Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: amboman on May 06, 2006, 07:55:50 AM
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Help me I am being pulled to the dark side. Finally the 2006 B12S that I had long awaited for has arrived at the dealer. I race down with a grin from ear to ear only to be greated by a large number of sale people far to busy it seemed to give me the time of day.
Never mind, only slightly phased by the lack of interest from the sales staff I helped myself to a sit on my long awaited stead. Now correct me if I am wrong but is the build quality of the new machine not up to scratch or what. First thing I notice is the choke lever. It BENDS, thats right bends when you pull on it. The thing is made of cheap plastic that under normal operation almost bends in half. There are a number of other things that seem to be not quite right but listing them will just depress me.
After sitting on this so called improved Bandit for about 10 mins and not really getting the good vibe along with now being totally ignored by the sales people I say to my ever supportive brother in law (whom had arrived to bath in my anticipated glory) lets go look at the local Honda shop to see whats in store.
Am I becoming feeble minded or am I under the influance of some strange and incidious notion that when buying a new motorcycle at least the sales people should maybe speak to me or something.
I am greeted by a most helpful and friendly man that says he will try to fit me to a bike. About 30mins later I am cruising down the local highway on a 2006 CB1300 naked muscle bike that I have to say I have fallen in love with. No it is not a Bandit and in some ways it is very similar and it is also very different. This thing can really boogy. It has a very usable mid range and is smooth as in all situations. It holds the line well despite being on twin rear shocks (showa). To cut a long story much shorter 1 1/2 hours later I take this thing back and hash out a deal that is very hard to refuse. To date I have resisted the urge and want to give the Bandit another try but I am being pulled very strongly to the way of the Honda.
Help Help Help :sad: :sad:
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I'll help you when I talk myself out of the zx-14 deal I was offered.
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CB1300?
That bike has been rumored here in the States, that and a CB1000 to replace the CB900 (919, like mine).
If the 1300 is anything like my 919, then it's a very nice and comfy bike. Wish I could say that I could talk you out of it, but I joined the dark side myself. :lol:
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I'd buy it and drive directly to the suzuki dealer and do a burnout in his parking lot! I can't stand sales people that don't acknowledge your existence until the $100's are falling out of your pocket and you're begging them to sell you something.
As far as build quality, its tough to beat a Honda anything. They are expensive but they are just good!
I love my Zuk, but wouldn't have it if the dealer was an Asshat!
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Almost is good to know since we can't get the new 1200 here in the USA anyway. :wink:
I'm really curious what else you thought was poor quality on it.
As an aside... I had a similar experience when I bought my Bandit. My wife and I decided to 'impulse buy' after I did some cursory research and settled on the Bandit 1200.
It was a Sunday. We wanted the bike THAT DAY. I called a cycle superstore (Nielen Enterprises) that was about an hour and a half away since they were the only Suzuki dealer open on Sunday. They said they had new Bandits in stock, and I asked if they could prep a bike that day. The woman who answered the phone said "Yes, no problem."
We drive there, and get NO attention from the sales people even though there are plenty of them milling around. I find a new '03 green Bandit (the one I wanted) sitting on the showroom floor. Finally after about a 1/2 hour a salesman comes up to me and asks if I need help. I asked him for a price on the Bandit. He quotes me a price of $7400 OTD. I thought that was a good deal since the list price was $7399. The floor model was the only one they had, and it had a small scratch on the windshield.
I said "Okay... it's a deal. You can get it ready today, right?"
He said "No, sorry... we don't have any mechanics working today."
I replied, "The woman who answers the phone said you could. You can't get someone to do it today?
In response I get a very unapologetic "Nope."
Grrrrr. Drive home empty handed.
The next day, Monday, I called a dealer a half-hour away. Yes, we have 2 green S models, 1 silver N model, and 1 silver S model. Yes, we can have one ready for you this afternoon.
Price? $6500 OTD.
Done deal.
My wife drives me to the dealer after work and I drive it home.
What killed me is that the day before Nielsen Enterprises could have made about a $1000 of pure profit on my silly impulse-buy decision if they just would have gotten somebody to prep the damn bike on Sunday.
What a bunch of idiots.
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If you're wondering what the CB1300 is, google it under images. This bike looks like a cross between the Bandit and the ZRX. I'd go there in two seconds if I had money and if they actually sold them over here. My other first choice was the FZ-1 but there weren't enough of them on the used market. I picked up my 02 B12 for $3600 with only 6000 miles on it. Best bang for the buck. By the time I can afford a new bike the polar caps will have melted and we'll be floating around on pieces of drift wood and distilling our pee for drinking water.
I'm sorry, it was a bad week.
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The faired version looks like a G1
(http://www.sankei.co.jp/moto/2006/jan/jpeg/cb1300.jpg)
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Maybe you ought to pick up an '05 Bandit, if the '06 doesn't grab you. Possibly some are still around??
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Am I becoming feeble minded or am I under the influance of some strange and incidious notion that when buying a new motorcycle at least the sales people should maybe speak to me or something.
I am greeted by a most helpful and friendly man that says he will try to fit me to a bike. About 30mins later I am cruising down the local highway on a 2006 CB1300 naked muscle bike that I have to say I have fallen in love with. No it is not a Bandit and in some ways it is very similar and it is also very different. This thing can really boogy. It has a very usable mid range and is smooth as in all situations. It holds the line well despite being on twin rear shocks (showa). To cut a long story much shorter 1 1/2 hours later I take this thing back and hash out a deal that is very hard to refuse. To date I have resisted the urge and want to give the Bandit another try but I am being pulled very strongly to the way of the Honda.
Help Help Help :sad: :sad:
You're not being feeble minded. I have a rule. I don't chase people to give them money. It really bothers me when a salesman makes an "assessment" that I'm not worth his time before he even talks to me. (And it happens a lot, as a female in the computer industry, who rides and works on both of her own bikes, in a town not exactly known for its multitudes of motorcyclists, I run into a lot of salespersons who seem to know what I can and can't do before they talk to me.)
As for going to Honda, here are some other things to help turn you to the darkside :monkeymoon: Parts availability. Maintenance Schedules. Build quality.
If it's anything like here, I can walk into a Honda dealer and buy a Regulator Rectifier for a CB400. I'm not referring to the "new" CB400 either (we didn't get those here either :crybaby: ) I'm talking an RR for a bike that's built as early as 1972.
No part I've ever needed from the honda dealer has ever taken more than a couple days to come in, and that was for an obscure part, that most people would be hardpressed to lose. What can I say, I'm talented.
I can call my suzuki dealer ( or every one of the suz. dealers in town) for parts on a current model, and they will tell me "backordered, in Japan". Throttle cables for a 2003 GSF600, Regulator rectifiers for a late model gs500, or a Gear Shift Link Rod for a 2001 Gixxer 600. ALL backordered.
Now, I can and have order parts from Bike Bandit and others, for those and older bikes, but shouldn't my dealer support me better than a 4 - 6 week turn around time for every part I've had to order??
Check out the maintenance schedule on that CB1300. It looks a little different than that B12 I'm guessing. I just about fell over when I saw the schedule for the cb900 ( 919) that I bought. First valve check at 25600 kms! (That's 16K miles for the metrically challenged. :lol: ) At 1k kms, it goes in for an oil change and very basic check. (Idle speed, brake system, clutch system, and nut and bolts tightness check.)
Honda tends to have a select number of engines that they use, and they reuse them from bike to bike. This means that in all likelihood, your bike, though it's new to the market, will have tried and true parts under the er,.. tank. Many many people will tell you you can't beat the reliability of a Honda. It also means that should you decide to service the machine yourself, there are tons of forums that will have others doing the same to help out. Check out the net for forums that include this bike. (fireblades.org, and cb1300.com (redirects to another site) for instance. )
When I bought my B4, I thought I would be a Suzuki girl for life. I tend to be very product loyal. But Suzukli pushed me away from them with their lack of support of their own bikes. Our riding season is way to short here to be waiting 4 - 6 weeks for a part.
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Hey guts thanks for the replies. I don't like to think poor of the new bandit but along with bendy (is that a real word) choke levers the fit of the cowlings etc just looks thrown together. I thought maybe it was just a Friday bike you know thrown together in a rush late on Friday afternoon but the other bike I looked at was the same.
I did go back to the dealer the next day and still didn't get recognition from a sale person for quite some time. Got to start the bike this time though and I am sorry but boy did it rattle. I have heard that the models coming to New Zealand are being assembled at a different plant than last year. Have any of you guys heard any rumours.
Anyway the only thing putting me off the CB1300 is the fact that there is no main stand. You can buy one as an aftermarket item as far as the dealer knows and he is looking into it for me. He even idicated that he would do a good price on it for me. I am no mechanic but I jsut can't get over the build quality of the Honda.
The deal to date: 2006 CB 1300 $13,495
: One set R-Jays soft luggage $ free
: One ventrua pack rack $ 200 (discount of $30.00)
: Six months licensing $free
: First service $ free
: Clear stick on protection stuff $ free
: Tank protector $ free
All this with a friendly can do attitude!!
Am I nuts or what I should just buy the thing right???? :banana:
WIll you guys still speak to me if I do???? :crybaby:
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Anyway the only thing putting me off the CB1300 is the fact that there is no main stand. You can buy one as an aftermarket item as far as the dealer knows and he is looking into it for me. He even idicated that he would do a good price on it for me. I am no mechanic but I jsut can't get over the build quality of the Honda.
The deal to date: 2006 CB 1300 $13,495
: One set R-Jays soft luggage $ free
: One ventrua pack rack $ 200 (discount of $30.00)
: Six months licensing $free
: First service $ free
: Clear stick on protection stuff $ free
: Tank protector $ free
All this with a friendly can do attitude!!
Am I nuts or what I should just buy the thing right???? :banana:
WIll you guys still speak to me if I do???? :crybaby:
http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/inter-bikeshop/default.asp?numperpage=1&images=on&display=full&categoryid=444&searchstr=SWCB1300&itemname=SW-Motech%20-%20Honda%20CB1300%20Motorcycle%20Centre%20Stand%20-%202003%20onwards
That's the first hit I got,.. there are more. Your centrestand is cheaper than mine is. I didn't get it yet, but might. I opted for the paddock stand instead.
Build quality is what makes the honda reliable. :)
Sounds like they're willing to take care of some of the pain in the @ss factor for you too. ( I don't know what the licensing is, but it's likely similar to the registration that the dealer did for me when I bought my truck?) And not having to cough up for the first maintenance is great.
I have read on many many forums that Honda dealers seem to have some of the friendliest staff. I have no idea why that is, but it's certainly true here, based on my experience.
They still speak to me and Maniac after we bought Honda, I don't see any reason they'd stop talking to you. :)
I'd love to know the brand and part # of the clear stick on stuff you mention. I need to do that to my own bike.
Go get it already. It's obviously fired you up, and I'm guessing you're not thinking of much else. :lol:
Besides, the suzuki dealer has already shown you that they don't want your business, and you like the build of the cb1300 better. What are you waiting for? :grin:
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Thanks for the kind words. I have pretty much convinced myself that the big honda is the one for me. Not sure what the clear stuff is called but I will ask for you and post the name. I do know there is a product that both Oxford and Progrip make which is similar but of a thicker material and comes in all different colours.
That paddock stand you mention is that one you can use to lift rear of bike for servicing chain etc? Still think I would prefer main stand attached as it would help if the worst happend and a flat rear tyre appeared while in the boonies. (Thats the back country to non New Zealanders).
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http://www.mc.honda-eu.com/uk/en/mc/naked/cb1300/accessories/accessory_11.jsp
This is a link I have found that lists the clear protective film as a Honda after market accessory.
I will still as my dealer.
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Just thought I would pop a word in here, I'm Amboman's brother-in-law and I would just like to say that I was not having a bath in his "anticapted glory" in fact I was there (apart from hiding from work) to give the bugger the cheque for the bandit!!! He is however right about the sales staff a the suzuki dealership, and this in spite of the fact that several of the staff know him as a repeat customer!. when he sat on the new bandit you could see the gears moving (Verrrry slowly) along the lines of ummmmm errrrrr maybe, maybe not... however with the Honda his boyish cheeks (in a grown up kinda way) lit up....I think he will go the way of the Honda, but who cares as long as we are on the road doing the k's....
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Am I becoming feeble minded or am I under the influance of some strange and incidious notion that when buying a new motorcycle at least the sales people should maybe speak to me or something.
I am greeted by a most helpful and friendly man that says he will try to fit me to a bike. About 30mins later I am cruising down the local highway on a 2006 CB1300 naked muscle bike that I have to say I have fallen in love with. No it is not a Bandit and in some ways it is very similar and it is also very different. This thing can really boogy. It has a very usable mid range and is smooth as in all situations. It holds the line well despite being on twin rear shocks (showa). To cut a long story much shorter 1 1/2 hours later I take this thing back and hash out a deal that is very hard to refuse. To date I have resisted the urge and want to give the Bandit another try but I am being pulled very strongly to the way of the Honda.
Help Help Help :sad: :sad:
You're not being feeble minded. I have a rule. I don't chase people to give them money. It really bothers me when a salesman makes an "assessment" that I'm not worth his time before he even talks to me. (And it happens a lot, as a female in the computer industry, who rides and works on both of her own bikes, in a town not exactly known for its multitudes of motorcyclists, I run into a lot of salespersons who seem to know what I can and can't do before they talk to me.)
As for going to Honda, here are some other things to help turn you to the darkside :monkeymoon: Parts availability. Maintenance Schedules. Build quality.
If it's anything like here, I can walk into a Honda dealer and buy a Regulator Rectifier for a CB400. I'm not referring to the "new" CB400 either (we didn't get those here either :crybaby: ) I'm talking an RR for a bike that's built as early as 1972.
No part I've ever needed from the honda dealer has ever taken more than a couple days to come in, and that was for an obscure part, that most people would be hardpressed to lose. What can I say, I'm talented.
I can call my suzuki dealer ( or every one of the suz. dealers in town) for parts on a current model, and they will tell me "backordered, in Japan". Throttle cables for a 2003 GSF600, Regulator rectifiers for a late model gs500, or a Gear Shift Link Rod for a 2001 Gixxer 600. ALL backordered.
Now, I can and have order parts from Bike Bandit and others, for those and older bikes, but shouldn't my dealer support me better than a 4 - 6 week turn around time for every part I've had to order??
Check out the maintenance schedule on that CB1300. It looks a little different than that B12 I'm guessing. I just about fell over when I saw the schedule for the cb900 ( 919) that I bought. First valve check at 25600 kms! (That's 16K miles for the metrically challenged. :lol: ) At 1k kms, it goes in for an oil change and very basic check. (Idle speed, brake system, clutch system, and nut and bolts tightness check.)
Honda tends to have a select number of engines that they use, and they reuse them from bike to bike. This means that in all likelihood, your bike, though it's new to the market, will have tried and true parts under the er,.. tank. Many many people will tell you you can't beat the reliability of a Honda. It also means that should you decide to service the machine yourself, there are tons of forums that will have others doing the same to help out. Check out the net for forums that include this bike. (fireblades.org, and cb1300.com (redirects to another site) for instance. )
When I bought my B4, I thought I would be a Suzuki girl for life. I tend to be very product loyal. But Suzukli pushed me away from them with their lack of support of their own bikes. Our riding season is way to short here to be waiting 4 - 6 weeks for a part.
What she said! :grin: The local Honda shop is very friendly. They'll put a cup of coffee and a bag of hot buttered popcorn in your hand right after you tell them you're just looking. My Kawasaki/Suzuki/Aprilia dealer won't. The Yammy dealer isn't quite that bad. You don't want to know about my BMW dealer. :roll:
I'm on the fence, swaying perilously, for an ST1300. Yum.
(http://powersports.honda.com/images/model/c028_029_030_031_photos_all/motorcycles/2006/ST1300/Medium/ST1300_medium_01.jpg)
Oh! Another really friendly place I found...the Victory dealership!
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Thanks for the kind words. I have pretty much convinced myself that the big honda is the one for me. Not sure what the clear stuff is called but I will ask for you and post the name. I do know there is a product that both Oxford and Progrip make which is similar but of a thicker material and comes in all different colours.
That paddock stand you mention is that one you can use to lift rear of bike for servicing chain etc? Still think I would prefer main stand attached as it would help if the worst happend and a flat rear tyre appeared while in the boonies. (Thats the back country to non New Zealanders).
I had expected that sheet to be a little bigger,.. like to wrap a tank. Where would a person put that? Or is that the stuff that's "grippy" to help you stick to the bike. I sure could use some of that, a panic stop with waterproof textile pants on is not fun no matter how strong your leg muscles are.
The stand is this one: http://www.lockhartphillipsusa.com/rs/showProduct.cgi?prodID=3082
I suspect, but haven't looked, that that bike has no spools, so you'd need this stand as well. I like it for the ability to lift the bike to work on it, as well as the wheels on the bottom, that allow me to pivot the bike around the shed to move it out of the way for the other bikes/projects.
I agree that this doesn't help you on the road, hence the reason I'm looking at the centrestand. Before you get it from your dealer, look around. I've found the stand ( actual Honda part) for mine -much- cheaper from dealers all over the US, I don't think it would be different on your side of the world either. I'm talking $95 less on a $270 part. They might be willing to price match it.
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Hey thanks stormi, I had a message to phone the dealer today which I did. I should be able to pick up the big beast on Wednesday if it is prepared on time if not Friday is the big day.
They have sourced a center stand for me and have given $100nz discount on it. They will also fit for free. I am really impressed with the bend over backwards attitude of these guys. Its not the first time I have bought Honda but I never got service like this in the past.
The sales guy said that you can buy the clear stick on stuff on a large roll so I will ask the service guys when I pick the bike up.
Its getting tougher to get a good nights sleep now. Haven't felt like this since I bought the B12.
If anyone is interested I will pop in here and there to let you guys know how the big Honda is going. Thanks heaps for being a great bunch of people. (YES THAT INCLUDES MY BROTHER IN LAW).
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So,.. is it Wednesday yet? :lol: Congratulations. I think you made the right decision. How ya sleeping?
Sounds like they're really treating you well. That's really good, considering the other experience.
I would definitely be interested in knowing what product they tell you about in the big sheets. I talked to my dealer today, and they mentioned that Lockhart Philips had something, and that Parts Canada sold something, but I'd like to know what Honda is selling and recommending over there.
I would love to know how you do with that bike. We didn't get them over here, so I'll have to live vicariously through you. :duh:
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One more night of broken sleep then look out open road. Went in to dealer today Wednesday and paid for bike. Just waiting for pack rack to arrive so will pick bike up on Thursday late afternoon, just as well as have been called into work extra shift tonight so couldn't sit and stare any way.
The parts guy at the dealer said that the clear stuff is straight from the distributor known as Forbes and Davies here in NZ. It is called Protech Clear. Comes in a 5kg roll. He said that they don't really sell it direct to public but guessed that It would retail for about $45nz a metre. He thought that the average price to get a road bike covered in all of the usual places was about $150 - $200 and that the workshop guys did use a heat gun set on low to help with bends etc.
Of course I don't need to worry as my bike is being done included in deal. Will certainly keep you posted on progress. Was hard to leave bike behind today.
One more sleep :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
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The parts guy at the dealer said that the clear stuff is straight from the distributor known as Forbes and Davies here in NZ. It is called Protech Clear. Comes in a 5kg roll. He said that they don't really sell it direct to public but guessed that It would retail for about $45nz a metre. He thought that the average price to get a road bike covered in all of the usual places was about $150 - $200 and that the workshop guys did use a heat gun set on low to help with bends etc.
Ahh,.. that's what I suspected the situation would be.
So.... don't keep me in suspense,... where's the ride report?
:stickpoke:
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Weather here has been absolute sh**t since I picked the bike up. Managed to get in a 2 hr ride yesterday. Really happy with the overall package so far. The Honda is not all that different from the 05 B12 that I had.
I would have to say that the Honda is certainly a lot smoother in its power delivery and has a very workable mid range. No problems with the fuel injection, some reports suggested they were a little rough in the lower rev range but I have not found this to date. Drive train snatch is also barely noticeable.
I have noted that the front end does not track as it should. The right hand grip is a little colser than the left. Spoke to dealer and will drop bike in next week so that they can set it up again. Minor prob.
I was a little worried about going back to a twin shock model but my concerns were unfounded. The honda has showa gas assisted shocks and has very adjustable pre-load and dampening. Have not looked at set up yet due to time involved but will look at firming up rear end as it is just a little lazy on the factory settings.
So far fuel consumption seems ok. 10 litre for 130kms. Cost me $19.80 for the ten litre though. Mileage should improve as bike runs in things are pretty tight at the moment.
Sleeping better now but having dreams of far off places. :motorsmile:
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Honda tends to have a select number of engines that they use, and they reuse them from bike to bike.
The Bandit 1200 motor came from the GSXR 1100. The bandit motor is a proven and long lasting motor. I also like the CB1300 as well. I also bought one before I bought my Bandit. There was one in Washington for sale. I had the money to pay cash for it, but I had a few issues with it. My main issue was parts and service. Since it isn't offered in the states, I was worried about parts and servicing for it.
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I didn't make the decision lightly to buy the Honda, and I certainly took parts and av availability into consideration. I did struggle moving from the tried and well proven GSX Motor to a motor I knew little about. It seems however the motro used in the CB is also so far fairly well proven. It may not have the history of the GSX but it seems there are no real issues with it.
On the parts and service front here in NZ these are readily available with Honda again being the lead seller once again. Did you have problems with your CB OR was it solely a parts suplly issue.
I have now clocked up 300kms and so far still really happy with the product. Goes back to dealer tomorrow to have pack rack fitted. Also taking a scooter home overnight to test prior to ?? purchase (fuel prices and all).
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Heres a pick I found on the net. Same as my beast.
(http://moto.honda.cz/upload/MotoColorVariants/CB1300F_2.jpg)
:banana: :banana:
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A SCOOTER?
Now that's dark.
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I know a scooter??? Maybe it is a nasty virus that I have. Any how, I am an upset man at the moment. I now have about 300kms on the mighty Honda and have warm hands courtesy of new hot grips. The problem is I went to go for a ride on Saturday afternoon after picking up bike from dealers on Thursday and no go!!! The battery was flat. Managed to get bike going and traveled about 10kms when warnign lights went on and bike stopped dead. Phoned the dealer back today and they think that they have tapped into the wrong ignition wire (you know to stop battery getting flat if grips left turned on). Bike being picked up by dealer tommorrow and expect to have it back by Wednesday.
Pick up new scooter on Wenesday also. Hey it gets 160kms + on about 10 bucks so leaves more money for touring on the soon to be mighty again Honda.
Will keep you updated :crybaby:
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Wow, the 1300 looks a bit different from the 900...
Nice looking bike though, great color :bigok: