First Liter Bike Experience!

[SmokeyAndTheBandit]

Well tonight was my first time on anything bigger than a 600. One of my buddies let me take his zx-10r for a ride. He has higher handlebars on it. I was very impressed how comfortable it was. I felt like I was sitting on a 600, it felt so small. The clutch was smooth, the brakes were excellent, and it was balanced like you wouldn't believe. I didn't test out the power in any low gears because I was afraid of what it would do, especially since it wasn't my bike. He told me next time I ride it to open it up a little to see what it's like. Definitely made my bandit feel like a dinosaur when I got back on it.  

[Swamp Rat]

I know what you mean. I rode my brothers R1 a few weeks ago and I was amazed at how smoothe the engine was. I didn't like the ergonomics but I loved the feel of the engine. I felt like my hands were down by the front axles. Riding around on all fours doesn't feel natural wrist start to hurt too.

[SmokeyAndTheBandit]

I noticed that about the wrists too. He had the higher bars on it, so it didn't bother my back at all, but I could feel more pressure on my wrists than I'm used to. I wasn't used to having my knees tucked in so high either. It was really fun for the 20 minutes I rode it. I would be interested in seeing what it'd be like on about an hour ride.

[Dundee]

the thing I most want to change about the Bandit is the massive wide tank. It makes it so hard to hang on with my knees, there's more weight on my wrists than on my 600!

[fritobandito]

LSL makes a handlebar conversion kit that replaces the clip-ons with standard handlebars for sport bikes. I have a set on my '95 Kawasaki GPZ 1100. Took all the weight off my wrists and hands and put me in a position similar to what I had on my '01 B12. Also, spreads your hands out for much better control of the beast. Not an issue for Bandit owners though.

[kevinfromrex]

The weight is really a factor, I was on a 2006 GSXR 1000 saturday and its so much lighter than my 600 bandit.
Then I tried a 2005 FZ-1 and still lighter, nice short reach to bars. Didnt like the cheap looking bars and top triple clamp but overall with a yoshi pipe and bike looked cool ( blue with black motor and polished yoshi).

[Desolation Angel]

Funny about that weight issue.  I like a heavy bike.  Seems smoother, less affected by road seams and bumps.  More stable feeling.  Just a feeling I get with my B12S.  Like it will overpower any obstacle.  I bet I'd really like the feel of an ST1300 for that same reason.

We all bees different, eh?

[kevinfromrex]

D Angel I understand. I like weight on the open road but when sporting in the backcountry the lack of weight feels GREAT.
The FZ-1 was a rocket, whose idea was it to put an R1 motor in a naked standard frame, the bike is nuts! Really liked it.

[Desolation Angel]

D Angel I understand. I like weight on the open road but when sporting in the backcountry the lack of weight feels GREAT.
The FZ-1 was a rocket, whose idea was it to put an R1 motor in a naked standard frame, the bike is nuts! Really liked it.

Yeah, I like the Fazer, too.  

[fritobandito]

D Angel,

What made you choose the Bandit over the FZ1? Just a curious question, because I really struggled between the two back before getting the Bandit. And, I have to admit that I got the Bandit because you could get one for much cheaper than the FZ1.

[Desolation Angel]

D Angel,

What made you choose the Bandit over the FZ1? Just a curious question, because I really struggled between the two back before getting the Bandit. And, I have to admit that I got the Bandit because you could get one for much cheaper than the FZ1.

Oh, that's easy!  I'd never heard of either one, to be honest, but when I started looking on eBay a local Kawasaki dealer was auctioning it with a starting bid of $2500.  I thought it looked less radical (my previous biking was in the '70s) than many bikes I'd seen, so after checking KBB I bid $2,900 and went to bed knowing I wasn't gonna win a $4,500 bike for $2,900!  

Except I did.  

After I got it home, I started researching Bandits and found out I'd probably gotten what was the best for me for mostly ergonomic reasons.  After the fact I sat on Fazers and several other things and decided they really didn't work for me because of my tummy.

Completely not useful information for you, since getting the Bandit was a total accident!     I'm pretty happy with it after a few mods, and have decided over the last couple of years that for me, the only other choices would be a Concours or an ST1300, and even so I know I'd still have to modify the handlebars.

My opinion is that when you can steal a 1200 anything from a seller, it's the RIGHT deal!  

[fritobandito]

Man, that's a great deal! Cool story. Having owned a Concours in the past myself, I don't think you'd be very happy with one. 1. it's huge and very very heavy. 2. It's a complete gas hog! 3. It has nowhere near the speed and performance of the Bandit. You'd feel like you climbed aboard a dinasour. I've had both that and the Bandit and there's just no comparison at all. The only benefit I can think of for the Connie is having a taller windscreen, which you can put on the Bandit too. Also, in hot weather, my legs would roast being tucked behind that big fairing. The fairing would channel air right past the engine and out at my shins. Very annoying. So, I wouldn't waste my time even thinking about a Concours if I were you. Just my 3 cents...

[Desolation Angel]

Man, that's a great deal! Cool story. Having owned a Concours in the past myself, I don't think you'd be very happy with one. 1. it's huge and very very heavy. 2. It's a complete gas hog! 3. It has nowhere near the speed and performance of the Bandit. You'd feel like you climbed aboard a dinasour. I've had both that and the Bandit and there's just no comparison at all. The only benefit I can think of for the Connie is having a taller windscreen, which you can put on the Bandit too. Also, in hot weather, my legs would roast being tucked behind that big fairing. The fairing would channel air right past the engine and out at my shins. Very annoying. So, I wouldn't waste my time even thinking about a Concours if I were you. Just my 3 cents...

Yeah, I've heard that about Connies, but just from sitting on them in showrooms for a general feel, you know, the ergonomics weren't bad, plus I really like the idea of a shaft.  I like how they look, too, but I like the way '70s to mid '80s bikes look, so that's no surprise.  Having a 1200 has likely spoiled me for anything of smaller displacement.  I'm a "big" engine guy, so I don't see myself buying something "smaller" than what I've got anymore.  Are you a Honda salesman?  

[fritobandito]

Oh no, I'm not any kind of a salesman. Just a mechanical engineer who likes to ride. I do agree with you about the ergo's of the Connie. Nice upright position with great wind protection. But, after a while, I would get fairly fatigued hefting that beast around. If you're going on a long straight highway tour, then Connie would be good. I should also say that, before Connie, I had a 1981 Suzi GS1000G. So, I moved up in power and speed, and I really thought I had something. That is, until a bud showed up with his 1995 Kawasaki GPZ1100 and pretty much left me in the dust. I have a GPZ now and I'll have to say that the Bandit is quicker with more low-end grunt. But, I don't have to worry about the front of the GPZ coming off the ground whenever I get on the throttle either. The Bandit is a great bike and I wouldn't mind having another some day.

[Desolation Angel]

...I had a 1981 Suzi GS1000G...

Ah, a GS-man!  Me, too. '78 GS750E.  And an '82 GS450TX just for kicks!

Are we hijacking this thread?  

Sorry, folks!