I currently own a 2000 banshee w/ pipes. Has anybody gone from a banshee to a yfz 450? I wanna know how the 450 compares to the banshee. let me know what you like better about each bikes.thanks

I will be out this weekend if you would like to try mine.

I'm not gonna be out until thanksgiving. Thanks for the offer.

The Banshee will be the benchmark in performance for some time to come.
The most remarkable quad ever built,, a legend in its own time.

My sons YFZ 450, though very fast stock, is now unbeatable with just a few mods:

Mod#1: Advance the cam timing 1 degree.

Mod#2: Big Gun exhaust

Mod#3: 3 sizes larger on the jet/ remove the airbox lid & use a outerwears.

The only question now is: can you hang onto the handlebars?

2 strokes have hit the point where diesel submarines were in the early 50's when the Nukes showed up.

The bar has been raised with the new Honda and Yami 450's. These engines are screamers.

Plus,, the new YFZ 450 is far more fun to ride. Awsum handeling,,, a kick to drive/ride.

The Yami will have the suspension advantage, the Honda will have the advantage that Honda Honors it's warranties, Yamaha never does.

mod for mod, you will see the thumpers putting the smackdown on the Banshee's this coming week. Hands down guys.....before the Bansheeboys reply nastigrams at me, here what I am saying Mod-for-Mod...........

what exactly does it do when you change the timing, I read how to do it, but dont know what it does, thanks for the help, I just got the yami 450 a month ago and love it

Ian, i am going to buy a quad this January and it is a toss up between Raptor or the 450. I am 280lbs and just wanted to get your opinion on the bike you like the best???

I am 235lbs., 5'11", and 31 years old, I have an 01' raptor with a full alba pipe, jet kit, air filter, 1 tooth smaller sprocket in the front, alba pro comp a arms with triple rate shock for my weight, and a couple other mods like lights, chrome, etc. the 450 is bone stock, my little bro (17 150lbs.) rides that, he loves it, however my choice between the two for me would be the raptor, and this is why, the 450 is basically set up as a track bike, the suspension is stiff, but that can be adjusted, it sits low to the ground and it just feels small, everything is more compact, and the seat is rock hard which I am changing as soon as I can find a softer one. the raptor is definately a more comfy ride, it depends on your style as well, if you go mach ten with your hair on fire, and jump 10'high then you may want to look at the 450 with mods, but I cruise around at a decent pace, (3rd gear 1/2 throttle through the dunes, that is with the smaller front sprocket), I jump probably 4-5 feet high, 15-20 feet far, stock shocks started to bottom out, but with the new a-arms and shocks, little stiffer on the flats, but awesome in the dunes, my next step is a +4 swing arm to help keep the front end down, I had a less problem with the front end coming up when it was stock, but I added the mods, put aggressive paddles on, and with wet sand the front comes right up. All in all, the raptor is my choice, great bike stock, and with a few mods, unreal. hope it helps, if you want to email me it is ianc2@cox.net.

Cool, yes ALBA all the way!!! i whent up there yesterday and i like the mods added by ALBA. I would say we have simular riding styles from the sound of your discription. Your so right, i sat on the 450 and it felt like a wooden bentch
The Raptor is what i am leaning too. Do you know if it's better to get the trap or the mx pipe???

By the way i noticed you have Cox. I am in Internet support. If you need anything call me at 619-715-4400 x-8065 I work 5:00-1:30pm.

if the only thing I do to the 450 now is change the timing, do I need to mess with the jetting? or is it good to go, thanks

HAHAHA....."2 strokes have hit the point where diesel submarines were in the early 50's when the Nukes showed up"

Whatever...... you're comparing 2 stroke technology to 4 strokes like it's the same as diesel vs. nuclear......whatever

I LOVE MY 2 Stroke. And I haven't been beat up the hill by a 4 stroke yet. And the day it happens.....I'll be glad that the person that owns the 4 stroke put that more much time, money and effort into his bike to beat me. I have a '86 250r with some top end work done by Trinity, not too much work. But, the argument is, what's better, a banshee or 450f? If you like 2 strokes, the banshee wins, if you like 4 strokes, the 450f wins, plain and simple.

Hey Mark, my four-stroke beat you up Olds several times. LOL! Yeah, I know. I had 150cc's and alot less weight. It will still be a long time in the future when four strokes can compete with two strokes in equal cc's.

A banshee with cpi pipes and porting will beat almost every 4 stroke out there. I cant believe that you guys are trying to say that adding pipes and advancing the timming 1 degrees is scary fast like you cant even hold onto the handle bars? You must have never been on a modded banshee then if you say that. With those simple mods you will have about 60-65 hp and I dont know of any 4 stroker that can keep up with that. Do you???????

Come on Boys!! Enough non sense.

Just buy what is best for your type of riding, weight, etc.

Two strokes vs. Four strokes. It's an endless battle.
If all you want is a fast bike, go with a 2 stroke banshee or Honda r.
That will be the best show off bike.

2-strokes are great (banshee or R's), some mods and they scream.

4-strokes are just as great, not as fast YET, but very close.


For Sandfx, if I were you I'd go for the Raptor.
For your weight, you will be more than happy with that quad.

I own one, I am really happy with it, and I am only 180lbs.
But then again, I own a 250r, and I love it just as much.

We are just weekend warriors, we are no pros competing, so it makes no sense
to spend so much cash just to show others your bike is faster.

Alright guys I have a 66hp ported banshee and a 450 with pipe. Although I miss the screaming power of the banshee the 450 is pretty fast and alot more fun to ride.

I'm 6'3 220 and yes the 450 is a bit smaller than I would like but raise the bars an inch and it's a pretty comfy ride. My dad has a raptor with same mods and the 450 smokes it and isn't as much of a turd to ride. Hands down I would take the 450 over the raptor. The seat sucks though!

hey its all about the ---- ------- stopping 2 -strokes. equal displacement 2 -strokes should be faster and definitly cheaper to build.I believe I read horsepower digs holes and torque moves you forward.4 strokes are quite reliable,but I like the feel of 250r wfo,so it may depend on how you ride which you like best. [

Somebody call my name?
I love my rolling couch

hey whats up wfo.if I can get to G on thursday I'll see if my bro in law kenny G can handle the china wall run and keep the throttle pinned!

Just got back from G, and had 1" more of foam added and a Cascade seat cover - way better! Also the billet front bumper, gas cap, and thumb throttle, but that was just for looks

oh jamie anybody that has riden with me knows i can hang with the 2 strokes in the dunes. when in the dunes its not the bike its the rider.

Dont buy alba ! i bought an 01 shee and it is a great bike , however , i bought a yfz 450 befor halloween and its december now and it still doesnt run right. Ibought it with a titanium gyt-r , and K&N , when i got it home it was back fireing and the pipe nearly melted . They said bring it back so i did and they said they fixed it ,But it still pops , and sometimes wants to die. ive burned 3 tanks of gas just putting around , oh yeah but still not running right i beat a couple banshees with pipes and carbs , Cant wait to see what it will do when i get it running right

If you let ALBA jet it for you that's your problem right there. They say proper jetting on the 450 is a 165 main and 42 pilot. That's not much more than stock which is already too lean. Where's your jetting at?

I dont know where my jetting is set, when i got the bike it already had the pipe on it . Since it came that way i thought alba would have set it right . or at least to manufactures suggestion. I know it is lean , but after paying Albas outrageous price i at least thought i would get a good running product, they say they give you a free pipe and K&N , but then they charge a 1600 $ crate fee , i ended up paying 9000$ befor i got out the door . i feel ripped off .