Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: Nathan on June 22, 2007, 08:51:20 PM
-
Decisions
I gathered my money and got someone to take me to where there was a dealer. On the way there I could just see myself coming home through the sweepers, the hill's and dips with a smile on my face. I arrived and had to wade through all the Harley Davison's, then then past the Yamaha's and Buell's -- finally we came to the Suzukis. He had one bandit and it had ABS (which I do not want) but would have not prevented me from buying it. I had previously ridden a bandit 1200 and it was very comfortable, an upright sitting position and would go through the curves with authority and effortless. I tried to buy that motorcycle but he was determined to give it to his son.
When I got up on this 1250, I could barely touch the ground with the very tips of my toes, and you was leaning forward quite a bit. Now I realize this has probably come up a million times but the search here doesn't want to cooperate with me. I need to know if I can get both feet on the ground and a more upright sitting position before I will feel comfortable buying this motorcycle. I need to know if it can be done reasonably and also know you wont really pay for it in the sweepers.
Also, I need to find out how to remove the neon sign on my forehead flashing "sucker" then flashing "take everything I have". He said the bikes MSRP is $8395 plus $1500 tag, title, and sales tax. He also said he didnt know if he could make me that good a deal tomorrow-yea -right.
Gentlemen, I would appreciate your knowledge on this for i am drooling to get back down there and also how much each one of the thinks should be paid.
Thank you so much
-
Nathan, what is your inseam measurement? Mine is 30" and I have no problem flat-footing my new B1250. Maybe he had the seat adjusted to the high position?
There's another member here named Katamaniac who I believe lowered his a bit by changing the rear suspension links. Also, once you ride a few thousand miles it will sag a bit, especially with a passenger.
Now, how far away from Southern Missouri are you? I know a dealer in my area that can get you a non-ABS for $7849 OTD (Out The Door). You pay your own state sales tax and license fees when you take it to your state DMV.
Feel free to PM me if you like. :wink:
-
8395 for a ABS bike? pretty decent deal....1500 ttl, uh, not hardly!
I was looking at a ABS model in Mobile AL and they told me 8850, or so, out the door, with tax tag and title fees.
I paid 8800 for my non ABS B12.5 ($7899) with taxes tag and title fees(~500), Helmet(~140), and 2 year service contract(~300 or so).
An ABS model should not be more than another 500 bucks over that. IMO I wouldn't pay over 9K out the door for a ABS model...or 8500 for a non ABS...assuming you don't tack on any 'extras'(like riding gear or warranties).
ALSO- where are you at...I am assuming in the U.S.
-
Nathan, what is your inseam measurement? Mine is 30" and I have no problem flat-footing my new B1250. Maybe he had the seat adjusted to the high position?
There's another member here named Katamaniac who I believe lowered his a bit by changing the rear suspension links. Also, once you ride a few thousand miles it will sag a bit, especially with a passenger.
Now, how far away from Southern Missouri are you? I know a dealer in my area that can get you a non-ABS for $7849 OTD (Out The Door). You pay your own state sales tax and license fees when you take it to your state DMV.
Feel free to PM me if you like. :wink:
I have a real long inseam -- -- 28.5 :D. I am afraid that I am quite a ways away from Missouri. I am next to Greenville, South Carolina. If I can't work out anything with this guy or with the one in Toccoa -- I may have to inconvenience you by getting the information and having a nice ride home.
I am still concerned about how far forward I had to reach to get the handlebars. I would like to make the height adjustment in the seat if I can but if I cannot I will have to use lowering links. I will have to slow down in the sweepers is all.
Thank you so much for your reply
-
With my 30" inseam, I can just flatfoot both feet on my 650-- but I think both bikes are the same height.
However, the seat and the handlebars can both be adjusted with a couple flips of the support pegs.
And get the ABS. Why risk locking up your wheels when you don't have to?
-
First of all the "Suzuki" retail on the "non-ABS" version of the 1250s is $8299.00, and of course TTL. I have a dealer here in Tennessee that goes strictly by Suzuki's retail pricing. He doesn't mark them up or down. If you want my sales person's name, hit me up and I can give you phone number (direct) and his e-mail if you would rather do it that way. I have bought several bikes from this guy and he is "straight up". And oh yeah, unless the dealer changed the seat setting, it comes from the factory at the lowest setting. Another thing, if you decide to purchase your bike in Tennesee, it's not a bad ride from here back to where you live either... :welcome: to the Bandit Forum and good luck with your purchase...Banditone1250s... :burnout:
-
I got my 1250abs last weekend at action powersports in Savannah. I paid 9000 out the door. That included all assy, freight, TTL. If you like, I can get you the name and number.
Rob
-
First of all the "Suzuki" retail on the "non-ABS" version of the 1250s is $8299.00, and of course TTL.
If Nathan bought his bike in Tennessee, I doubt he would have to pay Tennessee sales tax and license, since he lives in Georgia. He'd pay Georgia TTL when he got home and went to the DMV for his plates.
The TTL fees vary state to state. In Missouri, all you pay at the dealer is the price of the bike plus prep fee. Then you can take the bike home. They give you a seller's statement, like a bill of sale.
Then you have 30 days to take the seller's statement to the DMV to pay the sales tax, title, and get your plates. If you live out of state, you take it to your local DMV, pay your own state's sales tax, title and license fees.
I have a dealer here in Tennessee that goes strictly by Suzuki's retail pricing. He doesn't mark them up or down.
My dealer goes strictly by a discount % on every bike, no haggling. As I stated, non-ABS is $7799 + $50 prep fee = $7849. An ABS goes for $8199 + $50 prep = $8249. :motorsmile:
And oh yeah, unless the dealer changed the seat setting, it comes from the factory at the lowest setting.
I didn't say it doesn't.
Since Nathan mentioned that the dealer was intent on giving the bike to his son, he may have changed the seat to fit him better. It's possible, and worth asking about. :wink:
-
However, the seat and the handlebars can both be adjusted with a couple flips of the support pegs.
There's no handlebar "adjustment" that I know of, other than rotating them a little.
And there's a lot more to adjusting the seat than just "flipping the support pegs". Check it out:
http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=9058
-
ZenMan is right there with the numbers I paid for an ABS in the Portland, OR area. Did my own TTL and saved the $50 stealer fee. If you have the cash, pay for the bike with a Visa that gives you a cash reward...I "saved" an add'l $200-ish on my bike this way. And, if you buy it at the right time during your billing cycle, your money can still accumulate interest until the bill comes. I hit it just right and won't be "paying" for my bike until about six weeks after I took it home. Also, when you go back into the finance room and pop your Visa out, don't let them tell you they have to charge you for using it, that's illegal. That's why they always ask you how you'll be paying for the bike, so they can figure in Visa fees. I always answer with, "money!"
-
And there's a lot more to adjusting the seat than just "flipping the support pegs". Check it out:
http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=9058
Okay, so I exaggerate the simplicity slightly ;)
But according to my manual, the handlebars have reversible spacers to adjust their height. I'm thinking of doing this on Tuesday.
Any suggestions where/how I should post my pics?
-
Okay, so I exaggerate the simplicity slightly ;)
Hey, it took me 2 times taking the seat apart and 3 times editing that whole deal to get it right! :duh: :bandit:
But according to my manual, the handlebars have reversible spacers to adjust their height. I'm thinking of doing this on Tuesday.
Any suggestions where/how I should post my pics?
That would be awesome. :bigok: Take pics of everything and put together the instructions for adjusting the handlebars. Then post it in the FAQ's along with the seat adjustment instructions and other stuff.
You can use Photobucket to store your pics and link them to your posts. It's best to edit them down to about 800 x 600 pixels for faster and easier uploads. I use my Paint program.
http://photobucket.com/
Then you'll find out just how "simple" it really is... :roll:
-
I have a 29" inseam and find it difficult to flat-foot most modern bikes. With the B1250 on the lowest seat setting (I think this is the factory default), I still can't get both feet fully on the deck but it's something I'm used to and not a problem for me.
I have no problem with the bars and the riding position is what we in the UK consider to be 'upright' as opposed to way down like on a race rep. Then again, you may be used to a cruiser-like position where your back is perpendicular to the road and the bars come up to meet you. I've never ridden this style of bike personally and while it might well with a cruiser and their ethos/usage, it may not lend itself well to providing good control if you plan to use the Bandit to its full capabilities in the twisties.
However, bars may be changed and an aftermarket seat may give you an even lower seating position. These wouldn't be deal-breakers to me but something to budget for when modifying the bike to your personal tastes.
As for ABS, this is what I said on another forum:
"I had ABS on my previous bike, FJR1300. On a couple of occasions, I approached a bend faster than I should have (I thought it was a sweeper and not sharp left turn) and braked hard to find that the bend was covered with gravel. The ABS kicked in, slowed me down and I got round the bend. Without it, I'd either not slow down quick enough and go off the road or the wheels would have locked and I'd have gone off the road anyway.
So, any modern bike is capable of stopping quickly. You don't need ABS to stop quickly under most circumstances - it's to help you out on the few occasions where an emergency stop or quick slowing is needed and you approach the limits of adhesion of the tyre on the road surface under adverse conditions. When I first started biking in 1975, no bike had ABS then and so there wasn't a choice. Given the choice now, I'd go for it every time. In fact, I wouldn't have chosen a bike without ABS now. You won't need ABS every day and you may even enjoy several years of biking without the ABS kicking in but when you hit that patch of diesel, a loose surface, an icy road or some prat in a car pulls out in front of you, your life might just depend on having ABS."
-
I can just flatfoot both feet on my 650-- but I think both bikes are the same height.
However, the seat and the handlebars can both be adjusted with a couple flips of the support pegs.
I think the 05/06 650 had adjustable bars to go along with the seat. I DON"T think the new 1250 got the adjustable bars.
-
Alright,.. I've never been measured to know my inseam, but let's assume that I'm the person on the forum who's closest to the ground. (If I measured that right, I'm about a 25.5" - 26" inseam, but I'm reasonably sure it's not supposed to be done by the person being measured.)
I ride a 919 with a seat height of 31.5". That looks to be almost 0.5" taller than the Bandit 1200/1250
I -never- flat foot the bike. I get close in only 2 situations:
1. I have a pillion. I really dislike this option though, because the only pillion I take is my daughter, and when we stop, I have to do a power pushup to keep my chin off the bars. And I hurt for about 3 days afterward from the push ups.
2. I park in a -really- deep wheel rut. :toofunny:
I find that it's not necessary to flat foot both feet. One of the managers at the dealership I frequent told me this:
"Why do you want both feet on the ground anyway? You should have your left foot flat on the ground, and your right foot on the peg, covering the brake."
I had just found out that lowering links were not available for my bike, and hadn't taken possession of it yet ( from a different dealership) He saw me sit on the 919, and had no qualms whatsoever with my ability to ride it.
Since I took possession of it, I haven't looked back. Sure, not being flat on the ground is a little harder when manuevering it around in the parking lot. I just get off it, and muscle it around while beside it. And I've only had one scare in almost 6500kms where I almost dropped it because I didn't have full balance. I've -actually- dropped the Bandit, which I -can- flat foot, with bent knees, on. 3 times. :roll:
-
I agree it's not necessary to flat-foot your bike. I'm sure most of us have ridden plenty of tall-suspension dirt bikes to know this, and my V-Strom was one-foot at a time, too. Most of the time coming to a stop I lean my bike to the right, putting my right foot down so I can mess with the shifter on the left side. Whatever, everybody has their own "technique". :wink:
HOWEVER.... it is a consideration for me when test-riding a bike, for three reasons:
1. Flat-footing both sides makes it easier to "pedal" the bike around when parking, backing up, etc...
2. It's much more stable when your passenger gets on and off...
3. The lower seat makes it easier for me to get on and off... (bad leg)
I don't want to open up a whole new can of worms about how everybody does their own thing when it comes to stopping, passenger on-off-loading, etc... or which way is best. I'm just saying that a seat height that allows me to flat-foot a bike is a plus for me. :motorsmile:
-
Either bikes have become taller or my legs have shrunk but while my B1250 seems tallish, I do recall that I could flat-foot on that great muscle bike from the 1970s - the 900cc Kawasaki Z1.
(http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_9610_01z+1972_kawasaki_903_z1+side_view.jpg)
-
Having always had enough inseam to flat-foot any bike I'd ever riden, I did find it a little unnerving to swing my leg over my "new" XR650 and a) have to take a second swing because I failed to swing my leg high enough and then b) find that if I put both feet down, I'm on my tip-toes. With a 37" seat height, man, this thing is TALL. But then my dirt bike experience is pretty much with old dirt bikes, with a '76 Yamaha IT-400 being the most modern suspension dirt bike I've ever had until now.
:lol:
-
I agree it's not necessary to flat-foot your bike. I'm sure most of us have ridden plenty of tall-suspension dirt bikes to know this, and my V-Strom was one-foot at a time, too. Most of the time coming to a stop I lean my bike to the right, putting my right foot down so I can mess with the shifter on the left side. Whatever, everybody has their own "technique". :wink:
Ha! I'm not saying that people should ride like I do,... hell I probably shouldn't ride like I do. :grin: I've just adapted, due to being height challenged. For instance, I always ( ok,.. mostly) try to make sure I'm in first by the time I roll up to the light. It saves me the weird tilt to the right, shift to first, tilt to the left, put left foot on the ground thing. I feel like I'm doing the "cruiser wobble" when I do that.
HOWEVER.... it is a consideration for me when test-riding a bike, for three reasons:
1. Flat-footing both sides makes it easier to "pedal" the bike around when parking, backing up, etc...
Agreed! This is a pain for me, and enough to make me choose the car on days I know I have to make a number of stops. Of course it's worth it to have a bike I like to ride. At my height, I can only flat foot some of the beginner bikes and cruisers.
2. It's much more stable when your passenger gets on and off...
I always put the bike on it's kickstand and brace with my leg before someone gets on or off the bike. That way I'm not relying on the strength of my legs alone. Again, a short person adaptation.
3. The lower seat makes it easier for me to get on and off... (bad leg)
This is one thing I do miss with riding the Bandit vs the 919.
I have a little arthritis in my hip, and spending time on the bike makes me stiff, and getting on and off can be a challenge after a while. That tail is -way- higher than Dita's. I can't even count the number of times I've kicked him in the ass trying to get on. :embarassed:
I don't want to open up a whole new can of worms about how everybody does their own thing when it comes to stopping, passenger on-off-loading, etc... or which way is best. I'm just saying that a seat height that allows me to flat-foot a bike is a plus for me. :motorsmile:
Hey! If I could get a bike that I could flat foot on that I thought would last me more than a year til I was frustrated with it, I would. I thought long and hard about the Hyosungs and the Ninja 650 because of that, but having had the 919 now, I'm not sure I could go "back" to a high strung 600 just for 2" of seat height. Of course if I had a double wide shed... or one of them new fangled garages... and an excess of cash...
-
Having always had enough inseam to flat-foot any bike I'd ever riden, I did find it a little unnerving to swing my leg over my "new" XR650 and a) have to take a second swing because I failed to swing my leg high enough and then b) find that if I put both feet down, I'm on my tip-toes. With a 37" seat height, man, this thing is TALL. But then my dirt bike experience is pretty much with old dirt bikes, with a '76 Yamaha IT-400 being the most modern suspension dirt bike I've ever had until now.
:lol:
Remember when you were a kid, getting on your bicycle with the ol' "pedal-start"? Left foot push down on the pedal, swing the right leg over the seat as the bike starts moving.
You can do the same with tall dirt bikes. Once you get it running, put both hands on the bars, pull in the clutch, kick it into 1st, left foot on left peg, than slip the clutch as you push off with the right foot and swing your right leg over as the bike starts moving. Like getting on a skittish horse.
Takes a little practice to get smooth at it, but you should be able to get it the first try. :wink:
-
For instance, I always ( ok,.. mostly) try to make sure I'm in first by the time I roll up to the light. It saves me the weird tilt to the right, shift to first, tilt to the left, put left foot on the ground thing. I feel like I'm doing the "cruiser wobble" when I do that.
Just curious... why do you need to lean left again to put your left foot down?
Once I'm stopped at a light with my right foot down, my left stays on the peg. That way it only takes a fraction of a second to slip it in or out of neutral... if it's a long light, then it's neutral, let out the clutch, flip up my shield, scratch my nose, etc.... then when I see it about to go green just pull in the clutch and click 'er back into 1st. Left foot never leaves the peg. :wink:
-
For some reason if feels more natural to take off with my left foot on the ground than the right. I was also taught during rider training to cover the brake, not the gears. :shrug:
-
Remember when you were a kid, getting on your bicycle with the ol' "pedal-start"? Left foot push down on the pedal, swing the right leg over the seat as the bike starts moving.
You can do the same with tall dirt bikes. Once you get it running, put both hands on the bars, pull in the clutch, kick it into 1st, left foot on left peg, than slip the clutch as you push off with the right foot and swing your right leg over as the bike starts moving. Like getting on a skittish horse.
Takes a little practice to get smooth at it, but you should be able to get it the first try. :wink:
:lol: Yeah, I suppose I could do that. :bandit:
So far, it's always been parked on firm enough ground that I can just put the kickstand down, climb on, flip the stand up and take off. I'm sure once I get it out into the woods, that convenience will be gone though.
-
:lol: Yeah, I suppose I could do that. :bandit:
So far, it's always been parked on firm enough ground that I can just put the kickstand down, climb on, flip the stand up and take off. I'm sure once I get it out into the woods, that convenience will be gone though.
Naw,.. there you just look for "landscape advantages". Park the bike in a rut, find a rock to deploy to kick stand on, find a ledge to stand on... :wink: I'm very well versed at this,.. I ride a KTM in the dirt. Austrians must be giants!
-
For some reason if feels more natural to take off with my left foot on the ground than the right. I was also taught during rider training to cover the brake, not the gears. :shrug:
Hey, whatever your used to. :wink:
I cover my brake with my right hand, always 2 fingers. Don't use the rear brake much on the street.
Red, I'm looking for something like that XR of yours... maybe an XT600 or DR650, vintage 90's... as long as it has electric start. :bandit:
-
Hey, whatever your used to. :wink:
I cover my brake with my right hand, always 2 fingers. Don't use the rear brake much on the street.
I use the rear brake a ton, but not as my primary brake, mostly for stabilization. I think the idea is that you can hold the bike's position with the rear brake, and rest your right for a moment. Or at least that's what I use it for. :)
I've tried taking off from a light with my right foot on the ground and left up, but it felt so awkward to me... I guess I'm just left footed. :wink:
-
30 inch inseam here, I cannot completely flatfoot both feet at the same time on my 2007 1250. The bike only has 300 miles on it so no sagging yet. The footing Isnt a problem though unless I bring my foot down in a 3 inch hole. That little mistake cost me a right signal and front brake lever :shock: Live, Learn, Ride again.
-
Live, Learn, Ride again.
:clap: :clap:
With the busa shock I can just flat foot the 1200 on level ground, my driveway is of the steep littered with pot holes variety so backing it in to my 'spot' can be interesting. Always had long monkey legs, don't know how you guys do without!
-
:lol: Yeah, I suppose I could do that. :bandit:
So far, it's always been parked on firm enough ground that I can just put the kickstand down, climb on, flip the stand up and take off. I'm sure once I get it out into the woods, that convenience will be gone though.
Naw,.. there you just look for "landscape advantages". Park the bike in a rut, find a rock to deploy to kick stand on, find a ledge to stand on... :wink: I'm very well versed at this,.. I ride a KTM in the dirt. Austrians must be giants!
Being of short inseam I know of what you speak. At stop lights find the tire ruts. When parking, try to turn the bike down hill. Never put yourself in a position where you have to leg it backwards uphill. I'm a 29" inseam and I'm talking stock suspension on a Bandit. The KTM takes it to another level. (pardon the pun)
-
For some reason if feels more natural to take off with my left foot on the ground than the right. I was also taught during rider training to cover the brake, not the gears.
Trying to recall what MSF said:
When stopping, downshift to 1st (not neutral) and put left foot down and leave right foot on brake, and your left foot should hit the pavement exactly as you stop (that is, no need to move your foot once it's down).
Once stopped, BOTH feet on the ground, with engine in 1st and ready to roll to safety if needed.
As for taking off, it was start bike moving and lift BOTH feet up immediately, as soon as the bike had any motion.
I pretty much follow as taught other than I will put the bike in neutral at a long light so I can drum on the gas tank. And of course, if trying to use my hands for something important (like a crucial picture or applying lip balm!), lean on left foot to use right foot on brake since hand not available.
-
The KTM takes it to another level. (pardon the pun)
Granted, I'm a little close to the ground at the best of times, but when we've already slid the forks into the triple clamps, set the sag and shaved the seat, it seems a little ridiculous to be still the height of a 2x4 from being able to start the bike on flat ground. My 200EXC sits higher than the other half's CR250, and he's 6" taller than I am. KTM's new 105 is-almost- short enough on the showroom floor for me to flat foot on. The suspension sags enough after a few seconds of being on it to flatfoot. And that's a mini. :roll:
-
Once stopped, BOTH feet on the ground, with engine in 1st and ready to roll to safety if needed.
This is good practice, at the very least until the car behind you has come to a complete stop.
As for taking off, it was start bike moving and lift BOTH feet up immediately, as soon as the bike had any motion.
Unless your right foot is already on the peg? :stickpoke:
While stability is better with both feet on the ground, if the ground is flat, I find that if the ground is uneven, or rutted up ( not like that ever happens on our roads :roll:) that sometimes you're asking for a drop by expecting both feet to be safely down. Of course, for riders over 5½ feet, this may not be an issue.
I pretty much follow as taught other than I will put the bike in neutral at a long light so I can drum on the gas tank. And of course, if trying to use my hands for something important (like a crucial picture or applying lip balm!), lean on left foot to use right foot on brake since hand not available.
Tappin' a long with a little "Ain't that a Shame"? I find I sometimes need to rest a wrist or two if I've been in stop and go traffic, so I take that opportunity to shake them both out. Especially when I ride with bad form on the 919, and put too much weight on my wrists with the new bars.
-
Tappin' a long with a little "Ain't that a Shame"?
I've already admitted in previous posts the dreck that goes on in my head for hours at a time. It doesn't help that, in Denver, I passed a street called "Xanadu" and had to live with Olivia and ELO for the next two hours.
-
Tappin' a long with a little "Ain't that a Shame"?
I've already admitted in previous posts the dreck that goes on in my head for hours at a time. It doens't help with, in Denver, I passed a street called "Xanadu" and had to leive with Olivia and ELO for the next two hours.
I don't think I caught that thread... but... xanadu? You need an mp3 player...
-
It may take a xanax to wipe it out of my head.
Now that I'm here,
Now that you're near,
in Xaaanaaaduuu!
-
And of course, not to be forgotten, from the same movie/soundtrack...
"You Hafta believe we are maaaaagic,.. nothing can stand in our way...."
Oh yeah,.. you -tried- to forget that one.... :stickpoke: