Welcome... INTRODUCE YOURSELF HERE!!!

[Buford]

I registered a long time ago, but never got around to introducing myself. 

I live in Marion, IL (which is way down in the southern tip of the state).

I'm shopping for a new bike, and the Bandit is on the short list. Other bikes I’m considering include the naked SV650, the Ninja 650R and the new GSX650F. The only issue I have with the SV is that I’ve already owned a few. The Ninja and the GSX650F are a little too repli-racer for my tastes these days. Still, all three are still being considered. The Bandit is a bit pricey (well… compared to the SV it is), plus I’ve always been a fan of v-twins. So, I’m still in the stage where I change my mind every other day.

I attended MMI and took all the Harley-Davidson and Suzuki electives. I then worked mostly at Harley dealerships, and the majority of that time was spent as a service manager. That was really my second career, as I had previously spent a dozen years in the Army. These days I’m a stay-at-home Dad for my three kids.

The only other thing I brag about on my motorcycle resume is that I’m a member of the Iron Butt Association. In 2005, I completed a 1,767 mile ride in 32 hours (on a Yamaha FZ6). I’m not really into endurance riding anymore. In fact, other than the Triumph I owned briefly, I have really not had a motorcycle in almost two years. I sort of figured that the demands of being a parent wouldn’t leave any time for motorcycling. But, what I’ve discovered is that even if I can only manage an hour or two a week, it’s good therapy.

Here is the embarrassing list of all the motorcycles I’ve owned. I admit that I have been horribly fickle in the past, when it comes to buying and selling bikes. In my defense, I did own quite a few of these simultaneously. Plus, some were bikes that I purchased and fixed up just so I could sell them.

1984 Kawasaki LTD 550.
1985 Honda Rebel 250
1991 Harley-Davidson XLH-883 Sportster
1976 Yamaha XS360
1996 Harley-Davidson FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide
1999 Ducati 750 Supersport
2000 Kawasaki Concours
1999 Ducati ST2
1999 Ducati M750 Monster
2000 Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster
2002 Suzuki SV650
1981 Suzuki GS750L
2004 Buell XB12S Lightning
2003 Ducati 999 Monoposto
2004 Suzuki SV650
2003 Honda Metropolitan
1981 Suzuki GS450E
2005 Yamaha FZ6
2006 Suzuki SV650
2007 Triumph Bonneville T-100

[Red01]

  Buford.  That list of bikes pretty much puts out a shotgun pattern - the only thing missing is a dirt bike and/or dual sport.

As far as the new GSX650F... it's just a 650 Bandit with a full-fairing.  Ergonomically, the two are the same near as I can tell. I know they're mechanically the same.

[ippo]

Suzuki gsx 650F have not adjustable saddle.

[Red01]

True, the GSX650F has a one-piece seat... Since the earlier Bandits have similar seats, I overlooked the GSX not having the two-piece seat of the 650 Bandits.

I'd be surprised if the current 650/1250 (and '06 1200) Bandit's seat wouldn't fit the GSX though.

[Lurch]

Noob to this forum checkin in from Las Vegas, NV Been riding dirt since I was 8 and Street since I was 16. Just traded in my '01 Kawi ZR-7s for the '07 Bandit 1250 and lovin it found the forum and liked the wealth of info and looks like some cool peeps so I figured I would join in the shenanigans

[Red01]

  to the site and the machine, lurch.

I notice your avatar is displaying the dredded X

I checked the properties and they're:
http://http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction-

You might wanna drop the first "http://" and add whatever's missing after the hyphen. 

Edit... nevermind, I see in the time it's taken me to post this the first time, you've fixed it. 

[jimyed]

Hi all new member from Toronto Here. I just put a deposit on a 2001 1200 and hope to finalize /get the bike this week sometime. I currently have a SECA 2 I'm selling to make room for the Bandit.

I live in Toronto Ontario.

[thommo]

Another new bloke from aussie, i live in Central Qld and i have 2 bikes, a 96 600 bandit approaching the 170,000km mark and an 05 fjr1300 with 82,000km.
The bandito in oh...musta been very early 01





And as it is currently





I'm better known as the owner of this bike:





the place looks nice an cosy with lots of info, looking foward to hanging around here.
Cheers
Thommo

[B6mick]

Welcome thommo, yeha a fello B6 owner in Oz

[thommo]

Thanks mate, whereabouts are you in oz?  i travel a lot and might happen to pass by your neck of the woods during the year.

[willo]

Hi Thommo  :welcome:where abouts in central Qld, I in Logan just south of Brissy. I ride a Gen 2 1200, never know we might cross paths one day allways up for a coffee or a beer  and a chat  Graham

[B6mick]

Thanks mate, whereabouts are you in oz?  i travel a lot and might happen to pass by your neck of the woods during the year.

Mate if ya ever down Melb way for the GP or superbikes drop me a line, we are only 2 hrs from the track.

[thommo]

Heyer Willo, i live about 25km west of rockhampton, at the foot of the Mt Morgan range, i'll be down at noosa in about a mths time, Cooroy actaully.

Mick, will definatly do that, i was at supers this year, won't make GP tho, trying to get dosh together to do a lap around oz at around that time.  I have some mates who live on the Island, makes accom. so much cheaper! :) Whereabouts are you in VIC(the police state)?   I'd post up the writeup on the trip or links to it, but alas, the trip was done on the FJR.
I was in Sofala last weekend.

[B6mick]

Whereabouts are you in VIC(the police state)?   

Outer east burbs of Melb, right at the back door to the spurs run, and the Dandy ranges.

[Red01]

I'd post up the writeup on the trip or links to it, but alas, the trip was done on the FJR.

If you want to post a write-up or link to  a trip you've done, that's perfectly OK.  It doesn't have to be on a Bandit.

Oh, and  M8