Advice? How much bike is too much bike?

[stormi]

The 4-1-2 setup has to be cosmetics.  The CBR 900 was a 4-1 exhaust, so that tells me that it doesn't have to be set up like that.  I personally don't like the looks of the stock exhaust.  I saw a 919 in Arkansas once and it had Akrapovic exhaust and looked pretty nice.  It definitely changed the look of the bike.

I'll have a look into it, but I doubt that it would get changed anytime soon, esp since I won't take posession til April.  Always nice to have options though. :)

[stormi]

You could just get your legs stretched and get a KTM street bike to go with your dirt machine...  

Geez,.. that just wouldn't do,.. I wouldn't have as many opportunities to cartwheel off the dirt machine at speed.   I've seen a couple of KTMs,.. they be big machines!  

[stormi]

Like this one?

Ah,... Ladies and Gentlemen, my other half.  

I doubt either of us has the energy to try to maintain 2 KTMs.  One set of Fork seals, one extra hard seat coupled with freakishly tall seat height is enough for me.

[Snubnose]

congrats on the new bike by the way.

Personally, I would of gone for something like the new GSF650, would of been a very nice step up from the B4 and its still a Bandit :) .
Lots of aftermarket parts there, engine never changes on that model really, theyve just tuned/bored up the 600 a bit more.

The 400 wasnt here that long to make enough of a statement to warrant alot of extra parts, unlike the 600/1200 models.

My wife has a 600 (previously a 650 savage-first bike) and yes, it was a bit of a transition, (couple of tips), but now, she loves it. Lots of highway oomph (to keep up to me on my B12), but alot more maneuverable than my B12, (45 LBS difference). Ive taken the B6 out for several runs.. i.e washing :) etc and its really a fun bike, gotta work the rpms more than the B12 to get the response up, but otherwise, really fun :). Had it lowered an inch and got a gel seat and gen mar risers (Wife is 5'2") and a pair of engine frame sliders (just in case), and I think it'll do for many years to come. The move went from 35 HP to something like 77, which is pretty significant really, Oh, we had her jetted a bit to warm her up too. shes good to go now.

[stormi]

congrats on the new bike by the way.

Thank you :)

Personally, I would of gone for something like the new GSF650, would of been a very nice step up from the B4 and its still a Bandit :) .
Lots of aftermarket parts there, engine never changes on that model really, theyve just tuned/bored up the 600 a bit more.

Part of the reason I liked the 919 is that the engine is the same as the one they've had in their cbr900s, with minor mods, forever.  The engine is tried and true.

And I had looked at that bike,... the only reason I didn't buy it, is that it was 1. out of my price range and 2. I didn't really want a brand new bike,.. I'm still in the "drop phase". Besides,.. I figured that the 919 has the same seating position, and I got it for $5500. (When I told the salesman that we know at Scona cycle what the price was, he looked at me and said "Go! Go get it!"

The 400 wasnt here that long to make enough of a statement to warrant alot of extra parts, unlike the 600/1200 models.

That's true, but the gs500 has been here long enough, and I had been looking for an RR for one of those.  I was told 6- 8 weeks -after- they made it at the factory.   A GS500 is a current bike...  albeit not a hugely popular one, but it's been around for years.

I've had suzuki parts guys tell me that parts are a pain in the rear for many of their bikes.  The salesman I bought the 919 off of ( At a suzuki dealership btw   ) said that he figured that the problem was that Suzuki had too many models, and not enough parts budget.  So the parts that a dealer would stock was much more limited than say Yamaha or Honda.

its really a fun bike, gotta work the rpms more than the B12 to get the response up, but otherwise, really fun :).

See this was a concern for me, since I may be doing more hiway now,  I didn't want high rpms on the highway anymore.  While I could change the sprocket, on the b4 or b6, I'm told (by someone who owns one and the specs support it) that 919 will run at about 4k rpms in 5th gear at 110kph.  

Had it lowered an inch and got a gel seat and gen mar risers (Wife is 5'2") and a pair of engine frame sliders (just in case),

Who did the lowering for you?  Do you know how made the lowering link or kit that was used?  What brand of engine sliders did you get?

[Snubnose]

Part of the reason I liked the 919 is that the engine is the same as the one they've had in their cbr900s, with minor mods, forever.  The engine is tried and true.

And I had looked at that bike,... the only reason I didn't buy it, is that it was 1. out of my price range and 2. I didn't really want a brand new bike,.. I'm still in the "drop phase". Besides,.. I figured that the 919 has the same seating position, and I got it for $5500. (When I told the salesman that we know at Scona cycle what the price was, he looked at me and said "Go! Go get it!"

That's true, but the gs500 has been here long enough, and I had been looking for an RR for one of those.  I was told 6- 8 weeks -after- they made it at the factory.   A GS500 is a current bike...  albeit not a hugely popular one, but it's been around for years.

Yeah, but the configuration of those twins are VERY limited, not unlike that of the Ninja 500, whereas the inline 4 on "every other sportbike or standard" is ALOT more popular, the bandits gsx/r motor is a "parts bin" goldmine.

I've had suzuki parts guys tell me that parts are a pain in the rear for many of their bikes.  The salesman I bought the 919 off of ( At a suzuki dealership btw   ) said that he figured that the problem was that Suzuki had too many models, and not enough parts budget.  So the parts that a dealer would stock was much more limited than say Yamaha or Honda.

See this was a concern for me, since I may be doing more hiway now,  I didn't want high rpms on the highway anymore.  While I could change the sprocket, on the b4 or b6, I'm told (by someone who owns one and the specs support it) that 919 will run at about 4k rpms in 5th gear at 110kph.

 I would be more concerned about wind deflection on highway riding, something the bandit600S or 1200S provides, and yes the B6 requires more winding up than a B12, but no where near the amount a 600 superport or sport bike does, as it's still tuned for low rpm grunt, this is especially why they made the 600 into a 650, to provide even more low end power.
That being said, we had my wifes Bandit jetted with stage 1 holeshot kit, to warm her up and give her some more juice low end. She, like i said, can keep up with me no problem on the highway, without it being too too high in the rpm range.

Who did the lowering for you?  Do you know how made the lowering link or kit that was used?  What brand of engine sliders did you get?

we got the links from diamond powersports and had the front lowered in the tree 10 mm's, to keep the stock level, back end came down an inch approx, (very important" to not drop the front too much) or for that matter the back also, as the bike can botom out easily if dropped too much. I dont know what the 919's handbar set up is like, but the bandit allows a minimal drop in the tree, alot of bikes, especially with clip-ons don't allow for that.

[Red01]

Had it lowered an inch and got a gel seat and gen mar risers (Wife is 5'2") and a pair of engine frame sliders (just in case),

Who did the lowering for you?  Do you know how made the lowering link or kit that was used?  What brand of engine sliders did you get?

In the 600/1200 FAQ section there's a thread on how to make your own dogbones (links):

http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=199

The thread above makes shorter dogbones to raise the tail, but you make 'em longer to lower the tail. The 919's ratio of length change to tail change may be different and the exact process of changing them may be slightly different, but the basics are the same. I'm sure there's at least one CB900.919/Hornet forum out there somewhere that's got the specifics and can thell you how much change in the dogbones will give you the results you want.

So did you buy it already?

[stormi]

Yeah, but the configuration of those twins are VERY limited, not unlike that of the Ninja 500, whereas the inline 4 on "every other sportbike or standard" is ALOT more popular, the bandits gsx/r motor is a "parts bin" goldmine.

Wha? Which bike is a twin? the 919 is a DOHC 16 valve inline four.  Same as Dita or the B6s...  I wanted a inline four, for the relatively mellow power, compared to what I've heard described as the "snotty" power of a twin.  Or did you mean the gs500?

I would be more concerned about wind deflection on highway riding, something the bandit600S or 1200S provides, and yes the B6 requires more winding up than a B12, but no where near the amount a 600 superport or sport bike does, as it's still tuned for low rpm grunt, this is especially why they made the 600 into a 650, to provide even more low end power.

That's where I luck out,  here are tons of accessories available for this bike,.. wild hair accessories for instance have a bunch of windscreens and such,... and I'm used to naked ( bikes) on the highway.

That being said, we had my wifes Bandit jetted with stage 1 holeshot kit, to warm her up and give her some more juice low end. She, like i said, can keep up with me no problem on the highway, without it being too too high in the rpm range.

What sort of RPM?

we got the links from diamond powersports and had the front lowered in the tree 10 mm's, to keep the stock level, back end came down an inch approx, (very important" to not drop the front too much) or for that matter the back also, as the bike can botom out easily if dropped too much. I dont know what the 919's handbar set up is like, but the bandit allows a minimal drop in the tree, alot of bikes, especially with clip-ons don't allow for that.

Thanks! I'll contact them about the link for the 919 once I take possession of the bike! The bar setup is pretty much identical...

We had to lower a bit front and back on my KTM as well, so we'll be very careful about rake.

[stormi]

In the 600/1200 FAQ section there's a thread on how to make your own dogbones (links):

http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=199

The thread above makes shorter dogbones to raise the tail, but you make 'em longer to lower the tail. The 919's ratio of length change to tail change may be different and the exact process of changing them may be slightly different, but the basics are the same.

That was awesome! Thanks! I'm currently looking into the style of dogbones that the 919 uses.  There's a possibility that a welder will need to do it for us (i.e. not flatstock, but actual tube involved),.. but good news is, we know a few good ones. :)

I'm sure there's at least one CB900.919/Hornet forum out there somewhere that's got the specifics and can thell you how much change in the dogbones will give you the results you want.

There are a couple out there,.. lots of different terms used for the bike, so as I learn those, I'm finding more fora ;)   You're not kicking me out of here though if I ride honda too are ya?

So did you buy it already?

I managed to get them to take it off the floor for me, but of course the dealers are closed on Sundays, so I'll go in and leave my deposit on Monday.  They're also going to let me start it up and run it so I can hear it.  I'd love to get them to put the rear tire up on a paddock stand so I can run the engine through a gear or two to hear how the tranny sounds, but it has had an inspection, so I'm not too worried.  No test rides til next spring now though. :(

[Snubnose]

Wha? Which bike is a twin? the 919 is a DOHC 16 valve inline four.  Same as Dita or the B6s...  I wanted a inline four, for the relatively mellow power, compared to what I've heard described as the "snotty" power of a twin.  Or did you mean the gs500?

YUP, my wife tried the GS500 after picking up her 600 and found it, "Gutless", need less to say, once you go up in size, theres no going back, "less" will never satisfy!

That's where I luck out,  here are tons of accessories available for this bike,.. wild hair accessories for instance have a bunch of windscreens and such,... and I'm used to naked ( bikes) on the highway.

as with any aftermarket accessories, gotta watch those prices!. lots of things on wild hair Id like to get, but then I look at the price. I'm just thankful my fairing came as factory equipment and I didnt have to look aftermarket.(that would of been a bundle!) Then again, I'm sure one of these days I'm gonna pick up a lower fairing or belly pan from Banditalley.. so what the hey?

Thanks! I'll contact them about the link for the 919 once I take possession of the bike! The bar setup is pretty much identical... We had to lower a bit front and back on my KTM as well, so we'll be very careful about rake.

Heres powersports link...http://www.diamondpowersports.com/lowerlinks.php If you have a power/air rachet, you could probably do the install yourself, if not, dont even try. But make sure they are strong enough, I've heard horror stories about people going and getting them made at a welder buddy's place, trust me, this is not a part of the bike you want to compromise with lesser quality stuff. These links have to hold up an unbelievable amount of stress.

[stormi]

YUP, my wife tried the GS500 after picking up her 600 and found it, "Gutless", need less to say, once you go up in size, theres no going back, "less" will never satisfy!

Hopefully this is that last bike I'll need ( Said that about my KTM 2 yrs ago when I got it,... still think it's true)  So I hope to not ever hunger for more CCs. :)  I took a quick look at the gs500, both before I got Dita and after.  Before, I was told, that even without experience on the road, that I wouldn't be happy with it for more than a year.  About a month ago, I was told, don't bother,.. that my b4 is more powerful than that bike.  I'm not sure how much of that to believe... but with so many people saying that it's not a good bike, I wasn't going to jump to it.

as with any aftermarket accessories, gotta watch those prices!. lots of things on wild hair Id like to get, but then I look at the price. I'm just thankful my fairing came as factory equipment and I didnt have to look aftermarket.(that would of been a bundle!) Then again, I'm sure one of these days I'm gonna pick up a lower fairing or belly pan from Banditalley.. so what the hey?

This is true,.. but OEM is expensive too.  The honda windscreen is $85USD, I don't know what we'd pay here.  I saw one I really liked that's about $130USD but haven't seen it mounted on -any- bike yet


and of course it just goes up from there.

Heres powersports link...http://www.diamondpowersports.com/lowerlinks.php If you have a power/air rachet, you could probably do the install yourself, if not, dont even try. But make sure they are strong enough, I've heard horror stories about people going and getting them made at a welder buddy's place, trust me, this is not a part of the bike you want to compromise with lesser quality stuff. These links have to hold up an unbelievable amount of stress.

They have links on their page for 929/954 and some other CBRs, but not this bike.  I'm hoping a quick email will clarify this for me.  I notice that all the Honda ones are not flat stock. Thanks for the link :)  I know what you mean about the welders :)  fortunately, the welders we know build to way overkill spec before under building. :)  Of course that's a last resort if I can't find a made one, assuming that I can't take up enough height just by setting the sag and dialing down the rear susp. a little.  Right now it's set so hard that if you sit on it, it doesn't move.

[Red01]

That was awesome! Thanks! I'm currently looking into the style of dogbones that the 919 uses.  There's a possibility that a welder will need to do it for us (i.e. not flatstock, but actual tube involved),.. but good news is, we know a few good ones. :)

You still may be able to make replacements out of flatstock, but not having seen what they look like, I can't say for sure.

You're not kicking me out of here though if I ride honda too are ya?

Well, we haven't kicked out the folks that have switched to FZ1's, Speed Triples, GSXR's or KTM's so you don't have any worries.

[stormi]

You still may be able to make replacements out of flatstock, but not having seen what they look like, I can't say for sure.

It gets worse,... apparently the 919 has no dogbones.  (Which would explain why I couldn't find any anywhere)  I  think the next solution is a shorter shock,.. anyone have experience with this?  And possibly front springs to match.  This is starting to look more expensive.

Well, we haven't kicked out the folks that have switched to FZ1's, Speed Triples, GSXR's or KTM's so you don't have any worries.

Whew!    I'm starting to like it here.

[billybandit]

Well, we haven't kicked out the folks that have switched to FZ1's, Speed Triples, GSXR's or KTM's so you don't have any worries.

Take it I won't be getting the boot in 10 months time then?