I've sold mine. 
I did it to help fund the purchase of a new bike, something big and exciting and fun. I've bought a 2001 Bandit 1200s.
I had to stay in the suzuki family, they build their bikes so well. I hope you guys wont tar and feather me, then run me out on a rail for slapping two new cylinders on my GS. I can pretend she's my old girl right?


if anyone's interested, i can put up some photos of the bandit soon. I picked her up for $1600 from a guy near by, because the day i was supposed to look at it, he wrecked her in his dirt driveway and bent up the fairings and fairing brackets something awful. I still feel like I probably paid too much for the bike, but they're supposed to be great, comfy bikes.

If anyone has any bandit knowledge I'd love to hear it. I enjoy this forum so much, i probably wont leave. Hope thats all right. 

Hope everyone's enjoying the warming weather!
-funderb

Up until my accident I had a Bandit 1200S (now written off).  They are a great bike, really good pulling power.  I have it on good authority if you try, you can wheel spin it through the first 4 gears without too much effort.  I used to really enjoy doing mountain runs and just holding one gear, ride the bike on the throttle.  A good forum for Bandit lovers is located at:

http://nswbandits.forumotion.net/

BTW, the Bandit and GS500 brake levers are interchangeable as are the rear brake pads.

NOT a terrible thing. I already have my eye on a V-strom. I read an article positing that this is the best bike to own if you only own one bike (and I can't own more then one). It was the 650, not the 1000, I think. Seems to suit my riding style and aspirations nicely - good for touring or commuting, not a track bike, non-torturous riding position. I've already planted the idea in wifey-poo's head that there will be a progression, and that this is it.

...biding time...

It's ok Funderb! I did the same thing but for a Gixxer 750. Lets see some pictures of the new ride!

where pics??? 

haha the pics are coming cbrfxr I have been totally slammed with work for the last ever, so all i've had time to do was straighten out the bracket for the fairing, it'll need some welding unfortunately.

I'm excited about the bandito, ive never had a bike with this much oomph, nor a bike this new. the inside of the gas tank is so shiny! 

Here's a couple teasers: Note the smashed in fairings. The original asking price was 2800, after seeing the condition of the bike, and the fact that it wouldnt hold a strong idle without choke, that wasnt happening.
How she sat when she got home last night:


After removing the fairings and doing a little work on the subframe: The cat had to make sure it was okay for the keeping...



The carbs definitely need a cleanout, it idles and slowly drops lower and lower until it quits.
It revs freely though, sounds strong, and goes nuts with the choke on. Runs through all gears on the center stand.

Quote from: Zwerski on May 21, 2013, 09:26:19 AM
NOT a terrible thing. I already have my eye on a V-strom. I read an article positing that this is the best bike to own if you only own one bike (and I can't own more then one). It was the 650, not the 1000, I think. Seems to suit my riding style and aspirations nicely - good for touring or commuting, not a track bike, non-torturous riding position. I've already planted the idea in wifey-poo's head that there will be a progression, and that this is it.

...biding time...

if I ever ride again and decide to buy a bike it will likely be a V-strom for those reasons.

lol... a CATSCAN is often reccomended after an accident!! 

Dont feel bad. Im looking at a GSXR 750 as an upcoming project bike. Bandits are cool!

Quote from: Janx101 on May 21, 2013, 09:53:34 PM
lol... a CATSCAN is often reccomended after an accident!! 

Absolutely, mine has taken to sitting on the mobility scooter now.

Well here's a quick update, i've been out of town for quite some time, and will be leaving again soon for another longish trip.
but I have done some work, and converted the bike to naked format with some.. home engineering.

Got the lights hooked up last night, here she is as she sits:



I'm pretty excited, I'm trying to dial her carbs in through all the bullshit modifications made by the guy who sold her to me, its difficult, but slowly coming along.

Quote from: Funderb on May 20, 2013, 08:37:23 PM
I've bought a 2001 Bandit 1200s.

A 2001 model?? 

That was the year they put the wrong pistons in. Keep an eye on oil consumption 

http://forums.banditalley.net/index.php?topic=276.0

I had read about that issue when i was researching the bike before i bought it. I figured, what the hay, at 1600 for the bike running (ish) whats so bad as another engine tear down? So far the only oil consumption i've noticed was from the dipshit who changed the oil last, screwing on the oil filter something much less than finger tight. Since i fixed that and changed my oil I'll draw a line on the sight glass and see how she does. Thanks for the reminder!

will be worth the wait!

Quote from: ThatOtherGuy on May 21, 2013, 09:52:40 PM

Quote from: Zwerski on May 21, 2013, 09:26:19 AM
NOT a terrible thing. I already have my eye on a V-strom. I read an article positing that this is the best bike to own if you only own one bike (and I can't own more then one). It was the 650, not the 1000, I think. Seems to suit my riding style and aspirations nicely - good for touring or commuting, not a track bike, non-torturous riding position. I've already planted the idea in wifey-poo's head that there will be a progression, and that this is it.

...biding time...

if I ever ride again and decide to buy a bike it will likely be a V-strom for those reasons.

I've had mine since 05', if it came down to it I would let the GSX650F go before the Wee Strom, 58 Mpg and a 5.8 gallon tank make for a whole lotta getting outta town