🏁 1991 Yamaha Banshee 350 Twin Overview

The 1991 Yamaha Banshee YFZ350 was part of the early golden era of sport ATVs. With its signature twin-cylinder two-stroke engine and aggressive stance, it dominated the dunes and trails, standing out from the competition which mostly featured single-cylinder four-strokes.

🔧 Engine & Performance

Engine Type: 347cc liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder, two-stroke
Bore x Stroke: 64mm x 54mm
Compression Ratio: 6.5:1
Carbs: Dual Mikuni VM26SS
Ignition: CDI
Starting System: Kick-start
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Final Drive: Chain

💥 The heart of the Banshee is its two-stroke twin, derived from Yamaha’s RD350 street bike engine. It revs quickly, hits hard in the mid to top end, and delivers that classic two-stroke snap. The 1991 model was known for its reliability and tunability—even back then, riders were modding them for more power.

🛞 Suspension & Chassis

Front Suspension: Independent double A-arms with 9.1″ of travel
Rear Suspension: Swingarm with single shock, 8.7″ of travel
Front Brakes: Dual hydraulic discs
Rear Brake: Hydraulic disc
Front Tires: 21 x 7-10
Rear Tires: 20 x 10-9

While the stock suspension was solid for its time, many riders upgraded with aftermarket shocks and wider A-arms to improve handling in aggressive riding conditions.

⚖️ Dimensions

Wheelbase: 50.4 in
Seat Height: 31.5 in
Ground Clearance: 5.3 in
Fuel Capacity: 3.2 gal
Dry Weight: Approx. 386 lbs

🧬 Features & Styling

Signature twin exhaust pipes: Dual pipes out the back gave it an unmistakable look and sound.
Kick start only: No electric start here—this was pure rider-driven simplicity.
Nimble yet stable: Low center of gravity and short wheelbase made it excellent for sliding and high-speed control.

🎨 In 1991, the Banshee featured bold 90s-style graphics, and colors like white with red/purple accents or black with neon decal kits. These have become iconic and collectible today.

🔧 Aftermarket Potential

By 1991, a massive aftermarket was already forming for the Banshee. Common mods included:

FMF or Toomey exhausts
Bigger carbs (34mm or 35mm PWKs)
Port and polish jobs
Cool Heads with interchangeable domes
Wider A-arms and axles

Even in the early ’90s, the Banshee was the platform to build from for drag racing, dunes, and even some MX.

🔥 Legacy & Collectibility

The 1991 model is now considered a classic. It’s early enough to be vintage but late enough to benefit from some refinements Yamaha had made since the Banshee’s 1987 debut.

In today’s market, a clean 1991 Yamaha Banshee can fetch anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000+, depending on condition, originality, and mods.