If You Could Change 3 Things About The 1250 Bandit What Would They Be?

[Bandit1250]

You're the new Designer/Engineer for Suzuki and you're working on the 2009 Bandit........
What 3 improvements/changes would you make?

Here's mine....

1. More HP
2. Black engine instead of Silver.
3. Temp/Oil PSI Guage/Readout

[PaulVS]

Not to thread divert here too much, but...

Dale Walker has gotten the new 1250 up to 130hp (vs. 100 stock) with just his new full exhaust system and a TFI box.

Holeshot Dyno Chart

That's an almost unheard of increase from just those two mods.

So it would appear that from a horsepower standpoint, Suzuki just corked the engine purposely to meet the 100hp max euro requirements.  I would imagine it's going to stay that way in stock form for the duration of its production life.

/end diversion

[txbanditrydr]

1. Suspension - Fully adjustable for a change

2. Frankenbolts - Why they left off the other half of our mounting/tie-down points is beyond me

2 Did I mention suspension???

[JamieK]

Swap out the waterjacket engine with an FI 1246CC SACS 

[rkfire]

Even more size, as they have that GSX1400 engine elsewhere.

1400cc SACS FI, and 6 speed.

A naked version over here.

A megaphone style muffler, or 2 if need be.

[gunzip]

 A better windscreen

 belt drive

 some more hard mount spots for back rests , luggage racks , bungie hooks etc.

[gunzip]

gear indicator
 
 more complete gauges

 more suspension adjustments and remote preload at least

 oh wait  I'm over the 3 limit !

[Bandit1250]

A better windscreen

 belt drive

 some more hard mount spots for back rests , luggage racks , bungie hooks etc.

You'd lose some power with belt drive...............

[Red01]

You'd lose some power with belt drive...............

Can you back that up? 

From what I've read on this subject, typical m/c belt drives are at least as efficeint as roller chains, in fact, most sources say synchronous (toothed) belt drives are more efficeint (95-99%) than roller chain (80-94% - with O-ring chains at the lower end of the spectrum).  Silent & Hy-Vo chain is rated in the same efficeincy zone as toothed belts, but I haven't seen any motorcycles using this kind of chain for final drive.  Of course, these ratings assume the system is properly maintained and strong enough for the application.

There are other reasons for chosing chain over belt, but I don't think efficeincy is one of them. 

[ippo]

Shaft for gsf 1250 and more power.
Better saddle.

[Bandit1250]

You'd lose some power with belt drive...............

Can you back that up? 

From what I've read on this subject, typical m/c belt drives are at least as efficeint as roller chains, in fact, most sources say synchronous (toothed) belt drives are more efficeint (95-99%) than roller chain (80-94% - with O-ring chains at the lower end of the spectrum).  Silent & Hy-Vo chain is rated in the same efficeincy zone as toothed belts, but I haven't seen any motorcycles using this kind of chain for final drive.  Of course, these ratings assume the system is properly maintained and strong enough for the application.

There are other reasons for chosing chain over belt, but I don't think efficeincy is one of them. 

Can I back that up? Not off hand but EVERY article I've ever read on the 3 types of drive (Shaft, Chain and Belt) said Chain puts the most power to the street.

I also think there's a reason why SUZUKI, KAWASAKI, HONDA and YAMAHA all use chain drive on their racing machines......not a Belt drive in ANY of them.

[Red01]

I also think there's a reason why SUZUKI, KAWASAKI, HONDA and YAMAHA all use chain drive on their racing machines......not a Belt drive in ANY of them.

There ARE reasons, but effeceincy isn't it.  One is a belt strong enough to put up with the power of a race bike that isn't so wide it effects cornering clearance or engine bay issues.  Another is gearing changes are faster & easier with a chain since you can put in on with a master link instead of having to pull the swingarm.

[PaulVS]

I also think there's a reason why SUZUKI, KAWASAKI, HONDA and YAMAHA all use chain drive on their racing machines......not a Belt drive in ANY of them.

There ARE reasons, but effeceincy isn't it.  One is a belt strong enough to put up with the power of a race bike that isn't so wide it effects cornering clearance or engine bay issues.  Another is gearing changes are faster & easier with a chain since you can put in on with a master link instead of having to pull the swingarm.

I agree with Red.... what it comes down to is the revolutions of the rear wheel relative to the RPM's of the engine, right?  Unless someone knows of a 'slippage' issue with belts... they should transfer the same amount of power to the rear wheel that a chain does.

[penno]

I like this question. 

Ok.

1. Lose a gear - 6 is too many, lose 5th. Could probably lose 3rd as well to be honest.
2. Bigger fuel tank
3. I think the rest I can change easy enough (screen, horsies, exhaust) ok, got it - more underseat storage

[mademiriam]

1. Lose a gear - 6 is too many, lose 5th. Could probably lose 3rd as well to be honest.

do more of you feel this way? I'm always wishing the 1200 had an extra gear, it could certainly be useful when hanging with the big boys on the highway.