Not a New Bike

Well, I sold the black and gold bandit with 102,000kms on it and was thinking I'd buy something in the 1,000cc (or so) class. But I came across a 2008 Bandit with only 18,500kms on it and in showroom perfect condition (seriously, not even a speck of dust), and I couldn't resist buying it (see what happens when you don't have a bike for 5 minutes)! I've upgraded front and rear suspension (Racetech 1.0kg/mm springs, 5 weight oil and some revalving at the front, Ohlins at the back) - what a huge difference - I don't know how anyone can ride a Bandit with standard suspension, the changes are transformational. When I modded the black bandit, I did the front first and then the rear some 10s of thousands of kms later, so I didn't get the quantum change in one hit that doing both front and back together brings. It felt like a different bike to the one I bought and rode home. I've painted the rims silver using UHT rim paint and clearcoat. This may prove to be a pain to keep clean. To cap it off, I put brand new Roadsmart 3 tyres on it.

Very nice ,will be interesting to see how you like it compared to your 1200 .

Looks nice 

More detailed info about suspension mods? I've been thing about looking at my 12's suspension.

Done well .............looks in good nick . 

Looks nice Dave, I'd never been a fan of the silver engine colour but it looks like it belongs now the rims are silver too.

Chook wrote:Looks nice Dave, I'd never been a fan of the silver engine colour but it looks like it belongs now the rims are silver too.

I'm with you on that Chook, I generally don't like blue bikes - so something had to be done.    Not sure I'm going to be to the "keeping it clean" business that goes with it. 

rodent4 wrote:Looks nice 

More detailed info about suspension mods? I've been thing about looking at my 12's suspension.

The rear Ohlins is a SU045 unit (but the receipt also quotes "Ohlins S46DR1 Shock Absorber" so I don't know which one is correct - maybe both). It is a relatively simple shock, with the usual manual preload adjustment and rebound dampening adjustment. New, back in 2014, it cost less than $900. I see a much pricier Ohlins is available on eBay for the Bandit that includes remote adjusters.

The revalving work in the front did not, to my knowledge, involve replacing the standard valves, as Laurie (Suspension Smith, Fyshwick, Canberra) reckons the Bandit 1250 valves are pretty good. I don't really know what he did.  To add full compression and rebound dampening adjustment would have added $500 to the bill (which was only $450 for the front and $100 to service the Ohlins. This included new fork seals on the front). I didn't opt for the full front adjustment as I was happy with just a simpler and less costly approach from my experience on the previous bandit. The main problem with the front end of the 1250 and 1250S is that the springs are too soft for anyone over about 60kg. Laurie recommends 1.0kg/mm Racetech springs for riders about 100kg or so and 0.95 kg/mm for lighter riders. 

^^^^^^Thanks for the in depth reply 

I might need to review my top 5 photos of bikes. Must be the silver rims but it does seem to be a cleaner look for mine.
Nice.