode two stroke but i bought a YZ250F and the power and torque is hands down ten times better than two stroke atleast for me. Good luck

 

Listen to Marvin....Marvin is wise. Besides, he sells them both so he should know.

Later, Collin

P. S. I would definitely go for the Raptor too. I have an '88 Warrior (elec. start and reverse) and I still love it.

 

I agree with 99L3935 the 400 honda is one of the best quads for the buck bar none.Aftermarket part would make it "king of the hill" My brother has a Raptor and he paid $5600 for it new.It really is one awesome machine, but like the man says...parts cost a bundle for the big Yamaha, although it does repond extremely well to those mods mentioned earlier.I definetly would shop that price, though.The dealers have a sh@*tload of them now and they ARE dealing!!Bottom line you can't go wrong with any of those 3 quads.It comes down to 3 things...Price, warranty and if you want a screamer(banshee) ,torque monster(raptor) or something in between (guess)