bandit age group

First topic message reminder :

Ok, so I'm 25.

And not that I'm worried or anything, but....

I have noticed that a large number of members are over 30, over 40 and over 50....

While I think this is great, the knowledge and experience you bring is great. But...

Have I bought an old man's bike?

If yes, then sweet, cause at least it's unique :-)

im dreadfully immature and still waiting for someone to tell me what to do for a job. actually the last bike i had before this was a gsx1100 that i sold in in 1986 or thereabouts and i had a number of them before that . and here's the odd thing for those lamenting that 50 is 'old' - about a week after i got this bike, i started thinking to myself ....holy shit this thing is rather heavier than i seem to recall bikes being. i found it hard to lug around and i couldn't recall that from previous bikes. anyway [and here's a good clue for those who take it up] i started doing a bit of exercise every day in the way of dips; push ups etc and it works. you lose your strength over time very gradually and you dont notice it as it is so slow. now though i am physically stronger that i have ever been and the difference it makes to everything is incredible - and the best part is that it only takes about 18 months to get used to it so that it no longer feels like a chore. so do it but look forward to a year and a half of punishment

Have you not heard, 60 is the new 80.

1 Phrase to remember, "Growing old is inevitable, growing UP is voluntary"

Some folk are old at twenty, (accountants, Public Servants "sorry Chris" Lawyers) some of us never got past Puberty and continue into our dotage blissfully unaware of out arthritis, incontinence, dementia whereas the youngsters get a toothache and they turn up to the emergency room.

The fact that many of us have achieved this august age shows that unlike many we learned from our mistakes and those that were made by others who sadly gave so that we may live.

To quote the Ulysses motto, "Grow Old Disgracefully"

I may work for the Gvt but im not a public servant.
I take your point and agree Chris. See you Fri.

I'm 36 and the bandit was a natural progression from the GFSX650FU. I've only ridden a sports bike for all of 15 minutes and hated it. Perhaps I was doing it wrong.

33year old. Owned the Bandit for 4 years as of 31st Oct. They are an oldies bike, but insurance cost etc. far outweigh riding a sports bike. I too seem to be able to compete with any 1L sports bike that shows up on a country run with 200HP at the wheel, so they are certainly capable.

The poms love them because they are the best bang for buck bike out there. Most Aussies however have to go for a Harley, a Ducati or a sports bike. Once they get over it they might drop down a peg or two to buy a bike that doesn't break down or need constant maintenance

I'll put up some photos of the wife on the bike when I get around to it....

heres one of a few years ago shooting.... i don't know why, but women on bikes or holding BIG guns is just sexy....

what can i say, i love red heads.....

Any of her at the beach?

Naughty, naughty. Where's her ear muffs ? Back to the topic. 52, broke my back many years ago and my knees aren't what they used to be. I think the Bandits are bought based on riding position and comfort as much as anything else. JMO.

I have a red head too
At first I thought your missus was playing cricket!

A nice pair of titties rubbing on your back with the owners hands doodling in your lap is always a good thing (provided they belong to a member of the opposite sex!!)

I'm into my 53rd year and really didn't ride since my late 20's until late 40's... from what I see, the Bandit seems to suit a myriad of tastes and ages.

I rode a Honda Blackbird before buying my 1250s - the Honda was great - performed well - but inside 30km's my back was aching. I seem to be able to ride forever on the Bandit and its only the sore bum and fuel when I'm close to the 400km mark that causes me to get off for a short rest. However I find that if I've got a pillion on board I start to get unsettled around the 200km point or after about 2hrs of riding...

I have plenty of her at the beach......

That photo shooting the 44 magnum was a few years ago, we were about 18 at that shoot i think.

7 years and 2 kids, she sill looks that good... better I reckon, but hey, that might be just me....



But to stay on topic, somewhat... still nto sure how I came to be posting photos of my wife.... but neways...

My only issue with titties and hands while riding is that I'm not experienced enough with a pillion yet to be too distractd while riding. Hence why I have to keep consistantly smacking her hands away. The problem is that I don't want her to be put off too much because once I have enough experience to be able to maintain some distraction I want her tocontinue....It's such a balancing act.... hehe

The only thing I really am missing about the gs500 over the bandit is the fuel economy. But considering I'm leaving every single cage that has tried to drag me in the dust then I'm not complaining.....

I don't get why the bandit's aren't more popular in Australia. I can't understand why you wouldn't choose a bandit.... It really is the commodore of bikes... Except that it is built better, is more reliable, is better on fuel and holds a better level of resale... and it ain't a holden :-)

Don't fret over fuel economy, it's directly linked to your right hand and how much fun you have when riding. Once you get a good long run (ie something which isn't commuting to and from work) the economy improves.

2wheelsagain wrote:I have a red head too
At first I thought your missus was playing cricket!

do you also have man boobs to go with your red hair ? ( some pictures at the beach would be good )

Reardo wrote:Do you newer blokes know that The Great General Cameron, owner and Moderator of this forum is 20 years old?

God, you'd have to be the biggest SUCK on here lol.

Ok slightly similar topic. I have the 2 DRZs now and I have noticed "most" riders in the over 40 age group are DR650 and KLR650 riders, mostly DR650s. There is still the odd CRF and KTM and a few BMWs.

one of the private sale bandits was from a guy who was in his 60's and had changed over to a dr650 that had been lower. He said he was having trouble with the weight of the bike.

He also said the dr650 made every road feel flat and smooth. While the bandit was good i wasnt as good.

chips wrote:one of the private sale bandits was from a guy who was in his 60's and had changed over to a dr650 that had been lower. He said he was having trouble with the weight of the bike.

He also said the dr650 made every road feel flat and smooth. While the bandit was good i wasnt as good.

I am still doing a heap of bitumen riding and with the disgusting state of our roads up here the new bike just soaks up the potholes. You really wouldn't believe it's our state major highway by looking at it..

drive in NSW for a bit and you will think the bruce is beautiful....

chips wrote:

I don't get why the bandit's aren't more popular in Australia. I can't understand why you wouldn't choose a bandit.... It really is the commodore of bikes... Except that it is built better, is more reliable, is better on fuel and holds a better level of resale... and it ain't a holden :-)

It's because Australians love either sports bikes or cruisers. In all honesty if you were to really consider the roads most of us ride on the most popular bikes should be 'all road tourers' like the BMW GS's, VStrom, Varadero (ugly fucker that it is), Tiger etc etc.

chips wrote:drive in NSW for a bit and you will think the bruce is beautiful....

I'll second that - but then my name IS 'Bruce'

b12mick wrote:

chips wrote:

I don't get why the bandit's aren't more popular in Australia. I can't understand why you wouldn't choose a bandit.... It really is the commodore of bikes... Except that it is built better, is more reliable, is better on fuel and holds a better level of resale... and it ain't a holden :-)

It's because Australians love either sports bikes or cruisers. In all honesty if you were to really consider the roads most of us ride on the most popular bikes should be 'all road tourers' like the BMW GS's, VStrom, Varadero (ugly fucker that it is), Tiger etc etc.

but I rode a vstrom and did not like it at all..... Too high off the ground and didn't feel stable taking corners at high speed. I.E. over 100kph
also didn't feel good with two up riding.

Bhoffo wrote:

chips wrote:drive in NSW for a bit and you will think the bruce is beautiful....

I'll second that - but then my name IS 'Bruce'

and so modest as well !

chips wrote:

b12mick wrote:

chips wrote:

I don't get why the bandit's aren't more popular in Australia. I can't understand why you wouldn't choose a bandit.... It really is the commodore of bikes... Except that it is built better, is more reliable, is better on fuel and holds a better level of resale... and it ain't a holden :-)

It's because Australians love either sports bikes or cruisers. In all honesty if you were to really consider the roads most of us ride on the most popular bikes should be 'all road tourers' like the BMW GS's, VStrom, Varadero (ugly fucker that it is), Tiger etc etc.

but I rode a vstrom and did not like it at all..... Too high off the ground and didn't feel stable taking corners at high speed. I.E. over 100kph
also didn't feel good with two up riding.

Interesting, I've been considering a Vstrom as a replacement for my Bandit. Particularly after a couple of weekends ago when one of the blokes riding with us was on a VStrom (1000) and was keeping up quite well.

paul wrote: and so modest as well !

That's what the girlfriend says as well!!