Allrounder? Bandit's winning.

**martybabe** · 24th January 2008, 20:03

I'm thinking of getting an allround ignore it/abuse it type of mobike, I've already got a precious dont touch it, chromey babe but now It's time for a real bike.one that does everything for me whilst I do the minimum for it.

I'm in the vstrom, bandit,cb1300 kinda area but I'm a bit like a kid trying to pick one lolly from a shop full o fookin lollies.

At the mo the bandit 1250 tourer is winning,It's a lot of bike for the money!but before I commit I thought I'd ask the KB oracle.

Big cubes, No cruisers and no sports bikes, whats the best of the rest for the money please guys.

**banditrider** · 24th January 2008, 20:12

I"ve had 2 Bandits, though have not ridden the new 1250 and really enjoyed them. Real easy to ride & chuck around etc. Reliable, economical etc and fun. New tourer model looks good - not sure what happned to the top box though. Good value for money.

**Hitcher** · 24th January 2008, 20:13

In terms of bangs for bucks, Suzuki appears to have your "segment" pretty much sewn up, either with the 1250 Bandit or the GSX1400. Kawasaki does a ZRX1200R on indent order and then there's the CB1300 or the XJR1300. Everything else is pushing hard at the $20,000 mark. In terms of weather protection and versatility, not to mention price, it's hard to see past the Bandit. Although I'd still opt for a ZRX or a Speed Triple if it was a money-no-object choice. I'm funny like that.

**imdying** · 24th January 2008, 20:51

I'd be inclined to plump for the GSX1400 over the 1250 bandit... it just looks better to my eye. Or course test riding them would ultimately pick a winner.

My 2c

**martybabe** · 24th January 2008, 20:55

I suppose I should have put a figure on it eh. $16000, top whack and I'd prefer new.

Thanks for the above.anyone got any of my provisional short list wanna sing their praises before I waste more money on bloody motorbikes according to the lady boss.

**cold comfort** · 24th January 2008, 20:59

i have one as you can see- it's been great, having taken a sound thrasing with minimal upkeep. Friend has the new 1250 and swears by it for what it's worth

**martybabe** · 24th January 2008, 20:59

Originally Posted by imdying

I'd be inclined to plump for the GSX1400 over the 1250 bandit... it just looks better to my eye. Or course test riding them would ultimately pick a winner.

My 2c

Tis bloody nice,I've had a bit of a stiring since seeing Jrandoms....GSX, I thought they finished making them though.

**McJim** · 24th January 2008, 21:00

Ducati MultiStrada 1000ds - maybe not brand new for $16,000 but not too old. 12,000km service interval - beats a Jappa.

**jrandom** · 24th January 2008, 21:13

GSX1400.

$14K brand new. You can still get them in black, too, but the K7 is the last year of production, as far as I'm aware. The new ones won't be around much longer.

Step on out into the light, martybabe!

The Bandit is (in my humble opinion) an ugly, boring old bitsa-bike; the GSX1400 is a genuinely sweet modern classic. Stickchick can provide a reference for how comfy the GSX's pillion seat is over several hundred kilometres in one day.

Betty at Cape Reinga on her run-in ride

You'd be very welcome to meet me in Napier this coming Sunday morning for a brisk cruise up round the East Cape, if you like. Get a bit of test-riding in, etc. Drop me a PM if you're keen.

Betty down t'road at the Devonport wharf

**jrandom** · 24th January 2008, 21:28

Originally Posted by McJim

Ducati MultiStrada 1000ds - maybe not brand new for $16,000 but not too old. 12,000km service interval - beats a Jappa.

Another great choice. I really enjoyed riding the Multistrada, and yes, the 12,000km service interval is twice that of a GSX1400.

A 1000DS would be a lighter, lower-power, less mainstream alternative to the Suzuki. Very underrated bikes, Multistradas.

But I must say, after having Betty for a while, I don't know if I could go without the torque of the 1400 IL4. 120Nm, fer gawd's sake! Nothing else other than a full-on litre-class sprotsbike leaps down the road with a whiff of throttle in such a grin-inducing way.

Edit: OK, yes, I know about M109Rs and Rocket IIIs. But martybabe doesn't want another cruiser, so they don't really matter in this context.

**Hitcher** · 24th January 2008, 21:30

Torque is indeed addictive. Great stump-pulling gobs of it. Whenever. Lovely. Conti RoadAttacks, however, hate it.

**yod** · 24th January 2008, 21:42

i assume the VFR800 is a bit small for your tastes? $16995 new i think

how about an FZ1 Fazer - 150 odd horses i believe, 08 new is around the $19k mark but there are quite a few 05-06's for around the $16k mark with pretty low k's and some come with factory panniers

**Pixie** · 25th January 2008, 00:16

Originally Posted by jrandom

GSX1400.

$14K brand new. You can still get them in black, too, but the K7 is the last year of production, as far as I'm aware. The new ones won't be around much longer.

Step on out into the light, martybabe!

The Bandit is (in my humble opinion) an ugly, boring old bitsa-bike; the GSX1400 is a genuinely sweet modern classic. Stickchick can provide a reference for how comfy the GSX's pillion seat is over several hundred kilometres in one day.

The 1400 is out of production.
The 1250 is the gruntiest bike this side of the BMW k1200
Flat torque curve from 3000 up
Peak numbers don't tell the true story - it's the area under the curve that counts

**MaxB** · 25th January 2008, 00:35

One thing to remember is that Bandits have a bit of a cult following and there are heaps of aftermarket parts available. My Dad swore he would never touch his when he bought it but after only a few months he was swapping parts. You can easily adapt a Bandit to fit your needs.

That 1250 in your picture with the touring kit on looks like fantastic value for money. $16k for that lot is very impressive.