Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: LensWork on March 30, 2006, 12:46:17 AM
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I just bought the one of the last brand new '05 1200S left in Central Florida. It is being prepped tomorrow for pick-up Friday after work. I chose the Bandit because my 40+ body can't handle the ergonomics of a GSXR, but I'm not ready for the slow lane on a cruiser either.
The Bandit will be a daily rider to work & back on good weather days, and a sport-tourer with my wife on-board on the weekends. Any suggestions that you might have as to absolute must have mods/accessories for this 1st time Bandit owner would be greatly appreciated. I have been riding street bikes for about 25 years, and have had everything from a '79 Yamaha Midnight Special II to an '04 Buell XB-12S, and just about everything in between.
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I love the look of the 05 Bandit. The blue and white paint scheme is beautiful.
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Change exhaust, and holeshot or Ivan stage 2 jetting with k&N filters. Instantly gain about 25-30 hp for only a few hundred bucks!
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I would recommend a jet kit and aftermarket exhaust.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f46/clumia123/RimDecals004.jpg)
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Change exhaust, and holeshot or Ivan stage 2 jetting with k&N filters. Instantly gain about 25-30 hp for only a few hundred bucks!
You'll get a big jump, but not quite THAT much, not at the rear wheel where it's easiest to measure for us non-factory folks. 15-20 is more like it.
Ivan doesn't do a Stage 2 with K&N's, just a one stage. His philosophy is to always keep the airbox. Holeshot has a Stage 1 & 2 with airbox and a Stage 2 with K&N pods.
I do agree it's a great way to improve the bike for a small investment.
Depending on your tastes though, some may perfer to improve the seat and/or suspension before adding more power.
I say wait till you get it home, ride it for a couple weeks and decided where you think your first improvements should be.
:congrats: on the new bike! I love that blue/white scheme, too.
And :welcome: to the Alley!
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If I were to get a B12, I’d do shock, fork springs, slipon/needle shim in that order. Out-of-the-box engine performance would be plenty for me. I’d be more interested in giving it handling performance to match and making it sound better. Just my $.02.
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My $.02. I would ride it stock for the break-in period, 1000 miles or what ever Suzuki calls for. While doing that, decide what you want, it may be that it is just right just like it is.
For me, when you start doing mods, there is no end.
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First modification I did was to add a luggage rack and tail-pack assembly... especially handy if you are using it as a commuter bike. There are several options but I do like my Rentec set-up with expandable tail-pack.
I also agree with Bholland... run it awhile first - you'll be pleasantly surprised at the existing power. Mine is still stock to a large extent and I'm leaning toward suspension mods before engine mods.
Others will chime in to get rid of the stock tires but I ran mine into the ground and didn't find the Mac 100's to be all that bad.
You are going to LOVE this bike... enjoy!! :beers: :beers: :congrats:
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ATC'er,
Where and how did you get the blue on your wheels? Love it!
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ATC'er,
Where and how did you get the blue on your wheels? Love it!
See his thread over in Gear right here (http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=4434).
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I bought a Corbin seat first, then a Hole shot slip on [haven't rejetted yet] and a busa shock[not installed yet]. Still many more things I want to do to Suzy but I got to slow down on the expeditures until after vacation.
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Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I will probably keep it stock until everything shakes down. Power & sound are nice, but I probably will go for more practical, functional mods at first, like the tail rack that txbanditrydr suggested. I guess I was looking for suggestions from current owners as to known issues that need to be addressed ASAP. In reading other threads, there seems to be a general feeling that the rear shock, and stock tires are less than desirable.
:thanks:
Sixteen hours to go before I take delivery, can't wait!
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Picked up the new Bandit this evening :banana: Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
Did the rapid break-in on the way home, now it's back to the dealer in the morning to get the oil changed before heading to Daytona for a day of riding the new toy with a friend. :motorsmile:
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:congrats: I would say put the $ into good riding gear for now and enjoy the bike. And if you still want or later want to make improvments start with suspension. Enjoy :motorsmile: Dan
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If you and the wife are riding together, then you need to be able to carry goodies...a cooler, picnic lunch, blankets, etc., or whatever else you think of.
Get your best removable luggage here >>> http://www.giviusa.com/
Comes off with the push of a button so you can be Billy Bad@ss alone, but Mr. Practical with the wife!
Luggage first, then after your warranty expires, play with the other stuff posted above.
I just love that early '80s Cooleyesque paint scheme!
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I would have to agree with BHOLLAND modifications are like a drug, very addictive! Be careful. :sparkplug:
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Congrats on the new ride. The blue and white ones are the fastest, don't you know? I've had mine for 10 months now, the wife comes along, too, on some weekend rides and some just for fun let's get outta here rides, and to date the only necessity we have to have (other than proper gear of course) is a tank bag. We use a Cortech mini bag, the magnetic one, and it carries everything we need for a day.
I also have a Corbin gunfighter & lady with a backrest, she really appreciates that but says it's not mandatory (it IS if I want to keep her happy). We also occasionally use a set of Cortech sport bags, if we think we'll need to pick something up or if we want to leave our jackets with the bike when go exploring off bike. Other than that, anything else is personalized farkelizing, not necessary but a lot of fun!
:congrats:
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From what I've read, the holeshot system with exhaust, jet kit and filter will add 20+ hp on the top end, just not 20 more peak horses. Where the power curve on the stock bike falls off dramatically on the top end, the holeshot or equivelant system allows it to make a bunch more hp on top. So, just semi guessing from memory, where the stock bike might make 80 hp at 10 - 11K rpm the aftermarket stuff might be pumping 100hp at 10K+ rpm.
Also, be sure to leave a decent amount of slack in your chain when you adjust it, especially if you ride two up. Bandits are a pain to get the chain adjusted right. You get it adjusted then sit on the bike and then the chain is way too tight. Other posts have adressed all this I believe.
Warren
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I have had mine for just over ayear now and I wanted so bad to jump in and get some things for it but resisted. I did a couple of things like a chain oiler and fork lights as sort of nescessities. I told myself 6 months or 5K miles until I modded anything unless something was unbearably uncomfortable. I just recently completed putting on my full Hindle exhaust and stage 1 along with a new pair of Diablo Stradas, rides like I added another cylinder. :lol:
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Yeah, I've been tempted to do some engine mods too. So far I've left my 05 B-12 stock except for throttle meister, zero gravity S.T. screen, heated grips and elect outlet. I also put on some Diablo Strada's. I think I'm going to like the tires. As long as I have my ZX9 I'll probably leave the Bandit engine alone.