Low K Bandit?

I introduced myself a little while ago, and still have not found a bandit.    However, there are a couple I have spied. One is a 2001 with 16500K, naked conversion standard pipe, looks clean. And the other is a 2004 with 35000K A/M can & screen, also looks really clean.

What could be an issue with  a 13 year old bike that has done on average 23 - 24 km per week, but more likely to have sat around for long periods?  Low ks sound inviting at 1st glance.....

I'd want to see a service history. I don't mean it has to be by a dealer as a self-respecting owner will complete the service book if he/she is doing their own maintenance. With no service history, I'd not be buying. On your specific question, if a carb equipped bike has sat around for long periods, it would pay to pull the carbs off and give them a clean as fuel additive would likely have hardened and be gunging things up. Other seals may also harden. So even on low k models it would be comforting to know if it has been started up and run, say, weekly.

My 2c worth.

seals go hard, tyres go hard , oil / fluids should still be changed etc. even if the bike is sitting around ................I personally would prefer one that's been looked after with a few km. on it with regular use .( I bought a low km. car that had sat around a fair bit once & found out the hard way )

Thanks for that. I spoke to the bloke. Reccons he has only owned for two years and rode it around to the shops etc, but not much. Doesn't know much about previous owner.
 Apparently he works away, so that's the reason for his part of the small Ks. So no log book. Hmmm.
So yeah I was thinking seals rust in tank gumming up of stuff as well...might have to go for one that has a few K, and at least is getting used.

Depending on the price of the bikes in question, whether or not they are a viable option.
What environment have they been stored in? Inside? Outside? Run frequently?
Seals can harden. Forks seals. Valve stem seals. Carby etc as mentioned by Ewok.
Take these factors into account and make an offer highlighting these points.
Don't be worried about slightly higher km bikes. There are great bikes that have been peoples pride and joy out there, that are worth lots more than they are selling for. I know. I have bought two bargains, both previously owned by members of the forum.
Good luck with your search.

it has been noted, from many people, and officials world wide ( but not everyone had the problem ) there was a problem with 2001-2002 using oil, due to the oil galleries being to big in the piston supporting the oil ring, and was by-passing. Didn`t effect anything else, just oil use.

It will stand out like dogs balls if there is any issue with the oil cooled bandits.

Look at colour of oil, listen to the engine for loose tappets, and cam chain noise ( oil cooled are noisy anyway, but listen for something totally apparent)

They are hard to kill, and if there isn`t a problem on test ride, you should be good to go, as its hard to hide anything on them. Its either a good bike, or a piece of shit. Black and white really.

Look for rust in the tank( don`t use a lighter)
Look for fork seals leaking
Look for mushrooming or creasing around the head stem

"Look for mushrooming or creasing around the head stem"

^^^ This one I don't understand

"Look for rust in the tank( don`t use a lighter)"
^^^ I'll ask if he has matches  

1wheeldrive wrote:"Look for mushrooming or creasing around the head stem"

^^^ This one I don't understand

"Look for rust in the tank( don`t use a lighter)"
^^^ I'll ask if he has matches  

meaning, its been dropped or had some kind of mischief


I forgot to add, you don`t want the engine to be super quiet either, meaning the tappets are touching( leading to burnt out valves)

Item number 251545131612
2005 model on ebay this morning with a realistic price.
Redbank plains Qld.

My really clean low km 13yr old VTR1000F has been a fugging pain in the arse! Just about every consumable and maintenance item has been changed and it's still not right. It averaged 1100km per year and looks new.
Steer clear unless you can do all the work yourself is my advice. 

You can get a seriously good 1250 for 6k and you won't need to spend money on it for years.

It's because it's a Honda @2wheels

Back on topic, the Bandit isn't very old atm, just get someone competent to look at it if you are not sure what to look for. I am sure someone on this forum would help out if they are nearby.

reddog wrote:It's because it's a Honda @2wheels

Could be right there mate
I should have looked at an SV that someone else on this forum is looking at very soon. The price is very reasonable now and about what I've spent!

Bosco15 wrote:Item number 251545131612
2005 model on ebay this morning with a realistic price.
Redbank plains Qld.

Looks like it's been dropped , but not too badly & maybe a remote on the rear shock .

Its gone over on the RH side.
The starting price is about where the end price should be in my opinion as you could be putting $2000 into it.

2wheelsagain wrote:My really clean low km 13yr old VTR1000F has been a fugging pain in the arse! Just about every consumable and maintenance item has been changed and it's still not right. It averaged 1100km per year and looks new.
Steer clear unless you can do all the work yourself is my advice. 

You can get a seriously good 1250 for 6k and you won't need to spend money on it for years.

Yeah, that's it. My 99 vtr was fairly cheap and had 63,000k on it ( at the time, 5000K/year) and has aside from cct change and general maint has been bullet proof. It seems the old use it or loose it applies. If it has sat around in the corner for years, then I agree, seals harden & things gum up, causing other problems and probably at the fartherest point from home!
So I will look out for something looked after and with a few Ks on it.
I do like the 1200 motors - simplicity

When I was looking around there were several low (mid 20k km) 2006 bikes. Around $5000 the new frame with the old motor, best of both worlds imho