1250 Bandit review

[zeebandit]

Motorcyclist magazine has good things to say about it.  

[LowRyter]

Just got the issue.  Really smoth bike that goes.  Moves more towards sports touring.  No more power but 18% more torque.  Neat photo of the writer dragging a knee.

Still a bargain when compared to the FZ-1, 919 & Z1000.  Ultra smooth fuel injection, engine has longer stroke, balance shaft, 6 speed. Up to 150 mph.

[Red01]

I just got it in the mail today, too... First thing I read!

I could have sworn one of the mags got the 2G B12 up to an honest 156 mph, so I was a little surprised by the 150 comment. Would have thought it'd be a little faster than that.

With my lardass on it, I've had mine up to just shy of an indicated 160 before I ran out of real estate and had to slow down for a curve. And we know the stock speedo is optimistic.
(Closed course, of course... I'd never do that on a public road.)  

[SteelD]

Another review at http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/driving/story.html?id=bb9d5aa4-db5e-48d1-9f36-4dc25f154a6b

[ZenMan]

"the low-end torque from all those cubes is staggering. The 1250 has more pulling power at its torque peak (80 pound-feet at 3,700 rpm) than most 1,000-cc machines do at any rpm. There's a six-speed transmission on board, but it's largely superfluous as the Bandit could easily do with only three gears.

No doubt, there will also be a healthy aftermarket for the 1250 to uncork all its hidden potential."

All the reviews agree... the few die-hards still looking for negatives to nit-pick about need only plunk their pessimistic butts down on this bike and RIDE IT.  

Don't worry guys, it's a true Bandit in every sense of the word. Don't be afraid... come to the light...  

[Red01]

Don't be afraid... come to the light...  

All 55 watts of high beam worth.  
Hopefully, that'll be easy to fix.

[ZenMan]

Don't be afraid... come to the light...  

All 55 watts of high beam worth.  
Hopefully, that'll be easy to fix.

Yep. Two minutes and no tools needed... just the price of a 100w bulb.

I don't know of any 2007 U.S. models that come with anything brighter... DOT standard, isn't it?    

[Red01]

Another review at http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/driving/story.html?id=bb9d5aa4-db5e-48d1-9f36-4dc25f154a6b

From that link:

. . . Though Europeans can opt for a "naked" Bandit devoid of any body work, all Canadian 1250s get a frame-mounted half-fairing. It's a worthwhile addition considering how much time we spend on long, boring highways compared with our Continental brethren.

Maybe the area around Montreal has boring roads, I don't know, I've never been there, but the folks in British Columbia & Western Alberta have some real sweethearts.
(I still prefer to have a fairing though.)

[billincnetraljersey]

Paul, ZenMAn

I have a Concours and many on the COG forum swap in a 100W bulb.  The problem is not the wire but the socket that mates to the bulb.  It over heats.  The material is a hard rubber.  The solution is a NAPA part equivalent made with a baklite like material that takes the heat better  (also equiv. to a Honda Accord headlight socket).

Any issues with the 07 Bandit swapping to a 100W bulb?

-bill

[Red01]

Besides what Bill mentioned, I'd be watching the wire harness closely, Zen. Suzuki is notorious for using the smallest gauge wire necessary. To be on the safe side, consider a relay for that bulb so you don't end up with an electrical meltdown. The upside of this is the bulb will get more juice and give off more candlepower.

Eastern Beaver Company has m/c light relay kits that work very well.

[ZenMan]

Good advice... thanks guys.  

I'm aware of the possible wiring deficiency, thanks to a sticky on this forum:

http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=2982&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

Pay particular attention to Bazza's posts about the wiring and upgrades he did on his 2G.

I read somewhere that the wiring on the '07 has been upgraded to a heavier gauge, but I will definitely check this out myself and let ya'll know.

As far as the housing, the stock Stanley bulbs on the B1250 are one piece bulb/housing units (bakelight socket), so I'm guessing the replacement 100w units will be too... with the appropriate heat tolerance material.

I gotta get on this and order a new high-beam bulb... anybody have any good links where I can get one?

[Red01]

Since the 1250 uses a H7 bulb, and those are fairly common, there ought to be lots of discount sources on the net, plus good ol' flea bay.
Even Wallyworld carries Silverstar H7's... maybe not 100w ones though.