Author Topic: "new" bike ?? (Read 4008 times)

MBandit14 · « **on:** June 22, 2005, 09:55:17 AM »

After 30k New England miles the ol Bandit is showing some age. My Irish frugalness ( cheap ) just cant see dropping 10,000+ for my dream ride ,an FJ , so the only suitable replacement would have to be another Bandit. Now my question : is it wiser to re-hab my current ride or shop around for a already "built" low mile bike???

land_shark · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2005, 10:47:08 AM »

What's worn down the most? Could be a carb cleaning, progressive spring installation, and some new tires would cheer you up. There's probably a HUGE list of mods you can do for less than $1,500 to spark some life back into your bandit.

'course, dropping $10k on a new FJR would be exciting!

chippi · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2005, 01:17:09 PM »

Quote from: "land_shark"

What's worn down the most? Could be a carb cleaning, progressive spring installation, and some new tires would cheer you up. There's probably a HUGE list of mods you can do for less than $1,500 to spark some life back into your bandit.

I LOVE MY BANDIT!! The only other bike that cought my eye at shopping time was FZ1 but not enough to pay the $ spread. If you have NOT fallen out of love with your bike send her some flowers to spice things up (er, uhm I mean slap on some new upgrades)

tacoman · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2005, 01:43:16 PM »

Normally what makes a bike feel old, just like a car, is a dirty induction system (carbs or FI) worn tires and suspension. By the time you sell the bandit and buy something else you'll be out at least $7-8K. A good carb clean and synch, some nice new tires, and some suspension freshening can do wonders. Bleed the brakes, clutch and check the pads. This will breath a lot of new life into the old B12.

jfudo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2005, 03:29:04 PM »

You can still find some pretty low mileage 1st gen bandits that you can buy and swap out any upgraded parts you may have. Figure one with around 6000 miles will cost maybe $3500. You could sell yours (or part it out, you never told us its condition) and make more than half of that back.

If you really like the bandit, the answer to your question (in my opinion - I must point out that I'm and engineer, so everything can be analyzed in my opinion) is about adding up the costs.

Or just get the FJ.

chippi · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2005, 05:06:34 PM »

Ya-know.... there is alot to be said about finding/justifying a REASON to buy your dream bike! I REEEAALLLY didn't NEEEED a new bike when I got the Bandit. I was shopping with friends and kept bumping into them, then ran into a 03 left over with 05 on the floor the deal was just too sweet. Almost one year later and I still get SHARP pokes from the wife

as I go out to work on her ailing car that I really should have replaced before the bike. I just keep focused on Friday

Sorry honey

From what I've seen you won't be banned from Banditalley if you go with your FJ

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2005, 08:13:17 PM »

30K shouldn't be sole reason for wanting to bail on your current B12. If you're just tired of looking at the same old bike, but don't want to shell out for something new, some upgrades to change her could be just the ticket.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2005, 09:48:06 PM »

Yeah - doin' something different with the B12 could be cool. From your avatar, I'm guessing it's red. I'll bet that red frame would look great with black bodywork... or maybe silver???

MBandit14 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2005, 03:37:18 PM »

Thanks for the input. I guess after my twisted cost analysis I'm leaning towards replacement

2nd gen. maybe

Karma bit me in the

yesterday am on the way to work when I had a catastrophic chain failure

DID 530 zvm, granted it had 13 k on it, but it split in the middle of a link down shifting at reasonable speed from 4th to 3 rd

Lunched my chain guard and got my attention right quick. So now she's in the shop for tune up , carb cleaning, and new drive. I shouldn't have said nuthin. Did I say I was leaning replacement?????

PS By the way Rob ths winter I took her plastic off and painted. She is now a beautiful red frame,tank, upper half of fairing , with flat black body, fender, lower fairing , side covers.and chainguard( RIP). I"ll post a pic when I learn how. Love that B4.

Slider · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2005, 02:46:53 AM »

Quote from: "MBandit14"

After 30k New England miles the ol Bandit is showing some age. My Irish frugalness ( cheap ) just cant see dropping 10,000+ for my dream ride ,an FJ , so the only suitable replacement would have to be another Bandit. Now my question : is it wiser to re-hab my current ride or shop around for a already "built" low mile bike???

I assume you mean the FJR 1300, aka "Fast Joy Ride". Great choice, sez Canadian Motorcycle mag, especially for two up. The bags are limited, thought. The shaft drive is to dream about. Had a XS 1100 standard version, sans fairings. No oil smuck on the back at all. No chain adjustments, replacements, chain lube, sprocket wear, etc. But they are perhaps 25% heavier than a Bandit and a lot more money.
The other little &^%$#@ is that they are likely more attractive to theft, being scarce.

I asked a variety of people/dealers about the life span of these transverse fours in general. The gist of it all seems to be that with good maintenance/juice changes, they could easily last 60-100K miles.

Mike

PitterB4 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2005, 08:51:09 AM »

Quote from: "MBandit14"

PS By the way Rob ths winter I took her plastic off and painted. She is now a beautiful red frame,tank, upper half of fairing , with flat black body, fender, lower fairing , side covers.and chainguard( RIP). I"ll post a pic when I learn how. Love that B4.

Sounds cool. Share pics, please! Here are instructions on how to post a pic on the board.

Good luck with the repairs.