New member - ThatOtherGuy

Just found these forums after figuring if there is a special GS500 forum (two bikes, GS500 and GSF1200S Bandit), there is sure to be a Bandit forum. And there is. Just bought a 2004 Bandit from a colleague and have to say its a nice change from the GS500. Bandit is the weekender, GS500 the commuter (not sure for how long though ).

Welcome, have a look around, and post some photos once you qualify. Always good to look at other bikes.

Welcome. Plenty of 1200's here

Your the 3rd person I know of that's moved from a GS500 to a bandit (including me). Must be part of the normal progression.
Welcome to the forum

It was more a time and place thing. My original intention was to buy an SV650ABS which would eventually replace the GS500 as my commuter (I may still do this yet). I was also going to buy a larger bike for touring with the wife as pillion. Anyway a work colleague who buys Bandits, rides them for a while then turns it over for the next near new Bandit every couple of years bought a 2009 with 3,000kms on the clock. He knew I was after a tourer, so offered me his old bike for a good price since he wouldn't have the aggro of trying to sell it. So I bought it. Quite happy with it so far and have to decide whether to replace it with another new one next year or a different bike altogether (for touring) or keep it (as a commuter) and sell the GS500.

I kept my GS500 for about a month before I sold it to one of the guys at work. I had to deliver it as he had only just got his L's. Riding the GS500 after 4 weeks on the bandit it felt like there was something wrong with it. I seemed so underpowered and so low I was no longer comfortable with it. I imagine you will eventually be the same. The bandit is not a bad commuter a little thirstier and heavier than the 500 of course but still quite capable of slipping through traffic, and of course pulling away at the lights

Yep that's the cross road I'm at, the thirstiness is governed by my right wrist, so no one to blame there, but its actually narrower than the GS500 and with the mirrors being able to fold in, even better again. And being able to really take off at lights and get ahead of the cagers who want to try and give you a hard time is a definite positive. The decision is getting easier I can see.

Welcome to the forum.

A warm Welcome to the Forum from Sunny Nth Queensland.
My 2002 1200 recent figures gives me between 16/18 klm per 100klm.
Where are you based?
truck

Northern suburbs of Brisbane, Albany Creek.

I keep meticulous records and so far I've got between 14.5 and 20.0 km/l depending on right wrist and highway/city riding. Sort of expected these numbers based on what the previous owner told me. Compare that to the GS500 which has a worst consumption figure of 21.5 km/l. Oh well fun has its price I suppose.

Hi T.o.G,

Welcome to the forum mate. Plenty to check out on here. Hopefully the Brissy roads are better than the ones further north...ay Truck.

Regards,
Nathan

Yes ohmyfj55 - but the trade off for the better roads in Brissy is more politicians in Brissy too, (and I think I can live with that).

Welcome

Cheers guys, good to be here, already picked up a few tips from some of the threads and looking forward to reading more.

Welcome to the forum ThatOtherGuy

G'day from a fellow convert.

SuzySuzuki wrote:G'day from a fellow convert.

convert from a GS500?

No, i converted from a Honda CB400 only three months ago. After riding the 1250, the little bike feels like my knees are up near my head lol

Okay a Bandit convert. I'm fortunate the GS500 still feels OK except the bars are 2" wider than the Bandit. Looking into shortening those down with another set of bars just to see what it feels like.