New Member

Hi everyone,
I am a 48 yo in living in Melbourne. I recently traded in my 2012 Vstrom for a 2011 GSX1250FA. I'm really enjoying this motorcycle - it's very smooth with endless amounts of torque. The bike had just 3600kms on it and included an MRA-Xcreen, staintune exhgaust and ventura rack. I've since added Oxford heated grips, a tankpad, 12v waterproof socket/mount for my GPS and have a SW-motech topbox rack on order.
Anyway, just wanted to say Hi and am looking forward to interacting and learning from others on this forum.

Hi Mnaidoo2 and welcome aboard. This is the place to be for all your Bandit queries.  Enjoy.

Welcome aboard. Do you have the 12volt power socket permanently mounted or loose under the seat? Laurie

Welcome mnaidoo.   

Welcome aboard.
Its a nut house sometimes but all in good fun.   
Good to see another Vic on here.

I have mine lose under the seat Laurie. Its cable tied but the plug can move about a bit.

Welcome to the Forum mnaidoo2

Where abouts in Melbourne are you situated?

Welcome aboard.  Might see you on the road sometime.  Cheers.

Welcome aboard  

Welcome Mnaidoo2, be careful with the SW rack not to put too much weight in the top box, it can tear the weld on the subframe/grabrail and you could loose the lot. Others have had this happen. Givi is a better setup as the force is downward not counter-levered. Enjoy the bike!

I'm in Epping, Vic - working at The Docklands.
Laurie, I used a 30mm holesaw and mounted the 12v socket permanently on the black plastic panel that forms part of the instrument surround.

Welcome to the forum! How long did you have the Vstrom for? and how would you compare them so far?

I had to Vstrom for just over a year. It is the ideal bike for commuting. Has amble power and is very fuel efficient. I used to get around 450kms from the tank. I missed the feel and scream of a 4 cyl bike though as I used to own an GSXR750 prior to the Vstrom. The Vstrom has two features that I miss on the new bike - an ambient temperature gauge and a toggle switch that let you switch between instrument displays without having to remove your hands from the handlebar. Anyway, all things said, I prefer the GSX1250FA over the Vstrom - its a more smooth and refined ride. My only gripe with it thus far is the terrible fuel gauge. The reserve starts flashing at around 230kms which is annoying. This morning, I filled up after doing 308kms and there was still 3 litres in the tank.

mnaidoo2 wrote:My only gripe with it thus far is the terrible fuel gauge. The reserve starts flashing at around 230kms which is annoying. This morning, I filled up after doing 308kms and there was still 3 litres in the tank.

There's plenty of discussion on that issue on here, you're not alone in disliking the gauge, personally, I don't mind it but this is my first bike with a gauge and no reserve tap