Bandit Alley
MODEL SPECIFIC => SUZUKI BANDIT 600 thru 1200 - AIR/OIL COOLED TECHNICAL => Topic started by: jeepskate99 on September 25, 2006, 09:01:25 PM
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Ok. I am looking for case gaurds for an 04 B-12. The problem is I don't know whats really good. And to make it interesting I also cannot afford to give up ANY cornering clearance. Any ideas oh Bandit guru's?
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I bought the Suzuki engine guards. They wrap around the engine quite nice and provide very good protection. I've seen a Bandit that went down with the Suzuki guards and did a great job saving the engine/bike.
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OK, there's one vote for the OEM guards (which, BTW, are no longer available from Suzuki).
I'm going to vote against them, here's why:
1) They have had numerous reports of welds failing - without being "used."
2) PeteSC had them on his bike and in a parking lot tipover, they bent and punched a hole in the very cover it was supposed to protect.
3) Not too sure they fill the requirement of the original post of not costing any ground clearance.
Given #3, I think the best option is forget about crash bars and go with aftermarket covers made to withstand a racing spill. There are a few options out there. There are billet covers from Moko & Factory-Pro (both pretty spendy) and cast covers from NRC (which cost the same or less than the OEM covers and if you believe the advertising hype, are stronger than billet - just not as pretty). I don't know of anyone who has crash tested the billet covers, but I do know people who have crash tested the NRC covers and rode their bikes home with nothing more than scratches on the cover.
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Take your pick. Chrome or black.
http://www.revsperformance.com/renntec/engine_bars.htm
(http://www.revsperformance.com/images/renntec/enginebars/GSF1200EBarREN10085B.jpg)
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I personally think that those covers don't look good at all. As far as function goes, I am sure that they work great. I think that I have heard about the weld problems on the OEM case guards, but I have seen one set crashed tested and saved the motor. The left side got bent in a bit, but held up and did its intended job.
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"solman" sez:
I personally think that those covers don't look good at all. As far as function goes, I am sure that they work great.
The NRC covers may not be as pretty as the stock covers (I like their tough look) - but if you paint them to match, they blend in very well and few folks would even notice you have them. An added bonus is they will also save you from damage from a wayward starter clutch bolt should it decide to part ways with the end of the crank. (It's been known to happen a few times - especially if no one has been in there to check the factory torqued and loc-tited said bolt.)
The Renntec (shown above) & Givi (looks just like the Renntec) cagework is probably the most protective, but looks like they'd also cost you a bit of clearance.
The Holeshot bars are the most subtle and they're made of solid rod instead of hollow tube.
(http://www.holeshot.com/bandit/images/bndt_nerfbar_l.jpg)
(http://www.holeshot.com/bandit/images/bndt_nerfbar_r.jpg)
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Great scott. These things are pricey. But I still might swing a set. I still get some protection and they dont interfere with the triangular lower motor mount thing (I dont know what to call it), which I plan on adding at some point.
http://www.nrcracing.com/covers_search.php?year=1999&make=5&model=21
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Ok. I am looking for case gaurds for an 04 B-12. The problem is I don't know whats really good. And to make it interesting I also cannot afford to give up ANY cornering clearance. Any ideas oh Bandit guru's?
Just sent ya a PM. Return the E mail and I'll attach pics. Gaz.
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I've heard so many people rubbishing the OEM, but if you hit hard enough for them to punch a hole through the case then it would've probably happened anyway.
They scrape AFTER the pegs have folded a little - on the track. I'm very heavy, stock suspension. If you were going that hard on the road the Bandit's the wrong bike for it.
NRC cases are great and are still worth getting even if you have guards, if you can afford it. I would just spray them black though.
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I'm 180 lbs on modified suspension and was leaning far off the bike in the turn when the case guard caused a low side and spin. The left case cover is OK but the left side of the bike is trashed. Can't tell the difference in sound between peg scrape and guard scrape. Next time, I'm getting the NRCs.
Marc/Atlanta
'currently rebuilding