1250 Bandit ABS

[Rickster]

Has anyone had a chance to ride one of the new Bandits yet?

I'm thinking of selling my trusty V Strom, and getting either an older (03 to 05) Yamaha FZ1, or a new 1250 Bandit with ABS. I don't like the newer FZ1's, the changes they made in 06 don't agree with my riding style.

I've found 2 of the FZ1's to test ride, but so far I haven't been able to find a dealer that has a Bandit he's willing to let out, there is one dealer about 100 miles from me that says he will sell me one, and if I don't like it, I can bring it back with less than 20 miles on it & he will tear up the contract, but I'm a little leery of that deal.

I'm most interested in hearing from anyone that has some seat time on both bikes, and can tell me how they compare in wind protection, and ease of handling (which bike has a lighter feel) in the tight stuff.

My V Strom has a very light feel to it in the twisties, and I already know that the FZ1 has a heavier feel, and is more prone to straightening up if you apply the brakes in a turn, my hope is that even though the Bandit is heavier, because of it's lower center of gravity, it will be more flick-able.

[JmalB]

Rowdy should be all over this one.

I hear nothing but good things about the Bandit.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Rickster

I don't like the newer FZ1's.

+1. Yamaha needs to find an identity for the FZ family and stick with it. It seems they're too worried about the flack they caught by badging it as an "R1 for the real world", and are more concerned with not offending the "R" bike buying crowd, yet unwittingly alienated the early adopter crowd that swarmed all over the first gen FZ1.

Originally Posted by Rickster

I've found 2 of the FZ1's to test ride, but so far I haven't been able to find a dealer that has a Bandit he's willing to let out, there is one dealer about 100 miles from me that says he will sell me one, and if I don't like it, I can bring it back with less than 20 miles on it & he will tear up the contract, but I'm a little leery of that deal.

The hoops to jump through are more of a hassle than the promise that it holds offers. You're right. Stay away. I think you once told me or someone else in a post. There's a dealer somewhere that will let you ride one.

Originally Posted by Rickster

I'm most interested in hearing from anyone that has some seat time on both bikes, and can tell me how they compare in wind protection, and ease of handling (which bike has a lighter feel) in the tight stuff.

I too am highly interested in the 1250 Bandit. I have been since the M-J crew saw one at Daytona a couple of years back.

The numbers on paper seem similar to the Uly. Just a different way of delivering the goods. (Horse and torque comes in at higher rpm levels than the Uly, but the Bandit is an I-4 vs. The V-2.)

I got to sit on one for an extended period. I liked the riding position. My impressions of the riding position were good. I liked the bend of the handlebars, and the riser seemed about right. The seat pad seemed a little thin, so I'd assume a thumbing through the Corbin or Sargent catalog will be in order.

Another area of interest I have is the wind protection on the Bandit. It seems like that Bikini fairing would give a fair amount of protection. A far sight more than what I'm used to I'd wager.

The model I sat on had a full set of bags on it. That Rick....I don't know...if that's a selling point for ya bro....I'd look elsewhere. The bags appeared thin, spindly, toy-like, and just all around volumetrically deficient. I might be biased to the mammoth cargo compartments I have on the Uly, but after you have that much space to work with, it can become a spoiling point.

[tricker]

I can tell you Clint's bandit wasn't too heavy to pick up... in comparison to a C90. I can't remember but did you sit on Clint's bandit at all?

But a dealer not letting you test ride? I'm pretty sure the stealership by me would allow me to test ride whatever I want. I've been there a few times...

[Rickster]

I didn't sit on, or ask Clint for a ride on his bike for two reasons, first, there just never seemed to be a good time, we were either getting ready to go somewhere, loaded down for the day, or it was dark & I already had a beer or 2 in me. Second, the new generation Bandit is quite a bit different from Clint's, and it wouldn't be a fair comparison.

I have bought 3 new bikes from the dealer right by my house in the last 5 years, and I also go in there all the time, but so far they will only let me ride used bikes they have for sale.

I told the salesman yesterday about the dealer that is willing to let me do a "tear up the contract" test ride, and he is trying to talk his boss into doing something like that for me, he knows it's going to cost him a sale if he doesnt.

Adam, does the dealer by you carry Suzuki's? If so, I will give them a call to see if they have one in stock I can ride.

[tricker]

i'll see what i can do. They sell all sorts of bikes.. the standard yamkawahonzuki dealer

[tricker]

Nope.... no bandits down in this area at either dealer

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by tricker

Nope.... no bandits down in this area at either dealer

Thanks, I think I'll send Clint a pm to see if he has ever done business with the dealer in Mora, they are the dealer that offered me the rip up the contract deal.

[Rickster]

The model I sat on had a full set of bags on it. That Rick....I don't know...if that's a selling point for ya bro....I'd look elsewhere. The bags appeared thin, spindly, toy-like, and just all around volumetrically deficient. I might be biased to the mammoth cargo compartments I have on the Uly, but after you have that much space to work with, it can become a spoiling point.


Tim, I was under the imperssion that both the Uly, and the Bandit used Givi side & top bags, and would be of the same quality. I've seen the Uly bags, and they do look good & strong (as all Givi stuff is), but I've only seen pictures of the Bandit bags. Proly not a big deal, because I would just keep the Givi bags I now have on the Strom.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Rickster

The model I sat on had a full set of bags on it. That Rick....I don't know...if that's a selling point for ya bro....I'd look elsewhere. The bags appeared thin, spindly, toy-like, and just all around volumetrically deficient. I might be biased to the mammoth cargo compartments I have on the Uly, but after you have that much space to work with, it can become a spoiling point.


Tim, I was under the imperssion that both the Uly, and the Bandit used Givi side & top bags, and would be of the same quality. I've seen the Uly bags, and they do look good & strong (as all Givi stuff is), but I've only seen pictures of the Bandit bags. Proly not a big deal, because I would just keep the Givi bags I now have on the Strom.

I believe the Buell bags are (forgive the spelling here) Hepco-Becker or something like that....they're freakin' huge. I read on another forum, they're the ulitmate frame slider!

As an aside...I'm looking for a set of Rox Risers for the Uly right now. The manufacturer seems to be out, but I've kinda convinced myself they are something I need.

That and an Airhawk cushion. The stock seat is just fine, but after a year, I think I've crushed the stock foam all to hell. I can feel myself sink right to metal when I sit on it.

[Rickster]

[quote=intimid8er;461107]I believe the Buell bags are (forgive the spelling here) Hepco-Becker or something like that....they're freakin' huge. I read on another forum, they're the ulitmate frame slider!


QUOTE]

The H-B stuff is good, but if you really want plastic bags that work as frame sliders, you need to go with the Pelican line.

So far, in the pro's & con's department, the Bandit is wining agnist the FZ1 & the V Strom in 4 area's (gas mileage, brakes, torque, and seat height), it is tied in four area's (wind protection, wind noise, grin factor,and maintance), and only looses in one (price).

The FZ1 wins in none, tie's in the same 4 as the Bandit, and looses in 4 ( gas mileage, seat comfort, leg room, and ride stiffnes)

My trusty V Strom wins in 4 areas (seat comfort, leg room, price, and ride stiffnes), ties in the same four (wind protection, wind noise, grin factor,and maintance), and looses in 3 areas (brakes, torque, and seat height).

I think I'm being won over by the Bandit, the real tie braker is the ABS brakes, I just need to score a test ride to be sure it's not a toad in the twisties, and that the helmet buffeting isn't as bad as the V strom.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Rickster

and that the helmet buffeting isn't as bad as the V strom.

I'd almost wager it's non-existent.


Plus....ABS in an 8K bike? Huge advantage!

[Rickster]

Helmet buffeting IS non-existent on the FZ1, so I expect your right, but I need to know for sure before I get rid of a bike as nice as the Strom.

[intimid8er]

Ha-ha...sounds like you're sold my friend!

[Rickster]

I'm getting real close.

[Clint]

Sorry I missed this, guys.

I haven't been on the 1250, but I'm still active at Maximum-Suzuki.com which I consider the preeminent Bandit forum. From what I've read, It's nearly the same bike, but with a smoother, even more torquey engine. Mine's had modest suspension upgrades at both ends as well as power mods, so I believe it's very similar to the 1250 in both departments.

Rick, I realize we aren't exactly next door, but mine's all cleaned up now and free of luggage hardware. You're entirely welcome to take it, even for a couple days, if you like. Granted it has clipons, but they aren't that far off of stock.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Sorry I missed this, guys.

I haven't been on the 1250, but I'm still active at Maximum-Suzuki.com which I consider the preeminent Bandit forum. From what I've read, It's nearly the same bike, but with a smoother, even more torquey engine. Mine's had modest suspension upgrades at both ends as well as power mods, so I believe it's very similar to the 1250 in both departments.

Rick, I realize we aren't exactly next door, but mine's all cleaned up now and free of luggage hardware. You're entirely welcome to take it, even for a couple days, if you like. Granted it has clipons, but they aren't that far off of stock.

Thanks for the offer, I really appreciate it, but it looks like the local dealer is having second thoughts now that he knows that the dealer up in Mora will let me ride there's. He just called me and said he's getting his ready right now for me to test ride.

I guess he saw a sale going out the window, and he's right, because if I go 100 miles to ride someone bike, I sure ain't going to come back here to buy from the local guy.

The local dealer has both a used 05 FZ1 with 7,000 miles on it that I can buy for around $6,000, and the new 08 Bandit with ABS that I can get for $8,000, both bikes that I'm interested in, so it's almost a sure sale for him, seems like a no-brainer to me for him to let me ride his bike. He lets me ride, he gets a sale, he doesn't let me ride and I go somewhere else.

I'll let everyone know what I think of it in a few hours.

[tricker]

buy both?

[Clint]

Squeeze him. You should be able to get to $7500 otd without much grunting.

[BlaznBlu]

I'm also going with Bandit ABS route as soon as the Warrior sells. Know two people who are very happy with their '07's and have heard nothing but great things from all other Bandit owners. Felt very comfortable solo and 2-up, and like Tim said, 8K w/ ABS is tough to beat.