08 Bandit 1250S ride impression

[Edbear]

Well I took the C50T out to Bikesport this afternoon for its 12k service. Great ride from work in Taka to Helensville via Coatesville and Old Nth Rd.

I'm so comfortable with the bike now that I can toss it around with gay abandon, (:crazy:!), and it does everything I want in a bike including being a great pillion bike on longer rides!

Matthew wheeled out his ex-demo 1250, looking real tasty in blue and started it up. It was whisper quiet. Throwing a leg over I was a bit non-plussed to find I was on tippy-toes. The bars were too narrow, the seat was too high and the pegs were, umm, not there! I thought they were the pillion pegs!

The gear shift was backwards and as I rode off, feeling the bike was very top-heavy, I tried to change up and it took a few meters to realise I was in fact trying to change down... There is no "down" from first gear...:whistle:
Something to do with being used to a heel-change...

Being the cautious type I eased it up through the gears as I headed into town and found I was in top gear at about 60km/h with the tacho barely registering. I changed down to third and cruised through the main street, noticing the turbine smoothness of the engine. I thought I was barely moving and had to keep an eye on the digital speedo as I found myself doing 70km/h without noticing...

I was in top by the time I reached the open road sign heading out towards Kaukapakapa and immediately realised I wasn't going to have to change down anytime for anything. The torque of this engine is massive from 1500rpm and with the barest whiff of throttle, the C50T simply wouldn't see which way the Bandit went!

A van was despatched in an instant and 135km/h flashed up before I'd registered the passing maneouver! "Oops! Sorry officer..."

I found the throttle very sensitive and with the hard riding suspension I was having trouble maintaining a steady speed, bumping along as I was. I'm not a lightweight at around 100kg suited up, but I definitely found the settings far too hard.

Still, I was able to notice the sure, predictable and stable cornering, "on rails" kept coming to mind, and the nice feel to the powerful brakes, and that engine!!!! Turbine smooth and incredible power! (Okay, I have never ridden a Gixxer thou...). Even slowing to 70km/h behind a car and truck-trailer, the tacho hovering around 2500rpm, I felt no need to drop a gear and when the road opened and I twisted the throttle, it felt like I'd been shunted in the rear by a freight train! I literally flashed past them both at a rate that made me shift my senses into high gear as I tried to keep up with the bike!

I don't need earplugs on the Boulevard, but the wind noise on the Bandit would mean they'd be a necessity. I wasn't comfortable, even though the seat was fine. The hard ride, the sensitive throttle and the forward lean made my right hand hurt again as it used to on the old GSX-600F I had last on longer trips. It is not a relaxing bike by comparison with the C50T and not as easy to chuck around with the high centre of gravity. It needs more muscle to ride.

But that engine is addictive... I even left it in top when going through a 50km/h area and from 1500rpm it just accelerated at a rate that has to be experienced to be believed! No snatchiness, just smooth turbine power! (I seem to be using that term a lot in regard to this bike).

So would I buy one? Probably not, too big and too powerful and not comfy. I tried to imagine myself taking it on a long trip and it hurt just thinking about it. The suspension would have to be softened up a lot which would probably hurt the handling and the throttle is too sensitive making for jerky progress with the bumpiness of the ride.

Ride it with intent, and hard, and it would come together, but my licence is kinda handy to have and I'd not want to lose it...

A beautiful bike, but impractical for me I'm afraid...



But that engine.....

[Jantar]

Well written. I felt I was right there with you. But as they say "different strokes for different folks". The very things you don't like about the bandit are the same things I do like. And we do agree about that engine. :niceone:

[Hitcher]

The consequences for "tossing around with gay abandon" are particularly severe south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

[Big Dave]

I have a test in the Kiwi Rider just out now - Campbell rode and wrote it as well - he and I disagree over certain aspects too.

He's a middleweight and found the bike a bit heavy. I'm a heavyweight and found it quite chuckable plus.

[Edbear]

I'd be interested in other's opinions. With your height BD you would find most bikes "quite chuckable" I would think...

I took the Bandit to work today and it was better on the smoother Motorway.
Lane splitting was faster and easier due to the relative narrowness of the bike and I got used to the top-heavy feel, quite enjoying the view from way up there...

The engine! Ah that motor! A short squirt to pass some cars and 165 flashed up before I registered the passing manoeuver! This bike is a serious threat to one's licence, for sure! I was impressed at how casually it reached that speed. It seemed just natural to the big Bandit...

Wind noise is definitely an issue and I doubt our Blueant Interphones would be any good for pillionning. I have some nerve damage in my right hand and have to adjust my ride position to ease pressure on it, but the seat and roominess of the ergonomics makes it easy to find a comfortable position. I am getting used to the "backwards" gear-linkage and the brakes are smooth and very strong! (Ask the traffic!)

So I'll reserve final judgement until Saturday when I return it, but boy I do miss the Boulevard!

[ynot slow]

Totally agree about the smooth power and how easy the speed seems to sneak up,i.e doing 65km in 50km area,doesn't seem to be working.But when you go on the open road and behind a truck or traffic upon passing it is easy to see 125km from say 80km pretty quickly and is fun lol.

Seat height is good as it can be adjusted,mine lets me put both feet on terra firma at the present height and I'm 5'8".Don't notice wind as much as the old gsx.

Two bros muffler makes a bit more noise,so if intercom was used this may be a problem.

[Edbear]

I take it back in the morning having used it for getting to work the last two days.

In a way, I'm going to miss it, as I'm finding I'm starting to gel with it. The ride is still hard, but I noticed the compliance over speed bumps is actually better than the C50T. I'm getting better at throttle control and can now hold a more steady speed - that will be tested tomorrow on the rougher roads out to Helensville than the smooth, (well, smoother!), motorway.

The engine continues to impress! It really is like a turbine! No, more like an electric motor! Torque in bucketloads from any revs! I can change up and be in 5th gear moving along with the traffic - smooth, no hint of snatchines and a mere whiff of throttle to overtake at a rate that never ceases to amaze me! Cars have no reply!

I followed an XR8 Falcon into work on Thursday. He was gunning it through the traffic obviously enjoying the power of the V-8 under his right foot. I was idling along behind him in top gear, smug in the full knowledge that all I had to do was twist and go and his best efforts would make him appear to be going backwards!

It would take a very expensive exotic car to match, or even keep in sight the smooth big Bandit! No ordinary Porsche's or Ferrari's please...

I found the tallness of the bike to be no problem after a while and discovered that lane-splitting is faster and easier due to both the narrowness of the bike and it's stability, allowing me to place the bike precisely where I wanted it. I actually found it to be quite "chuckable" today. Handling is beautiful, despite the firmness of the suspension, mid-corner bumps don't make a jot of difference to the steadiness and surety of the bike, unlike the Boulevard which moves around a bit.

It has ABS brakes! Powerful, not quite as sublime as the 109, but lovely feel to them.

Wind noise is still too much for me, I'd need a different helmet and ear plugs. I'd like to try a longer trip, say the Waipu loop or the Coro, but I do think I would get tired and sore on it, as I'm a big old softy, not in the best physical shape to be honest and the C50T is like driving a couch.

But it is a beautiful bike and that engine has to be experienced! Only downside is it sounds like an electric motor, too. When I crack the throttle of the Boulevard I'm rewarded with very addictive and pleasant v-twin bark and I miss that! There is simply no noise other than the wind and whirr on the Bandit...

[chanceyy]

But it is a beautiful bike and that engine has to be experienced! Only downside is it sounds like an electric motor, too. When I crack the throttle of the Boulevard I'm rewarded with very addictive and pleasant v-twin bark and I miss that! There is simply no noise other than the wind and whirr on the Bandit...

hmm change the pipe out to a leo vince & it has the distinct rumble & when you crack open that throttle others behind you get the full effect of the noise :yes:

from your first post all the things you did not like about the bandit I :love: certainly the "top heaviness" took a bit of getting used too, but now I never notice it & certainly getting more chuckable around corners .. its my limitations that need work :niceone:

whats not to :love: regarding that roll on power .. its devine :clap: I really enjoy the responsiveness of my bike .. even though its only the 1200, however I think the bandit is my type of bike

[Edbear]

hmm change the pipe out to a leo vince & it has the distinct rumble & when you crack open that throttle others behind you get the full effect of the noise :yes:

from your first post all the things you did not like about the bandit I :love: certainly the "top heaviness" took a bit of getting used too, but now I never notice it & certainly getting more chuckable around corners .. its my limitations that need work :niceone:

whats not to :love: regarding that roll on power .. its devine :clap: I really enjoy the responsiveness of my bike .. even though its only the 1200, however I think the bandit is my type of bike

I agree, as I said, I'm a big softy, "fat, fifty and fun!" :yes:

I suggest you don't take a new 1250 for a ride, everything you like about yours is magnified... :innocent:

[chanceyy]

I agree, as I said, I'm a big softy, "fat, fifty and fun!" :yes:

I suggest you don't take a new 1250 for a ride, everything you like about yours is magnified... :innocent:

:rofl: well I am not that far behind you in age as for the rest :yes:

hmm did take 1250 out when I was looking but did not quite appreciate it .. however going from 350 RZ to the 1200 bandit was a fair leap so a few yrs getting to grips with the more power & getting more experience .. then a new bandit might be on the cards then :clap:

since may only done 10,000 ks on her .. so a few more to rack up yet :whistle:

[98tls]

The guy i respect most in my motorcycling lifetime has one (my old man)hes owned everything from at a very young age a Vincent, endless bevel drive Ducs etc etc etc,awhile back i assumed (wrongly) that he was done when he bought a Beemer,last time i spoke to him he was packing up the Bandit to head off to the Burt Munroe and had nothing but praise for its abilitys when geared up,pillon onboard to make good time down interesting roads.Mind you this is a guy that believes rider ability far outweighs the brand name on the gas tank.<_<

[ynot slow]

Pretty fair call 98,I really liked the gsx650f for price and size,but felt 2 up and luggage might make it work harder and with it fuel use etc.The bandit will do all I want with ease and economy,can really see hitting the Sth Island in comfort and ease,mind you the seat might need seeing on longer rides,no problems yet though.

[PrincessBandit]

My bandit is only the 650 so it was great to read your review Edbear. Everything you wrote made me smile and think "yep that's mine on a baby scale". Tippy toes - yes (I'm 5'2"), top heavy - yes (short legs don't give too much leverage when man handling it), easy power shift with throttle - yes (OMG, I didn't realise I was actually doing that speed). And, of course, it gets lots of looks! Sigh. I just don't think the 1250 will ever be an option for me though, so will have to drool over others' reports!!

[banditrider]

The guy i respect most in my motorcycling lifetime has one (my old man)hes owned everything from at a very young age a Vincent, endless bevel drive Ducs etc etc etc,awhile back i assumed (wrongly) that he was done when he bought a Beemer,last time i spoke to him he was packing up the Bandit to head off to the Burt Munroe and had nothing but praise for its abilitys when geared up,pillon onboard to make good time down interesting roads.Mind you this is a guy that believes rider ability far outweighs the brand name on the gas tank.<_<

And he's absolutely right. You get good bang for your bucks with a Bandit and they do it all for most people.


Pretty fair call 98,I really liked the gsx650f for price and size,but felt 2 up and luggage might make it work harder and with it fuel use etc.The bandit will do all I want with ease and economy,can really see hitting the Sth Island in comfort and ease,mind you the seat might need seeing on longer rides,no problems yet though.

Should not be a problem...

[Grahameeboy]

I agree, as I said, I'm a big softy, "fat, fifty and fun!" :yes:

I suggest you don't take a new 1250 for a ride, everything you like about yours is magnified... :innocent:

Haven't I seen you in the classifieds:Oops:

[Edbear]

Haven't I seen you in the classifieds:Oops:

ROFL!!!! I nearly had a mouthful of coffee when I read that!!! :bash:



My bandit is only the 650 so it was great to read your review Edbear. Everything you wrote made me smile and think "yep that's mine on a baby scale". Tippy toes - yes (I'm 5'2"), top heavy - yes (short legs don't give too much leverage when man handling it), easy power shift with throttle - yes (OMG, I didn't realise I was actually doing that speed). And, of course, it gets lots of looks! Sigh. I just don't think the 1250 will ever be an option for me though, so will have to drool over others' reports!!

You've got a real nice bike and even for me I reckon the 650, especially the new F would be my bike of choice other than a cruiser. Enjoy!


:rofl: well I am not that far behind you in age as for the rest :yes:

hmm did take 1250 out when I was looking but did not quite appreciate it .. however going from 350 RZ to the 1200 bandit was a fair leap so a few yrs getting to grips with the more power & getting more experience .. then a new bandit might be on the cards then :clap:

since may only done 10,000 ks on her .. so a few more to rack up yet :whistle:

I took it back this morning and enjoyed the ride out to Helensville, even finding the bumpiness not too badlt affecting my throttle control. I was able to maintain a reasonably steady speed. Still amazed at that engine, the smoothness and torque is addictive and fun!

However, the ride was still too hard and I was looking forward to getting back on the Boulevard, to see how it compares.

Short answer? Now I know why I ride a cruiser. I was immediately relaxed and comfy, it's a Cadillac by comparison and the ride position means no stress on hands or neck. So much quieter as respects wind noise and that lovely V-twin bark was back! On the C50T I can imagine, and have done, long rides and tours, ending relaxed and looking for more whereas the big Bandit, while a great bike in its own right and probably perfect for others, is too hard on hands, lower back and neck - better than the old GSX-F600 I had in that the engine is so smooth so no high-frequency vibes through the bars - but I'm not the right shape and fitness these days for it. The wind noise really got to me, but could be the type of helmet I have which is great on the cruiser with the windscreen.

Even with half the power, the Boulevard is still a "twist and go" bike for quick overtaking, and it only took one corner to remind me it doesn't have the clearance of the Bandit... so an adjustment in cornering style there... :sweatdrop