My first Suzuki

[Crisis management]

It is hard to go past Suzuki for value for money / bang for buck. And the reliability and quality is fine.

I agree about the value for money and reliability but the quality is where you see the trade off with value for money, I've always found Suzukis' adequate when new but the rapid deterioration in suspension shows up where the money has ben saved.

Me, I would rather pay some more for quality suspenders and brakes.

[Hitcher]

I agree about the value for money and reliability but the quality is where you see the trade off with value for money, I've always found Suzukis' adequate when new but the rapid deterioration in suspension shows up where the money has ben saved.

Me, I would rather pay some more for quality suspenders and brakes.

Indeed. But $2,500 for a suspension upgrade and $700 on brakes still makes the all-up investment significantly less than Bavarian competition, and would also create a vastly superior riding experience.

[AllanB]

Well done. Considering the set-up if the Suzuki in question I fail to see how they do it at that price. A bargin indeed.


For braided lines in NZ try: http://www.helperformance.co.nz/

[Ocean1]

the rapid deterioration in suspension shows up where the money has ben saved.

It does. And not. Believe it or not it takes just as much to make shit components as it does to make those fit for long term purpose.

In fact with modern machining centres it costs more to make shit, because you need a whole extra process to weed out the crap.

Poor quality is rarely about long term cost cutting, it's just simple, uncomplicated, short sighted incompetence.

[Gremlin]

Radiator guards? Different story, apart from the ludicrous delivery charges that businesses outside the UK seem intent to gouge. Limited choice though.

No shortage of goodies for the GS My 4th package is arriving, my 5th has been ordered and I'm eyeing up my 6th... its been less than a month. So far, the US and Germany seem to get here within 7 days... rather addictive.

Being at a slightly younger point in my life, and wanting to do all, the tourers wouldn't have faired so well exploring the forests I find myself in... The seat is incredible after the KTM, and a 33L+ fuel tank... well... a dream come true.

Hitch, re guards, I've made several from mesh available from Repco (and thats the expensive option, at $50 ish for a sheet). The BMW, I bought a guard (as I was buying other stuff anyway).

[Hitcher]

For braided lines in NZ try: http://www.helperformance.co.nz/

I rest my case. That's a classic example of the crap web sites I referred to earlier. No catalogue, no list of bikes and matched components, no online purchasing. That company may do braided lines for motorcycles but you'd need to ring them up to find that out. Or contact one of their recommended distributors, who they don't list.

[Crisis management]

Just so this doesn't deteriorate into a shit fight, I was interested in your reasoning Hitch, as you have had a good variety of bikes over the last few years and I'm interested in your selection of this bike over others available rather than trying to say one is better than others.

[Gremlin]

For each person, hopefully one is better than others... Each person's requirements differ, also based on experience (or someone elses). eg, he loved the Shiver, we were all interested, but the aftersales support was lacking.

If he's anything like me, the purchase of a bike is just the beginning, with more margin available to the dealer in parts/consumables/servicing. Some do 5000km (or less) a year. When you do 20k and upwards services come around slightly more regularly (I had two within a month at one point)

[ynot slow]

Ask and ye shall recieve rad guard www.banditmaniashop.co.uk. About $100 landed,says 07-10 models,some serious dollars for brake lines due to abs system,also for upgrade bulbs try www.powerbulbs.com

[banditrider]

Ask and ye shell recieve rad guard [url]http://www.banditmaniashop.co.uk/stainless-cooler-cover-for-the-bandit-1250-07-10-781-p.asp.
About $100 landed,also for upgrade bulbs try www.powerplus.co.uk.

Linky no work: try this: http://www.banditmaniashop.co.uk/sta...7-10-781-p.asp

[ynot slow]

Linky no work: try this: http://www.banditmaniashop.co.uk/sta...7-10-781-p.asp

Remedied that,with edit button lol.

[Hitcher]

Radiator guard coming from www.radguard.com.au

GPS mounting bracket coming from www.ramsolutions.co.nz

Braided lines appear to be somewhat more complex to source. I may have to get a bespoke set.

[Pussy]

The Radguard radiator guards are worth the coin, Brett! Paul at Radguard is VERY helpful, as you've probably already found out!

Does the ABS system require anything out of the ordinary to bleed? Some ABS cars can be a bastard to work on, brake-wise

[banditrider]

Yep, Radguard's are good. Even sent me some chain lube when I bought my one for the Connie...

[Hitcher]

My next trick will be figuring out how to get the fairing off, or I may politely impinge on a mechanic while they're doing the 6,000km service (almost halfway there).

Big blue bike got its first proper wash tonight.