Author Topic: Bandit as adventure tourer? (Read 5334 times)

azzie · « **on:** April 12, 2006, 05:38:53 PM »

Does anyone know how well the Bandit 1200S deals with unpaved roads, either plain dirt roads or roads surfaced with river gravel or crushed rock? The Bandit is not as tall as most Adv-Tourer bikes, and not as expensive used either.

thanks,
-azzie

theroamr · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2006, 05:52:18 PM »

At one of our rallies a couple of years ago at T.W.O. I followed Pete and a dl 650 up a dirt trail that wasnt even a fire road. It was up the side of a small mountain in rough dirt. I did turn around and come back after about a mile of trying. The bike did okay. Suspension was handling it well. Granted we probably didnt go over 10 mph , but I found the most difficult part was keeping the bike happy a low speeds and slipping the clutch for balance. I figured this was probably causing a little wear and the clutch and came back to camp. It was fun and I was a little surprised at how it did handle,,,,not bad.

jbrough7 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2006, 08:03:43 PM »

I've got the 650 Bandit and the place I work is off the beaten track so I go on dirt roads a bit. It's okay but I just have to watch out for the loose gravel piled up here and there. I can do 80 clicks on the dirt no problem but I think it's killer hard on the street tires.

It's a great kinda flashback, except without the lsd, as most of us probably learned to ride on those backroads and they are fun.

There's a ton more wildlife back there and you get to hear it on the bike.

I raced three canada geese today and then slowed down to clock them and i figure they were doing 35 clicks! Pretty good!

Good luck!

Jim

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2006, 08:14:33 PM »

You need a Buell Ulysses!

curiousmike · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2006, 08:17:29 PM »

I see to be one of those rare exceptions in the motorcycling community.

My dad did NOT thrust me onto a Z50 at the age of 5.
My first real bike was not a Honda CL350 Scrambler.

Rather, I started on the street and I'm most comfortable on the street.
Bought a DR650 a few years ago, and played around on some trails, but just didn't click.
Came back to the street, and that's where I'm happiest.

Be wary of destroying your street wheels on anything too off-road...

jbrough7 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2006, 08:17:42 PM »

They look great, don't they? Wonder what they're like? More than thirteen large in Canada! Wow!

LowRyter · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2006, 09:44:27 PM »

you can barely drive Bandit more than 20 mph over gravel or dirt roads.

aussiebandit · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2006, 09:55:19 PM »

I've found that it really depends on the 'type' of dirt road your talking about.

I've been on some that are smoother and faster that the shyte tarmac roads we have in NSW and managed to do 100km/hr, but other rougher tracks its down to 40km/hr.

The only thing that really 'scares' me on dirt with the B12 is the power, you've got to be really really really gentle with the throttle..

If you're contemplating doing a lot of dirt roads, I'd be getting an adventure tourer, something like a BMW GS, Aprilia Capanord, VStrom or maybe one of the smaller 650 singles like a BMW F650, Pegaso, DR650 etc.

azzie · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2006, 11:27:04 PM »

Thanks for the replies, I live on a crushed limestone road a mile off of pavement in the rural midwest USA. I have been riding a Suzuki GS850 for the last year and am looking for a newer bike for all around use. The old Suzuki gets by on rock roads, but at 600 pounds is quite a handfull. We have lots of good paved roads here, but many beautiful areas are only accessible via nonpaved routes.

I have been looking at used bikes, a 2002 Triumph Bonniville, a 2003 V-Strom 1000, and a very nice 2000 Bandit 1200s. The V-Strom is tall (not a good thing with a 30" inseam) but obviously capable, the Bonniville is very pretty but least powerful and the Bandit is slightly less expensive than the othe two. I really like the Bandit, but don't want to hurt it on bad roads.

-azzie

Vlad · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2006, 08:35:10 AM »

Quote from: "azzie"

The V-Strom is tall (not a good thing with a 30" inseam) but obviously capable,

Almost any modern bike can be lowered quite a bit, so don't discard V-Strom on that account. Also, 650 is a little lower stock and easier to maneuver (many would say a better overall bike than 1000). It's also very comfortable on and off road, has great engine and the price is hard to beat.

I rode my B12 on quite a few nice gravel and dirt roads and found that it behaves quite OK. I wouldn't take it on a goat trail or a steep mountain climb though - it's just too heavy for that.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2006, 09:49:48 AM »

Quote from: "azzie"

...I have been riding a Suzuki GS850 for the last year and am looking for a newer bike for all around use....

Ewww! A shaftie!

Red01 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2006, 10:37:56 AM »

Quote from: "azzie"

I live on a crushed limestone road a mile off of pavement in the rural midwest USA. I have been riding a Suzuki GS850 for the last year and am looking for a newer bike for all around use. The old Suzuki gets by on rock roads, but at 600 pounds is quite a handfull.

I'd say the B12 is about as good a dirt road bike as the GS850. It's no lightweight either... ~525 or so full of gas.

The weight, 100 or so horses on tap at the rear wheel and the sport-touring tires severely limit the B12 as a serious dirt road bike. I don't think you'd hurt it, as long as you don't dump it, but if you're road diet is going to consist of a checking out lots of unpaved roads, you might want to consider something designed to regularly handle that stuff.

If your wallet can handle it, get a Bandit for the paved stuff and a dual-sport for unpaved stuff. That way you can tackle the goat trails, too.

tacoman · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2006, 01:38:17 PM »

I took my B6 off road one time. 30 years ago the Bandit's suspension would have been considered top of the line for off road. The problem I had was: the suspension is valved for road use, the under frame exhaust makes damage and high centering a problem, and the tires. I was going over some sharp rocks and was 100+ miles from home, I was worried about my sport radials. With the right tires you could do gravel roads and some very mild jeep trails. This kind of use will "age" your bike quick though.

KX5000 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2006, 08:00:15 PM »

How about a set of goodyear flatrack tires and some wide, flat bars, strap on your steel shoe and back her into turn1 woooo hooooooo

I don't think it would really hurt the bike but it wouldn't be any better than the gs850 as a dirt bike, I used to have a KZ650 and I took it off road a couple times it was a blast to go in circles turning left. Four cylinders spinning the tire as you slide around the corners sounds GREAT! I think the DL would be a great bike for what you're thinking about doing with it.

gtbandit · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:41:26 PM »

Quote from: "azzie"

The V-Strom is tall (not a good thing with a 30" inseam) but obviously capable

-azzie

You can lower the V-Strom's seat height by using the 650 'Strom's seat (usually found second-hand rather cheap) or even the "650 low" accessory seat. Some 'Strom owners find it less comfortable on long rides than the taller seats do to its shape, but others are happy with it.