rjvoight

I would have to agree, I would look at a KFX before an Odyssey. But if you are set on the roll cage, I would go with the Pilot in a heart beat. I have driven both and the Pilot beats the Odyssey in every way.

It's funny how people look at things. What bothers me is that the war is really taking away from everything else. Granted, Bush and his crew use it a lot, but people need to look at the other things going on in the country. Bush inherited a recession and got hit by 9-11. He was still able to turn the economy around. People will argue that but people argue that no matter what. Look at any credible independent financial site or news source and you will see the economy as a whole is turning around and moving in the right direction. My fear is the people will hand the reigns to Kerry and he will ride the wave of prosperity Bush has finally gotten started for four years, then the people will vote for him a again and things will start to fade and the next president, Democrat or Republican will inherit another mess. What about independent home grown oil? Bush is ready to take advantage of Alaska's oil. He will do it and he will do it right, with the environment in the forefront. He won't be able to be careless with all of the eco-freaks out there. Kerry holds hands with the Sierra Club and I don't know where else to get oil. Bush has done a good job, could he do better on some things? of course but when you are the Pres and you get hit with a 9-11 lets see how you do. He is human just like the rest of us, maybe more human than any other president as far as being a real person.

Depends on what you are doing. For all around basic riding, you want to run each gear just until it stops pulling. So, put your bike in first or second, whichever you like to start in and slowly accelerate, as you go through the power band you will feel the bike "pulling" as you reach the limit of that gear it will make a lot of noise but it will not pull, shift. Go through the same process with each gear. Doing this will give you a basic feel for your bike and what each gear is capable of. Once you have this knowledge, you can make all sorts of variation on shifts. For hill climbs and drag racing, the banshee spins up so quickly you can shift extremely fast with or without the clutch, depending on how well you know you bike but the same principal applies, you want to get the most pulling power without bogging her down. Hope this helps a little. I got to get to work. Later RJV.

Anyone see the ATV Rider dune shoot out? It put the stock Banshee in the last position against six other stock rides, including the KFX700 and the Bombardier. Check it out, I'd like to here some feed back on that decision. Randy. PS: Plus they put the Rapshee plastic on it. I think you can read part of the article and see a picture at www.atvrideronline.com

I've done some basic mods already and am curious about the next level. Believe me, I ride a KX250 for MX and the Banshee for the dunes, I am a two stroker. Now with that said, when I rode the Raptor stock I thought "wow, this is a great chicks bike". Really smooth, easy to shift and tons of tourq, like a tractor. It was fast but did not feel fast. Since I have put on a White Bros. E2 pipe, rejetted and put on a K&N with the prodesign adaptor. What a change in the bike. We camped all last week and on the last day I went for one more ride from Driftwood to the South Jetty and back hitting every tree shot I could find on the way on the Raptor just to see how the mods worked. It hauled ass. It is no Banshee and never will be but I think it has even more potential and want to get some info on what to do next. Anyway, I will check bluetraxx. Thanks- RJV

Just got the wife a Raptor and was wondering if any of you knew of a good raptor site where I can get info on mods, tuning etc, kind of a Raptor HQ would be really cool. Randy

I will get the compression checked. And yes you are right, 91/92 premium, regular is 87. typo on my part. As to the needle, I had it in the third notch and put it back to the second notch which is stock. It seems to run better in that slot. I have been all over the board on this thing. I have been as high as 320 mains, I changed, pilots, clip positions and sprockets. I am as close to perfect as I have been on the set up other than this knock. If I can get it to go away, I will never touch the thing again. Thanks for your input, anyone else with any ideas??? RJV

I hit Blater HQ with this question but have only gotten a couple responses so I thought I would throw it out to you guys. The wifes Blaster is set up as follows: 2003 FMF Fatty Power Core II Silencer K&N Filter with Ourter-wear Shaved Head to 19cc Pilot: 35 Needle: Clip in 2nd Groove from Top Main: 280 I run Premium Gasoline from Shell or Cheveron which is a 97-98 Octane The plug is a nice medium tan color. The bike runs great. Really responsive and plenty of power. My concern is that under a load at WOT it knocks loudly. It is specific as soon as I back off the throttle the knock goes away and I do not hear it at any other throttle position. The two responses I got from Blaster HQ are : 1: Run better Gas. If that will take care of the problem, I will gladley pay the 4-5bucks a gallon for race gas, but with my limited knowledge I don't think I should need that with the mods I have. 2: I am too rich with the Main at 280. A lot of people are running 250-270 with my similar mods. My only concern with going down a Jet size is that my plug looks good now. Also, I do not understand why running rich would cause the bike to knock. If someone here could explain that to me I would appreciate it. (NO one at Blaster HQ could answer that one). Any way, I appreciate your input. YOu guys helped me get the Banshee dialed in exactly so hopefully you can help me with this. Thanks RJV

The worst part is they will run it up to around 3-4 bucks a gallon and then drop it back to 2.50 and most people will be like "wow that is so good" when it is still bull. It is a freakin scam. They condition us by running the price up and then line their pockets. RJV

No one drives better drunk or high, no matter what you say. Your fool if you beleive otherwise. UA can be done on traffic crashes. It is easy to see anyone who is high at a traffic crash. If they refuse to give the piss, a good cop will right paper (a warrant) and take it anyway. Also, I am tired of people saying dope smokers don't committ crimes. You guys are either in denial, live a way to sheltered life, or just plain ignorant. Read the papers, look at your crime section and then look for all the people convicted and or arrested. Look at all the people who were hooked for burg, assault, trespass, and worse that I won't even list 'cause it will just piss everyone off and you won't believe it anyway, and see how many of them aslo have PCS less than one oz. marijuana charges attached. I would say 90% but you won't believe that either so I will be conservative and say 50%. Drugs are drugs and they make people do stupid things. Alcohol when abused is not better and I would agree worse in cases. But there are people who drink a beer just to have a beer, not get plowed. People smoke to get a buzz period. People have said it over and over again in these posts. I have never heard anyone sa "I sure would like a joint to go with that pizza" or "how'bout a couple hits with that New York Steak". I have tired of this circular argument and this is my last post (unless something is asked or directed straight at me) on this topic. I hope you all can get past your addiction and find other ways to deal with the stresses in your life. If you need a chemical to help you cope, you should see a Doctor or a shrink. Personally, I think humans can overcome without drugs...but hey I just some guy with nothing better to do right this moment than argue with pot heads on this thread. Peace- RJV

RM- Based upon your own response, I rest my case. You might want to review your own posts. As to MY friends who pissed away full rides and pro sponsorships, you don't have a clue. If they went from pot to "bigger" drugs, I would point out that it all started with pot. You are a prime example of the person who thinks they have it under control. You like the drug and the way it makes you feel so any person that says it has negative effects has got to be wrong. You just told me you weren't a great student, but I bet you could be. It's unfortunate. Peace and good luck to you in the future. RJV

BitchenBanshee- I gotta respect your point of view on that. SoldtheRMforashee- Your right there are some people who just don't care about their future and nothing will change that. And I am sure that 9 out of the ten people you hang out with will light up. As for my research, the next time you are online go to google and do your own research, I'm sure you know how to do research since you are doing so well in school, I assume in the 90's and you are not "retarted" you will explore both sides of the debate and come to an accurate conclusion. Just remember that a topic like this is going to have extremely biased opinions so take your time, look at studies, tests, surveys and personal testimony of kids/people who have lived it and then get back to me and quetsion my basis for my statement. Also, I lived it....look at my previous posts. Good friends of mine, 4pt students, athletes good enough to be stellar college stars and even a chance to play at the pro level flushed it all. When did they change, as soon as they got hooked on pot. I've asked them why and they tell me they just don't care about it. They did not enjoy it anyway, they got tired of all the stress, they don't want to be forced to do what society thinks they should've done. Tell you what, I know that before pot Basketball, Football, Track meant a lot to them. They loved there respective sports. They enjoyed competition, they loved to win, they had a work ethic I admired....add pot, no more. Finally, look at my profile, I am a MX racer. I was good but not pro level. I have no problem admitting that. But a good friend of mine was. Had a full ride with Kawasaki, supportive parents and natural ability I was jealous of. He had it made. His sophmore year somone introduced him to pot. That was 8 years ago. He lost his ride, he trashed his bikes, he doesen't have a job and he still lives at home. He has tried to clean himself up but everytime he starts to train again and starts making progess he falls back. I talked to him 2 weeks ago. He can't even get local support. It was the pot man, no question about it, he changed and won't ever be the same. Even if he beats it that monkey will always be on his back. PEACE- RJV RJV

I know I went a little overboard, I did it on purpose. My point is this, I have seen first hand what "just a little weed" can do. I don't want to sound like a freakin commercial but for way to many people, I think most but have no real facts to back it, it doesnt stop at a little weed. It either becomes something else or it goes from a little weed to a freakin ton of weed. I've been ripped off by people I knew/know so they could buy. I've seen friends piss away academic and athletic scholorships. Yeah, they were laid back and didn't care but that is the point, to this day they just don't care. I've seen friends go from weed to meth to heroin, all very different drugs. Others have mentioned remembering friends or even themselves doing stupid stuff when high on weed, I've seen it, bad choices, driving, fighting, riding and screwing....yeah bad choice sometimes. It starts people down a path they can't get out of.....the worst part is they want to get out, they can't. It pisses me off when I see people who would not normally choose Pot if left alone are offered some by another stoner. "No pressure man, but it's good stuff". Bull Shit, if the person (usually a kid) isn't asking leave them alone. My point with the "eliminate crime rant" was simply where does it end? What's next? Don't tell me nothing because everytime the 9th circuit court does something like this something else follows. Obviously I'm a little passionate about this topic, but it is not a blind passion. I've seen it. And to be fair I know a couple people who seem to manage themselves smoking a little now and then, but they are the exception, not the rule. Think about how many underage kids drink and smoke. A ton, no question about it. Think about how many underage kids smoke pot. Some but not as many as drink and smoke cigs. You legalize Marijuana, main stream it put in camel or winston cig packs and watch how many more teens jump on that wagon. Don't kid yourself by saying so what, it won't hurt anything anyway, Kids who smoke pot as a rule do not do well in school, do not do well in jobs and really loose sight of the future. There are studys to back that, not just biased studies either, surveys done by both sides show that to be true. Life has to many other natural highs to offer. The next time you are on top of a dune at sunset or sunrise, look around. The next time you look at your spouse or signigicant other think about the fact that they have chosen to be with you and no one else. Look at the stuff you have that you have worked hard for, your success. Look at your kids, neices nephews. The next time you work hard riding or playing hoops, or MT. Biking, or rafting or whatever and you are sitting around looking at your friends think about how blessed you are and ask if you need weed to be satisfied. If your answer is yes you need weed, ask yourself why? I am done with my lecture, I just want people to know why I wrote what I wrote, I was hot during the first post. Any way enough said. Peace- RJV

by the way, it is Senate Bill 4-20 out of Calif. that legalized medical marijuana....hence 4:20. You should at least know your own f'd up laws. RJV

Hey moose, I am sure you did all your homework and made sure not to make back any of your "6 bills" by selling to some highschool kid.....right? Or maybe it just doesn't matter, what is a little pot going to do huh? Whatever. RJV

Oh, yeah, lets legalize it. Hey I got a great idea! I know how we can eliminate crime all together. After we legalize pot, lets legalize heroin, and meth. Then we can legalize DUII! Then we can make it legal to smash in car windows and break into houses so the pot smokers can get the money they need to buy there new legal substance, after all if it is legal to buy they should be able to get the money and besides, people with nice cars or houses have it to easy anyway, they deserve to get the shit they work hard for ripped off. Awsome...but why stop there, if we made it legal to beat the hell out of your spouse we could do away with all those domestic violence laws and if they fall you know all the assholes that fight out on the dunes won't matter anymore because if you can beat your wife or woman no one will think it is wrong to get drunk or high and kich the shit out of some person you hardly know. Rock on. Then we can legalize fraud, theft after all what is mine is yours, kidnapping...I mean I just wanted you to go with me for a little while..., menacing....hey I wasn't really going to shoot you, I was just waving that gun around as a joke....murder...I am sure there is alway a justification for killing someone, just ask a defense attorney..., child molestation....after all, they can't help it they were born attracted to juveniles so it must be natural and therefore legal. IF we just keep going before long there will be no crime at all and it will be a peace filled nation because everything will be legal. Hey what is right for you is right for all man. Take another hit while I go to work and pay taxes to support you and your habit. RJV

Have you guys seen the Raptor styled front end built specifically for the banshee? I went to the Maier web site and tehy have a picture but it is not that good. I was wondering if any of you actually have it and can post a picture. I am not sure what I think about it, the 'shee is such an icon with its grill, I am not sure that it is right to change her face like that. RJV

The YFZ is a bad machine, but as mentioned above the banshee feels better. If you know our bike and are comfortable on it, you will be fine, no matter what you line up against. There is always going to be thta one hill were all the four stroke pwer in the world won't match up to a screaming twin spinning your haulers so fast you can hear them buzz as you blast up that gnarly steep no run at all powder soft dune. Even if the YFZ can do it, it won't be the same as the ' SHEE

As much as I hate to say it, based upon my own record against the YFZ, I think the thumper is still going to have the edge. I've raced stock YFZs and ones with all the neat GYT stuff on them and basically, If I do everything right from the start to body position to hitting the shifts just right I might win against the GYT YFZ. The Stock YFZ is a little more forgiving and the Banshee has the edge (with pipes and a K&N anyway) in my opinion. The Banshee is still the ICON on the dunes but you have to give props to the younger leaner generation bringing the fight right to her. Randy

For off the showroom floor the 2004 with the red frame and white plastic is freakin hot. I ditched the yamaha decals and just the white plastic with the frame looks clean nad fast. Now, with that said, I hated the all black LE, until I saw one with a set of T6 Pipes, and some nice ITP polished wheels. Throw on a couple other billet items, gas cap, waterpump cover etc and it is going to look like a bad ass machine. Anyway, my two cents. Peace- Randy

Thanks for the info. I had not even thought about hte injection system being the problem. I have been toying with the idea of tossing it anyway so maybe I will just bight the bullet and get rid of the darn thing. Though it seems to burn the oil from the induction system consistantly at an even pace. I went to the FMF web page and looked at what they suggest. They say anywhere from 280 to 300 the way I have it set up. that is the same as the suggestion for my Banshee, which I have at 310 mains, one size up from the max they suggest, and it runs perfect. So, I pulled the 270 and put a 310 in, one size up from the max tehy suggest, just like I did in my Banshee, and a brand new plug. I am going to let it sit until I get to the dunes again and can go through the gears correctly and do a plug check. As for the injection removal, any suggestions as to what kit to use? Are there more than one kit and how much do they run? Thanks again, Randy

Well, I just took the 330 out and put a 270 in. We will see what happens wtih that. I am still open to suggestion so anyone else who has any experiance with the little bike let me know. Thanks. Randy

I know I am on the BAnshee HQ Site but I have gotten 50 different answers from everyone from the local dealer, to the guy on the dunes and even the Blaster HQ on the jetting for the freakin blaster my wife rides. Let me tell you what I have: A 2003 Blaster: FMF Fatty Pipe and Pwere Core II Silencer K&N Air Filter without the lid Shaved head Two teeth up on the rear sprocket 21x11x10 Sand Geckos on Douglas Blue Lables Up one size on the pilot jet Stock clip And everything from 260 - 330 on the Main, hence my frustration. A freind has a 2001 Blaster with the cheapest DG pipe and silencer combo he could find, a K&N adn the main jet at 330. The Bike has great power, and the top pulls hard, that is what I am comparing mine to. The bottom and mid-range rock. The bike pulls super hard going through the gears but when I open it up it just falls flat on the top. With the 330 it does not "Bog" not like the banshee does anyway. the only way I can explain it is it revs but the power just goes...well flat, which makes me think I am to lean. But when I pull the plug, it is black and damp, which indicates to rich. (My test has not been by the book, I have not been able to go 1-6 wide open and kill it since the last adjustment). I even looked at the Jetting Guide we have for the Banshee on this site, if I use his formula, I should be running 360 to 390 mains, that seems a little much for a little bike. If anyone has any blaster knowledge, please let me know. It is a great little bike but I am at the end of my patience. Thanks, Randy PS: I ride at sea level, Oregon Dunes.

Thanks for calling on that. IN my haste to read the article, I did not even look at the contact people or I would have called. That is kind of what I figured they were going to do anyway. I guess he did not say anything about that bird then so that is good. Take Care and keep the shiny side up!! Randy Albany Oregon.

Got this from the forest service web site. Still a pain in our neck, but it does not sound as though they are going to close it down permenant. I imagine they will end up with designated areas for non-formal campsites on the dunes and they will probabally throw out some out houses and find a way to suck more money out of us. The other issue I heard about revolves around a pathetic little bird called the snowy clubber or something like that. This was a problem 15 years ago and the research the tree huggers did was bogus and they were given a swift kick in the ass. I hope for the same response this time. I think that group wants the entire dune system shut down, not only for ATV enthusiasts but also to hikers, horse back riders and any other person other than themselves. YOu know how it goes. So it looks like we have two battles going on. One wants to shut the dunes down, nothing new, the other wants more control and money. Again, nothing new. We should try to stay involved though and make sure one, that they dont make campsites out so far that I have to spend another 15 grand on my truck just to get my bike and trailer out to it, and two, make sure the Tree Huggers don't just get their way. I ahve way to much money tied up int this sport to be told some little bird is not smart enough to move its eggs to a safe location. Anyway, here is the artical. No Changes in 2004 To Sand Camping At Oregon Dunes NRAHome : Newsroom : No Changes in 2004 To Sand Camping At Oregon Dunes NRA March 9, 2004 Contacts: Mike Harvey, 541-750-7046 Sharon Stewart, 541-902-6986 John Zapell, 541-902-6976 Reedsport, OR- The sand camping program at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area will remain unchanged for this year. Proposed changes that would designate sand camping sites and require visitors to camp only in designated sites will not take place until next year, according to recreation managers. “The environmental assessment has taken longer to complete than anticipated”, said Acting Deputy Ranger Mike Harvey. “It's a complex project and things just didn't come together as quickly or easily as we had hoped they would.” Work on the environmental assessment will continue, with a decision expected in late May and implementation of the potential changes to the sand camping program expected to take place beginning in January 2005. As a result of the delay in instituting the proposed changes, fees will remain unchanged in 2004. This year, as in past years, a $5.00 fee will be required. Fees cover camping from 12:00 midnight to 12:00 midnight each day. A Northwest Forest Pass, Oregon Pacific Coast Pass, Golden Age, Golden Access, Golden Eagle, or the new Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass will cover the fee. A Sand Camping permit must be secured for the days people will be camping on the sand. Permits are available at the Oregon Dunes Visitor Center in Reedsport or at fee machines at the South Jetty Road, Siltcoos Road, Umpqua Staging #3, Spinreel Staging, Horsfall Road, and fee stations at Umpqua #2 and Hauser. During Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day holiday weekends, reservation permits are required for the Goose Pasture and Hauser to Horsfall areas. As last year, the area known as Bark Road will be included in the holiday weekend permit system. Reservations for holiday weekends will be available on April 1, 2004. Those interested in reserving a campsite may call the Oregon Dunes Visitor Center between 8:30AM and 4:00PM, at 541.271.6084. More information is available on the Siuslaw Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw. The changes to the sand camping program were initiated in an effort to address problems relating to crowding from dispersed camping, resource protection, and employee and public safety at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The changes will also promote greater accountability for litter and resource damage by sand Peace my BRDSHCFSKBTM (Banshee Ridin', dune smokin', hill climbin, four stroke killin', Banshee Team Members) Randy Any