best exhaust for banshee

For a mostly stock Banshee, I'd go with Toomey T5s. They're strong mid to top and don't require porting. You'll still need to rejet, but it's straightforward. FMF Gnarlys are better for low-end grunt if you ride tight trails, but they choke top end. Decide based on where you ride most.

Don't forget that any pipe change means rejetting. You can't just slap them on and ride. I learned the hard way. Get a jet kit and a few extra mains. Also check your reeds while you're at it. Stock reeds can hold back a good pipe.

I run Paul Turner mids on my Shee and love them. They're a little harder to find used, but they pull hard everywhere. One thing to watch: make sure you get the right silencers for your state's noise laws. Some aftermarket cans are loud.

If you're on a budget, look for used FMF Gnarlys or Toomeys. Just inspect for dents near the cylinder flange – that kills power. eBay and the classifieds on Banshee forums are your friend. Patience pays off.

Before you buy, verify the pipe fits your specific year. Banshees had small changes to frame tabs and coolant overflow bottle location over the years. A 1990 pipe won't bolt onto a 2006 without some tweaking. Ask the seller for model year details.

I tried cheap eBay pipes once. Bad idea. Fitment was terrible – couldn't get the springs to seat right and the flanges leaked. Spend the extra money on a known brand. Your jetting will be easier to dial in too because there's baseline data available.

Don't buy a pipe based on dyno charts alone. Real-world riding matters. A pipe that screams on top is great for drag racing but exhausting in the woods. For mixed riding I'd look for something with adjustable powerband like the FMF Gold Series.

You might also consider the pipe's longevity. Chrome peels in sand and mud. Ceramic coating holds up better but costs more. My Toomey ceramic set is 10 years old and still looks good. Powdercoated pipes chip easily if you drop the bike.

Make sure you have a proper air filter and intake before buying pipes. Stock airbox with a snorkel will hold back any pipe. I recommend a Pro-Flow or K&N with outerwears, then rejet accordingly. It's a package deal.

I went with Toomey T5s on my '03 and it transformed the bike. Lost a tiny bit of bottom but the mid punch is insane. Jetting was easy with the Toomey kit. Just don't expect a quiet ride – these pipes scream. Earplugs are mandatory.

Another option: find a set of used Trinity Stage IV pipes. They're not as common but they make great power across the board. Downsides: they hang lower and can catch on rocks. If you trail ride, check your clearance before installing.

Have you considered keeping your stock pipes and just modifying them? Some guys cut the baffles or add aftermarket silencers for cheap. Won't give you the same gains but it's a budget-friendly start. Later you can save for a full system.

I run a single pipe from LRD – yeah, a single on a banshee. It's controversial but works great for trails. Lighter, easier to tune, and keeps low end. But you lose top-end rush. If you mostly scream in the dunes, stick with duals.

Don't forget about the silencer packing. Most aftermarket cans need repacking every season. If you're handy, you can save money by doing it yourself. The packing material is cheap online. Neglecting it kills performance and makes it even louder.

Check the condition of your crank and seals before you go adding more power. A tired banshee with an exhaust upgrade can lean out a bad crank seal and cause a lean seizure. I rebuild or at least pressure test before bolting on pipes.

If this is your first Banshee, start with Toomey T5s or FMF Gnarlys. They're well-documented so you can find jetting baselines easily. Stay away from race-only pipes – they're peaky and hard to tune for mixed riding.

I bought a set of CPIs years ago and regretted it. Insane top end but useless below 6k. For woods riding they were a nightmare. Sold them and got FMFs. Know your riding style before you commit. A dyno queen isn't fun on a rocky trail.

One more thing: make sure you have a shop manual or a detailed guide. Installing pipes on a Banshee isn't hard but getting the flanges aligned can be fiddly. Take your time and use copper anti-seize on the studs so they don't seize.

Used is fine but be careful with water damage inside the pipes. If you see rust flakes coming out of the silencer, the packing is shot and the core may be damaged. Not a showstopper but factor in the cost of repacking or even re-coring.

I'd also check local Facebook groups. There's a Banshee buy/sell page that has good deals often. But don't rush – I scored a pristine set of Toomey T5s with silencers for $350 because I waited. Patience pays off in this game.