The other day while we were having a coffee at Bikeshop Rivonia, we noticed this trick rarity, a Yamaha Banshee being offloaded from a bakkie. It’s been a while since we saw one of these, so we decided to take a few snaps…
If you were around in the 90’s and 2000’s, you’ll remember just how popular ATV’s used to be. It was crazy, and if we are not mistaken, there was a time when quads actually overtook motorcycle sales. It’s easy to understand why – they were relatively cost effective, anyone could ride one and we live in a country that is superb for the sport.
Yamaha’s Banshee was one of the bikes that fuelled the trend, we featured so many amazing machines from outfits like JHB Yamaha, Quad Revolution, Factory Racing, Belcher built and many more. So many businesses were built up around the quad industry. When our central bank introduced the credit act that limited people’s ability to finance toys, the industry started to wane.
But.
There are still some pretty cool machines lurking around and this is one of them.
Yamaha’s Banshee has achieved the status of legend. It was one of our very first performance ATV’s, built long before the four-stroke Raptor.
It’s a twin cylinder 350cc 2-stroke with a long chassis, designed primarily for desert racing.
This 2007 example has been somewhat breathed upon by an outfit called SMR racing..
It is basically brand new, having run for “Less than 10KM’s”
Amazing.
At the heart of this beasty is that famous screamer engine that has been bored and stroked up to a 421cc monster. Capacity needs fuel, so the carb is sorted, trick V-Force reed valves are lurking in there along with an aftermarket airbox setup. A cool DMC pipe takes care of the 2-stroke fumes.
Power is nothing without control and this machine has gone under the knife with top-of-the-line Elka suspension, extended Alba A-Arms, Dura Blue axle, trick wheels, braided hoses, translucent clutch cover, Oury grips… they literally threw the catalogue at it.
Limited edition black plastics are fitted with an understated decal kit. Gripper pegs, trick nerfs and so many anodised fixtures and fittings, that you kinda need to look a few times to take it all in.
We did ask the lot from Bikeshop if we could take it for a spin – and they told us to bugger off. The bike has been standing since it was first built, so at the time we took pics it was not running. They have said that once it’s through the workshop, we can come and listen to her sing.
We can only imagine how much this quad cost the builder. The fact that it’s brand new makes it a pretty rare find.
Is the Banshee for sale and how much is it selling for? At this junction – no idea.
Pop in to Bikeshop Rivonia and have a look at her. She is a beaut!
