Not new to quads/mx bikes, but new to me Banshee w/ RZ350

[Acammer]

Hey guys, thought I'd introduce myself here, looks like I'll be spending lots of time brushing up my Banshee knowledge. I've had plenty of ATVs and MX bikes before, but never a 'Shee, so this is a bit of new ground for me.

 

I just became the owner of a late '90's Banshee from a friend of mine that isn't going to ride/race anymore. The bike has an RZ350 swap with the complete 12volt system and battary. The bike has a 1 to 2 35mm PWK setup on it (not sure if its the Trinity or the other (GP?) brand), mild porting, and a 2 into 1 exhaust - I think the moto-fast system. I don't about the heads - stock bore/stroke, it isn't too crazy beacuse its a pump-gas machine. Resivor shocks, -1 swingarm, +2 steering stem, Holeshots all around, everything in nice condition.

 

Now, I rode this bike this fall on a test ride before powervalve was hooked up, you could manually set it. Full closed the bike had very impressive (for a small bore 2stroke) lowend. You could lift the front tires w/ a stab of the throttle at walking speed - thank you very much -1 swingarm and good tires! Of course it signs off super early with the valve closed. Valve full open, the bottom end gets gutted, but the top end was very strong. The powervalve system is now all hooked up and been through a couple hours of hare scrambles fine, works great, I haven't ridden yet. Now, you guys can correct my thinking here (I'm counting on it) but the RZ350 likes to rev, has more aggressive exhaust port timing, but still makes good lowend as a result of the powervalves - correct? Now, a 1 into 2 carb is going to further expand the lowend, as will the 2 into 1 pipe, both probably at the expense of a little top-end. What do you guys think of this setup? My throughts are that it'll be an awesome woods setup, with plenty of go out in the open/mx as well. I'm coming of a mild 400ex that is also great in the woods, this obviously has a bunch more power and maybe not quite as good a chassis, should be a bunch of fun to play on.

[FrankieSquid]

Welcome to BHQ. Sounds like you have a nice setup any pics?

[Acammer]

Welcome to BHQ. Sounds like you have a nice setup any pics?

 

I should be taking delivery this weekend, and I'll try and get a few pictures to check out. I can't wait to get some seat time on this - I'll probably never throw a leg over the 400ex again.

[rubberneck]

My opinion is to ditch the 2 into everything and run some 33 pwks and trinity stage 4 pipes. I mention the stage 4 because i know they will fit without modification and clear the RZ head. My buddy runs this set up and it is a great all around bike. i bet at the top when the valves are fully open, that 2 into pipe and carb is costing you more than you think. An RZ bike properly set up will run right with a mildly ported banshee motor all day, at least my buddies does. They are fun

[Acammer]

My opinion is to ditch the 2 into everything and run some 33 pwks and trinity stage 4 pipes. I mention the stage 4 because i know they will fit without modification and clear the RZ head. My buddy runs this set up and it is a great all around bike. i bet at the top when the valves are fully open, that 2 into pipe and carb is costing you more than you think. An RZ bike properly set up will run right with a mildly ported banshee motor all day, at least my buddies does. They are fun

 

I agree, the 2 into 1 stuff definitely not the way to go for a max power effort. I have a pair of 30mm pwk's (I think, 30mm for sure) that came with the bike, I may give them a shot when I find myself wanting on the top end. The prior owner was a hair scramble racer, and went through a few 'Shee's and more than a few setups and says this is the best setup he's had yet for the tight stuff. This is a ported RZ motor too, it should have a pretty hard hitting top end with different pipes and carbs, and would probably still have some bottom. The bottom right now is jaw dropping, it is really surprisingly strong, and everything is very smooth, I can see why its a good woods bike as it. I've got the carbs, maybe I'll look for a cheap set of pipes in the spring and play with it. More likely is that I'll just ride it as is, wrenching is fun, but riding is better!

[Snopczynski]

I would start this question and answer session with: What do you want the bike to run like? What type of riding will you be doing? Are you willing to spend money to make this the optimal setup?

[Acammer]

I would start this question and answer session with: What do you want the bike to run like? What type of riding will you be doing? Are you willing to spend money to make this the optimal setup?

 

Excellent question. I won't likely be racing, maybe a hare scramble or three a year, certianly not mx. Mostly I'll be playing around, woods, mx practice, gravel pits, just going to use it for all around fun... I don't really have a specific goal in mind other than enjoy it. I don't think I would invest much at this point, I'm not feeling the need for a maximum effort on this, just to enjoy it. 2 into 1 stuff may be fun for a while. I am a speed junkie though, and I'd definitely like to explore what the full potential is, I don't think pipes would set me back all that much if I get the itch. It is a bit of mismatched build, ported RZ w/ torque parts, but should make for a nice smooth jack of all trades, it really may be perfect for the playing and occasional hare scramble. I'll get more info on the chassis when its actually parked in my garage, but as I understand its definitely targeted to be very competitive for harescrambles. Should take delivery tomorrow or Sunday. Maybe I'll catch a break on the weather and get a few days over 40* where I could tolerate playing around for more than 15 minutes and take it out. Nothing could be more cold blooded than my 400ex!