Author Topic: A few more beginner questions about the B4... (Read 3949 times)

GooseMan · « **on:** April 07, 2007, 11:28:28 PM »

Hey all!

Well, I've finally found a good used Bandito in my area for a decent price. I went to check her out yesterday, and it seems to be in good shape. It's a 91 with 56,000 km on it.

Has a tiny dent in the tank, and it seems to have been dropped *lightly* by the previous owner. The end of the handlebar grip is scratched, and the handlebar is bent ever so slightly (this owners been riding it like this the past two years actually)...but I think I'll change the bar...doesnt look complicated and cant be that expensive.

Anyway...I didnt get to ride it, but I was allowed to turn it on and rev it a bit. It started right up, but because it was cold, I had to keep the choke open for a while to warm up the engine. I'm guess this is normal? It was around 0 C/32 F. Also, it seemed to be putting out a lot of smoke from the exhaust...but again, it was cold, so I dunno if that was more steam....or smoke. Eventually, with the choke closed, it seemed to be normal.

One thing I DID notice was the throttle was pretty sensitive. I'd turn it just a touch and the thing would rev to 6000 rpm! Is this because the bike was in neutral with no load....or does it just have a super-sensitive throttle?

Would you say the throttle/engine/tranny would be good for a beginner? Or is it a tough bike to control?

Sorry for the dumb questions...

Thanks!

r_outsider · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2007, 11:58:51 PM »

The carbs on the little Bandit are plenty finicky, especially in the cold. Everything you described sounds normal, for a Bandit.
They're really nice bikes to ride, good ones to learn on. Good handling with a nice, light feel. They have a fair bit of power and move plenty fast for a 400, but it's nothing scary. It gradually builds up steam until about 8000 rpm, then pulls nicely to the redline.

GooseMan · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2007, 01:14:02 AM »

cool...thanks for the info!

The other thing I noticed is that the shocks (front/rear) seem kinda soft. I really dont have much experience with bikes, so again, I dont know if its normal. If I push down on the front forks, it seems to move quite a bit..is that normal? They do rebound ok... I looked around the seals and there were no leaks..

interfuse · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2007, 01:55:52 AM »

Whenever you buy a used bike it's always a good idea to change all the fluids. Including the forks. Chances are the fork oil has leaked out or broken down.

Very few people sell a bike that's been well maintained.

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2007, 12:12:08 PM »

hey interfuse, what's up with this pic?

Did the guy drop one of his contacts and needed some light to look for it?
Must've left his flashlight at home.

interfuse · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2007, 12:25:05 PM »

Beats the heck outa me. I found it while looking at some motorcycle videos from france. Looks like bandit abuse... I was going to call the bandit abuse hotline, but though you all might find it funny.

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2007, 12:30:15 PM »

You have a link to the video that it's from?

At 160x160 pixels, it's too big. 125x125 is the limit.

interfuse · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2007, 01:33:50 PM »

I didn't get the pixel ruler out last night, I just stole the image from another site. I'll make my own avatar one day when I have time.

I don't have a link to the video, although I'm sure it's out there...

This is the page from the avatar
Link

Here's a video of someone killing a gsx
Link

Here's a really boring bandit 400 video from that site
Link

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2007, 03:50:06 PM »

what a slow reving bike

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2007, 03:53:14 PM »

Quote from: "interfuse"

Here's a video of someone killing a gsx
Link

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For sale quality bike minor carb glich , grab a bargain for the summer just needs carb sync!

Russtang · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2007, 03:20:32 AM »

Quote from: "gsxr400 racer"

For sale quality bike minor carb glich , grab a bargain for the summer just needs carb sync!

Don't forget the "low backpressure exhaust" selling point!

GooseMan · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:19:15 AM »

Crap! That Bandit was sold!

interfuse · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:51:59 AM »

You don't see many of them for sale now-a-days. But they've got lots of admirers. The mechanic who just did some work on my bike was trying to purchase it off me. He seemed to think it would fetch a fair sum if I sold it.

It's a good bike for learning on... and you can keep it for a long time and not get bored of it (unlike many other good learner bikes).

GooseMan · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:55:23 AM »

I just found another one in upstate NY. I wont mention where or for how much...but the price seems to be ridiculously low for a B4.

Might be a scam....or maybe the guy has NO idea what its worth....but I e-mailed him anyway.

Now I gotta figure out how to import a bike to Canada. I imported my car from Vermont last year...so I guess its roughly the same.

interfuse · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2007, 07:21:47 AM »

I don't think it's too hard. Read this thread.

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=1038

You might also want to give these guys a try for a bandit 400:

http://www.nuakjdm.ca/

Website isn't functional yet, but he's importing all sorts of old japanese bikes into canada. Lots of cbr250's, rgv's, and tzr's. Ask for Paul.

nuak_international
Street address: 3220, kingston road unit 2 & 3, toronto, m1m 1p4 View map
Location: Toronto
call 416-450-3785**
e-mail:** mailto:nuak_international@msn.com