Hey cowboy, don't be disappointed that one was gone, that wasn't the only one out there. My worst deals were made back when I thought, if I don't get this one I'll never get one. My best deals have been since I've realized if I miss or walk away from this one, there will always be another. The Bandits are great bikes, I have 2, a 1999 & a 2005, and it seems Bandits can usually be bought for less than it seems they should be worth, a lot of bike for the money. Don't get antsy, & my opinion, Don't look to get a killer deal from a dealer, his only job is to make money. Lots of times, private sellers want to get all they can, but they really want the bike gone, that's where the deals are. Good luck.
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Suzuki Bandit Question
- Thread starter cowboyup3371
- Start date
G
Guest
Guest
forum member groovedaddy has an 03 for sale, highish miles but well maintained and accesorized. chicago area
The high mileage wouldn't bother me one bit. That engine is water-cooled and very lightly stressed. There's a DL1000 out there with well over 400,000 miles that's still not using any oil, and it would not shock me to learn there's a Bandit 1250 catching up.
And yeah, there are some SIGNIFICANT upgrades to the 1250 over the earlier air/oil cooled models. Not least of which is that this one has ABS.
As noted above, the price he's asking is about $300-$500 high. That's probably deliberate -- leave room for negotiation.
You can get a Corbin seat for the 1250 that should take care of the height issue -- that Saddleman Gel or the stock seat might be a stretch. I bet you could work out a trade with someone out there.
Personally, I hate those tacked-on fairing lowers; I'd take them off and sell them at the earliest possible opportunity. It's a cool engine -- show it off.
Get your butt over here and buy it already!
And yeah, there are some SIGNIFICANT upgrades to the 1250 over the earlier air/oil cooled models. Not least of which is that this one has ABS.
As noted above, the price he's asking is about $300-$500 high. That's probably deliberate -- leave room for negotiation.
You can get a Corbin seat for the 1250 that should take care of the height issue -- that Saddleman Gel or the stock seat might be a stretch. I bet you could work out a trade with someone out there.
Personally, I hate those tacked-on fairing lowers; I'd take them off and sell them at the earliest possible opportunity. It's a cool engine -- show it off.
Get your butt over here and buy it already!
Steve
GS Whisperer
Did someone say "cruise missle"?? :-k
Tie a couple of THOSE on behind your bike. :encouragement: :-\\\
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Tie a couple of THOSE on behind your bike. :encouragement: :-\\\
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Ive seen them in Mn last year, 12k, $2700. Be patient, look for one that has the accessories you desire already installed. That one is a bare bones bike. Mi in mid-April is hit or miss if its like Mn weather.
High milers are no problem for the engine, its the chassis. Rear Shock needs rebuilding, so will the front forks, brakes ect.
High milers are no problem for the engine, its the chassis. Rear Shock needs rebuilding, so will the front forks, brakes ect.
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So I am about a week away from owning a new bike. I spoke to the guy in Depauw this afternoon and we are set to meet up on Thursday afternoon as I roll through on my way to Texas. I'll take a good look at the bike then and maybe, if the weather holds, ride it for a little while. If I can't ride Thursday than I'll try to ride it on my birthday the following Monday again if the weather holds. Either way, he said if I like it and give him a couple of hundred, he'd write a receipt and take it off of Craigslist. With all luck I'll have it sitting in my garage by the week after my birthday.
Exciting .
Intimidation does work somewhat sometimes, but if you're annoying, I will send you down the road in short order. I had a guy a few years ago that just ****'d me off and I was not going to sell to him. Then he offered me $200 more than I was asking and I told him I had decided to keep it. It wasn't the first time I have sent someone down the road for being obnoxious.
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Yes that does happen but I always find a deal... Elsewhere if necessary. I have found to acquire bikes at a good deal you must always have your head on a swivel (looking for a comparable deal to haggle down a price), don't back down and intimidation by becoming the dominant player in the situation does work...
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Although the rain prevented a ride today, I did mess around in his garage enough to say yes. So, I gave him a Down payment today and will pay the rest when I get back in town from Texas. If my travel plans work out, I’ll get back early enough Monday to get my truck and Steve’s trailer and have the bike in my garage Monday night. If not it will be there by next Sunday at the latest.
I chose to give him what he was asking for based on what he’s giving me and the overall condition of the bike. The only concern I have, and I’ll do some research for it, is a clutch rattle he says is very common for all of the 1250s when in neutral. It’s nothing major just annoying as all hell
I chose to give him what he was asking for based on what he’s giving me and the overall condition of the bike. The only concern I have, and I’ll do some research for it, is a clutch rattle he says is very common for all of the 1250s when in neutral. It’s nothing major just annoying as all hell
Yes, there can be a bit of noise when in neutral and the clutch lever is released. And sometimes, when moving from neutral into first, you may have a "clunk" as it engages.
I ride a 2010 GSX1250FA, and also have a 30" inseam, so I can assure you that you should have no serious problem in almost all circumstances, and only a slight one if the pavement is uneven or on sandy surfaces..
That said, I will bolt a carved-out hockey puck to the side stand this year. That will raise the stand about 5/16 of an inch and make it easier to live with in all circumstances, including when parking on soft surfaces as it will give a broader footprint. It does mean that I will have to be a bit more careful to observe road surface angles when parking it.
My first gen Bandit was faster, having had quite a bit of work done on the engine and full suspension mods done before I bought it, but I love the new one!
(I never did find out what the top speed of that bike was, but it would easily pass 150MPH on the clock.)
The saddle on the GSX 1250 is far better than the old Bandit and my wife loves it, too, but you seem to be a notch above with the after-market seat.
The Givi bags and box are quite good. Unfortunately, there is only room for one full-face helmet in the box. Lubricate the frame locks!
My one complaint on the new one is the too-short windshield that puts the wind on my chest, but the photo suggests you have that concern covered.
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If you have the same fairing that I do you will encounter another problem, although it is not a serious one: changing oil filters means starting at the gas tank level and then working down.
The lower left side of the fairing MUST be removed
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eil
Forum Sage
They're lying about the website, simple as that. Cycle Trader listings can be updated immediately. They just don't want to take down the good deals because it drives leads.
It's good that you didn't waste the trip up there. I haven't been there personally but I do know where it's at and I can tell you the place is out in the middle of nowhere. They used to spam all the craigslists in Michigan. I have heard numerous reports of customers calling them to ask about a bike, the sales drone confirming that they have it in stock, customer drives several hours to get there and whaddya know, the bike *just* sold but we have another one that you might like for only $2k more...
Thank you and yes, he showed me that plus said it’s easiest to reach in from the right to loosen it first then pull it out from the left. He’s also giving me a funnel he made out of a milk jug to keep the oil of the headers as it flows out of the filter.
im getting three shields out of the deal - a stock clear, a Givi clear, and a charcoal smoke one that is presently on the bike
Well the bike is in the garage though a bit bruised already. When I went to pick it up last night we went out for a short around the block (10 - 20 miles) familiarization ride. Sadly, at the end of his gravel driveway was a slight dip from runoff before you get onto the blacktop. I accidentally grabbed a bit too much throttle to get myself over the hump and dropped it on the left side breaking the left mirror and turn signal and scratching the stator cover and fairing. We finished the ride without issue after both of us profusely apologized to each other and loaded the bike onto the trailer. Although I handed him his full asking price, he chose to give me back $200 so that I could buy the busted parts which I did today. He explained it as the fact he should have ridden the bike to the road for me.
I'll tag the bike this weekend and start getting some road and parking lot time on it.
Has anyone put frame sliders on the bike with the full fairing on?
I'll tag the bike this weekend and start getting some road and parking lot time on it.
Has anyone put frame sliders on the bike with the full fairing on?
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Hey Cowboy, Glad to hear you found what you were looking for, hope it holds up to all your expectations. Dings & bumps are just going to happen, glad it ain't too bad. Congrats on your aftermarket seat. There are 3 Bandits in our little group. A "1999", a "2005", & a "2007". We who have ridden all 3 agree the "99" is best, the "05" is second, & the "07" is the worst, it seems a little narrower & is kind'f humped up a little, in the middle, & after 75 or 100 mi, it pushes it up where it doesn't need to be pushed. Haven't ridden a "2010" so can't comment on that, but I think you'll be glad you have something to replace the "07" orig. seat. Congrats again & keep us informed.
I never rode an 05 or 07 so I have no opinion on them. I looked at several, but never rode them. Instead I just skipped from 1998 to 2010....which, in USA, is a 2011 model
The seat on the Gen-1 models was OK for driver, but many complained bout it for longer distance riding. I found what you mentioned on that bike, as I was almost constantly pushing myself back from the tank. That said, I did live through a couple of rides of 700+ miles before going to bed.
I know of no one whose passenger did not find the gen-1 saddle decidedly uncomfortable on anything more than a short ride.
The newer one has a saddle that works pretty well for pillion riders and is also more comfortable to me than the old one.
I do agree that the tank is a bit higher, and it seems a bit wider, but I don't have the measurements to compare the two. I can still get my feet on the ground and like it.
