Bandit 400 opinions?

[erik]

I'm looking for my next bike after a 250, I got my full a little while ago.

I'm leaning towards another naked bike. The Bandit 400 (GSF400) has caught my eye, there are a couple on trademe at the moment.

Anyone got any comments on them?

I've got another week or so of work before I stop making money and have to go back to uni. I'll have slightly over $3000 to spend. I've said to myself I'd wait till after I stop working before I get a new bike... but it's difficult... :crazy:

As a student, I'm not going to have a heck of a lot to spend on a bike, so I need something that'll be reasonably reliable (ie something that hasn't done too many k's).
Also something that won't chew through gas (unlike the Zeal!) and tyres so quick would be good. It would mean I could do more riding :) :ride:
That said, I am looking forward to having a bit more power than the Zeal has to offer.

[R6_kid]

only ever rode the 250, but like the zeal it will be easy to ride. Only thing i can think of is why not hold out for a 600? Its not the kinda bike that will bite your head off, and if you get the 600 you can do more of those wheelie things you introduced yourself too :whistle:

[James Deuce]

The 400 Bandit is way more fun than the 600, plus it looks nicer and is a great deal more pleasant to ride.

[ducatilover]

why not try a bros400? they would be my choice of naked 400. very nice bikes, not that im biased :confused: :woohoo: bloody small like a 250 but skinnier than most:yeah:

[slob]

I've only had a very short ride on a Bandit 400 - from what I could tell it was grunty enough for a 400, but forks were very mushy (although that might just have to do with that particular one). On the other hand it was comfy and easy to manage.

I understand that there is a Variable Valve Timing version out there (it's the one with the red valve cover) that is supposed to have a bit more grunt.

I imagine it would be much more nimble than the Bandit 600 too (personally I'd get the 750 over the 600 as they are essentially the same bike with different piston bores).

Also in the same category are:
Honda CB-1 (or CB400 - both are 400cc)
Kawasaki ZRX400

For that price, you could also look at getting some fully faired stuff like:
Suzuki GSX600F
Honda CBR600F (Aero around 1988)
Yamaha FZR600 (might be too much of a race-replica though)

[Beemer]

Don't dismiss the 350 Goose either - I've got one and I love it. Good fuel economy, light, skinny, and normal sized tyres, etc.

I bought mine new and they are becoming hard to find but they are lovely bikes. Great handling and really good brakes. The engine and gearbox are lovely too, it's the DR350 motor.

[aff-man]

I think you should probably take into account your size...... although from what you currently ride I suppose you don't mind being to cramped...

If you got a bit of dosh i'd advise the 600 (It means you won't have to "adjust" the fork springs again hahahah)
A few other options

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-47415048.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-47015682.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-47197899.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-47339223.htm

[erik]

Only thing i can think of is why not hold out for a 600?
'cause I want a new bike now! I don't know of any sporty naked 600's that'll be within my current budget and since I won't really be making any money while I'm at uni, holding out would mean waiting another year at least. I think I could live with the smaller jump in horsepower of going to a 400, I've been fairly happy with the Zeal the last 2 years.


why not try a bros400?
I don't really like the styling of the bros.

slob, I'm not too worried about the forks being mushy as I reckon I can replace the springs if they are (probably won't cut them this time :whistle: ).
The CB-1 is interesting, but haven't seen any for sale. There is a CB400 in what looks like mint condition on trademe at the moment.

Beemer, the Goose is a really nice looking bike, very stylie. But it would be a step down in horsepower compared to the Zeal and I really want something with a little more grunt.

Affman, that ZR-7 would be niiice :yes: but it's way out of my price range as is the gsf600f (and I don't really like the fairing). I've been keeping an eye on the GS500E, it would be an ideal commuter. The bandit has a bit more pep though...

I feel like I'm convincing myself the bandit 400 is the one to get. Just have a nagging idea in the back of my head that I should wait the extra week till I've got $3000 at my disposal in case anything else crops up.

[El Dopa]

why not try a bros400? they would be my choice of naked 400. very nice bikes, not that im biased :confused: :woohoo: bloody small like a 250 but skinnier than most:yeah:

Because they don't seem to come up for sale that often?

Since I've been keeping my eye out for one, there's ben one for sale in Alexandra that was/is highly overpriced.

The was also one in ChCh that as just been sold by the look of it.

In the last two months or so, none up for sale in the North Island.

[ducatilover]

i spose the bros styling doesnt appeal to all and they are bloody expensive [except mine haha] when they do come up for sale and the parts are most certainly not cheap, but they are wonderfull bikes and i love them:drinknsin :love:

[kiwifruit]

the gs500 is the way to go IMHO

[erik]

the gs500 is the way to go IMHO
What makes you say that?

[slob]

the gs500 is the way to go IMHO

Here's one but it looks like it might be just out of your price range (buynow is $4,100):

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-47015682.htm

I find the good 'ol Trade & Exchange is often better than Trademe for finding good deals on cheaper bikes (got my last bike off the T&E). Also, most people are so hooked on Trademe that they don't bother with the T&E.

Also, the Kawasaki GPz500 or ER500 are similar to the GS500. I believe that there is a CB500 that is Honda's equivalent. Personally, I'd go for the Bandit 400 over these though.

[erik]

Well, I've done it.

Me and my brother drove down to Rotorua, I had a look at the bike, and against my gut feelings went and bought it.

The guy selling it seemed genuine. The bike is a bit ratty. It has been stored outside and the paint is faded and there is slight pitting on the forks. Plus the chain has a major tight spot and needs to be replaced (not to mention the joiner link clip was missing :shit: ). Also needs new bar ends and the end of the brake lever needs to be straightened or replaced as the end is curled around.
I think I'll also check the valve clearances and possibly change the coolant, oil and brake fluid before I ride it much.

It handles quite different to the Zeal, no where near as twitchy steering.

Hopefully it'll grow on me.

[Jantar]

That bike doesn't look too bad at all. A bit of TLC will soon have it looking nice. Good idea to do the chain and sprockets at the same time though.

Happy riding. :ride:

[Teflon]

Have fun with your new bike mate.

i could see you on one of these..
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-47623729.htm

i'm so tempted to buy that..

[SPman]

Good one Eric - the bandit will give you a bit more room, tall streak of w p that you are..:bleh:

[Bonez]

Nice score Erik. May you have many 1000kms of trouble free riding on her.

[ducatilover]

hey nice score mate:headbang: looks quite nice

[erik]

Cheers guys. :)

[slob]

Nice one Erik, I guess you can fix the bits as you go. You might want to give the wheels, swingarm and steering head a bit of a jiggle to check for bearing freeplay too. So what are the riding impressions like?

[Jackrat]

Yes as Jantar says,do both chain an sprockets at the same time.
The chain doesn't have a tight spot,it's the sprockets being worn that makes it seem that way.
Other than that,good on ya' and hope you get a good run from it.

[erik]

Nice one Erik, I guess you can fix the bits as you go. You might want to give the wheels, swingarm and steering head a bit of a jiggle to check for bearing freeplay too. So what are the riding impressions like?
Already did that when I went to check the bike out; they all seemed ok, just the steering head bearings had a slight click when you hold the brake on and push the bike forwards. But there didn't seem to be any notchiness or play in them when the forks were pulled with the front wheel off the ground.

Compared to the Zeal, it's a lot less twitchy at low speed. It feels more like it's on rails.
The front brakes look promising, twin front discs with 4 pot Tokico calipers. But the lever is pretty mushy and was mounted too close to the twist grip on the handlebars so that when you grab the brake, your index finger is too close to the lever adjustment bit. Hopefully I'll have some good brakes after cleaning them, repositioning the lever and changing the fluid.
The rear suspension felt a bit hard, not sure if it's the damping or the spring. I think I read somewhere that bandits are like that. The front suspension is possibly too soft, I noticed it diving quite a bit under braking. It's going to take a fair bit more riding and I think I'd better read up more about suspension before I decide whether to change things.
The engine redlines at only 13,000rpm which is noticably lower than the Zeal's 15,000rpm redline. It's nowhere near as smooth and revvy as the Zeal and it felt like there was a fair bit of vibration at higher revs (hopefully it's normal).
It was hard to tell if the acceleration was better than the Zeal's. However the top speed definately is. :whistle:

I really didn't push the bike much and there weren't many twisties so I'll have to report back later after I've checked it over and done some more riding.
I'm looking forward to getting to know it, but I'll be taking it easy. Particularly with the Shinko Sport Master rear tyre... (front is a Dunlop ArrowMax GT501).

Now I have to go clean the garage so I've got some room to work on it.

[erik]

Yes as Jantar says,do both chain an sprockets at the same time.
The chain doesn't have a tight spot,it's the sprockets being worn that makes it seem that way.
Other than that,good on ya' and hope you get a good run from it.
I think I'll try just a heavy duty (non o-ring) chain. I'm pretty sure it's the chain that is causing the tight spot as it occurs when the chain is in a particular position rather than when the sprockets are in a certain position. But I'll keep an eye on it.
The seller gave me a can of chain lube that he was using, it's Shell Advance stuff with PTFE polymers in it. It looks white on the chain. He got it because it's not supposed to make such a mess of the back wheel. I think I'll stick to the stuff I usually use though, in case the white stuff was the cause of the chain stretching.