1991 Yamaha Banshee 350 Twin

🏁 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.

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🔧 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.

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🛞 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.

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⚖️ 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

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🧬 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.

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🔧 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.

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🔥 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.