Manawatu Rant n Rave

[banditrider]

Pardon my ignorance but why would you want a bandit,the RF is as good as one,albeit earlier model than say a 02 bandit.Aside from spending an extra $4 or 5grand,the bandit isn't much better ride wise.Spoke to a guy who had a bandit as a rental in ozzie,said even though it was 04 model,he thought his 97 RF was as good a tourer.

Depends what you want - I did 28,000 miles on my RF & 65,000km between my 2 Bandits. The RF is the quicker bike through the twisties but with good rubber a Bandit won't be far behind. The Bandit is a heap more comfy ride position wise (K6 seat wasn't the most comfortable though).

The RF's have a lot more vibes through the bars and after big miles this got painful for me - a did 3 GC's on mine and my hands were aching something fierce afterwards. Did a GC on each Bandit and there were much better - a lot less weight on hands + less vibes. Bandit also more economical (less revs for a given speed) and less effort to toss around (wider bars).

A very quick summary - both a heap-o-fun!

[rottiguy]

Hey ya mate, with the revs are you referring to the 1200 or 650 ? have only ridden a 600 so far but going to try the other 2 this saturday

Depends what you want - I did 28,000 miles on my RF & 65,000km between my 2 Bandits. The RF is the quicker bike through the twisties but with good rubber a Bandit won't be far behind. The Bandit is a heap more comfy ride position wise (K6 seat wasn't the most comfortable though).

The RF's have a lot more vibes through the bars and after big miles this got painful for me - a did 3 GC's on mine and my hands were aching something fierce afterwards. Did a GC on each Bandit and there were much better - a lot less weight on hands + less vibes. Bandit also more economical (less revs for a given speed) and less effort to toss around (wider bars).

A very quick summary - both a heap-o-fun!

[banditrider]

Hey ya mate, with the revs are you referring to the 1200 or 650 ? have only ridden a 600 so far but going to try the other 2 this saturday

1200. With stock gearing the 1200 is pulling around 3,700 revs at 100k's. The RF about 4,500 (from memory - Yod?), right where the vibes were worst. You just have to open the taps up a bit more to avoid them...

[HornetBoy]

1200. With stock gearing the 1200 is pulling around 3,700 revs at 100k's. The RF about 4,500 (from memory - Yod?), right where the vibes were worst. You just have to open the taps up a bit more to avoid them...

Bar ends would solve that wouldn't they ? or put some lead in the handle bars

[banditrider]

Bar ends would solve that wouldn't they ? or put some lead in the handle bars

Had them + rubber mounted handle bars. RF's a bit notorius (sp?) for the vibes...great bikes though. Only really an issue on long rides.

Nearly got failed for a warrant once when the guy doing it reckoned there was play in the bars - until I pointed out the rubber mounting...

[rottiguy]

sweet, yeah I must admit I am leaning toward the 1200, just for the less work the engine would be doing, and smother power through the 110-140km/h range for over taking without having to tap dance on the gear lever. of course haven't even ridden one yet, but with having the CBR i think I might miss the power if I get the 650.

1200. With stock gearing the 1200 is pulling around 3,700 revs at 100k's. The RF about 4,500 (from memory - Yod?), right where the vibes were worst. You just have to open the taps up a bit more to avoid them...

[HornetBoy]

sweet, yeah I must admit I am leaning toward the 1200, just for the less work the engine would be doing, and smother power through the 110-140km/h range for over taking without having to tap dance on the gear lever. of course haven't even ridden one yet, but with having the CBR i think I might miss the power if I get the 650.

yea is so good to be able to have that acceleration on the 1000cc's a ,find that riding the hornet then flicking back to the 600 ,you feel like you continually flicking thru the box just to do anything .(which is why i enjoy the 600 ,but sometimes you just want to sit in 6th but you just have no power )

you probly would regret getting the 650 over the 1200 especially coming from the 1100cc your riding now,mind you the newer bandits are Fuel Injected

[rottiguy]

yep i'm thinking that way, the 600 bandit I rode was a bit on the revy side, but I'll still give the 650 a go and then the 1200, sure loved the heaps lighter flickability of the 600 over my heavy beast

yea is so good to be able to have that acceleration on the 1000cc's a ,find that riding the hornet then flicking back to the 600 ,you feel like you continually flicking thru the box just to do anything .

you probly would regret getting the 650 over the 1200 expecially coming from the 1100cc your riding now

[HornetBoy]

yep i'm thinking that way, the 600 bandit I rode was a bit on the revy side, but I'll still give the 650 a go and then the 1200, sure loved the heaps lighter flickability of the 600 over my heavy beast

hmm yep i can relate to that mate! mine feels like an absolute tank after riding the more " techno advanced" bikes (my 600 weights about the same as your 1100,and about 10kg more than Sarges FZ1) and its only a little 600 having to push all the weight
and im not sure about the 650 bandits but some of those 600's have a horrible wine at highway speeds ,have noticed during my latest test riding escapades

[HornetBoy]

Had them + rubber mounted handle bars. RF's a bit notorius (sp?) for the vibes...great bikes though. Only really an issue on long rides.

Nearly got failed for a warrant once when the guy doing it reckoned there was play in the bars - until I pointed out the rubber mounting...

i actually saw a guy on here mention lead filled foot pegs too... apparently they do a great job in reducing vibes completely

[chanceyy]

After talking with Rottiguy it appears we are leaving earlier on sat morn to wangas .. leaving bp at 8.30.. & a bit of a direct route up there .. still cutting through marton though (sales girl needs to take bike to wellywood )

[ynot slow]

Would definately look at bandit 1200,had a sit on one,at local shop,was a little concerned on height of it compared to the GSX,but what probably didn't help was wearing jandals,and a smooth floor,meant it could've felt heavy,but wasn't(does that make sense?)mainly due to dread of dropping it lol.With boots on maybe more stable footprint.

Still is fun looking,no use rushin into anything.

Can understand the vibration feeling,my pillion pegs give wicked vibs if you have shoes on,but with lined boots it is ok,same for hands at times getting vibes,not major but annoying when it happens.

[yod]

yep you bang on the money there BR - 4500 at 100km (or pretty close) i usually sit at about 5000 when highway cruising....i find the tacho easier to read than the speedo

good news...RF is all back together, bulbs, generator, fairings, the whole shooting match....its finally a real bike again....and ready for a big blast tomorrow and back on saturday

[chanceyy]

good news...RF is all back together, bulbs, generator, fairings, the whole shooting match....its finally a real bike again....and ready for a big blast tomorrow and back on saturday

Good news Yod ... have a great ride .. weather looks pretty good as well

[ynot slow]

yep you bang on the money there BR - 4500 at 100km (or pretty close) i usually sit at about 5000 when highway cruising....i find the tacho easier to read than the speedo

good news...RF is all back together, bulbs, generator, fairings, the whole shooting match....its finally a real bike again....and ready for a big blast tomorrow and back on saturday

Just don't be a revenue magnet,especially now all back together again.