Bandit 250 test ride

[Twig]

After hearing Maverick's Bandit 250 zip across the forecourt of the BP Botany, just before our 250 ride on 31/12/06. I thought to myself; 'Well if I can't get my full until April, which means I can't test ride anything bigger than a 250 until April... why not try something a bit more sporty than my "Antique Honda CD250” (as described by another KBer... you know who you are!).

So I had a look on TM to see if any of the bike shops on the Shore had any which I could go and test ride. Sure enough there was one on TM from a dealer on the Shore. So, today I went and took it for a blat.

Maybe I'd built it up a bit too much in my mind, but I wasn't too impressed!

Started off ok. I got there, saw the bike, it looked alright for its age. It's a 250, so yes it looked like it had been dropped on the left hand side, though it seemed quite minor (my bike had been dropped on both sides before I bought it and since I've owned it, I've added another drop to the left hand side).

I set off from the bike shop and although the riding style and power delivery was quite different to what I'm used to, I settled in within about 2-3k. However it was immediately apparent that the drop it had sustained was quite a bit worse than it looked. The left hand handle bar was bent to a noticeably weird position; the bike seemed very reluctant to turn in (now my bike would be considered a cruiser, but compared to this Bandit it has lightning quick turn in). The inline four was nice and smooth, albeit buzzy up top; it didn't seem to get into its stride until 7-8,000rpm and below that, seemed rather void of torque. But coming from a parallel twin, which has more low down and less up top, I'd expect that.

So to sum up. The specific Bandit 250 I tried was, to be honest, a bit of a let down. However it makes me want to have a look around for a really cherry one and take it for a test ride to compare!

The Bandit does make a great noise!!!


Long live Maverick & McJim's 250 rides... cause they rock

[Meekey_Mouse]

Sounds like that poor lil bandit has been beaten up a bit I took a bandit for a test ride (albeit a small one), it handled really nicely!! I was in love but the guy road it to a meeting point, so I didn't get to see it start up cold and a few other un knowins. Also, as the bike was in Auckland and we saw it late at night just before heading home, there wasn't much I could do about looking into it more.

Then I found Cookie Now I've sold Cookie... lol

[Animal]

Hi Jas,
What have you bought to replace Cookie?

[Meekey_Mouse]

Hi Jas,
What have you bought to replace Cookie?

Lookin at the first bike today!

[Maverick]

Definitly sounds like something is a bit suspect, though I would be worried if it was a dealer letting you ride a bike in that condition if there was damage to the stearing.
Bandits are big bikes, the frame is the same for the 250 and the 400 model, essentially its just the engine that is different. From a positive viewpoint it is a nice stable and comfortable bike, but the downside is essentially you are riding a 400 with a 250 motor in it and it take a bit more to throw around then most other 250s.

[Animal]

Lookin at the first bike today!

Keep us updated, k?

[El Dopa]

Definitly sounds like something is a bit suspect, though I would be worried if it was a dealer letting you ride a bike in that condition if there was damage to the stearing.
Bandits are big bikes, the frame is the same for the 250 and the 400 model, essentially its just the engine that is different. From a positive viewpoint it is a nice stable and comfortable bike, but the downside is essentially you are riding a 400 with a 250 motor in it and it take a bit more to throw around then most other 250s.

It does sound like there's something broken. I just have to think about turning the 400 and it turns. I can whip it around all over the road without breaking a sweat, and as Mav says, the 250 and the 400 are the same size.

The 400 is actually smaller than my previous 250 (VTZ 250).

[Twig]

Definitly sounds like something is a bit suspect, though I would be worried if it was a dealer letting you ride a bike in that condition if there was damage to the stearing.
Bandits are big bikes, the frame is the same for the 250 and the 400 model, essentially its just the engine that is different. From a positive viewpoint it is a nice stable and comfortable bike, but the downside is essentially you are riding a 400 with a 250 motor in it and it take a bit more to throw around then most other 250s.

Mav,
The more I think about it, the more I think I should've turned around and headed straight back to the dealer. I don't care if a bike only goes 20kph (well, actually I do because my Grandma can run faster than 20kph). But, steering is something that I really want to be sorted. If something packs in on the steering front, you get to the phrase 'Oh, shit' really quickly.

That's interesting about the 250 and the 400 sharing the same frame. But wouldn't have thought it would've made to much difference as I wouldn't call the Bandit 250 a big bike, size wise.

I love the look of them, being a naked bike. I just want to find a good one to ride now.

[toymachine]

Yep they really do have nothing below 8k... and what they do have i'm bored of... but they flick around bloody well imo, and will corner damn nice with decent tyres..

[Twig]

Yep they really do have nothing below 8k... and what they do have i'm bored of... but they flick around bloody well imo, and will corner damn nice with decent tyres..

You make me want to go find a cherry one and give it a blat!

[Lucy]

I hope you are blocking the Honda's ears as you talk openly about having an affair!

[Twig]

She better get used to it... I think I'm going to turn into a bike whore!

[Donor]

She better get used to it... I think I'm going to turn into a bike whore!

I can see it now... Twig turning up to 250 rides, tossing his keys into a bowl, and encouraging all the others to do the same...

Shame on you, you... you... man whore you!

[toymachine]

Were it not such a risk i'd say keys in the bowl would be great fun :P

[Wasp]

hah a bandit sounding good, you aint heard nothing yet. I'll take a movie of mine - i bet it still sounds good even with all the dents in the exhaust.