I agree with what's been said, a better bike will not make you a better ride as such, but may allow you to go faster and kits things that bit mroe on the edge.

I think for some people the bike does become a limiting factor for them, and getting a better bike will extend this, maybe even so that fitness or skill become the new limiting factors.
After chaning the forks on my bighit from shivers to 888s and setting up the suspension differently I feel like, and deffinitely have been going a lot faster then I previously was with the old set up.

Bike has been cracked for a while it is held togreather with a bit of metal and a bolt. 

Def think you are write may go for an Orange but they hold there value well. Havent seen any bullets for sale will keep looking.

Got a video of a couple of our runs and I can see where you pulled the time out of me on the second run you where so much fater throught the steep section into the road gap. Dont think it helped that I was bottoming the
shock on the gap!!!! (But that just sounds like an excuse)

Franky looked tenative on his second run(Who can blame him) but pull it out for the final run only .5 behind me and 1.5 behind you.

If a new bike lets me get away with more mistakes then I def need one!

alright Chris
You need to get a new frame mate your ATX is wiked but it gona bust sooner or later,
the cookey mans right some thing like a Bulit, Patriot or an AC would be  fine for the riding that you do

Im agreeing with everyone when better kit makes you a bit quicker. When i got my 222 after my patriot i notced a hell of a difference.
 And when i get the ventana i think this will give me even more confidence.

 But i think the main thing that will make you quicker is riding with mates that are around the same speed as you. I think this alot better than riding with quicker riders because you want to beat each other so much you will all push your self to the limmit! Me waza paul and mark are always telling each other we are rubbish, which is good fun as we provoke each other making us wanting to beat each other and each time we ride with each other, we always get quicker. (But im still the quickest of the lot

i reckon it does, i hopped on my new bike (which cost an arm and a leg..) and i still feel i need to get used to the bouce factor but didnt even think twice about some of the gaps i was very hesitant of on my HT, granted i do think twice about bigger stuff i wouldve hit on my HT but soon as i can ride my susser properly, there'll no stopped me!  , i wouldnt say shell out for a new bike, but maybe a change in scenary will build up your confidence

if you can get the better parts go for it of course then put the time in riding and get the skills which you need to balance up the confidence so you dont break yourself from being too clever 

Everyone seems to be confusing the words faster and better.

New parts might give you the confidence to go faster or just go over bumps, roll etc. faster than your old parts- that doesn't suddenly mean your a better rider.

New parts will almost certainly make you faster and boost your confidence but will never increase your skill- only practice will do that.

I find that a better bike opens your eyes to what can be done.  I can usually ride stuff faster on a ht (within limits) if I've ridden in on my dh bike.  Variety is great.  I think long travel is over rated.