GSF250 Bandit Mods

**Danboy** · 2nd November 2007, 23:39

Hey guys,

I've just bought a stock standard '98 GSF250 Bandit. Just wondering what performance mods are available for these and where I am best to get them? (jet kits, exhaust/cans, air filters, cams, etc etc) I know they scream as it is, but I like revs and want it to rev more.

Also, about tyres...can a wider tyre be used (and is it worth the bother) on this bike? If so, what size would be max and how much would the profile need to come down to compensate for a correct speedo reading etc.
Any info on other mods used successfully on these bikes would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Dan.

**xwhatsit** · 3rd November 2007, 00:40

Everybody will tell you the usual story -- don't bother. Too expensive, really small gains for heaps of money and potentially blowing it up. It's already making 40-odd-hp. They'll tell you to save your money and buy a bigger bike. Don't let that stop you though, I wouldn't fiddle with the motor, but I'm sure some money spent on better suspension would certainly get it moving faster, and maybe some cosmetic fun can be had.

Wider tyre? Why would you want to do that? Ruin the handling on an already porky motorcycle. Correcting the speedo reading by using a lower-profile tyre seems a rather round-a-bout way of doing it. Motorcycles aren't cars, you know.

Get a loud exhaust, buy some shiny bits, stick some sticky (correct-sized) rubber on it

**koba** · 3rd November 2007, 08:50

Originally Posted by Danboy

Hey guys,

it is, but I like revs and want it to rev more.

Also, about tyres...can a wider tyre be used (and is it worth the bother) on this bike? If so, what size would be max and how much would the profile need to come down to compensate for a correct speedo reading etc.

Ironically a wider rear tyre will make it slower. AND handle worse

**koba** · 3rd November 2007, 08:52

If you really have the urge to fiddle muck around with some jets and gearing, Its cheap (unless you go real lean and melt a piston...) and you will learn somthing.

**Danboy** · 3rd November 2007, 09:41

Originally Posted by koba

Ironically a wider rear tyre will make it slower. AND handle worse

Main reason about the tyre question was because I haven't seen much range in tyre choice for these bikes. There seems to be far more to choose from when the profile is slightly lower with a tyre a little wider. (ie. standard is 150/60 and not many choices, when theres plenty of 160/60 available)I'm not out for any major performance gains there, just more choice.

Dan.

**koba** · 3rd November 2007, 09:46

looked at 130ish?
lots of bikes like the 250 bandits are way over rubbered on the back for styling - I think, do ask an expert first but my old GSXR250 with the motor in it that yours is based on didn't need any more than a 130 I think.
Look at IRC roadwinners too as a good price/performance balance.
Brandsnobs will go eww but the roadwinner ones are a pretty good 250/learner tyre and they come in a good range of sizes.

**Danboy** · 3rd November 2007, 09:47

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

Wider tyre? Why would you want to do that? Ruin the handling on an already porky motorcycle. Correcting the speedo reading by using a lower-profile tyre seems a rather round-a-bout way of doing it. Motorcycles aren't cars, you know.

So are you saying that the speedo wouldn't be out?

If you're not, then if I get a more readily available higher profile tyre and the speedo IS out, how do I fix that? (it not beiin a car n all)

Dan.

**Danboy** · 3rd November 2007, 09:49

Originally Posted by koba

looked at 130ish?
lots of bikes like the 250 bandits are way over rubbered on the back for styling - I think, do ask an expert first but my old GSXR250 with the motor in it that yours is based on didn't need any more than a 130 I think.
Look at IRC roadwinners too as a good price/performance balance.
Brandsnobs will go eww but the roadwinner ones are a pretty good 250/learner tyre and they come in a good range of sizes.

Sweet, will look into that. Thanks.

**Danboy** · 3rd November 2007, 09:52

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

Everybody will tell you the usual story -- don't bother. Too expensive, really small gains for heaps of money and potentially blowing it up. It's already making 40-odd-hp. They'll tell you to save your money and buy a bigger bike. Don't let that stop you though, I wouldn't fiddle with the motor, but I'm sure some money spent on better suspension would certainly get it moving faster, ...

Any recommendations for a better suspension setup? Or should I be posting that in a the suspension forum? lol.

**Zuki Bandit** · 3rd November 2007, 11:10

Originally Posted by Danboy

Any recommendations for a better suspension setup? Or should I be posting that in a the suspension forum? lol.

While your on that topic mate, how do you find your rear suspension, I have been informed at my last wof that it seemed real soft. Not sure if thats the way its meant to be or if it should be firmer.

**Danboy** · 3rd November 2007, 11:18

Originally Posted by Zuki Bandit

While your on that topic mate, how do you find your rear suspension, I have been informed at my last wof that it seemed real soft. Not sure if thats the way its meant to be or if it should be firmer.

Mine feels fairly firm. Not overly so. But it absorbs the big bumps quite well and doesn't bottom out or bounce. I'm about 107kg's, so if you're lighter than that and it feels soft and bouncey or wallowing round the corners for you, then it could need a look at.

Dan.

**phoenixgtr** · 3rd November 2007, 11:19

The rear suspension is really soft on Bandits but I don't see any problem with it. I think they handle really good. They just flop into the corners. Personally I'd leave it alone.

If you want to make your bike "cool" get an aftermarket exhaust. Wasp has one on his Bandit and that thing screams like crazy. Sounds like an F1 car at full tilt

**Danboy** · 3rd November 2007, 11:24

Originally Posted by phoenixgtr

The rear suspension is really soft on Bandits but I don't see any problem with it. I think they handle really good. They just flop into the corners. Personally I'd leave it alone.

If you want to make your bike "cool" get an aftermarket exhaust. Wasp has one on his Bandit and that thing screams like crazy. Sounds like an F1 car at full tilt

Sweet as. Mine seems fairly taut, but it's only done 1,100km's.

Not bad for a '98.
Any idea what brand and model Wasp's exhaust is?

Dan.

**phoenixgtr** · 3rd November 2007, 12:55

It's a "Cycleworks" I think. No idea about model. Send him a PM. If yours is a 98 model then it's a newer model than Wasps or my other halfs. Nice looking bike