STLBILL

Hi guys: If there is one thing we will never see in environmentalist-sponsored commercials it's mom, dad, and the kids enjoying the great outdoors on ATVs. Instead all we see are the few bad apples tearing up the national forests and leaving their trash behind. Unfortunately the liberal news media supports the environmental groups and the public thrives on bad news - those poor, poor trees. It is late or I would research 2003 revenue figures for ATV Sales and point out the economic impact that would result if we banned them. I could also look into all the sales tax and personal property tax acquired from ATV sales. In Minnesota for example 0.15% of all gasoline sales tax revenue comes from ATV use (state government memo)! We have to ride someplace. Regards, Bill

Hi NuckingFuts04Banshee: If history tells us anything the new models usually hit the showroom in July or August. It really depends on how quickly the dealer can clear the showroom of the previous year's inventory. I would speculate the new bikes come earlier in the year... as soon as the weather breaks. ATVs tend to be big sellers in the Fall and Winter. Just check the local classifieds for proof. Few people want to buy a new toy and not be able to ride it until Spring. That is unless you live in Saint Louis where it is Fall from October through April but, I'm not bitter... Regards, Bill

Hi guys: Does anyone know if any 4x4s have ever tried Choke Cherry or Sand Mountain? I showed someone with a 4x4 some videos depicting sport ATVs climbing (or trying to) Choke Cherry. He responded that his stock Honda 500 4x4 would chug it's way right up it. I've never been there. Is this true or he full of $hit? Would 4x4s make it up Choke Cherry so effortlessly that it isn't enjoyable and that is why I've never seen any on the videos? I am going to have to make the 9-10 hour trip to Little Sahara this summer to see for myself. Thanks in advance, Bill

Hi all: I am not sure if I agree... even though I think the ban is bull$hit. For one the private land issue is irrelevant. The tree huggers manage to regulate thousands of factories which produced emissions on private property. The air moves off the private property. Hell, Europe is complaining about our smog moving over there. If two-stroke demand were great enough Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki would have never stopped making their two-stroke models. I am still amazed the Banshee has endured this long. The Blaster caters to and supports the Banshee market by providing a peppy entry-level ATV. Just my two pennies... :-) Regards, Bill 2003 Banshee + K&N and a dented front bumper to remind me...

Hi guys: I live in Saint Louis. My name is Bill. I guess I like to keep it simple? Regards, Bill

Hi guys: You cannot post images from your desktop. You need a place to store the picture on the Internet. It cannot be uploaded to BansheeHQ from your Windows Desktop as it could to an e-mail message for example. This problem can be reproduced by placing "c:\test.jpg" in the popup box that appears after you click the IMG button when composing a message. The problem can be corrected by adding code to verify "ftp://" or "http://" is the first 6 or 7 characters of the input text. Regards, Bill

Hi guys: I think the pair on my 2003 'Shee are very bright. They are more than adequate for all my night riding activities. I do not recall models from the 80s and early 90s being as bright. Hope this helps. Regards, Bill

Hi guys: Everything has to start someplace, but I like the HQ and everyone here. I will not use that site because it doesn't seem (s)he obtained Lee's permission to plug a competing site. Secondly, it seems like a temporary endeavor with no monetary investment which might suggest minimal if not total lack of committment. Anyone can build a forum site using this method. Lee on-the-other-hand dishes out real cash for a domain name and professional hosting. Just my two cents... Regards, Bill

Hi all: Now that I see I am not alone... I am a Unix SysAdmin. I was afraid to be the only geek on here for a minute. It seemed all Banshee owners are outdoorsy or labor types. The Banshee is my break from computers. The choice was clear when the dealer tried to discourage me from it by labeling it "1990s technology". I am so damn sick of technology... Regards, Bill

Hi Gumby: You best keep that tag line. You almost sound like you're Banshee Bashing. We will not stand for any insinuations that our 'Shees are broken all the time and won't be ready for spring enjoyment... even if it's true. Damn! I should go riding tomorrow. The 'Shee withdrawals are making me edgy... Regards, Bill

Hi Felon: If you don't need the money right now hang on to it. Have your mom put it in an interest bearing trust fund for you son that he cannot touch until at least 21 (preferably 25). I do realize - from experience - how difficult that decision is to make at your(/any?) age. I suspect you'll gain the respect of many adults if you do this. Hell, you'll be 35 when your son is out of college! That money will buy ATVs for both of you to spend time together on then. Regards, Bill

Hi guys: It wasn't necessary for him to feed the croc while holding his kid. However, I don't know of anyone who is more qualified to say if his kid was in danger than Steve himself. Is there anyone else with as much experience? Why aren't they commonly known by the general population as "the croc hunter" like Steve is? Where is their television series? Who is going to serve as a "more expert" witness against him? Jeff Corwin? Keep in the mind "common sense" seems to have been largely bread-out of American society a generation or two ago. If the lady from McDonald's can sue for hot coffee you're going to have to prove risk (and their are no damages). Simply saying the kid was a few feet from crocodile food won't work anymore. That would be "common sense" which our judges and courts no longer have. One thing for sure. He just got a lot of free worldwide advertising for his unique lifestyle turned career. Something tells me it isn't over yet. Regards, Bill

Hi guys: Try as I may I cannot make this one work. I think it is workable but needs some tuning: Banshee: Twice the carbs. Half the strokes. All the power you enjoy! Regards, Bill

Hi guys: Makes perfect sense to me. She has to eat... right? Regards, Bill

Hi guys: Man... the money you all could make from me. I take mine to the dealer for everything. I need a mentor and some confidence. I am too afraid of messing anything up. Joe - That "too hard / doing it wrong" thing doesn't apply to everything I can think of... Regards, Bill

Hi I2Fast4U: I appreciate you asking! I mostly just earned an education you can't get from any school: I learned the value of knowing what's up ahead. I learned the importance of a chest protector and helmet. I learned not to drive into rock walls (especially in fifth) anymore. Apparently I didn't know these things before the accident. Every once in a while my back bothers me. If I sit or stand without back support for a while I'll have a feeling in my upper right back that feels like a hot tub jet on it. It's not as pleasant as it sounds. I just don't know how else to describe it. I just change positions to feel better. An exercise regimen and a lot of luck has got me this far. The good news is that I'm riding and doing all the things I want to do. I'm just a *lot* more cautious now. Oh yeah... and despite recommendations from some people... I have no intention of even trying to sue Yamaha. That just pisses me off! If the throttle would have stuck or some mechanical defect caused the accident that would be different. I am pretty sure I didn't get all I deserved for being stupid, but any chronic injury I suffer is my own fault. You guys are great! I'm certain the support you all provide contributed greatly to my recovery! Thank you! Regards, Bill

Hi guys: Due to it's architecture cable is not subject to the line length limitations DSL is. Congestion aside everyone gets the same speed regardless of how far you are from the central office (CO) or Digital Subscriber Line Asynchronous Multiplexer (DSLAM). (Sorry, I like big acronyms that sound like wrestling moves ) Cable is not fully segmented like DSL is. The bits are there but you're cable modem is designed to receive only "interesting traffic" - data destined for it. This means those who have promiscuous cable modems can listen in on their neighbors. And in densely populated neighborhoods there can be a lot of households on the same segment. In recent times (The DMCA era) it has become illegal to sell such devices in the USA (just like cell phones). If you get one from overseas you have to change the MAC address so the cable company won't know you're using an illegal device. You can always do it with a good spectrum analyzer and some other testing equipment but it is very expensive and probably not economical. In some cases you need credentials just to get the cable testing equipment. I am looking forward to Powerline Ethernet myself... Hey! Wait a minute. Isn't this a Banshee forum? Regards, Bill

Hi guys: I get the feeling none of you have ever been to DSLReports.com. Regards, Bill

Hi guys: I usually only use a few gallons on a weekend. I've never emptied the tank and a five gallon can I sometimes bring. But I'm almost stock with just a K&N. I have heard four-pokers talking about this too. I always laugh. I suggested to one guy he stop riding to rotate and balance his tires, vacuum the interior, maybe get an emissions test and register his license plates. I don't think he appreciated my tone. He already had an air-freshener hanging from the handlebars and a Hawaiian Hula dancer doll shaking her stuff on the back seat. Just Kidding. In my opinion the gas-mileage argument is only one of several ways four-pokers justify their existance. Regards, Bill

Hi Got1Banshee: Since you said "Video" I will assume you are missing a CODEC to view the particular video(s). Every video is made with a certain encoding method called a CODEC. CODEC is short for Compressor/Decompressor. I heard a rumor they didn't call it COMDEC out of fear it would be confused with the annual trade show in Las Vegas - COMDEX. Each CODEC has it's own advantages and disadvantages. Yell if you need more help. Regards, Bill

Hi guys: Anyone ever raced a Jet Ski in the trails? Read that Jeff City paper article real close.... It's hilarious! Regards, Bill

Hi guys: This is the closest the liberal media could come to unbiased reporting. I really like the one from Jeff City: Here is the article from the Compost-Disgrace... err Post-Dispatch... Here is an article from a Jeff City paper... Here is the official site for the Mark Twain division of the Forest Service. It's all in here somewhere among the traditional government red tape... Regards, Bill

Hi guys: Has anyone else been following the Forest Service's bid to open about 100 miles of roads and trails to ATVs in the Mark Twain National Forest (Southern Missouri). This has ramifications for everyone. Not just Missourians. Please read on. It seems people are riding illegally in the forest already. Someone in the forest service woke-up and realized they have to give us some place to ride. The plan seems to be get people to ride the new trails and quit riding the old stuff so it can recover. I guess this illegal area is starting to get pretty tore-up from overuse. The tree-huggers (Sierra club) are fighting mad! They are comparing it to "Giving the bank to the bank robber" and "a reward for breaking the law" in local editorals. I consider this a compromise and democracy at work. However riding illegally is not the right way to make this point to government. To do so is to lower ourselves to the level of those who chain themselves to trees in order to make the opposite statement. If this catches-on more National Forest land could be earmarked for our sport in other areas. If approved, I hope the few bad apples don't ruin the opportunity. I would like to know what your thoughts are on this issue. Regards, Bill

Hi guys: I see a six-wheeler with a lift kit and two wheels missing. The power plant sounds like the biggest change. Just think - soon the tree huggers will have nothing to bitch about... Regards, Bill

Hi guys: You all make me sick... I flew up to Northwestern Pennsylvania for Christmas. I am originally from there. It was snowing and the roads were bad. People were driving slow. My uncle got out his sleds and we did some riding. It was great! Then I came back to Saint Louis... 45 degrees and dry as Glamis. Tonight it is 55. Tomrrow is supposed to be near 60. What the hell?! So much for four seasons. Saint Louis only has three: Spring, Summer and Fall. Fortunately my stock 'Shee with only a K&N runs incredible in the 50 degree range. I guess this place isn't a total loss... Next time you're need to omit the last sentence. How am I supposed to make a smart ass remark about plowing snow with a Banshee is you tell us what you're putting it on? Hey Joe - Watch out for avalanches! I read about the snowboarders in Provo this morning. Regards, Bill