jwhitt

Basically was just given a newer KTM 450 and it was an absolute thumper.....selling my 97....what can I ask for it? Runs great,,,,stock

Cool deal. Thanks for the input.

Normal sand (oceano dunes). I'm beginning to lean towards the Pro Flo uni foam filter. The more I read, the more negatives I'm hearing about KN. I was just curious what others in here thought.

I currently have the stock air box/filter on my '97 Banshee and am thinking of switching to the Pro Flo system. I am curious what you all are using in the sand dunes as far as Foam vs K&N filters.

Been thinking of checking out SA but really don`t feel like towing the toy hauler all the way there from Ca. Anybody know if there are trailer rentals on site out there? If so, I`d consider towing my jeep and putting on the sand tires on arrival.

Been going to Pismo since the early 80's. I was down there the last week of June and through the 4th of July this year. I`ve never been there on Labor day weekend. Pismo is very different these days compared to what it used to be...

Oh ya. I`m in Walnut Creek. WC used to be sleepy but now they are trying to make it like a mini SF. It`s ridiculous...

Thanks for the input Bigweave. At the age of 52, family of 5, a boat, a utility trailer, a toy hauler, a jeep, truck and 2 passenger cars, 2 kayaks, 4 ATV's, a jet ski, 2 dogs.........I have to choose my time wisely on certain priorities. Basic maintenance I can handle just barely as time allows, the rest I leave to experts.

Thanks for the input. I haven't checked with this sites sponsors yet but locally I am finding out it is difficult to find a shop (dealers) that will work on anything older than a 2000. Mine is a stock '97 banshee and I guess many shops don't want to touch it.

I'm bumping this old thread because I am thinking of doing the same thing. I also want a shop to inspect the bottom end and go through the top end as my compression is low. Stupid question of the day: if the shop is going through the engine, are they wanting me to roll it in intact with the whole bike or are they good with me just delivering the block? Like the OP, with the engine out, I wanted to go through and clean up the frame and plastic etc. I do have the Clymer manual but most of it is well beyond my experience but is still very helpful with the minor maintenance.

Redline synthetic, 1 bottle per 5 gallons. Only issues I have had is that not all shops carry it so I have had to run around town a bit on some trips to find it and it costs around $11 a bottle.

My son graduated from the Honda 250ex to the Banshee last year. He loves the bike but isn`t into the riding like I was in my early years. His 12 year old sister on the other hand went through several tanks each day on the 250 and is fearless. She was even throwing up sand driving my friends brand new Polaris 1000 turbo. She is hooked big time and I`m sure she will be stealing the Banshee from her brother next year lol. Good idea on the other items....I am going to research suspension upgrades as well. I`ve replaced the center rear shock under the seat a few years back but the others are all original.

I wasn`t even thinking about the bottom end....good point. Some have told me that the money spent on a complete rebuild would be too much and I should just get a newer used bike. The problem is my wife LOVES this bike and hasn`t enjoyed other bikes she has tried including the Raptors, etc. She just loves the low profile 2-stroke and wants to just "fix" what we have lol.

Hey all, I`ve got a 1997 Banshee 350 that I bought brand new. Ive taking it to the sand dunes about twice a year since I bought it from anywhere to 5-14 days at a time. This quad is still completely stock including original tires. The only things I have replaced is the sprocket and chain and have cleaned the carbs out about 3 times over the years. Every trip when we come home I spend a good day cleaning and wiping it down and store it in garage. Now to my question(s): My wife, she rides it more than I do these days, stated after our last trip that it seems to be lacking its usual power. I have noticed increased blue smoke from the left pipe than usual and just did a compression check. The left side maxed out just below 95psi and the right side 105psi. I figure it must be due for a top end job. I had a friend suggest that I also modify the exhaust with the Toomey T5 setup. Now I am not a mechanic any further than bare bone basic maintenance so I am out of my expertise level. Reading various forums it looks like if I go with the Toomeys, I`d need to "rejet" the carbs. (I`m not sure what that means). Part of me wants to stay completely stock because I have always felt that the more mods on a machine just means it makes the machine that much more finicky lol. On the other hand, part of me says, "what the heck, let`s have some fun and beast the sucker up". I am 51 and don`t ride it nearly as much as I used to but my wife and 16 year old son have taken it over the last few years. I prefer my jeep with the sand tires these days lol. Anyway, any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks in advance PS: not sure how relevant it is but we run the stock tires in the sand. I put on paddles a few years ago and my wife hated them because she says she loves drifting/sliding in the bowls versus the paddles gripping too much and she disliked the rough ride on the flats.