Used Bandits and other equivalents

[Dolph]

Hi all

As the handle suggests,...I'm new to all this,...starting completely :gob: from scratch.

I know the basics, have ridden a few mates bikes (years ago though) and I'm researching a suitable 250 as a learner's bike for commuting 70km a day on Northland roads and for the occasional weekend trip. I want to buy a bike that I can stick with for a while,....but the budget is around the $4k mark.

I've been checking out the ubiquitous trademe, but part of my problem is that nearly all of the bikes are down in Auckland or even further south ! I see that there are lots of very helpful/experienced riders offering plenty of free advice on KB and hope that I can call on you from time to time with Q's regarding possible 250's that fit the bill, but don't break the bank !! I like doing my research before parting with the hard earned stuff :bye::bye::bye:

I've shortlisted a few bikes. Anyone got any comments on these options:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=178459028
- possibly asking a bit much ??
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=181453805
- unsure about mileage
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=182253439
- 16 years old ?!?!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=181031590
- 80k on the clock
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=180029912
- prefer the standard bars though
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=181474463
- don't know much about the Zeal
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=178239903
- could be a good option from the dealer,...Welly tho !
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-181528182.htm
- this is the closest to home
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=176220142
- could possibly get this for less
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-181351885.htm
- 2005 model, but a bit rich
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=180101657
- don't know the Honda Jades,...look a bit girly

I appreciate your time on this,...must seem like every day there is another newB wanting to ask the same questions !! :brick:
Cheers ppl

[marioc]

Well I can tell you having been riding my bandit for about 14 months almost everyday 40k commute,it has not missed a beat.
Easy bike to handle,ok power for a 250.
Suzuki reliability.

[Jeaves]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-181528182.htm

that is my pic of the bunch, looks somewhat tidy from the pics

My advice would be to focus on Bandits/Zeals and early Balius. With your budget you should be able to find a tidy version of one of those.

That Zeal use to be mine...sob.., if youre going to look at it pm me if you want the FULL details of its history.

[Dolph]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-181528182.htm
that is my pic of the bunch, looks somewhat tidy from the pics

That Zeal use to be mine...sob.., if youre going to look at it pm me if you want the FULL details of its history.

Yes, the silver model looks really nice. I almost got to view it today, but the guy was busy. I'll have to make plans to get down again.

I really like the Bandits actually. Don't know enough about the Zeals though. So that Zeal was yours then Jeaves. Only got 10k on the clock for a 15 year old bike ?!?! What's the story ??

[boman]

I bought a 1995 Bandit, about 3 years ago? I have been everywhere on it. Been to Taupo, Whangamata, Auckland a shite load of times, Work every day till it gets too wet and cold, and the gear is too wet to put on. She hasn't missed a beat at all. She might have the odd temperamental moment running on 3 cylinders. But a damn good rev as I leave usually wakes up the forth without dramas. I only paid $4000.00 for her, from Holeshots over the shore. I couldn’t have got a better choice for a first bike. I just love the windy roads out the peninsula; she is a nice light flickable bike to ride. Find a good one mechanically. Don't worry about the cosmetics. My paint is scratched and rough, which is why it was cheap. I have never regretted the purchase yet.


:done:

[headlesschicken]

I would be picking the two - closest to home and could get this for less. I have a bandit and they're a great bike. Better suited to city streets than open roads though as they sit at high revs 100km+

[Dolph]

That's good advice thanks...


I would be picking the two - closest to home and could get this for less. I have a bandit and they're a great bike. Better suited to city streets than open roads though as they sit at high revs 100km+

I am wondering a bit about the commute, as most of it is on 100km/h roads and I'd prefer to know that I'm not going to be thrashing the bike driving to and from work. Or would this be the case with all 250 bikes regardless ?

[boman]

99% of my travels on my bandit, have been at 100kph. All I did was change the front sproket so that it is doin 8000rpm at 100kph instaed of 9000rpm. It will rev till 14,000rpm and do 140+ kph with me 95kg on board. Had for two or so years never really wanted to trade up till recently.


:done: :chase:

[headlesschicken]

don't worry about thrashing it they are high revving machines. mine regularly sits around 10000rpm cruising. I can hit 160k on mine without hassle before redlining. im just saying it <i> can </i> be uncomfortable for extended periods. but then again I am tall...

[Dolph]

That all sounds great thanks :done:

What about any comparisons to a VTR250,a Hornet or a Zeal ? Anybody had any experience in comparing any of those models ? Thanks

[Dolph]

The silver model has gawooone :angry2:

[AllanB]

Find some bike shops that have the bikes and go test riding or if you have not ridden maybe go on the back with someone who does.

The Bandit or Hornet would be my choice.

[Dolph]

Thansk Allan, that's a good idea,...only problem is there are no shops near me (Kerikeri). There is at least one down in Whangarei and I think there is one in Kaitaia - both one hour away. Have to try and find some time over the weekends to come.

Yes, I like the look of the Hornets too,...but they seem to sommand a higher price. Same with the VTRs :(

[PirateJafa]

Better suited to city streets than open roads though as they sit at high revs 100km+


It will rev till 14,000rpm and do 140+ kph with me 95kg on board.


I can hit 160k on mine without hassle before redlining.

You guys need less pies - the Bandits cruise very happily at 100km/h and mine would hit 180km/h quite happily!

new2it: They're very comfortable bikes to ride.

[marioc]

180 ?? anyone else a bit dubious of that call,no way mine gets anywhere near that

[PirateJafa]

Downhill with a little fucker like me on it - yes.

"Indicated", of course - I can't afford a GPS. So god only knows what it was really doing. But at the end of the day, if you really want to go fast in a straight line you shouldn't looking for a 250 anyway! :rolleyes:

Was riding with a FZR who got there a damn sight faster.

[headlesschicken]

Downhill with a little fucker like me on it - yes.

"Indicated", of course - I can't afford a GPS. So god only knows what it was really doing. But at the end of the day, if you really want to go fast in a straight line you shouldn't looking for a 250 anyway! :rolleyes:

Was riding with a FZR who got there a damn sight faster.

fyi im 6ft+ and 60kg:2thumbsup
and it wasnt downhill

[PirateJafa]

fyi im 6ft+ and 60kg:2thumbsup
and it wasnt downhill

You blighter. :clap:

Although I'd dropped a tooth off the front sprocket the last time I'd replaced the chain - seriously, I'd suggest that ANY Bandit owner do that. You don't lose any topend by by golly they go like a bat out of Lucifer's cave off the line. People say "But they'll rev more boohoo" - meh! Bandits love to rev - they do it happily!

[Dolph]

Pies aren't a problemo cheers !! Glad to hear that they'll do the motorway miles easily (not sure I'd be comfortable at 180 for too long tho !!). Seems that they are just a bit cheaper than the VTR's and Hornets,...keeping my eyes peeled for something a bit more local. Missed the one in Warkworth already :weep:

[GrayWolf]

Hi new to it,
Welcome to Bikedom.
I'll throw my two pennorth in if I may.
The other factors to consider when buying isnt just the motor type.
but on that note
1cylinder?
good commuter (town/city) and they can travel distances (have a lady friend in wima who owns a GN) But they are in all honesty serioulsy underpowered in open road territory.
2cylinders?
Apart from Kwack triples, most of the old farts (self included) here will have learnt on twins themselves. Bear in mind they struggled to do 150kph apart from a 'chosen few'. They would cruise comfortably at 100kph (60mph) with some reasonable acceleration still in reserve.
4 cylinders?
most power and top speed generaly (2T's excepted) They do rev, but most modern bikes even the tiwns rev substantialy higher than we rode (EG: Yamaha RD250 red line 8500rpm at about 150kph). 4 cyl's will also incur higher maintanance costs.

You said you want to commute 70km's? is that one way/both ways?
Comfort, wind protection, stability in winds, brakes visciously sharp or not? Where the 'power range' of the bike falls in comparison to your needs.... These are also factors you might think about considering apart from just the engine type.

[Dolph]

Thanks Gray. Yes, I've thought about the GN's,...the price is very attractive !! However, I reckon that I'll be buying one bike and sticking with it for a few years. I imagine that I'd be wanting to flick a GN fairly quickly as I don't think the 35km each way would be as enjoyable. (It's all on 100kph roads.)

I take on board the points such as brakes, riding position, comfort etc.. Unfortunately I'll have to ride a while before I figure out what suits me really. At the minute it's not too much of a problem as funds dictate when I can 'do the deal'. Probably have to wait a couple of months before getting the bike, so I'm making good use of that time and researching as much as possible. :soon:

[Dolph]

Well,...finally got the ball started !! DId the basic handling test, need to swot up a bit then apply for the learner's. Started buying some bits of gear,...just need to come up with the money for a bike now !! :2thumbsup

[hedcase07]

180 ?? anyone else a bit dubious of that call,no way mine gets anywhere near that

I have an 04 600 bandit and these were only produced to do 200kmph i believe.