RF 900 REAR SHOCK BANDIT 1200 INSTALL

[FLBandit98]

Well after much research and reading of the suspension modification posts I finally made an educated decision.  Allot of people had mentioned swapping the stock bandit 1200 rear shock with a GSXR 1100 or early GSXR 750 but not much detailed information about how simple/complex this swap is?  I discovered that the RF 900 has the same rear swing arm as the bandit and also the same front forks/brakes.  So I concluded that if the bandit 1200 and the RF900 shared the same rear swing arm that the shock was probably very similar.  So I did some looking on ebay and found a pristine RF900 rear shock.  Purchase price was $45, looking at the pictures of the shock I could see that the mounting was identical as the bandit stock shock. So I purchased and installed this rear shock and found only one slight difference.  The mounting holes are one hole diameter off which ends up raising the rear of my bandit about 1.25 inches.  This was purfect as I wanted to raise it up anyway just enough to help quicken up the steering.  The RF900 rear shock has the seperate nitrogen/oil reservior which I mounted up under my left side tail panel.  The only modification I had to do here was to move the starter selonoid under the seat.  Now I have a six way adjustable rear shock that works awesome and has improved the handling of my bandit 1200 by 100%.  For the price you just cant beat this shock swap.  This shock replacement is a direct swap and the only difference is the rear hight change which if you didn't want you could always purchase the lowering links from holeshot.com and install them and you would be back to the stock seat hight. Prior to this when really pushing my bandit through the turns and on uneven pavement it felt like the whole frame of the motorcycle was flexing.  Now with all the settings of the RF900 shock in the middle position the bike turns like its on rails with no frame flexing feelings whatsoever.  I recently took my Bandit to Deals Gap and rode the Tail of the Dragon and my Bandit handled awesome.  This rear shock along with my front fork spring preload screwed down made my bike handle the twisties with ease.[/img]

[RUSS M8]

I just wrote this in another thrread, but if fits in here as well, could we start a list of all the different shocks people have put in their Bandits, and what difference did it make?  Congrats on your swap over!

[smooth operator]

I have both a gsxr1100w shock,resivour mounts in the tool kit area. And a Works Performance shock,resivour munts behind the right side. Both are a great improvment over the cheap stock shock. The WP keeps the stock ride higth,the GSXR adds 1 1/2" to the rear. The GSXR is fully adjustable,the WP has thread type adjustment for preload,and adjustment for rebound,it was set up for my weight and riding,and has 2 diferent springs. The GSXR cost me $150 plus shipping. the WP was just under $500,(could have gotten the fully adjustable for $600. . I have the WP on now, I like to think its a bit smoother(maybe just beause I spent the $. But I might put the GSXR back on when I go to the track.If I do, I'll have a better evaluation between the 2.  Penske is a top shelf shock,anthe Fox twin clicker is suposed to be a good shock too.
    Dan ( gen.1)

[98bandit]

What year model did you install the RF900 shock on?

[Red01]

What year model did you install the RF900 shock on?

Given his userid, I'm guessing a '98.