DieselTech

The EVOLS aren't made for the Banshee, only the new 450's. They do have an application for the FLOAT AirShox for Banshees, but so far nobody has commented on how they perform. I did have 1 guy tell me they are the best shocks he's ever had on his Banshee, and he had Elkas and Works previously. It sure would be nice to have some people rate thier experience with them, even on a different machine.

wallrat - thanks for the info - I've never even heard of TCS. I'll have to check them out. I saw Alba arms (+2+1) w/Elka rec's for $850, and thought that was a helluva deal....... txblueshee - thanks for your thoughts as well. I do hope that I didn't offend anyone here with my previous remarks. I don't ride MX exclusively - I also trail/woods ride, kinda like XC style stuff too. I'm not really planning to be a super-competative MXer - I've just always wanted to try it, and I would *like* to not get seriously injured while also at least keep from being in last place all the time. Thanks to everyone else that replied as well. Can anyone give me thier opinions on actual suspension components that you've used, and how you liked (or disliked) them?

Yes, this is true. Basically, I like to ride MX, and I have pushed the Shee's suspension to the point (at least the front) where I feel that the bike limits my ability as a rider, but more importantly, that IF I don't get my landing NEAR-PERFECT, I'm gonna get hurt. That's what happened last year at the track when I hurt my chest. So, it's a matter of economics - stick major money into the Banshee's suspension (my 1st choice, as I like my ride) or ditch it and get a 450 (seems to be the majority of what people think based on the suspension's superiority). I'm always trying to better my skills as a rider - that's the most effective way to go faster (at least safely). Thanks for your input - so do you have any recommendations for front end kits?

Mike, Well, I'm sorry, but maybe you should go back and re-read the 3 responses that I got immediately after my first post and before my second (which you quoted). Not only were they not very helpful, but they didn't even meet the criteria of my question - I was simply asking for substantiated opinions about the differences in a Banshee's suspension and the 450's suspension. The first 3 responses I got (to which I replied as a "prick", according to you) didn't address this AT ALL. What I expected to get were some responses from some people who had owned and ridden Banshees and at least one of the new 450's, and had some substance to them, as opposed to just opinions like "I think the 450's are better". Now, as far as long travel setups go, well again, since neither Banshees nor the new 450's are equipped with long travel suspensions in stock form, I didn't see how that was relevent, and therefore why I didn't do a search for it. Your comment about the 450's being 300% better than a 'Shee at anything except going in a straight line interests me - I'd like to hear the WHYs behind that statement, because as I said, a friend of mine that has ridden all 3 ('Shee, TRX & YFZ) said he wasn't really that impressed with the 450's. Maybe he's just not astute enough to notice, I'm not sure, as we've never ridden together (I've known hime from work for about a year now). I came to this site and joined because I expected to get better responses here than at some other forums that I visit, and the first few responses to this post left me a little disappointed. I wasn't trying to be a prick, but I realize that I must have come accross that way. I just want to make the most cost-effective upgrades possible to my 'Shee's suspension because I'm 34 and I can't handle the same level of pounding as I did 15-20 years ago. And I really can't afford to miss work for an extended period of time due to an injury (I'm already out now for at least 4 months due to a shattered tibia in my right leg). So, IF the 450's really are 300% better, then maybe I'm better off selling the 'Shee and buying a 450 (though I'd likely get the new Suzuki over the TRX or YFZ) as opposed to sinking huge money into the 'Shee's suspension. There are things about my Banshee that I really like, and it's paid for. I'm not spending $7000 on a new 450 if I can make my 'Shee handle on par or better for $2-3k, as I feel the powerplant it superior (and cheaper to add power to, $ for $).

Wow.......I asked for replies that had substance to them, and I get smart-a$$ remarks. Thanks for helping me understand. I ask this question because I'm contemplating sinking some money into my 'Shee's suspension. Also, I find it strange that I have yet to bottom my stock suspension on 4-5' of air, but I saw a picture of a guy on here last night that bottomed his on 4' (and he's running YFZ shocks up front and weighs 135lbs - I'm 175lbs). Personally, I don't think that the stock suspension is as bad as everyone tries to make it sound, and I don't think that the 450's are as good as everyone thinks they are - they just have alot more adjustability that the Banshee (which is 19 years old and virtually unchanged, mind you). To me, 4-strokes are for less-skilled riders (b/c they are easier to ride), and 2-strokes will always be able to produce more power for the same displacement. Ok, let the smart-a$$es reply.............

Ok, I've been reading alot of posts about the Banshee's suspension, and how bad it sucks in stock form. I've read all about installing YFI've heard alot of people recommend to others that are contemplating upgrading thier Shee's suspension to just sell the Shee & go get a 450. I haven't ridden any of the 450's, but a friend of mine has and he thinks they aren't as good as other people think they are. What's the deal? I'd like to hear some opinions that have some type of actuall substance to them (in other words, back up your claims with some real examples instead of just what you think).

Where did you get it revalved? What type of riding do you do? Why don't you think aftermarket would be much better? Do you feel that the stock shock is that good? I want to upgrade my suspension, and new arms & shocks are WAY expensive, as is a new rear shock. Plus, it's hard to do piece-by-piece, due to the fact that the new shocks may not work with original arms and +2 arms (assuming putting shocks on 1st, then adding arms later).