Bandit 250 test ride

[Twig]

After hearing Maverick's Bandit 250 zip across the forecourt of the BP Botany, just before our 250 ride on 31/12/06. I thought to myself; 'Well if I can't get my full until April, which means I can't test ride anything bigger than a 250 until April... why not try something a bit more sporty than my "Antique Honda CD250” (as described by another KBer... you know who you are!).

So I had a look on TM to see if any of the bike shops on the Shore had any which I could go and test ride. Sure enough there was one on TM from a dealer on the Shore. So, today I went and took it for a blat.

Maybe I'd built it up a bit too much in my mind, but I wasn't too impressed!

Started off ok. I got there, saw the bike, it looked alright for its age. It's a 250, so yes it looked like it had been dropped on the left hand side, though it seemed quite minor (my bike had been dropped on both sides before I bought it and since I've owned it, I've added another drop to the left hand side).

I set off from the bike shop and although the riding style and power delivery was quite different to what I'm used to, I settled in within about 2-3k. However it was immediately apparent that the drop it had sustained was quite a bit worse than it looked. The left hand handle bar was bent to a noticeably weird position; the bike seemed very reluctant to turn in (now my bike would be considered a cruiser, but compared to this Bandit it has lightning quick turn in). The inline four was nice and smooth, albeit buzzy up top; it didn't seem to get into its stride until 7-8,000rpm and below that, seemed rather void of torque. But coming from a parallel twin, which has more low down and less up top, I'd expect that.

So to sum up. The specific Bandit 250 I tried was, to be honest, a bit of a let down. However it makes me want to have a look around for a really cherry one and take it for a test ride to compare!

The Bandit does make a great noise!!!


Long live Maverick & McJim's 250 rides... cause they rock:Punk:

[Meekey_Mouse]

Sounds like that poor lil bandit has been beaten up a bit :no: I took a bandit for a test ride (albeit a small one), it handled really nicely!! I was in love :love: but the guy road it to a meeting point, so I didn't get to see it start up cold and a few other un knowins. Also, as the bike was in Auckland and we saw it late at night just before heading home, there wasn't much I could do about looking into it more.

Then I found Cookie :D Now I've sold Cookie... lol

[Animal]

Hi Jas,
What have you bought to replace Cookie?

[Meekey_Mouse]

Hi Jas,
What have you bought to replace Cookie?

Lookin at the first bike today!

[Maverick]

Definitly sounds like something is a bit suspect, though I would be worried if it was a dealer letting you ride a bike in that condition if there was damage to the stearing.
Bandits are big bikes, the frame is the same for the 250 and the 400 model, essentially its just the engine that is different. From a positive viewpoint it is a nice stable and comfortable bike, but the downside is essentially you are riding a 400 with a 250 motor in it and it take a bit more to throw around then most other 250s.

[Animal]

Lookin at the first bike today!
Keep us updated, k? :)

[El Dopa]

Definitly sounds like something is a bit suspect, though I would be worried if it was a dealer letting you ride a bike in that condition if there was damage to the stearing.
Bandits are big bikes, the frame is the same for the 250 and the 400 model, essentially its just the engine that is different. From a positive viewpoint it is a nice stable and comfortable bike, but the downside is essentially you are riding a 400 with a 250 motor in it and it take a bit more to throw around then most other 250s.

It does sound like there's something broken. I just have to think about turning the 400 and it turns. I can whip it around all over the road without breaking a sweat, and as Mav says, the 250 and the 400 are the same size.

The 400 is actually smaller than my previous 250 (VTZ 250).

[Twig]

Definitly sounds like something is a bit suspect, though I would be worried if it was a dealer letting you ride a bike in that condition if there was damage to the stearing.
Bandits are big bikes, the frame is the same for the 250 and the 400 model, essentially its just the engine that is different. From a positive viewpoint it is a nice stable and comfortable bike, but the downside is essentially you are riding a 400 with a 250 motor in it and it take a bit more to throw around then most other 250s.

Mav,
The more I think about it, the more I think I should've turned around and headed straight back to the dealer. I don't care if a bike only goes 20kph (well, actually I do because my Grandma can run faster than 20kph). But, steering is something that I really want to be sorted. If something packs in on the steering front, you get to the phrase 'Oh, shit' really quickly.

That's interesting about the 250 and the 400 sharing the same frame. But wouldn't have thought it would've made to much difference as I wouldn't call the Bandit 250 a big bike, size wise.

I love the look of them, being a naked bike. I just want to find a good one to ride now.

[toymachine]

Yep they really do have nothing below 8k... and what they do have i'm bored of... but they flick around bloody well imo, and will corner damn nice with decent tyres..

[Twig]

Yep they really do have nothing below 8k... and what they do have i'm bored of... but they flick around bloody well imo, and will corner damn nice with decent tyres..


You make me want to go find a cherry one and give it a blat!

[Lucy]

I hope you are blocking the Honda's ears as you talk openly about having an affair!

[Twig]

She better get used to it... I think I'm going to turn into a bike whore!

[Donor]

She better get used to it... I think I'm going to turn into a bike whore!

I can see it now... Twig turning up to 250 rides, tossing his keys into a bowl, and encouraging all the others to do the same...

Shame on you, you... you... man whore you! ;)

[toymachine]

Were it not such a risk i'd say keys in the bowl would be great fun :P

[Wasp]

hah a bandit sounding good, you aint heard nothing yet. I'll take a movie of mine - i bet it still sounds good even with all the dents in the exhaust.

[Twig]

Anything with dents, sounds and runs better... it's just a fact!!! Take my "Antique Honda". Dents everywhere... IMHO every dent or ding makes it sound just that little bit better!!!

[Lucy]

I hope you aren't turning into a whore because I called your bike an antique???

It was a term of endearment!

I had to emphasize to Donor's mate (sorry didn't catch name) that it's not a GN. Not that there's anything wrong with Gns of course.....ok I'll stop now before I REALLY hurt someones feelings! :shutup:

[Twig]

ok I'll stop now before I REALLY hurt someones feelings! :shutup:

TOO LATE my feelings are well and truly hurt, not to mention those of a little blue Honda!!! Captian Loo Loo, you should be ashamed of yourself... Well, are you!!!

[Lucy]

Yes......!

[yungatart]

i was looking on trade me yesterday..there are a few Spadas around - nice looking nakeds, they are, and go pretty well. (There was one on the 31/12 250 ride.)
And of course your little Honda need not be quite so offended as they are a Honda!!

[Jeff Sichoe]

Yup, another Bandit owner reporting in!

Got the (MASSIVE HOOHA) 45hp model from 1990, she really likes the rev's high eh, like, 8-10 for cruising, 14+ for overtaking, but when you giver gas, it'll pull right off. It's got a fairly high camber (if that's the correct term, you have to really lean into the corners, I mean...) but it's pretty easy to ride.

Whoever was talking about the dings, dents and scratches making it sound better? HELL yes!!

[toymachine]

I drilled a few holes... that made it sound better :innocent:

[Wasp]

Got the (MASSIVE HOOHA) 45hp model from 1990, she really likes the rev's high eh, like, 8-10 for cruising, 14+ for overtaking, but when you giver gas, it'll pull right off. It's got a fairly high camber (if that's the correct term, you have to really lean into the corners, I mean...) but it's pretty easy to ride.

Whoever was talking about the dings, dents and scratches making it sound better? HELL yes!!
yup, ive got the '90 gj74a 45hp model too

was me talking about dents in the exhaust, mine isn't stock its a custom job from cycleworks (was told by the shop and everyone i meet it sounds like a F1 car and i beleive it too) - thats it in my avatar, you cant really see it but that logo is completly scratched

[Jeff Sichoe]

Smooth man, but I'm having trouble seeing what it is in the picture (your profile) that i'm meant to be seeing?

We should meet up and 'compare' when you get your ride, man! :)

[carver]

i have ridden the bandit, and owned the GSXR 250
i really didnt like the bandit, although i did 180kph* on it, it lacked the flexibility i like, no down low torque, and they dont seem to be well finished (like all bandits).
everything else was ok though, im not a fan of a four, give me a big single or twin!


*(in closed conditions of course!)

[Wasp]

Smooth man, but I'm having trouble seeing what it is in the picture (your profile) that i'm meant to be seeing?

We should meet up and 'compare' when you get your ride, man! :)
take off your fuel tank, the exhaust's logo is on the left of my name just above

meeting sounds good, im going to be riding like a nana anyway so will probably opt to be tail end on a wednesday night ride or something

[Twig]

im not a fan of a four, give me a big single or twin!

I hear you there, I'm starting to lean towards a big single or a twin, also. I went to look at the Yamaha XTX660 Supermotard today, very nice bike!

[Morcs]

You should see/hear/watch my bandit before putting them down ;)

[Lucy]

I'm starting to lean towards a big single or a twin, !

A big single like my GN250 you mean? Yeah, I recommend them highly! Thumpers I think they are called. Basically, my bike is the same as a Harley Davidson.....except cooler!

heeheehee

[Twig]

Yes... Basically the same as a Harley Davidson!!!