The 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250S -The Mega Thread

[dasminkar]

I think it'll buff out and be good as new.

[Ga-Bandit]

I tried that but the insurance company is saying it won't help. Pessimists.

[Bandit Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Terizius

ok, here's a straight on picture of how high the highway pegs are mounted on my bike. As you can see, its at about the midpoint of the engine cover. I find that to be a pretty comfortable position, however I've not tried them in any other location. A Word Of Warning!!! I'm not sure how "aggressively" you ride your bike, but the highway peg pivot point (with the highway peg folded up) will drag very soon after the footpeg does in the high position. Keep that in mind as you mount them. I found out that those were what was leveraging my tires off the ground when I went to the track on base so I removed my highway pegs completely when I went to Willow Springs.

Terizius, thanks for the picture. I'm also looking to install some highway pegs on my Bandit but having a hard time finding them. It looks like you have crash bars that they attach to. Can you please tell me the make of the bars and pegs, and where you bought them.
Thanks.

[t110]

Touring airflow management questions:

A year after picking up my 08 ABS, the opportunity for some week-long tours is coming up. Recent experience with the previous two bikes' airflow mods met with mixed success:

-- C14ABS with Kawa tall shield and laminar lip. This setup really helped when encountering strong crosswinds on the Plains; the electric adjustment made it possible to dial in air control for just about any situation. Original shield went back on as soon as tours ended.

-- Gen 1 FZ-1 with MRA shield & Vario screen. Also generic mirrors mounted on a straighter bar. Removing the "bug-eyes" from the quarter fairing made the single biggest improvement in wind harshness. This bike was never really comfortable for touring.

Of course the Bandit is much more like the FZ-1 - only better - in terms of low-end torque, ease of operation/stability, ABS, FI, and especially riding comfort. At 5'8" with 30" inseam and a Sargent seat, I can easily flatfoot it.

PO was about 6'1" and had installed a generic DB screen that's about the same height as stock. If I sit up about an inch off the seat the air flow is dead quiet, and that probably was just great for the PO. Since this year's touring will be in the East, there seems no reason to worry about air hitting my chest at higher speeds because we won't be running all that fast, nowhere near the triple digits that just naturally seem to accompany wide open spaces out West.

Now the questions:

- Is there a screen out there that will keep the wind turbulence off my helmet [Shoei RF-1000/ear plugs]?
- Will switching to bar-mounted mirrors help turbulence?
- Will adding handguards improve turbulence?

All responses cheerfully accepted, and TIA,

t110

[wanabeguru]

Have you read this thread?
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthre...it+windshields

[treybrad]

How tall are you? I think that matters a lot -- pay attention when reading up on the various screens how tall/short people are when they voice their opinions...

I'm about 5'11", here's my take --

I rode with the stock screen a long time -- no complaints, smooth air, but a little more wind on my chest than ideal on a long trip.

Bought a Zero Gravity touring screen -- much better. Still nice smooth air, but less of it, hits my RF1000 right at the chin bar.

Since the grass is always greener, I sold it and bought the National Cycle tall screen. Lots of protection, but I got more buffeting/turbulent air which wasn't ok. If I slouched a little, it was great, so I see why the shorter riders like it so much.

So, sold it, bought another ZG touring screen and I think that's the way I'll keep it. I'd like to try the Madstad adjustable rig, but I can't stomach $300 on a windscreen...

trey

[t110]

What it says: 5'8", 30" inseam. In the very useful V-stream thread, a few folks note that riders of similar vertical stature may not find joy with the same screen. One very wise fellow observed that one's choice of riding apparel can also influence air flow. This has proven true in my case: after a 30 mph lowside last year on the DR650 ruined my old Rev'it meshie, its replacement fits looser and throws a whole lot more air up into my helmet.

While the V-stream thread was educational on screens, there was no mention of the part that mirrors and handguards can play in directing airflow. Some pix posted by "Fittysom'n", originator of the thread, show that he had installed both bar-end mirrors and handguards. Can anyone speak to the effect of these mods?

As for screens, at this point I'm leaning to the MRA Vario Touring. Has anyone had this rig on both 1st Gen FZ-1 and the 1250 Bandit? Twisted Throttle has these and they have always been good to work with.

t110

[t110]

Then there's this PB "flip" at half the price of MRA:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GSF65...18ee70&vxp=mtr

Any testimonials on this style?

t110 [and thanks to all responders]

[rollinrob]

Did a little camping last weekend with my Dad and Stepmom.

Gold Bluffs Beach/Fern Canyon, about 35 miles or so North of Arcata California. Have not been there since my college days at HSU in the 80's

Never seen such perfect weather at the beach, usually the Far North Coast is foggy most of the time.

The Bandit handled the 7 mile dirt road in to the campground no problem.

700 miles round trip, bike ran great as always.

[whitesands]

t110,

I'm your height 5'8 but with a 31-32 inch inseam and have the stock seat.....I've had both the Zero Gravity touring and the Vstream and helmet turbulence is my main concern...Zero Gravity is the very best for getting wind off your chest....Except at my height it put the wind right at the face shield and made base like noises in my helmet, 3 or 4 inches higher it would be perfect...The Vstream lets more hit your body but at my height it lessens turbulence at my helmet and I can now ride without ear plugs but it still could be better...As is its better than stock for me...That said, If the vstream was 2-3 inches taller it would be perfect....

My opinion is you could go with either if you attached an extension...If you want some air to hit your body for a cooling effect go with Vstream with extension....If you want as little air as possible go with the Zero Gravity with extension....

[dasminkar]

Anyone ever have problem with gas smell leaking from the lid on the tank? I don't see any leaks, not losing any gas while parked, gas mileage is normal. Is there a o-ring or gasket that can be replaced? My tank bag is also starting to smell of gas.

[Ga-Bandit]

Originally Posted by rollinrob

The Bandit handled the 7 mile dirt road in to the campground no problem. 700 miles round trip, bike ran great as always.

We expected no less. Glad someone is riding. I'm grounded for a while.

[achesley]

Originally Posted by rollinrob
The Bandit handled the 7 mile dirt road in to the campground no problem. 700 miles round trip, bike ran great as always.

I find that my Bandit handles loose gravel , dirt, etc better than my DL1000 did. Just need to set it up so you can stand on the pegs in some sections. My pegs are lowered an inch and handlebars up and back 2 inches. Makes all the difference when you can ride it like an adventure type bike.

[dasminkar]

I need a little help with my HID install(lo-beam only). The new HID bulb seems to be too thin and wobbles around in the headlight assembly. Is there a fix for this?

[gunzip]

Originally Posted by dasminkar

I need a little help with my HID install(lo-beam only). The new HID bulb seems to be too thin and wobbles around in the headlight assembly. Is there a fix for this?

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/H7-Spacer

[dasminkar]

Got the HID lo beam in, just have to secure the ballast and it'll be done! Has anyone swapped out the regular bulbs in their running lights for L.E.D. bulbs? If so, please post details and pics too.

[twist]

Okay, I need some expert opinions and advice...

I am about to make some life changes (going back to school) that will impact my 2007 Bandit (~25,000 miles), which I've had since new. I'm pretty emotionally attached to this bike, lots of mods, HID, stage 2, etc., etc. Really the best bike I've ever had (love the torque).

But for the next 3 years I will not be able to ride it much - or maybe at all - so do I sell it or store it? I have the space to store it properly, covered and protected. But three years is a long time, what will that do to the seals, other rubber components, and suspension.

I might be able to take her out each summer, which would make storing it less of an impact. But it still would be ridden very little.

I just don't know if it makes more sense to sell it and buy another equivalent (???) bike in three years. How hard is it on a bike to sit that long - even if done right?

I'm torn but leaning towards keeping it.

[achesley]

I'd preserve it, store it. You know what you have there and 3 years from now, may not find something equal to it. Plus , if you get the chance to run it during the off school time, That's a plus. Just re do the preserving and covering for the next 9 to 10 months.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by twist

I might be able to take her out each summer, which would make storing it less of an impact. But it still would be ridden very little.

I just don't know if it makes more sense to sell it and buy another equivalent (???) bike in three years.

I would keep it for a couple of reasons. Firstly, school can get pretty intense. Nothing like a couple hour ride every once in a while to take the pressure off. Secondly, we all know that Bandits don't have the best resale value in the world and those with 25k miles even less so. From a financial standpoint, assuming you don't need the money, you might as well keep it. You're probably at the point in the resale curve where the bike's not going to be worth that much less in three years.

I recently had my Bandit up on the centerstand for about 9 months. I literally did not ride it the whole time. Kept it on a battery tender with a tank filled with gas and STABIL. I started it up once a month for 20 minutes at a time. Had I needed to keep it stored up to a year, I was going to siphon the gas out, stick it in my car, and refill with fresh gas and STABIL. I'd also change the oil once a year.

If you do the above with your bike, it should be OK, especially if you ride it every once in a while. The only thing you should need to do at the end of three years is buy new tires if they are more than 4 or 5 years old by that time (check the DOT code to see when they were made).

[Buellboy]

Mick,
What made you change your ride from a St1100 to the Bandit 1250?
Buellboy