New 1250 Bandit Owner's Impressions - both Negative & Positive

[Oxblood]

Are they running this course in Canada now? They said last year they would, and then they never did.

I took it via the Puget Sound Safety Council in Olympia. Lee Parks had a booth at the Vancouver show, so I suspect he is trying to gague interest up here. Would be nice if he did offer the course here, as I now want to take level II.

[Hoochie Papa]

I am seriously considering this as my next bike.  My current (and first) bike is an '03 Ninja EX500.  From riding it I learned that I like to go fast. I like to lean in the corners. I like long trips. I like lots of torque.

The Ninja will probably finish out the season, but I am keeping my eyes open for a deal.  The '11 Ninja 1000- how would the Bandit compare to it?

[spinalator]

The Ninja will probably finish out the season, but I am keeping my eyes open for a deal.  The '11 Ninja 1000- how would the Bandit compare to it?

There may not be an app for that, but I recall reading a couple threads comparing the two...

[Hoochie Papa]

There may not be an app for that, but I recall reading a couple threads comparing the two...

Yup. Already reading them. Thanks though.

[Oxblood]

Yup. Already reading them. Thanks though.

RThis review is pretty good, as it compares two of the bikes you are looking at, plus a third http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2011-gentlemen-sportbike-shootout-90855.html

[Hoochie Papa]

I saw that one too. Thats the video that really opened my eyes to the Ninja 1K. But the $ tag on the Bandit really keeps it in the running.

[Oxblood]

I saw that one too. Thats the video that really opened my eyes to the Ninja 1K. But the $ tag on the Bandit really keeps it in the running.

Well, I am now 6 months in on my GSX 1250 SEA (ABS Touring model), and have no regrets. It is an awesome bike! Lve it, recommend it, and in a few years probably sell this one and get another just for s&g.

[Jetpilot5]

Anyone come up with a fix for the sloppy side to side rattle in the throttle?  I have that on my GSX1250FA too and was thinking maybe I could shim it with a thin plastic washer.  I'm going to open the throttle housing up when I get home from this trip and see what my options are.

Adjusting the cables helped but I'd like to get rid of that side to side slop.

Edit to add....

Just found this advice over on the TWT forum.

That throttle slop can be adjusted out of it. As for the side play just loosen the screws holding the assy and slide it towards the handlebar weight. Set it to what you want. The slop on the throttle can be adjusted with the little adjusters right on the end of the Throttle cables and throttle assembly. Play with them a bit. I have mine down to near zero play both ways. Seems every bike I've had I've tweaked this stuff to my likings. Course now I also run a Throttlemiester so can't have a lot of play and it still work right.

I like the sound of this.  A simple, elegant solution that I will be trying next time I get the chance.

[Canuck]

I've never had that side to side throttle rattle, but I also installed V-Strom handguards on mine for wind protection so maybe that changed things.

[ChrisZRX]

2200 miles on the bike and almost need a new rear tire.  By 3K it will be at the wear bars.  

Frickin' torque.  

[Canuck]

I just replaced my Michelin Pilot Road 2 rear with a new one on my 1250. The old one had 6600 miles on it and still had at least another 2000 miles of tread, maybe 3000. I only replaced it because I am going on a long trip in ten days and wanted a fresh tire that could make it all the way. I will probably put the old tire back on when I get home and squeeze out some more time on it.

[ChrisZRX]

2600 miles and the tire is at the wear bars.  

Replacing it with a Dunlop Roadsmart.  

[Mr.Black]

2600 miles and the tire is at the wear bars.  

Replacing it with a Dunlop Roadsmart.  

Failed my first inspection at 2600 miles. Stock tires are shit.

PR2s since. For a recent mostly highway trip, I put a Continental Attack on the front and kept my 1/2 dead PR2 on the rear. Interesting combination. I will stick to the set.

[ChrisZRX]

3200 miles and the front is almost shot, and will be by the end of this trip.

The new Dunlop Roadsmart on the rear is awesome.  No chicken strips whatsoever.  Couldn't quite get rid of them with the OE rear.

Looking forward to a Roadsmart on the front too.

[Mr.Black]

22,000 miles. New chain. Front sprocket was worn enough to change, rear was not. I replaced them both none the less.

Runs smooth like buttah.

[ChrisZRX]

4,300 miles. Need new front.

After the twisties of Rt 50, 219, 39, 33, 60, 250 (Va and WVa) and BRP barely any chicken strips on the OE front.  Even touched the left peg down.

What a ride.