Author Topic: Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)  (Read 5138 times)

Offline dsartwell1

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #15 on: October 30, 2005, 06:43:01 AM »
Something I found strange is that my 02 B6 came with BT56 rubber which is a pretty aggressive tire. Why a SS tire on a 6 and a ST tire on the 12?

Offline banditII

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #16 on: October 30, 2005, 06:08:05 PM »
I think the Bandit's handling would supprise a lot of people who have not ridden one.  I use Michelin Pilot Road tires, get about 8000 miles out of the rear.  Might try the Pirelli Diablo Strada next time.
Riding motorcycles..........and loving it! :-)

Warren

Offline KX5000

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #17 on: October 30, 2005, 09:25:42 PM »
My 97 b12 came with BT54's on it when they wore out I replaced them with the 56's wow did those things stick, but they didn't last very long. I just put on a set of continental road attacks, but haven't ridden them yet. I've heard good things about them and can't wait to try to wear them out.

Yes I was surprised by the handling of this "standard" and the power is great too, not the fastest or best handling bike in the world  but certanly the BEST bike I've ever ridden
 :beers:
3 Kids
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1 Wife
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Offline cb400bill

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #18 on: October 30, 2005, 10:30:09 PM »
My 02 B6 came with BT56's on it.  Worked well for me.  Even did a track day on them.  
I replaced the rear at 12000 miles.  It still had a little life in it but I was getting ready for a 1800 mile trip and did not want to have any issues.  I put a BT020 on it.
Probably will replace the front with a BT020 next spring.

Offline aussiebandit

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #19 on: October 31, 2005, 05:10:35 AM »
I was originally disapointed with the handling, but then again my previous bike was a quick steering 600, and I found the power of the B12 quite scary.  But after a couple of rides I got used to it and now I can pretty well keep up with most of the guys on the latest crotch rockets.

What did surprise me was the transformation in handling once I threw away the Macadams and put on the M1 front and rear.
AUSSIEBANDIT (MICK)
02B12

"Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool"

Offline rider123

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #20 on: October 31, 2005, 12:24:10 PM »
Are those Macadams cheap? WHy would Suzuki put them on there? IT seems to me that the Bridgestone's I bought for my GS750EF were reasonably priced and worked well. If the stock tires have such negative feedback from the riders, why continue putting them on there? DId suzuki buy 3 gazillion Macadams and say "oh no we have 3 gazillion Macadams we'd better put them on something!!" They are obviously not the worst tires I've driven on but if the Battleax tires are the same price or cheaper why not go with them?

Another quick question about the plugs in the carbuerators. First of all what a stuipid idea!!! I guess Suzuki has consulted psychics to guess what's going to be the best carbueration in all areas of the world and all temperatures and humidity and altitude!! I have a very slight stumbling problem with very small throttle inputs, not a big deal just needs a 1/4 turn out of the mixture screw and it's good to go. However, when I go to fix this minor problem I get a major problem, the damn screws are plugged! Nice! Anyway my question is that the plugs seem to have a small hole in the centre already dilled, say a mm diameter or less. It's almost like you could stick a small hook in there and then yank out the plug. So my quesions are:

1. Is the plug just held in there with friction, or is it glued or welded or whatever.

2. WIth the small hole already drilled in there has anybody taken a small hook like device like a dentists toothpick thingy and actually just pulled out the plug with no drilling or taking off the carbs?

3. For those that pulled out the plugs through another method such as just drilling a bit and bending the drill bit untill the plugs popped out, what was the force like? Was it hellish to get them popped out? Or was it a simple bit of pressure and they popped out themselves?
2005 Bandit 1200, Modified Holeshot Stage 1 with 17.5 pilots 2.75 turns out, and 110 mains 5 shims. Muzzy Slip on w/mid-pipe, stock filter. 1.5" hole in the airbox lid.

Offline PaulVS

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #21 on: October 31, 2005, 12:57:37 PM »
My guess is that Suzuki used the Macadams on the B12 because of their longevity... is is a more powerful and heavy bike... so could eat softer tires faster.  Also it's more oriented to the touring end of sport-touring.  Just a hunch.

The caps in the A/F screw holes are there because of EPA regulations.  I wouldn't try to pry them out as you can break off that part of the carb (they are made of cheap pot metal.)  Use a drill and be careful not to drill to far.

In fact... I broke off two parts of my carbs when I did a jet kit, the bracket that holds the choke cable and a little piece of the a/f screw tube.  (I'm a hack.)

Fortunately, I was able to get a complete, brand-new set of carbs off Ebay for $150.


Offline land_shark

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #22 on: October 31, 2005, 03:17:10 PM »
I think a good set of tires (as mentioned!) makes an enormous difference.  Also, some progressive springs in the front (done that), and a Gixxer rear shock(not yet!) are a huge help.  

After riding my R1100S for the past month, I feel like the bandit really needs a steering dampener!   I'm also toying with the idea of switching to some clip-ons, or at least some superbike type handlebars...

 :motorsmile:
Jason
2000 B12 "Hiro"
2001 KLR650 "Putt-putt"
2005-ish 47cc Cagllari "Balzac"

Offline ttewejnodnarb

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Does the Bandit's handling suprise you?(+ questions plz)
« Reply #23 on: October 31, 2005, 04:38:47 PM »
Rider123,

There is a really good FAQ with picutres (here)
http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=196
on how to drill the caps out.
Brandon
98 B12S