The 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250S -The Mega Thread

[Matty]

Got the second new battery for my 2007 1250SA, plus a new air filter. Installed both and now the bike won't start. Cranks fast but FI light blinks and FI appears on the right gauge. Checked to see if I'd accidentally disconnected any of the electrical components under the seat but see nothing unusual.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I may have done to cause this? The bike was running great before the battery died on me and I had no issues the last time I changed the battery.

[achesley]

Originally Posted by Shotrod

[/i]

I also got the Scorpion. Its a good helmet, but the thing that imprsses me the most is the quality of the face shield. Most helmets at some place on the shield distort vision slightly. Neither the original or the smoke shield I got have any distortion that I can see. It's also a lot quieter than my HJC.

Was reading back on this and pondering. I have an FS16 HJC which is way quieter than my CL 15 or the other one CL/SG I think. The last one is the noisiest one but most air flow for out high 90 degree days. But, I'm about due a new helmet ( I usually get one every 2 or 3 years ) and would like some comments on the Scorpion. Which model? How does it work in a downpour? Does the shield open just a bit for cold days and rainy day to prevent fog ?

[gunzip]

Originally Posted by dasminkar

I put 600+ miles on the Bandit over the last 4 days. It seems like the limiting factor in my rides comes down to the stock seat. I got the sheepskin cover and that helped a lot but still gets tough to ride more than an hour and a half at a time. Guess it's time to invest in a better seat. I have only heard of 2 options. Sargeant and Corbin. Does anyone else make a seat for 2007 Bandits?

suzuki offers an upgrade 'gel seat' . I have it and am happy enough with it , passenger too.Biggest upgrade to my 'seat' was to quit wearing cotton underwear! 'spandex' type bike shorts made a world of difference for me

[gunzip]

Originally Posted by achesley

Was reading back on this and pondering. I have an FS16 HJC which is way quieter than my CL 15 or the other one CL/SG I think. The last one is the noisiest one but most air flow for out high 90 degree days. But, I'm about due a new helmet ( I usually get one every 2 or 3 years ) and would like some comments on the Scorpion. Which model? How does it work in a downpour? Does the shield open just a bit for cold days and rainy day to prevent fog ?

I have an exo400 scorpion that I like , it is quiet and has the best anti-fog of any helmet I've owned. My biggest complaint is it won't stay cracked open on that last notch , really irritating . I have taken to wearing an open face for summer riding , sooo much cooler and handier!

[rollinrob]

Just got back from a 6 day 3000 miles through the Southwest, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Coloardo. Saw lots of cool stuff and had a couple days of Monsoon type weather, rain, lots of it and thunder, made for some nice photos.

The Bandit ran great, no oil used, no problems. Time to research some other seat option. My longest day was 655 miles and I was ready to be off the bike.

The PR3's did fine gravel roads and standing water on the roadways from the crazy weather.

Had the Bandit for almost three years and am happy with the choice. Was shopping Bandits, Suzuki DL100's and Honda 919's. Couldn't find the other two in my area or price range. The Bandit only had 5000 miles in three years before I got it.

[achesley]

Great on the trip report. I had a DL1000 for 14 months and 16,000 miles with a round trip to California in the deal. Traded it for the Bandit 4.5 yrs ago. One of my better moves. Don't regret it at all. Lots of people bragging on the Sargent seat. I have a Corbin Gunfighter and A Lady. It has a slight forward slope to it I really don't like. And about an inch lower than stock I think. But, I have over 50K miles on it so don't guess I'll change it. LOL.

[whitesands]

Great pictures....That's what I like about the Bandit....The most solid bike I've owned...

[kewwig]

Originally Posted by Matty

Got the second new battery for my 2007 1250SA, plus a new air filter. Installed both and now the bike won't start. Cranks fast but FI light blinks and FI appears on the right gauge. Checked to see if I'd accidentally disconnected any of the electrical components under the seat but see nothing unusual.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I may have done to cause this? The bike was running great before the battery died on me and I had no issues the last time I changed the battery.

Did you touch the tip-over sensor?

[kewwig]

Originally Posted by Matty

Got the second new battery for my 2007 1250SA, plus a new air filter. Installed both and now the bike won't start. Cranks fast but FI light blinks and FI appears on the right gauge. Checked to see if I'd accidentally disconnected any of the electrical components under the seat but see nothing unusual.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I may have done to cause this? The bike was running great before the battery died on me and I had no issues the last time I changed the battery.

Did you find out the cause?

[wanabeguru]

[achesley]

What kind of life are you guys getting out of the stock 1250S Bandit battery. I'm thinking of changing mine just for safety sake after 4 years on it. It's only been discharged twice in it's life to where I had to charge it to start the bike due to leaving my Garmin 276C on for a few days by accident without running the bike. Most of the winter or periods where I'm not riding it every few days, I have it on a Battery Tender charger so it stays up pretty well.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by achesley

What kind of life are you guys getting out of the stock 1250S Bandit battery. I'm thinking of changing mine just for safety sake after 4 years on it.

A good idea. I change out batteries between 4 & 5 years. When I'm tempted to leave one in longer, I remind myself that batteries seldom go out slowly. They usually work fine one day then are completely dead the next. I don't like surprises, especially ones that leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Here's what Yuasa has to say about longevity:

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=32

"Sealed AGM batteries typically last 3 to 5 years on an average. 6-8 years is easily obtainable with proper maintenance."

There's a more detailed discussion of maintenance here:

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/motor_battery.php

[Matty]

You were right. It was the tip sensor. I reinstalled it wrongly as I didn't realize what it was. Rookie mistake! Thanks for the help.

[Matty]

Originally Posted by achesley

What kind of life are you guys getting out of the stock 1250S Bandit battery. I'm thinking of changing mine just for safety sake after 4 years on it. It's only been discharged twice in it's life to where I had to charge it to start the bike due to leaving my Garmin 276C on for a few days by accident without running the bike. Most of the winter or periods where I'm not riding it every few days, I have it on a Battery Tender charger so it stays up pretty well.

I got three years out of my first battery and two out of my second. I think the harsh Michigan winters and hot summers play a factor in shortening the battery life even though I do have a trickle charger on it during the winter months.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Matty

I got three years out of my first battery and two out of my second. I think the harsh Michigan winters and hot summers play a factor in shortening the battery life even though I do have a trickle charger on it during the winter months.

Makes sense. One of the Yuasa links above mentions that storing in below freezing temps is a hard on a battery's lifespan.

[Streetfigher]

Hey bro nice bandit, im making mine into a street fighter let me know what you think..

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77263

[whitesands]

Got 4 1/2 years on my battery as well....Been thinking the same thing about going ahead and changing it out....

[Buellboy]

I have never had any battery last more than 2-3 years. My feeling is
that if you do not replace it soon, at some point you will be stranded.

[wanabeguru]

My '07 Bandit has original battery. But...........we don't usually get to freezing nor do we get over 85 unless we ride where its 100 or so. I may get a new one this winter when I don't ride.

[rollinrob]

My 2007 is also on the OEM battery. Probably put a new one in next summer just cause. It gets ridden less in the winter months but is on a tender.