Almost new owner ........ maybe

First topic message reminder :

Hi All

If all goes well I will be the proud new owner of a new GSX1250FA soon. On Saturday I am taking one for a test ride, as well as the Kawasaki Ninja 1000. Been driving myself insane analysing the 2 options, and leaning towards the GSX for a few reasons. Very exited, cannot wait for Saturday

Anyway, I m based in Perth, and currently ride a 650 Vstrom. I bought it just over a year ago and she is just shy of 17,000km. I will be keeping the Wee as my commuter bike, and relaxing 2-up rides with the government. She loves going for a ride on the Wee.

Looks like a great site, will be hanging around here from time to time.

Cheers

Nice Vellies. I like the rims. I bought a Sargent seat a few weeks back and it really has made a difference. Did a 320km run on the new seat without the airhawk and only a wool cover and arse was only little sore. Unlike standard seat. Shame about the wool seat cover though as it hides a very pretty seat.

potatomasher wrote:if you fix the front suspension with harder springs and softer compression damping [read elsewhere] you will find it transforms the bike. best thing you can do. you can also get a more effective valve put in the rear too which also makes a difference [do both]- when i had mine done i was shocked at the difference between it and other non modified bandits i have ridden

In the interests of comparing apples with apples, Keep in mind tho that the GSX1250FA has slightly uprated suspension out of the box already. It was one of the changes mr suzuki did to the FA over the Bandit range. Personally, I find the setup of my FA pretty reasonable, but I'm no racer.

My naked Bandit feels stiff in the suspension. So far, I think this is good.

The standard seat is ok for my butt. I'm a lightie though at 72kgs.
Rode it today, gee's it's got some zing.

You'd think with a big fat arse and more padding it would make it more comfortable but it sure don't

Thanks all for the comments. Yes, it certainly has some "zing". I jumped on the Vstrom today to go and refuel it for the week. My God its slow But, the suspension is nice and soft (I have replaced both the front and rear), the seat is nice and soft (Sargent), and the windscreen is all, so not much wind, but still some buffeting

Having said that, I want the FA to be my "sports bike", so no tall screens, bags, etc etc. More bling like an exhaust (I don't mind it being quiet, but it is just too freaking big). Might invest in another Sargent. I am not someone who wants to do 1,000km in a day, and the Sargent seems to suit me well for the type of riding I do.

I am also looking for some flush mount indicators for the front, or perhaps some mirror ones like the GSXR. Just to spice it up a little, mirrors are useless anyway (for seeing in the lane behind you).

In terms of suspension, yes it is quite firm, but I do not mind it at all. It I want to go and ride crappy back roads I have the Strom, which is exactly why I am keeping it.

I now have what I think is a bloody perfect garage.

Vellies wrote:Thanks all for the comments. Yes, it certainly has some "zing". I jumped on the Vstrom today to go and refuel it for the week. My God its slow But, the suspension is nice and soft (I have replaced both the front and rear), the seat is nice and soft (Sargent), and the windscreen is all, so not much wind, but still some buffeting

Having said that, I want the FA to be my "sports bike", so no tall screens, bags, etc etc. More bling like an exhaust (I don't mind it being quiet, but it is just too freaking big). Might invest in another Sargent. I am not someone who wants to do 1,000km in a day, and the Sargent seems to suit me well for the type of riding I do.

I am also looking for some flush mount indicators for the front, or perhaps some mirror ones like the GSXR. Just to spice it up a little, mirrors are useless anyway (for seeing in the lane behind you).

In terms of suspension, yes it is quite firm, but I do not mind it at all. It I want to go and ride crappy back roads I have the Strom, which is exactly why I am keeping it.

I now have what I think is a bloody perfect garage.

Does it have a big TV and a bar?

Although it may seem fitting, no TV or bar on the FA.

I'm riding my Bandit to get away from the bloody TV. & the bar, well booze & bikes, was an 80's thing for me.