i would say if you already have a shee or can find one for cheap and do all the mods yourself 8k is crazy. BUT if you dont know how to work on shees and dont have one and want one bad ass coal climber right out of the box 8 dont seem to bad. you pay that for a new 450 or 700 and i know this thing would poo all over both.
i wish i could find a vid on youtube of someone making a nice climb without paddles. all the guys on banshees i saw try without ended up getting stuck.
I always have boots and a helmet on when hitting the trails hard. That being said, I don't always on my bike. I feel its up to who ever is riding to decided. I do think its funny though when I see guys on the trail in full gear. Chest protector kidney belt and all but still wont try a small hill climb.
dude thats why i have an oil pump. all the fast guys have them put in where they do their cam mod. i sent mine to hjr and got everything done, oil pump, head porting, cam work, and a 520 timing chain.