Bike Review: GSF1200 well used

[mossy1200]

A lot of posting on the WTB add so decided move the words to a bike review.

GSF1200 2005 with 82tho km. Touring and two up bike.

Having not had an older bike for a while found the need to get something suited to taking the wife out on and do some touring.
Budget was smallish so searched the used bike for a short while and found a bandit.

Bike stock standard with zero mods and 82km.

Purchase price a very good 3.6k with 1 year wof and 3 months rego so think price wise its a win.
The bikes in good condition. Its not mint but its tidy and seems to have never been dropped.

The seller delivered the bike from Palmy to Welly no charge and left again with his wife in their car to have a weekend in the City.

First move was to pull the pack rack supports off as I have ordered a new 50litre top box for $60.00 care of tardme auction.
2nd move was to order new filter for a fluid change.
Parts still on the way.

Installed a luggage rack from a cruiser that I got for a dollar a year ago also off tardme.
Made some bracket on it went. Seems ok. Had to ditch the grab bar to do it.

[mossy1200]

Day Two
First ride.
No rain unlike last night so its first ride time.
Chain very loose and dry. Tighten and lube.
Start up good. Choke for a minute or two.
Runs nice.
Down the hill. Brakes good. Almost a 2 finger job. Not as easy as the Gustler.
First few corner. Runs wide and huge amount of counter steering required. Wasn't ready for that.
Ok so its not a sports bike and the steering is heavy.
Ability to town ride is very good. Pulls at low revs and no surging.
Motorway. Very easy to ride. Run it down to 70 in the road works and pulls again in top no problem.
Very good roll on.
Ride up the gorge in top at 80 no issues. Wondering if it could be geared up a little. 3.8 revs at 100.
Fairing ability is less than average and im colder than I expected so flip it around at Mana and head home for more clothes.
Im wearing my race gloves and hands are cold. No wind protection so I am heading for a jumper, scarft and winter gloves.

Get home and look at tires. Rear is a bit worn in the middle. Its got a conti front and mich rear so might be a bad combo causing poor tip in combined with tire that got bad wear.
Decide to run the tire gauge on them. I was expecting for a bike the guy delivered in the poring rain yesterday to have ok pressures.
Shock horror. 12 pounds in the back and 19 in the front while warm from the ride.
Guess he hasn't ridden it often lately and the WOF guy doesn't check tire pressures either.
Pumped them up and extra clothes and im going out again.

Rear shock is terrible and Busa shock is next thing to get.

[mossy1200]

Ride 2 with warmer gear and tyre pressure 40 rear and 38 front.

Different bike. Turns in without any effort and holds a nice line other than some rear shock lazy behaviour.

To compare it to another bike I would say a lighter version of a blackbird.
Still like to have the rear lifted but it exceeding my expectations.
Im not sure about muffler as it seems to be fuelled ok at the moment.
I guess there is a chance its been tuned. If I pipe it ill inspect jet sizes and slides for alterations.
Im not seeing any signs of running lean that seems to be a bandit issue.
Its got some very good midrange haul for the claimed low hp.

It was good to get the touring leathers and J Rebbs on again.

[mossy1200]

Grr wof holder is empty. Bottom cracked open at hinge point and wof likely fell out.
How do I get another if I don't know where wof was done. Its only 5 days old but done in Palmy by previous owner.

[JimO]

im no wof guru but as its in the system any wof provider should be able to give u a replacement when i say give probably charge you

[nzspokes]

They are no sports bike but they go well. Busa shock brings them alive.

Standard jetting will be fine with the stock can and airbox. When you open the airbox and pipe it will need jetting. But its simple as shit.

Ive gone +1 on the front and that also fixes the speedo error.

Oh and mines at 102,000ks. Its just run in.

[mossy1200]

im no wof guru but as its in the system any wof provider should be able to give u a replacement when i say give probably charge you

Previous owner has the paperwork and is going to get me a replacement and post it to me.
Lucky with that. He is a good bloke.

[Largs Saint]

Welcome to the world of Banditry! The standard rear shock is woeful on these. A lot of people replace it with a Hagon shock here. I've got Hagon progressive springs on the front end, makes quite a difference to the handling. It rains a lot here so I fitted Michelin Road Pilot 2s to mine. Not the latest version of the Michelin but from what I have read, the 2s are better than the later versions in the wet. Tyre pressures should be 36 front 36 rear. If the bike has been neglected, fitting a new air filter will make a big difference to the performance. Look up video on u tube showing you how to do it without removing the fuel pipes (it involves using a cunningly placed bit of 2 inch by 2 inch wood) . Use 10/40 semi synthetic to keep it running sweetly. Watch out for ignition coils packing in, it is a common fault. Other than that mine has been fault free and provides plenty of smiles. Happy riding!

[Banditbandit]

Welcome to the world of Banditry! The standard rear shock is woeful on these. A lot of people replace it with a Hagon shock here. I've got Hagon progressive springs on the front end, makes quite a difference to the handling. It rains a lot here so I fitted Michelin Road Pilot 2s to mine. Not the latest version of the Michelin but from what I have read, the 2s are better than the later versions in the wet.

I have used PR2s PR3s and PR4s - in the wet I prefer the 3 and 4s ... they probably suit our roads here better ..

Tyre pressures should be 36 front 36 rear.

Recommended settings on mine are 38 front 42 rear ... The rear feels wrong at 36psi ... I might not notice the front 2psi down, but I would certainly notice the rear 6psi down ...

[mossy1200]

I have used PR2s PR3s and PR4s - in the wet I prefer the 3 and 4s ... they probably suit our roads here better ..





Recommended settings on mine are 38 front 42 rear ... The rear feels wrong at 36psi ... I might not notice the front 2psi down, but I would certainly notice the rear 6psi down ...

Felt bad with 9pounds.
40 felt good on a pr2 that's worn.

Think ill put stinko 10s on it next change. A good amount of slip to increase the rider enjoyment. $130 for a rear tire.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-917974623.htm
Could be old stock also so should be nice and hard for extra millage.
I see they make a tire called smoke bomb that has purple burn out smoke.

[FJRider]

Grr wof holder is empty. Bottom cracked open at hinge point and wof likely fell out.
How do I get another if I don't know where wof was done. Its only 5 days old but done in Palmy by previous owner.

Any firm with access to "The system" should be able to tell you where it was issued.

[mossy1200]

Any firm with access to "The system" should be able to tell you where it was issued.

Guy sold me the bike said he would get another in the post as he has the paperwork and its now only a week old.

[FJRider]

Guy sold me the bike said he would get another in the post as he has the paperwork and its now only a week old.

The good news ... the cop following you on the motorway will know via a radio check ... you have a WOF ...

The bad news ... "failing to display" is the charge if you're stopped for "other" reasons ...

[mossy1200]

The good news ... the cop following you on the motorway will know via a radio check ... you have a WOF ...

The bad news ... "failing to display" is the charge if you're stopped for "other" reasons ...

Its likely to arrive before the weekend and if it doesn't ill need harden up and ride the other bike.

[FJRider]

Its likely to arrive before the weekend and if it doesn't ill need harden up and ride the other bike.

It's only a suzuki ...