Hi Guys,
I'm new to the site, but not to riding. Located in the Hudson Valley NY.
Used to race semi pro MotoX in my younger years. Learned to slide in the dirt on a Triumph Tiger Cub in my teens. Started dirt racing on a Honda CB160 riding scrambles, got a few first places, liked it and got a real machine for the task and went to MotoX. raced lots of stuff, Pentons, Kawasaki, Greeves, BSA, OSSA, Honda, Bultaco, CZ, etc. almost got an English James together and running way back when but not quite.
I recently sold a Honda ST1300 I purchased new, for a new SV1000S. Then sold that and picked up an SV650N which I love and still ride. My wife has her own Kawasaki Ninja 250, but occasionally has arm bursitis issues that make it tough for her to ride it. She asked for another two up bike for those times, and so I came to my used 2005 Bandit 1200S (I think from a former forum member perhaps named Mathew). Best bike for the money we had to spend on one.
We just got a Russell Day Long Saddle for her, and so far after 200 mi. of hard back road pounding, neither of us even know we've been sitting down it's so comfortable. It's an old man's seat (I'm an old man 61yrs. old, been riding since I was 16) since the side wings don't allow for hanging your butt off inside. It's still easy to get head and shoulders inside, and the pace is plenty brisk with that position anyway. Besides my wife can see around me better if my butt is planted dead center. My buddies tease me that I've made a Gold Wing out of the Bandit, but a few of them still have STs so they can't talk too loud about it.
I didn't expect to like the bike more than it being just OK, and purchased it more for what you seemed to get at a price point. However the bike is a bit of a sleeper and a good deal more fun than I expected.
It could use a bit more beans two up, but it is decent enough. Mine has aftermarket fork springs, Holeshot can, ignition advancer, GSXR camshaft, and jet kit, and it goes along well enough to do the job. with passenger and luggage and upright riding position (bar risers came with) you kind of weight back wheel a bit more than some bikes, but it handles quite well two up to the suspension's limits (which is limited). Perhaps a good shock next year.
It has one tooth less up front and I'm changing back to stock. I'm always looking for 6th gear on it, and it definitely vibrates pretty good. I need to do a carb sync I think.
With the 6th gear and vibration counter-balancers on the new one, I'm a bit jealous of the guys with the new 1250, but not of the payment book.
We do have a great time riding it, and overall I wouldn't trade my former ST1300 for the Bandit. That bike was certainly better in a number of ways, and about as fast, but just far too heavy for my liking. I never was ga ga over the STs weather protection though anyway, and the electric windscreen was more novelty than necessity to me.
If I had a 6th gear in this Bandit, and the counter-balancers, I'd probably keep it until it rotted out from under me. As it is, I still may. With me you never know, I could be trading it up for a new Bandit or Triumph Tiger next year, then again it could be a permanent ride for years to come. Time on it will tell. I've put about 3,300 miles of pleasure riding on it in the last couple of months so far, along with a bunch on the SV (since I don't have a commute).
The only thing that Irks me is wearing a BT-020 rear tire out in some bit over 3,000mi. That's expensive, and I've got Diablo STradas on order to try now. I hated the stock BT-020s on the ST and while they handled a bit better on the Bandit, this set the Bandit came with didn't make me a fan either. I liked the Metz. Z-6 on the ST and at least that bike went 5,000mi. before a new tire was needed.
I never quite figure out how some guys get 10,000mi. plus out of sport tour tires. I change my own as I couldn't afford (or wouldn't want to pay for) buying from a shop and having them do it several times a year.
Anyway, I'm going to read through all the info. you guys have here and see what you've collectively found with the bike.
Nice site, thanks for having me aboard.
