Allrounder? Bandit's winning.

[NZsarge]

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.

Really depends on the coin you have available to spend, first of all I think that the Bandit would be an excellent choice but also consider a Yamaha FZ1-SV as I have been informed that the price new has dropped (not 100% sure but that's what I have been told) to $17500 new, sportier than a bandit but still well within the realms of your criteria.

[martybabe]

I've been through this exercise myself and came to the conclusion that the Bandit 1250 is the best all rounder. I rode the GSX1400 and would say that it is worth the extra cash and is much meatier looking. The big bike feel it has is makes it a far better all long distance tourer.

The thing that did it for me and made me favour the Bandit was that the GSX 1400 is just that bit bigger and not a good commuter bike for CBD stop start riding. The Bandit is that bit smaller/lighter making it easier to manouver at lights and through traffic.

It's a tough choice however try them for yourself as you may come to a different conclusion.

Good luck.

Cheers YD, rode the gsx 1400 friday,gonna blag a bandit ride this week.

Thing is the GSX is so nice I think it would turn into yet another one of my pampered little babes whereas the bandit would get ridden and earn it's keep.maybe? how did life get so choiceful.

[NZsarge]

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.

I got my '06 FZ1-S with panniers for $16500 done 6000km.

[YellowDog]

It's like telling you your wife's unattractive.

Jrandom's quote about the Bandit being an ugly is sticking with me and puting me off.

I had 99% made up my mind until that comment came out. I must have had a small doubt in my mind. I think it is just that the GSX1400 looks so perfect.

My wife gets to choose the colour and the Bandit colours she favours do make the bike now look ugly-ish (thanks JR). The front fairings seem to look stretched and not really part of the bike.

Am I now being too picky? It has a 2007 super modern engine and handles great - Plus I can use it to commute.

May be I should go back to the 2008 Tiger I thought I could afford...............

[YellowDog]

Cheers YD, rode the gsx 1400 friday,gonna blag a bandit ride this week.

Thing is the GSX is so nice I think it would turn into yet another one of my pampered little babes whereas the bandit would get ridden and earn it's keep.maybe? how did life get so choiceful.

Let us know what you think. I tested them the other way around, so I was already blown away by the Bandit's handling and power. The GSX seemed a lot heavier to handle, but also far more comfortable and sturdy. I'd need to get used to the Bandit's seat. I didn't notice the extra low rev power, but I wasn't really looking for that as I had no doubts over how grunty it was. I probably needed a longer ride to appreciate the extras torque.

One comment to make is that the Bandit is very very quiet with the standard exhaust. If a car driver asks you at the lights if you have just farted, you know you need a different exhaust.

[NZsarge]

now come on, I ruled out the yam cause its got a bad press in the UK for bad fuel maping glitches or somat.It may not be true but it was a reason to strike it from the list

This thread was sposed to help me make my mind up,I got more options than I can shake a stick at now.It's gonna have to be......I'm farked if I know.

"06 models had a fueling issue and yes mine has this problem but it does'nt bother me to the point where I fell I have to get it fixed (yet), pretty sure '07 and definitely '08's had it sorted but they also copped a small loss in horsepower (about 8 hp from memory) but not enough to worry anyone.
This fueling issue has a fix, go have a look at Ivan's performance products web page and you'll see it there.
Also check out Simon Hargreaves long term test at bikemagazine.co.uk and you can see what he's done to his, very interesting, you can get fairly reasonable horsepower increases out of an FZ1 without going into internals.

[Coyote]

Conti RoadAttacks, however, hate it.

My rear hasn't been too bad. Better than the GPR100 up front that would rather squeal than let my bike do a stoppie and is the polar equal of wet paint

[Coyote]

Biggest bang for the buck is the Hornet 919. Try one.

I'm waiting for the new one. Single sided swingarm and USD forks

[martybabe]

"06 models had a fueling issue and yes mine has this problem but it does'nt bother me to the point where I fell I have to get it fixed (yet), pretty sure '07 and definitely '08's had it sorted but they also copped a small loss in horsepower (about 8 hp from memory) but not enough to worry anyone.
This fueling issue has a fix, go have a look at Ivan's performance products web page and you'll see it there.
Also check out Simon Hargreaves long term test at bikemagazine.co.uk and you can see what he's done to his, very interesting, you can get fairly reasonable horsepower increases out of an FZ1 without going into internals.

It's like telling you your wife's unattractive.

Jrandom's quote about the Bandit being an ugly is sticking with me and puting me off.

I had 99% made up my mind until that comment came out. I must have had a small doubt in my mind. I think it is just that the GSX1400 looks so perfect.

My wife gets to choose the colour and the Bandit colours she favours do make the bike now look ugly-ish (thanks JR). The front fairings seem to look stretched and not really part of the bike.

Am I now being too picky? It has a 2007 super modern engine and handles great - Plus I can use it to commute.

May be I should go back to the 2008 Tiger I thought I could afford...............

Lovin it YellowDog,finally someone as indecisive as me

[martybabe]

"06 models had a fueling issue and yes mine has this problem but it does'nt bother me to the point where I fell I have to get it fixed (yet), pretty sure '07 and definitely '08's had it sorted but they also copped a small loss in horsepower (about 8 hp from memory) but not enough to worry anyone.
This fueling issue has a fix, go have a look at Ivan's performance products web page and you'll see it there.
Also check out Simon Hargreaves long term test at bikemagazine.co.uk and you can see what he's done to his, very interesting, you can get fairly reasonable horsepower increases out of an FZ1 without going into internals.

Best looker by far but again too nice,it would have to be the best one out there,cause it's mine and I don't need that.I just want a great bike that will just do it,every time I ask it to without me feelin guilty for not polishin it every day.As my only bike it would be right up there.

[Coyote]

Blimey,what a lot o Bandit fans but where do you all hide I hardly ever see one on the road, perhaps It's a big city dwellers bike of choice.

I remember one day all I saw was bandits and firestorms

[Pixie]

It's like telling you your wife's unattractive.

Jrandom's quote about the Bandit being an ugly is sticking with me and puting me off.

Who gives a shit what it looks like.I can't see my bike when I ride it and I don't give a shit what other people think.
If looks mattered no one would buy a BMW or a Harley,would they?
Buy a naked Bandit if the fairing bothers you.
Put an Ohlins shock Traxxion springs and a Racetech valve kit on it and for the price of an FZ 1 it will piss over most bikes.

It's funny but 80% of the sports bike riders I encounter can't seem to keep up with me

[NZsarge]

Best looker by far but again too nice,it would have to be the best one out there,cause it's mine and I don't need that.I just want a great bike that will just do it,every time I ask it to without me feelin guilty for not polishin it every day.As my only bike it would be right up there.

*Holding up hands* I give up! lol

[YellowDog]

Who gives a shit what it looks like.I can't see my bike when I ride it and I don't give a shit what other people think.
If looks mattered no one would buy a BMW or a Harley,would they?
Buy a naked Bandit if the fairing bothers you.
Put an Ohlins shock Traxxion springs and a Racetech valve kit on it and for the price of an FZ 1 it will piss over most bikes.

It's funny but 80% of the sports bike riders I encounter can't seem to keep up with me

I am not worried about admiring glances (or I'd buy a Boulevard M109) it does however have to look good to me. I think the ride changes how it looks in your mind, plus it will also grow on me once I get the colour right.

Still pondering this one, which makes me feel I may be missing something. I think the value for money issue is too strong in my mind.

May be me and Martybabe should see if a dealer will give us a better price for two of them!

[homer]

Indeed.

I should point out that my reasons for choosing the GSX over the Bandit were almost entirely emotive. I can't argue with a straight face that the GSX1400 is an objectively better bike - it's just different. I haven't even ridden the Bandit 1250. The engine performance numbers say that the 1400 has a bit more low-down grunt and a bit less top-end power than the 1250, and that's how I like it.

In the end, though, it kinda boiled down to the semi-faired S Bandits being just a bit too ugly-lookin' to be viscerally desirable, in my books.

you can add the full fairing to a new bandit
and theres a new 1250 thats designed especially for touring its has a higher handle bar set up

Ive only briefly seen it so im not sure of any other changes to it