Impressions of a 1250 Bandit by a sport bike rider

[JIMLARCH]

Yesterday I rode the new 1250 Bandit.  I have been wanting to ride the new one, ever since I heard that it had more power and torque than the old model with it's GSXR1100 detuned powerplant.

I have ridden 3 of the old bandits, and I found that the motors were pretty gutless compared to the 1989 GSXR1100 I had owned.  That put me off ever buying one, as I knew I could not live with a "deturned" engine, knowing that there was major untapped potential.

I rode the 2006 model last year with the old engine, and I was not impressed.  It was comfortable, but the front tucked in on slow corners, the engine was as stated, and the the ride was too soft and bouncy.  The ride of course I am comparing to my GSXR1000, which obviously is not a fair comparison, as you could say that the ride of the Gix is somewhat firm.

The 2007 started up nicely.  It did not take more than a few gear changes for me to realise that tales of greater torque and pull were true. The engine is a definate improvement on the old one, and short shifting is all you need.  You can rev it but it doesn't really like to be revved much above eight thousand.  It will do it, but there really is no point, let the torque do the work.

The handling at slow speed is definately better, and it doesn't fall into slow corners now.  The ride, even though I read it has been firmed up, still feels somewhat soft and bouncy.  But in regards to the front fork it's nothing that new springs and thicker oil wouldn't cure.  Cure this,and a good rider should give more than one sport bike rider a surprise on a twisty road.

The brakes had plenty of stopping power, the transmission was slick, with a slightly firm push to engage the next gear.

The fuel injection was not as good as I expected.  Certainly not as good as my Gix.  I found it jerky at lower rpm.  This may have been because there was what I would call excessive slack in the throttle cable.  I tried adjusting it on the move, and it did seem to improve slightly.

The bars, for me (6'3")are too high, and for some reason caused my right wrist to ache very quickly.  The windscreen worked well, with little buffeting.

I think the bike looks very attractive, the engine for some reason making it look much better than the old model, which was basically the same bike.  I'd consider buying one in the future but for me I would change the bars, and sort out the suspension.  This engine, being water cooled, should be able to
do some major miles before needing a rebuild.

[kendenton]

Nice review, thanks!

[JamesG]

Coming off a race-replica you probably wouldn't notice, but the seat on the new Bandit friggin sucks. In fact, it feels like IT came off a race replica.  

That would be one of the first things I would change if the siren's song of that new motor were to hard to resist.  

[RowdyRed94]

Which begs the question: Is there a bike made that has a seat that people like? I've heard complaints about stock seats on just about every common ST model. Perhaps it just takes a little time.

CW also mentioned the sloppy throttle play. Should be something fixable, no? Is it fly-by-wire?

[rauchman]

Which begs the question: Is there a bike made that has a seat that people like? I've heard complaints about stock seats on just about every common ST model. Perhaps it just takes a little time.

CW also mentioned the sloppy throttle play. Should be something fixable, no? Is it fly-by-wire?

Ducati ST3????????????

[FJRmgm]

nice report on the new B-1250.  Motocyclist and Rider mags both really like it.

As for this comment - "Is there a bike made that has a seat that people like?"

Well, yes - I really like the stock seat on my '05 FJR - fits me to a "T".

Mostly it's a problem with American-sized butts on European sized seats.

[gritsngravy]

Coming off a race-replica you probably wouldn't notice, but the seat on the new Bandit friggin sucks. In fact, it feels like IT came off a race replica.  

That would be one of the first things I would change if the siren's song of that new motor were to hard to resist.  

The seat on my cbr is more comfortable to me than the seat on my '03 bandit.

[1KPerDay]

Which begs the question: Is there a bike made that has a seat that people like?  

The Ulysses' seat is univerally praised. The Guzzi Breva 1200 also.

[DredheadV2.0]

Mostly it's a problem with American-sized butts on European sized seats.

Hooray for my Euro-butt, then, coz I find the stock seat on the B12 to be just fine.

[JamesG]

The YZF600R's seat is really good.