PDA

View Full Version : Anyone have one of these?



Mountlocal1
2nd February 2009, 13:51
Im coming home to do a 3-4 week tour of the south island in March next year. :bleh:

Considered a new VFR800 but with luggage and my fat arse....

Will probably end up keeping whatever I buy to use as a tourer when I get back permanantly.

Bandit 1250...

What do they go / handle like? Fuel economy etc?

Any help / info or other recommendations would be appreciated.

Cheers! :eek:

Gremlin
2nd February 2009, 13:59
They are quite heavy, and if you can live with the size, the blackbird probably makes more sense, at least regarding weight, and the extras you get cc wise etc.

Don't know anything else specific to the VFR

Paul_C
10th February 2009, 19:24
Hey,

Got a '02 VFR, love it to bits. I have a Ventura rack and soft luggage and regularly do Auckland - Palmerston north. I have to stop every hour and a half to stretch as the riding position is 'semi-sporty'. It goes great around the Coromandel loop and I get fairly decent fuel economy (5-7l/100k). It feels a lot more 'sporty' than some other similar displacement/hp bikes (a CB900 for example) and it's a 6 speed and has that cool V4 sound. Which is all good.

If you do lots of two-up, give the Bandit a look as I find that with the VFR it's a bit gutless (relatively speaking) when it's not in the VTEC range and you really have to ring it out with a pillion. Also, I'd say the Bandit probably has a slightly better (more upright) riding position if you were doing a longer tour (not having ridden one myself).

Overall I like the VFR because it looks good (especially in red), I can still hammer through the twisty bits and at the end of the day I don't feel too stiff and sore.

(and it's not an old man's bike like the Bandit! :Pokey:)

smoky
10th February 2009, 19:32
I rode a 1250 and compared to my 1200 it's not a lot different;
lovely torque, cheap as chips, the injection model is well worth it I would think.
Down side is I thought I was more exposed to the wind, too many gear changes with the 6 speed (didn't need six gears) and the brakes would take a bit of getting use to not lock them up all the time.
Bandits need a bit more clearance if you like to lean them over a bit, especially if you're on the larger size like I am.

Bandits are a fun bike:woohoo:

shafty
10th February 2009, 19:37
What sorta budget Mate?

Edbear
10th February 2009, 19:51
See my ride report on the BAndit...

ynot slow
16th February 2009, 20:05
Test them both hehe.
Bandit is good ride position,average for all else according to some,i.e brakes,suspension,comfort.Mine is fine for me albeit maybe looking at the pillion seat to make more comfy,the touring version has full fairing and panniers and great price new,which will be the clincher for you,both the VFR and Bandit (touring model) are similar new price wise.

YellowDog
16th February 2009, 20:22
The 1250SAT is a great bike. No better value for money anywhere else (for what it is). It has ABS and all the luggage, plus a really grunty fuel injected modern power unit. I almost bought one until the missus got pregnant, which meant I could get my first choice!

IMO - The weight isn't really an issue. There is bags of power to play with and it seemed really good at all speeds. Cornering is pretty smooth and effortless. ABS brakes are brilliant. A great tourer and quite happy to be pushed faster.

insomnia01
19th February 2009, 08:07
[QUOTE=Gremlin;1916794] the blackbird probably makes more sense, at least regarding weight, and the extras you get cc wise etc.



I go with what he say's big fella.....:Punk::Punk::Punk: :2guns::2guns:

jafar
20th February 2009, 10:43
Im coming home to do a 3-4 week tour of the south island in March next year. :bleh:

Considered a new VFR800 but with luggage and my fat arse....

Will probably end up keeping whatever I buy to use as a tourer when I get back permanantly.

Bandit 1250...

What do they go / handle like? Fuel economy etc?

Any help / info or other recommendations would be appreciated.

Cheers! :eek:

The VFR will haul your luggage & fat arse round no problem, bandits are heavy & a lot slower through the corners than a VFR.
The Bandit would be 1st choice if your intending to do a lot of distance with a pillion, if your riding solo then the 800 cc VFR will be plenty.

pritch
2nd March 2009, 09:50
I'll vote VFR, but then I would.

When I bought my VFR two years ago I was told Blue Wing didn't import the Honda hard luggage because it was too expensive. Then a year or so later they had a special deal going on the Honda luggage if purchased with a new bike. What the current situation is God knows.

I bought Givi hard boxes with the inner bags, all good except that the bike is pretty wide with the boxes on. I haven't seen a VFR with the Honda boxes to compare width.

The Ventura racks are good too , I had one on the Hornet - liked it. Compared to the hard luggage it's swings and roundabouts, both have advantages.

Meanie
2nd March 2009, 22:11
I ride a concours but brought my wife a VFR 800 with givi panniers and its farkin awesome
If you dont want it too heavy then a VFR will do what you want no problems and they are quick when needed An awesome all round bike thats big enough for serious touring and light enough to blat around the back blocks on Sunday,s

TerminalAddict
2nd March 2009, 22:30
vote blackbird :first:

MaxB
2nd March 2009, 22:41
Vote Bandit

They have an almost fanatical cult following for a reason. Excellent bikes.

Mountlocal1
7th March 2009, 13:47
Ha ha... I had forgotten about my thread in this forum...

Thanks everyone for your advice!

However... There has been a change of plan in my absence....

I have now 100% decided on one of these....

:done:

Warr
7th March 2009, 13:51
I vote a 1% change of mind :)

jafar
7th March 2009, 13:55
Ha ha... I had forgotten about my thread in this forum...

Thanks everyone for your advice!

However... There has been a change of plan in my absence....

I have now 100% decided on one of these....

:done:

Really ? What made you so sure that the Triumph is the way to go ? I'm interested in the logic you used to make this decision:confused:

Winston001
7th March 2009, 14:14
Triumph Sprint. Nice bike and I'm sure you will be happy. You could have chosen a Ducati ST3 but.......hey someone has to buy the other offerings in the market. :D Go hard.

Mountlocal1
9th March 2009, 10:27
Really ? What made you so sure that the Triumph is the way to go ? I'm interested in the logic you used to make this decision:confused:

Logic? None really. Just makes sense.

*Has the sexy bit of a VFR (single sided swinger)
*1050 motor has more torque and hp. (for my fat arse)
*Comes with luggage.
*Has heaps of factory accessories. Gel seat etc...
*More suited to my 6.3 110kg frame..


:niceone:

Mountlocal1
9th March 2009, 10:32
I vote a 1% change of mind :)


The choice is well and firmly locked in. I'll be flying back in November/December to purchase the bike and gear needed for the trip and spend a week or 2 putting k's on the bike.

The only thing Im not sure of is the colour.... Black / Silver or Blue?

Cheerio!

insomnia01
10th March 2009, 12:45
The choice is well and firmly locked in. I'll be flying back in November/December to purchase the bike and gear needed for the trip and spend a week or 2 putting k's on the bike.

The only thing Im not sure of is the colour.... Black / Silver or Blue?

Cheerio!

BLACK ALL THE WAY :2guns::2guns: ...... don't forget my garage is still open for any triumphs that you may wish to park in there until you are ready big guy :love:

Mountlocal1
10th March 2009, 18:17
BLACK ALL THE WAY :2guns::2guns: ...... don't forget my garage is still open for any triumphs that you may wish to park in there until you are ready big guy :love:

You have yourself a deal! :Punk::Punk:

aroberts
10th March 2009, 18:26
They are quite heavy,

Love to know where the myth came about that the Bandit is heavy. Kiwirider magazine was suggesting this recently as well.

Here are the stats:
GSF1250 (Bandit) Dry weight = 229kg
CBR1100XX (Blackbird) Dry weight = 227kg

I guess that 2kg makes a diference, eh?
:shifty:

jafar
10th March 2009, 21:04
Logic? None really. Just makes sense.

*Has the sexy bit of a VFR (single sided swinger)
*1050 motor has more torque and hp. (for my fat arse)
*Comes with luggage.
*Has heaps of factory accessories. Gel seat etc...
*More suited to my 6.3 110kg frame..


:niceone:

No logic ?:laugh:
I'd suggest you test ride one first.
MAHA had one & has now moved to a chicken wing:jerry:

Mountlocal1
11th March 2009, 23:31
No logic ?:laugh:
I'd suggest you test ride one first.
MAHA had one & has now moved to a chicken wing:jerry:

Everyone has their own opinion.

LBD
12th March 2009, 03:55
Everyone has their own opinion.


and every one is entitled to my opinion....nah just kidding.

Have a good ride and look forward the the now compulsary (Because you posted in advance) post trip report and photos...

Mountlocal1
12th March 2009, 14:43
No logic ?:laugh:
I'd suggest you test ride one first.
MAHA had one & has now moved to a chicken wing:jerry:

Well, my curiousity got the better of me...

I decided to search all of Maha's posts and see what was up with his bike.

He had an 01 955 Sprint. I am looking at an 08 Sprint ST1050 ABS. Apart from them both having 3 cylinders there aint a huge amount in common.

jafar
12th March 2009, 20:34
Well, my curiousity got the better of me...

I decided to search all of Maha's posts and see what was up with his bike.

He had an 01 955 Sprint. I am looking at an 08 Sprint ST1050 ABS. Apart from them both having 3 cylinders there aint a huge amount in common.

That's good, I'm pleased that your curiosity has been aroused, there are so many great bikes from many different distributors out there that do deserve consideration for your next purchase.
It is YOUR hard earned money that they are asking for, all I'm suggesting is that you cast a wider net in your search.
Bring into your consideration things like after sales support, the attitude of the dealership staff, the availability of spare parts in NZ. Try asking for some parts for the bikes you are thinking of buying & see if they have them listed as "ävailable".
Does the distributor have a good track record when it comes to warranty claims ? Ask other owners how they have fared @ the hands of the dealer/distributor. I'll bet the answers surprise you.;)

Most of all take some for a decent ride to make sure the machine fits you !!:argh:

pritch
12th March 2009, 20:58
BIKE magazine like the Sprint but they sometimes let their red white and blue tinted glasses influence them overmuch. Understandable, you just allow for that. The Street Triple is their BOTY but that's OK, their last two BsOTY were Hondas.

As patriotic as they are BIKE acknowledge that Triumph have quality problems.

caseye
10th April 2009, 19:46
Often thought I'd like a triple again, the last one was a 1979 Jam jar 750 triple commuter model from Yapan. The shaft drive technology was that old that when you ringed it's neck the whole rear end of the bike rose up, made for some interesting cornering.
once you got used to it it was awesome.Like the look of the Sprint, but a bit pricy for this kid.
Go for a XV1100 they're brilliant bikes.

Hinny
9th June 2009, 14:05
Go for a XV1100 they're brilliant bikes.

Good thing about them is their ideal cruising speed is closer to the legal limit than the more sports bike oriented offerings.
One of the biggest dangers facing motorbike riders must surely be Mr Popo.:Police: