Clint... {Bandit sites}

[leonidas]

Originally Posted by Fittysom'n

the Bandit 1250 (like my first generation FZ1) IS and rides like, an "appliance". But believe me, THAT'S A GOOD THING!

But daaaahmn, the potential with mere pocket change to bump the Bandit up to 136 hp and 98 ft.lb's of torque!?!?!? WooHOO!!!

The 1250 bandit even looks like an FZ1.
Put 'em side-by-side and it's hard to tell the diff.
On the track they are more easily identified.
The 1250 is the one shrinking in the FZ's rear view mirror.


A grand (at least, even if you do your own work)
is mere pocket change?
I want your job.

[KenBandit]

The FZ is going to be lost behind the 1250 off the line, and will overtake it once it revs up. Having ridden a 1st gen Fizzer for a couple seasons, I'll take the Bandit hands down.

HP = speed. Torque = acceleration. Give me the torque every day!

[Fittysom'n]

"pocket change" yeah, well..... I was speaking for affect (or is that effect?).

Hail, I'm so irresponsible with my money that I fear I'm gonna run outa gas money before the end of the year! And I really want some Renntec engine guards next, let alone seeing the possibility of Holeshot stuff in my near (distant) future.

With regard to my '03 FZ1 w/Ivan's jetting and Holeshot can....
- vs -
my box stock Bandit....

My buddy on the same year, similar modded FZ1 LEAVES ME IN HIS DUST from off the line! His FZ with 99,000 miles.... my Bandit with 4,000 miles, I doubt seriously my Bandit's gonna get any faster.
In fact on my FZ1, I was always crawling up his tailpipe from off the line; he's a better rider, the ONLY difference between our two bikes was his (superior) skill level and Yosh' w/DB eliminator removed, and my bike with fewer miles and it's Holeshot "street" can (he always said my FZ had a seemingly stronger engine).

The Bandit is MUCH easier to ride, takes holeshots with less work and no downshifting, and I think the factory suspension is better on the Bandit than the factory FZ1. If/when I put the Holeshot stage 1 mods on, I'm sure my Bandit with it's "broken-in" engine should be able to spank my buddy's FZ...... But it ain't doing it now.

[Clint]

"Appliance".

LOL.

[KenBandit]

Totally agree with your comments about the seat & handlebars, Fittysom'n. I added the Suzuki Gel Seat (made by Saddlemen, Inc.) and Renthal High Road Bars. These two changes made the ride posture much more comfortable for me. I may also add a set of risers, but that will require adding a longer front brake line since I have the ABS model (this is not necessary with the non-ABS model).

But the Bandit + Holeshot Performance = real world potential

We'll have to agree to disagree about suspension and fun though. I guess it depends on how you imagine/define an appliance. An appliance is not fun. The Bandit is fun. A refrigerator is an appliance. A stove is an appliance. The Bandit is not an appliance. The only similarity between the Bandit and an appliance is its dependability. With nearly 100 ft lbs of torque available to me, all at less than 6K RPMs, that's a whole lot of fun. Hell, I have as much torque at my disposal on the Bandit (500 pounds) than on my GL1800 (900 pounds). As for the suspension, there is ample adjustment front and rear to make the bike handle fine for most riding styles. And there is certainly enough clearance to allow you to get WAY over in the twist's if that's your style.

[KenBandit]

Was talking to my brother yesterday about the XX and the Bandit. He had a'03 CBR for a while and loved it. Anway, he sent this over to me this morning. Thought it was interesting.

YouTube - Bandit 1250 vs Honda XX,Kawa ZX6R,CBR600F

Bandit takes the hole shot...

[leonidas]

Not to dis, ya, Ken, 'cause the 1250 is a super nice bike.
I even wish I had one;
but it is tuned from the factory for torque. It launches well.
Imagine if there were a 1985 Hardly-Davidson Sportster lined
up as the 5th bike. It gets out of the hole well, too.
Ahhh...if all drag races were only 60 feet...
Too bad there was no camera at the finish line.
Cycleworld magizine lists the 1250 as having a 12.04 1/4 mile time.
The XX is 2 full seconds faster in 400 meters, doing nearly the 1250's top speed at the end of the 1/4, with a lot left.
And freeze frame shows the Bandit rider with his feet up and rolling down the track while all 3 others still have their feet down.(Wadupwitdat? )
I've never ridden a Bandit or an FZ1, or raced either on an XX,
but here is my experience:
I have raced a 1200 bandit from a light on the outside of town
with my Honda V65 Magna. (He egged me on ) It was no contest.
The Magna flat out left it.
I also raced an FZ1 on my Magna, tho it was from a maybe 40 mph roll on.
The Yamaha, even with a rider that likely weighed 300 lbs, drove away from me.
I think MJ member Wild Milly might remember that from our V4 group's Deadwood, Sd get together 2 summers ago.
And another time last summer, I ran against an R1 on the Magna from the same light I'd raced the 1200 Bandit, and was ahead 'til about 60-70 mph before he passed me like I was parked.
Likely what happened to the Bandit in your video.
And an XX will smoke a V65 Magna in a 1/4.

Bottom line-ride what ya like, I guess. At least we ain't on the cookie cutter bikes.
Too bad we live so far away from each other. I'd like to see that big Bandit.
Closest I'll be is eastern Tennessee in mid May, if all goes according to plan.
Bringin' the XX for that ride.

[KenBandit]

A lot has to do with the rider, and that video is proof of that. Can't even begin to comprehend comparing a Harley in that mix. It doesn't belong - heavy underpowered bikes compared to their Japanese counterparts. I had a '98 Magna for a couple years (loved that bike, wished I hadn't traded it in), and an FZ1 too -- here's my bike history: Motorcycles. No way my 1250 would lose to the Magna. It wouldn't be close. The Magna's weight is comparable to the Bandit, but its HP and torque don't come close. I've launched a lot of bikes over the years, and I'm convinced the modified Bandit would be good competition for the majority of them

[leonidas]

]

[leonidas]

The Hardly davidson comparison was purely hypothetical.
An exagerated example, if you will, of a bike whose claim
to fame (in addition to having the $10,000 Hardly-Davidson
emblem on the tank) is it's torque. I know it doesn't belong.

And my Magna is not a 4th generation V4 Magna like yours.
(which are very nice bikes)
It's a 1983 V65 Magna. Made in the days of the early VMax and GS1150E.
It'll go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGfJ9IqXcoE
Mods: Dave Dodge Kevlar clutch, Full Kerker 4-1 exhaust, K&N air Filter,
Rebuilt, rejetted carbs, Dave Dodge 3:40 gears, owered 2"
w/progressive suspension, Avon Azaro tires...on and on...
Few are the bolts on this bike that I have yet to turn.

[KenBandit]

Gorgeous bike. Always had and will have a soft spot for Magna's. Wish I never trade mine.

[tsjohnston]

haha thats some fun reading right there,, what can ya tell me about 01-04 1200 bandits? pro's/con's ,, looking to get one.. thx,,

[leonidas]

Originally Posted by tsjohnston

haha thats some fun reading right there,, what can ya tell me about 01-04 1200 bandits? pro's/con's ,, looking to get one.. thx,,

While in this conversation with Ken, I researched the Bandit and
found nothing but positive articles on both the 1200 and 1250.
I'll post the mags and dates here soon for you.