Talk me out of this

[JustMe]

Through the influence of some of my friends, I have had the pleasure to be able to ride several different brands of Bike's. While all of them was wonderful in their own way, only two of them fit the riding style that I wish to do. All of the bikes within the exception of the bandit costs $15,000 and more out the door.

As it turned out the owner of the bandit has done a few modifications.  That thing was hanging right in there with the best of them. He also has added some niceties such as cruise control and GPS, there might have been more but that is what I immediately saw.  To tell the truth and to be perfectly honest, I was too busy trying not to wreck to take in everything, everything was being pushed to the limit and I do not want to do that again anytime soon.

I am very seriously considering buying this bike, but I am so unfamiliar with Japanese and Italian bikes -- the thought, kinda makes me shaky. What I would like is for you gentleman to tell me why I should not by this bike. All of you are much more Familiar with this bike that I am. The only thing I have against it so for is the chain.


Written by Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

[MK96xj]

To tell the truth and to be perfectly honest, I was too busy trying not to wreck to take in everything, everything was being pushed to the limit and I do not want to do that again anytime soon.
Written by Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

SAY NO MORE!

Reason enough!!

[Mini4x]

The Bandit is a great bike, usually pretty cheap to own & run, and just about bulletproof.

I am assuming it's a 1200?  What year?

Heck brand new ones are under $9,000 new, but the New 1250 just came out this year, I tend to shy away from first year models of anything.

[Splash]

I take it you don't want the duty of chain maintenance?

Perhaps the Bandit was too much bike too soon, or didn't suit your riding style at this time. Reflect on your ride some more for us, please. How did it compare to what you have been riding, that's what's got my curiosity.

Who was pushing the bike to the limit?

[county]

I don't understand the question?  It sounds kinda like you rode beyond your limits which has little to do with the bike, if you are an experienced rider.

Buy what you want and slow down til you get comfortable.

[Lon]

The Bandit is a great bike, usually pretty cheap to own & run, and just about bulletproof.

I am assuming it's a 1200?  What year?

Heck brand new ones are under $9,000 new, but the New 1250 just came out this year, I tend to shy away from first year models of anything.

The 1250 is in its 2nd year of production, I think.  First year in the US.  

JustMe:

Bandits are bikes you can ride however you want.  They have enough torque to thump along at a leisurely pace, and enough juice to scare the crap out of you (as you no doubt have noticed).  The Bandit is effectively a modern UJM, a "Universal Japanese Motorcycle" - or, in perhaps more fitting terms, a "jack of all trades, master of none".

They have great aftermarket support and are inexpensive to own, and are usually considered a very good value.

There have been minor problems with some of them, but I'll let the Bandit-heads enumerate those

[Lon]

Owner's notes on a Bandit
Motorcycle Online review
Comparison against the FZ-1, incl. dyno runs

It's a very powerful bike, so you will have to go very easy on the throttle until you stop scaring yourself.

Also, if you're used to Harley-Davidson and other sorts of cruisers, you'll find that the rear brake on the Bandit is next to useless.

With great power comes great responsibility.

[JustMe]

I don't understand the question?  It sounds kinda like you rode beyond your limits which has little to do with the bike, if you are an experienced rider.

Buy what you want and slow down til you get comfortable.

While not beyond my ability at all if I am on a bike I am familiar with but to just get on a bike in the dark of night, and push it that hard sort of makes me shaky. I like to see my tires for tread and air, plus chain and oil level. The guy on the MV Augusta said he was giving it all it had, so did the guy on the Ducati st3. Now remember my age, also.

[Atitalongtime]

Heck... if your 82 years young and hanging with the fas'boys.... put a TURBO on it and let it fly!

Buy it and use the years of wisdom to twist the wrist only at the right time...
you know the tricks... be smooth and be sure to give the young pups a toothless grim when you take off your helmet at the Pie Store!

[JustMe]

I take it you don't want the duty of chain maintenance?

Hehe --Boy did you read my old mind completely. I swore I would never go back to the chain, but this bike was just like a glove.

Perhaps the Bandit was too much bike too soon, or didn't suit your riding style at this time. Reflect on your ride some more for us, please. How did it compare to what you have been riding, that's what's got my curiosity.

Indian flat head and lots of Harley's is what I have been riding.

 I didnt know the price ranges of the different bikes but I chose the Bandit over the others for my riding style and then they lowered the hammer on me and told me what it cost. There has to be a catch some where, lots of breakdown, lots of maintenance, high maintenance costs or something. I can not get over the price. I had arranged for him to come over in the daytime so I could really take a good look at it but I had to go to the hospital instead for stints and spend my motorcycle money to boot, mama wouldnt let me take it out of the other fund.. bloodsuckers  John is now arranging another time so that I can really take a look at it.

I was hoping it would have a full fairing to protect my legs, and that is my main complaint with the bike that I rode. He explained to me that it will take an additional $1100 to set it up exactly like his. He said it was not too bad if you take it one step at a time. He also said he would do the seat himself if I bought a Bandit and would help with the rest. He said I would not like it that well as it comes stock but the tricks cost very little if you have a machine shop with CNC equipment and that he had kept the programs so it would be nothing to turn everything thing out.

I had to come on here and get some other peoples knowledge about this bike.  What are the drawbacks, there has to be some somewhere.

Who was pushing the bike to the limit?

Jackson and he was riding the MV Augusta plus he is the owner of the Bandit which is also the reason I felt I had to keep up. He said it was a good excuse to try the Augusta out but for the money difference, he would keep what he had.

[samal]

Nothing personal, but I can see how you don't beleive that price and reliability combination - must be competely new experience.  

If you go to a Jap bike world, you will find out that it is actually expected to have an affordable bike with very little maintenance and bulletproof functionality.  - Get over your trust issues, get the bike and enjoy REAL bike experience!

Again no pun to HD is intended - just welcome to the bright side!  

[Atitalongtime]

Chains have come a long way...
The new "X" rings models, without lube, you can expect 15 ~20k miles between "piece of mind" replacement and if you had to adjust it more than a few times during that span, after the first stretch adjustment, I be surprised.

I know other will say otherwise, but for me replacing the chain early and often keeps reliability and my confidence in it high.
So I just plan on ordering a chain with every 3rd rear tire... I also expect steel sprockets to last 3 chains as well... I know what the dealer says, but a fresh chain rides down deep in the sprocket teeth again instead of riding up towards the tip like a worn chain will extending sprocket like.
Don't fear the chain... you know you love the POWER!

[scott-sts]

Through the influence of some of my friends, I have had the pleasure to be able to ride several different brands of Bike's. While all of them was wonderful in their own way, only two of them fit the riding style that I wish to do. All of the bikes within the exception of the bandit costs $15,000 and more out the door.

As it turned out the owner of the bandit has done a few modifications.  That thing was hanging right in there with the best of them. He also has added some niceties such as cruise control and GPS, there might have been more but that is what I immediately saw.  To tell the truth and to be perfectly honest, I was too busy trying not to wreck to take in everything, everything was being pushed to the limit and I do not want to do that again anytime soon.

I am very seriously considering buying this bike, but I am so unfamiliar with Japanese and Italian bikes -- the thought, kinda makes me shaky. What I would like is for you gentleman to tell me why I should not by this bike. All of you are much more Familiar with this bike that I am. The only thing I have against it so for is the chain.


Written by Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

Coming from a Harley, pretty much ANY sport bike or standard bike will feel "Better", sharper, etc.  I don't mean any offense but I think i'm right.
It's sounds like you can ride and the Bandit might be the perfect Jap bike to win you over.  Just buy it and have fun.  

[photomd]

Don't be put off by the price of the Jap bikes. As others have said, they're reliable. For example I had a '79 KZ750 that I bought for $300 in 90. It took two weeks and $400 in parts/paint to get to look like this:



I rode it for 9 years and it never left me stranded and never refused to start.

The Bandit is arguably a better bike: the engine has been around forever, easy valve adjustment and there's lots of info about them. They aren't fancy, they don't win status points at the bar, but they'll carry you anywhere you wanna go.

As for weak points, there are a few. The shocks tend to be weak. I think one of the GSXR shocks will swap out. Some have the forks reworked as well. Also google the piston recall...2001 maybe? There was a year that a number of engines got a bad set of pistons and used a lot of oil...by Jap standards.

As other's have said, they will take you where ever. Tank bags fit easily, Givi makes a kit, soft bags fit easily, lots of upgrades with GSXR parts, etc. If it makes you go   & , get it and have a blast.

[Yankee Dog]

.................... The only thing I have against it so for is the chain................

Chains are just not the problem they used to be.  Lube them every 3-500 miles or after a rain.  Takes all of three minutes.  Less if you have a center stand.  Clean them occasionally if you want to.  Dont clean them if you dont.  I never clean mine.  The  grunge doesnt bother me and I dont think it bothers the chain either.  My Triumph Trophy 1200 chain lasted 20,000 miles.  Really only adjusted it when I replaced the tires.  The old RS was about the same.  The new RS is looks like it will be the same as well.  

Yankee Dog

[KokomoSam]

+1 for the Bandit

I have a greatly enjoy my Bandit 12s.  It is a great bike.  Get a Scott oiler and that helps solve the chain issue.

[birdrunner]

Hehe --Boy did you read my old mind completely. I swore I would never go back to the chain, but this bike was just like a glove.

All you people bitchn about chain drive are getting boring.  Drop $250 into a Pro-Oiler , and have the best of both worlds.  BTW $250.  is a lot cheaper than fixing a shaft drive.

[JustMe]

I think with this oiler, I can live with it .  
I am very fortunate in that Jackson is the type person he is and also the fact he wants a riding partner with a Bandit. He also loves tinkering with Bandits. he said he can help me with everything except the Lower Fairing.

Does anyone know if they make a lower fairing either  OEM or aftermarket. I tried Google and found one in Europe but does not ship to usa-- also would it give my legs anyprotection for those 5AM rides.

All you people bitchn about chain drive are getting boring.  Drop $250 into a Pro-Oiler , and have the best of both worlds.  BTW $250.  is a lot cheaper than fixing a shaft drive.

If everyone preferred the same thing-- Dang --This really would be a boring world. Also, since I am on a fixed income I get dang tired of hearing "drop $250.00 here $6000 here and $15,000 more tomorrow.  

[Baz]

I think with this oiler, I can live with it .  
I am very fortunate in that Jackson is the type person he is and also the fact he wants a riding partner with a Bandit. He also loves tinkering with Bandits. he said he can help me with everything except the Lower Fairing.

Does anyone know if they make a lower fairing either  OEM or aftermarket. I tried Google and found one in Europe but does not ship to usa-- also would it give my legs anyprotection for those 5AM rides.



If everyone preferred the same thing-- Dang --This really would be a boring world. Also, since I am on a fixed income I get dang tired of hearing "drop $250.00 here $6000 here and $15,000 more tomorrow.  

Hey Just:

The Bandit is a great choice for a bike. Yes, they do make a lower fairing (for the 2001-2005 models anyway). They can be found here....



http://www.whaccessories.com/Suzuki%20Bandit.htm

There are a few manufacturers of lower fairings for the Bandit & colour matched ones can be purchased.

[Hardware]

I owned a '99 1200 Bandit.  Awesome bikes - about the best value for the $ in the motorcycling world.  

The engine (in the early gen ones anyway) descended from the old GSXR 1100 mill but was detuned to make slightly less power.  Gobs of torque and they're as reliable as hammers (except for some instances mentioned above).

Great all rounders.  Go for it!