Wahoo - first bike a 1200??!!!

[Coldkiwi]

Go easy on it Lewis. Big bikes can bite you at slow speed too (go watch a rally with middle aged born again weekend warriors on BMW's and Harleys and you'll probably see this in action!). Handling a bike safely means understanding what is going to happen at rest, at walking pace, at cruising speed and at high speed. If you aren't prepared for the bike might do at these times and you find yourself there, you're up for a bunch of pain (just ask the blokes who've had their harleys fall over on their legs because they didn't know how to stop safely).

Don't be afraid to ask questions

[wari]

GOod onya mate ...:spudbooge

I'll nott knock ya ...

JUst take itt easy ...

[R00T]

Bigger/powerful bikes can be very unforgiving when you do get it wrong though.

Yeah mate, you're not wrong there.

Bandits don't have great suspension, and I personally didn't feel that my 1998 1200 coped very well at all in the suspenders department, so poor infact that it totally let me down over some rough on the exit of Stansted Airport roundabout at about 70mph and threw me down the road.
More than likely my own fault but the bike should have given me more warning, or feedback or something.

Other than that, park a Scorpion Stainless end-can on it and its time for a hand shandy mate, those things transform it into an Animal for about 100quid.

[pipeman]

What a dick head you are better make a will out won't a be

[Ms Piggy]

I'm a very inexperienced rider but, from what you've said you sound aware of being careful - so please BE CAREFUL! Oh, and have fun.

Welcome to the site too btw

[gav]

Hmmm, ya see you can be as safe as you like, but one day someone is going to move over on you or pull out on you and you'll need to stop in a hurry, or theirs gonna be some fluid (diesel, oil etc) on a corner etc, and will you be able to control your bike then? Not trying to scare you, but really the young kids playing at boy racer etc will have more chance of survival, due to sharper reactions and spending more time with their bike closer to its limits, wheelies etc teach balance, throttle control etc, stoppies teach how to get the maximum out of braking on the front tyre etc.
I rode dirt bikes for over 10 years and my first real road bike was a shit hot Honda CB750F Bol Dor, traded this on a GSX1100, but wasnt until I traded this on a RZ350 that I really learnt to ride fast on the road. I was way quicker point to point on the little RZ compared to the bigger bikes.
Take it easy out there, OK...

[lewis_walker]

Well, guys - I've finally done it! I've passed my test.
So, with much trepidation, fear and trembling I took the Bandit 1200 beastie out for a ride on Saturday...

... and now I'm grinning from ear to ear

It is dead easy to ride like a big soppy pussy cat (even more so that the Kwaka ER5 I passed my test on), but you know there are hooligan levels of horse power lying there waiting if you really want them..

Seriously, though - the big bike really eats up the miles, and glides over the bumps a treat. Thankfully I sussed counter-steer while learning on the ER-5, so I can drop down into the bends a treat without fighting the weight of the machine.

A bit heavy when stopped at junctions with a pillion on the back, but you can't have it all!

[mattt]

Haha mint!! You've got balls!
My first bike was a 400, then 2 months later I got sick of it and got a 900.
Feel the power

[Madmax]

Take it easy on that machine (being a newbie)
Any big bike can bite back (when you lease expect it)
have fun

[riffer]

Take it easy on that machine (being a newbie)
Any big bike can bite back (when you lease expect it)
have fun

I've had my bike over a year now and just when I thought I knew just about everything it could do to me, it goes and surprises me this morning.

Out of the first street from home on the way to work, its a stop sign, and at 6.15 in the morning I usually waive the 3 second stop and come to a halt, just briefly and take off again. No need to put the feet on the ground - I can hold the bike up for a split second.

Of course, this morning it decides to find a false neutral between neutral and first. Funny - never knew I had an extra neutral. Obviously neither did the bike - it wasn't indicated.

Anyway, I stopped for a split second - and then accelerated - well the revs went up and the bike slowly toppled over.

I just got my foot down in time.

But its a lesson. Either stop or don't stop at the stop sign at 6.15 in the morning.

Tomorrow I'll stop - "One, elephant - two, elephant - three, elephant" then go. In gear this time...

[SPORK]

What a dick head you are better make a will out won't a be

Ummm, did ANYONE understand that? There was no need to knock him, sure it may be dangerous, but no need to get offensive. Some people...

[magnum]

hello and welcome,good luck.

[Krusti]

Does everyone think I'm barking mad? - I've bought a nice shiny new Bandit 1200 for my first bike. And I do mean first - I did Direct Access course last week and have my test on Friday. Before that I had never ridden..

I was looking at something sensible but then I discovered the ludicrously low price of brand new suzukis. Then I found a dealer with a 1200 that someone ordered and then cancelled. So there it was, 0 miles on the clock and only 4500 quid.

How could I resist its shiny chrome and big muscley engine??..

Bit scared now..

Had me worried for a sec.. thought it was dollars not pounds, was about to race out looking for one!

I know the reasons for 250cc restiction here in Godzone are good but heaps of us old fogeys learnt on big bikes and survived

Remember the most important riding skill of all is good old common sense and a brain that works.

[betti]

congrats on the direct access pass mate, but remember that 12 bandit has at least 2 and a half times the horse power of the 500 you learnt on, enjoy the grunt of that motor and dont put yourself thru the scenery
cheerz!

[Motoracer]

I'd actually be really interested to know how the fellow has got on so far...