Starting to set her up

Hey all, just putting a few things out there that are in the works for my first bandit to see what advice/etc comes my way

So my 2010 GSF1250S was purchased with a K&N air filter already fitted and has a Yoshimura pipe all the correct bits - bloody good start.

First thing me and the girlfriend did (was supposed to be her bike initially - she managed 1000klm on it and gave up, long story....  ), was put a black GSF radiator guard on her, giving the bike a uniform black mean look (and protecting the ole radiator into the bargain). Happy with that one.

Tonight I've raised the headlight adjustment (it was near pointing straight at the ground i swear, and on the unlit back roads I travel at 4.30am to get to work that's some nasty sh*t).

I raised the seat to it's high setting yesterday and found that it actually made a significant difference, with a much more natural sitting position resulting, instead of being jammed up against the tank with my ghoulies cringing whenever the road got a bit on the far side of average....

On the way home today i picked up some 'comfort' grips, having found that after 2 years in cruiserville the grips on the bandit were a bit hard on the hands.
As yet i haven't put on those on, if anyone has advice on right and wrong ways to go about it that would be cool .

Once finances have settled down from the purchase of ye olde black beasty I wondering with the pipe and K&N if it would be worth sending away to Dale Walker for a stage 2 setup with his bolt on chip..... any experience anyone may have with that would be appreciated.

Still have some time to wait before i can post pictures apparently - but will put them up once the training wheels are off

Have a good one all,

pSiN

pSiN wrote:

On the way home today i picked up some 'comfort' grips, having found that after 2 years in cruiserville the grips on the bandit were a bit hard on the hands.
As yet i haven't put on those on, if anyone has advice on right and wrong ways to go about it that would be cool .

Is that the foam slip on ones that go over the original grips?

If it is, I'm pretty sure most recommend water, mine said spray liberally with hair spray, you have to be quick and get them before it dries but that has worked well

Grip puppies, or pussy grips, are usually put on the handlebars, with the grip of soapy water, yo grip slide them on snuggly. That's how I put mine on my bike, that's not a Bandit they make some difference on that bike, but I find, with good gloves, they aren't necessary on Suzy

If my hands weren't so big and have so many old footy/basketball injuries I'd probably find the originals ok, my Grab On Grip covers have made a massive difference since I've had them

https://nswbandits.forumotion.net/t5357-grab-on-grip-covers

Dale's stage 2 makes this bike sing, I thought the Bandit was a great deal when I bought it, even the Suzuki mechanics I use were blown away with the improvements of the Stage 2.

A radiator guard would be one of my first choices ....................a lot cheaper than a new radiator

paul wrote:A radiator guard would be one of my first choices ....................a lot cheaper than a new radiator

He's already done that Paul

pSiN wrote:
Tonight I've raised the headlight adjustment (it was near pointing straight at the ground i swear, and on the unlit back roads I travel at 4.30am to get to work that's some nasty sh*t).
pSiN

That's because the previous owner would have found out the headlight is shit and only has a range of 3 feet

madmax wrote:

paul wrote:A radiator guard would be one of my first choices ....................a lot cheaper than a new radiator

He's already done that Paul

  Looks like I had better add eye sight to the list of things that don't want to work of a morning 

( That wasn't added after my post I hope ................  )

paul wrote:

madmax wrote:

paul wrote:A radiator guard would be one of my first choices ....................a lot cheaper than a new radiator

He's already done that Paul

  Looks like I had better add eye sight to the list of things that don't want to work of a morning 

( That wasn't added after my post I hope ................  )

No it was there all along

madmax wrote:

paul wrote:

madmax wrote:

paul wrote:A radiator guard would be one of my first choices ....................a lot cheaper than a new radiator

He's already done that Paul

  Looks like I had better add eye sight to the list of things that don't want to work of a morning 

( That wasn't added after my post I hope ................  )

No it was there all along

Damn ..........mum told me I would go blind 

Well i think the trial period is over so it's time to put up a few photo's of the black beast....

Thanks to everyone that has suggested or given feedback on some of my initial questions for my beloved bandit - the more i ride her the happier i am with this bike .

In a word - NICE!
Another word - Envious!

Dont waste your money on a engine up date spend it getting the crap suspension upgraded make a world of difference

That's a nice looking Bandit mate.
If I ever got another the first thing I would do after a rad guard would be to sort the suspension. 
The rest of the bike is great.

Lookin' good.     As stated. The suspension is not the best. Nor the brakes. Braided lines will help the brakes out to a degree. You don't have to spend thousands on the suspension either. A GSXR1000 shock will fit in the non ABS models. A set of gold valves and new springs to suit will make the front behave a great deal better.  One of the cheapest and easiest upgrades to do on the motor, is to remove the secondaries. It really does work !

Hammy wrote: A GSXR1000 shock will fit in the non ABS models. 

will the shock upgrade above also work on the 06?

Thanks guys, suspension eh?

I hear that a lot, and you have to remember that with me having come of 60,000klm of cruiser the suspension on this bike seems like a bloody dream come true in comparison....... but....... perhaps there is a thread here with good suggestions.

We're talking budget upgrades here guys, complete conversions to race quality (and race quality price!) mods aren't something i'd be too interested in, but, reasonably priced upgrades that give good bang for buck that I can really feel (I'm never going to be a race star, I'm not Rossi, as much as i wish it was true, I can ride, and ride hard, but i'll never be in that 1% of riders that can really use that ragged edge of performance in motor and suspension that everyone seems to feel is absolutely necessary...), then i'd be very interested in finding out about those good sensible dollar value suspension upgrades.... .

Thanks again for the feedback everyone .

pSiN.

pSiN wrote:Thanks guys, suspension eh?

I hear that a lot, and you have to remember that with me having come of 60,000klm of cruiser the suspension on this bike seems like a bloody dream come true in comparison....... but....... perhaps there is a thread here with good suggestions.

We're talking budget upgrades here guys, complete conversions to race quality (and race quality price!) mods aren't something i'd be too interested in, but, reasonably priced upgrades that give good bang for buck that I can really feel (I'm never going to be a race star, I'm not Rossi, as much as i wish it was true, I can ride, and ride hard, but i'll never be in that 1% of riders that can really use that ragged edge of performance in motor and suspension that everyone seems to feel is absolutely necessary...), then i'd be very interested in finding out about those good sensible dollar value suspension upgrades.... .

Thanks again for the feedback everyone .

pSiN.

Chuck 2k (over time) at both ends and you will love the bike even more. In quick time you will find the stock greatly lacking rebound and compression control giving you a harsh ride (assuming you're not 45kg) On occasion i had the wind knocked out of me! The front dives too much on a single compression stroke but add multiple shock movements it goes hard leading to understeer. 
I've had and have bikes that handle beautifully with stock suspension. Unfortunately the Bandit doesn't make that list and for an extra $800 to the asking price it could have.

stu wrote:

Hammy wrote: A GSXR1000 shock will fit in the non ABS models. 

will the shock upgrade above also work on the 06?

Yip.  I did it.