Building a better Bandit

[icemakk]

Long time since I have been on here. Just completed a cross Canada tour this summer for my web show http://www.theplanettour.com/ and to promote sharing the road with motorcycles.
I guess Murphy's Law was my guardian angel because on my last stop on the tour, in Edmonton AB, some lady does an erratic U-turn in front of me and loses control and redirects her car right to where I had moved to avoid her.
I bounced off the door (no broken bones but some massive bruising). The bike is a write off as plastic parts add up fast. I am waiting to get the full report to see if there was any frame damage. If not I was going to rebuild her. The motor still runs fine.

I test road a couple of dual sports this summer (Honda Veradaro and Ducati Multistrada) and was impressed with the smoother ride quality just an extra inch or so of travel can give you. The Ducati had the better engine and is one sweet ride but the price tag hurts my wallet too much. The Honda felt reliable but had no real fun character when compared to the Bandit.

My question is: Has anyone successfully changed the suspension of a Bandit to get this extra ride travel. How hard would this be to do?
I love the 1250 engine but thought with a few tweaks I can make the ultimate touring Bandit. In almost stock form I managed to wrack up over 22,000km  this summer alone. With more pliant suspension it would be a lot more comfortable for my 6'3" frame. My other changes would be to increase fuel capacity and enlarge the fairing with more lights.
Any advice or tech help would be appreciated

[pmackie]

Hey Icemakk

Glad to hear you're OK...not good to contact another vehicle.

Interesting idea...I've never seen or heard of it being done. Most swaps are to make the bike more "Sport" using USD forks.

I would head down to the local Suzuki shop and measure up a 1000 V-Strom. It wouldn't surprise me that the forks with or without the triple trees would fit. You can likely find a longer shock with more travel. If the V-Strom unit wont fit, and aftermarket shock company could likely make one up for you.

Somewhere to start. Let us know how you make out.

[icemakk]

I've been talking to a custom bike builder about making a custom for the real world
YAY no more loud,useless and uncomfortable choppers (that all look the same to me!! 

I was just seeking anyone who may have tried or looked into this. No sense learning what may have already been done or abandoned
I will look into the V-strom swap.

[LowRyter]

Don't think it's such a good idea for a Bandit.  Lots of geometry, stability and top heavy issues.

We down on the other side of boarder with an average pocketbook would consider a VStrom. 

[icemakk]

thanks for you input. The more I looked into it the more it was looking like a PITA. I have got cheque in hand and am now shopping for a good new (to me) sport tourer or adventure tourer.

[Vlad]

'Stroms are fine and affordable bikes, well suitable for long distance touring or moderate adventure touring. Unfortunately the better of the two (650) is a little underpowered while the 1000 feels too bulky. If they were making a 750-800... Speaking of that category, don't discard BMW 800GS, especially if you can find a good deal south of the border. 

[icemakk]

I looked at the Stroms. While they are great bikes their styling needs to be updated as I do find them to be a bit of an ugly duckling.
My search is over. My new (to me bike) is coming up from Florida and will be announced on upcoming episodes of The Planet Tour
http://www.theplanettour.com/episodes.html

[Vlad]

I looked at the Stroms. While they are great bikes their styling needs to be updated as I do find them to be a bit of an ugly duckling.

I never cared much what my bike looks like from the curb as I'm never sitting on the curb looking at it :). It may be of more importance to you since it's an important element in your videos. Some say Bandits are ugly too, but I wouldn't go on a cross-continent ride on an Agusta.

My search is over. My new (to me bike) is coming up from Florida and will be announced on upcoming episodes

Congrats, keep the rubber side down.

[pmackie]

My new (to me bike) is coming up from Florida.

Glad to hear you've got your new ride worked out.  Seems a LONG way to ship a bike...Florida is about as far as you can get from Calgary in the US...(maybe parts of Alaska are farther?). 

Anyway...no sneak peaks of the new ride for your Bandit buddies before you announce it on the show?   

[icemakk]

no sneak peeks. Sorry. She has to get here first and I don't want to jinx it.