Filtering

Yesterday it was time to show the DL a bit of love - I know, you're not supposed to but just every now and again ok?

Love in this case was represented by a new air filter.  I guessed that she was probably still running her original one and figured with her favourite diet of dusty gravel roads being reasonably regular, it was probably time to spoil her.

First of all I had to take off some of her clothes (this how-to was helpful although I had done this before) and the air-box was soon uncovered.  The trickiest bit is the fuel fitting under the tank but it is the same type as on the Connie so I managed to work it out ok with a bit of muttering and holding my tongue just right.

Jeebus!  The dust gets in everywhere!

Popping the lid gave me the first look at the old air cleaner:

All sorts of wildlife seems to get sucked in

It doesn't look too bad eh?  Oh, well here it is against the new one:

Ok, we'll stick with the plan and put the new one in:

All that remained to do was to button everything up and put the clothes back on again.  She even fired up once the go-juice was reconnected!

But the fun didn't stop there!  Today Mark brought around his bike and we not only did the air filter but also the plugs and the oil and oil filter too.  Shed fun is nearly as good as riding fun.

DL and Connie wait patiently while another bike gets some loving

GSX1250FA

Ok, so maybe there isn't a 2010 Bandit 'S' coming. Looks like it has changed into a GSX - at least in America anyway. Looks quite sharp. Just needs luggage, a bigger tank and a shaft...

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/639/4583/Motorcycle-Article/2010-Suzuki-GSX1250FA-and-Bandit-First-Look.aspx

Edit: Found another article with some more info on the GSX1250. More photos of the bike with some showing it fitted with luggage. Very nice.

http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/2916/2916

2010 Bandit 1250

Spotted a wee article on the 2010 Bandit on twowheelsblog.com: http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/2888/suzuki-gsf1250-bandit-2010

Only pics of the naked version at this stage but it looks like reasonably similar to the current model although the headlight/dash area looks like it may have been updated.

How to wreck a Bandit

Sacrilege!

New 650 Bandit

Looks like the little Bandit is in for some changes next year. Haven't heard anything about changes to the 1250 - yet. Looks like a few changes to the front of the fairing (wish there was a bigger piccy), quite nice.

http://www.easier.com/view/Bikes/Suzuki_News/article-213817.html

http://www.motorstoday.co.uk/SUZUKI-UNVEILS-NEW-BANDIT-650-RANGE.1373.news

Grease Monkey

Well, not really, but a keen amateur. The slide show below shows Mark giving his Bandit a bit of TLC (oil & filter change) before next weekend's Capital 1000K Cruise.

PS: he didn't do too bad a job - no oil spilt on the garage floor (carpeted if you please). Must have been the quality of the assistance & instruction he received...

Bandit Tourer

Seems like it was only a couple of days ago that I was wondering why Suzuki NZ don't bring in the GT version of the Bandit that is available in Europe - well now they've done something similar.

They call it the GSF1250SATK8 Bandit Tourer (bit of a mouthful) and at $15,995 it comes with the following extras:

• ABS
• Touring screen
• Lower fairing
• Tank Bag
• Panniers

Looks ok, but where's the top-box? Never mind, pretty cheap touring.

http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/motorcycles.html

Bandit 1250GT

Found a couple more links to some info on the Bandit GT's that Europe is gonna get. Dunno why they don't bring 'em over here - they sell a heap of Bandits here and luggage just makes them a more attractive buy.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/January/january-7-13/jan1408suzukiannouncebandit1250touring/

http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4206964&fSectionId=759&fSetId=381

Bandit 1250GT

Well, what was I on about the other day? This is getting a lot closer to what's been missing from Suzy's line-up:


Some more (limited) info here.

Wonder if it'll come to NZ?

Suzuki GSX650F

Check out the below link for a very quick look at the new GSX650F. Probably quite a nice little bike (both Mark & I had 750's) but the very first comment to the article raises a question that I've always had: why don't Suzuki build a GSX1250F or GSX1400F?

They've got some great motors etc but aren't putting them in anything that is truly designed for touring. Don't get me wrong - I toured big time on 2 Bandits and they did the job but what about better weather protection, standard luggage, a shaft and some other touring goodies. All the other Japanese manufacturers can do it and Suzuki did it in the past so what's the excuse?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/November/november12-18/nov1407suzukigsx650ffirstimpressionstestlaunch/?R=EPI-97026

Concours in Two Wheels

I've just picked up the August copy of Two Wheels and they've got an article on the launch of the Concours. I won't go into any detail here but they seem to think pretty good things about it. They've also got a comparison test of the new Bandit vs the Yamaha XJR1300 with the Bandit coming out on top.

Time for a change...

Well it’s finally happened – I’m not a Bandit Rider anymore. After 44,555 km on my K2 and 20,468 on the K6 (and 18 years on Suzuki’s) I’ve changed for something different – more on that later.

Firstly, what I think of the Bandit. It is a simple, reliable bike that will do everything. Plenty of grunt to run with more powerful bikes and a great relaxed riding position. Carries rider, pillion and gear no worries and is easy on gas – 300km to a tank no problem. It is also a very easy bike to ride: strong, smooth power delivery and wide handlebars make throwing it around a piece of cake. Even good on gravel. A great, cheap, reliable all-rounder that puts a big smile on the dial after every ride.

So why change? Well after about five & a half years and 65,000kms on Bandits I thought that it was time for a change to something a bit more modern. A few years ago before I bought the K6, I rode a Blackbird and was impressed with the engine – not just the grunt but the smoothness etc and for a while one of these was possibly on the cards. The fairing protection was also something that impressed me. I guess ultimately I was looking for a more “modern” bike – engine, comfort, performance etc.

A while ago I stuck a poll (see results on right) on the blog with a list of what I thought were potential contenders for a space in my shed. Naturally the new Bandit was on there and I’m sure it’s a great bike (chased one around the Wairarapa on Saturday). You still cannot beat it for price - $14k gets a lot of bike, even ABS. Also on there was the Blackbird, Hayabusa, ZX-14 and the new Concours 14.

I guess ever since I saw the first pictures of the Concours I was interested – it really looked like the business for what I want to do on a bike: ride big miles in comfort. And of course I’ve been posting info on it on this blog for a while.

So, last Wednesday I took one for a quick test ride – in the rain. Yep, you still get wet on them! It impressed me straight away – it’s a big heavy bike but once under way the weight just isn’t an issue. And of course the weight helps it feel absolutely planted on the road. As I quietly pottered up the road I tossed her from side to side and it felt great.

And then once out on the open road the engine came rushing into the equation – silky smooth acceleration through the gears with no fuss whatsoever. A couple of top gear roll-ons from 90km/h or so showed that there was heaps of grunt there to get you past the traffic and off into the distance.

And then it was time to stop – it does! Gave myself a little fright when I braked so hard in the wet, but ABS (though it probably never kicked in) and no issues. So, soaking wet I took the bike back, went home to change and then back to work.

Ever since then it was a case of thinking shall I or shant I? I was very keen but was also nervous about the size of the bike and of course the dollars involved. In the end by Friday I had pretty much decided and was looking for insurance. Come Saturday I was off on the Bandit riding with some of the local Kiwi Biker crew and there was a Concours in the group. It was great to talk to Meanie about his bike and watch it in action. Shame he got a puncture on the day but at least the bike told him about it before it could get him into trouble.

And so we get to today. Another great Manawatu day – bucketing down most of the day. At least it fined up for me at lunch time so I could go and pick the bike up and take a quick ride out to Ashhurst and back. Yep, I like it all right! Come time to head home and it was bucketing down again – I really hope that the sound of it starting up isn’t some kind of rain dance soundtrack…

Really looking forward to getting out on it and getting it run in. Unfortunately that’s not this weekend – something else on. But that just gives the weather another week to come right – lemme think, Napier-Taupo-Ohakune-Wanganui-Palmy?

I’ll post more as the bike & I get better aquainted…

More pics of a wet Concours:

http://picasaweb.google.com/andrew.l.thomson/TheConcours

For Sale

Have just spotted something I'm keen on and could be looking to change bike a bit before initially planned. So I've stuck and add on Kiwi Biker (see link below) and if I get manage to sell or can swing a good deal then I may end up with a new horse in the shed (not telling what it is yet).

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1122266#post1122266

K7 Bandits

Well it looks like they're definitely here! Suzuki have them listed on their website with details etc including the price: $13,995. Still good value for money - thought we might see a higher price due to the new higher spec motor - good to see, they'll sell boat loads.

See more on the website: http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/motorcycles.html

How's about a photo ripped off their site?

K7 Bandits

Apparently there's a few K7 Bandits starting to come into the country. My Dad has seen one in Napier and the bike shop at the link below apparently has a pre-production model.

http://www.motogb.co.nz/Details.cfm?ProdID=254

None in the local shop - they still got some K6's so will probably wanting to shift them pretty quickly - could possibly get a good buy even though the Suzuki Summerfest is supposed to have finished. My current new bike plan (always evolving) is to hang onto my K6 until early next year. Although there's also a new Blackbird at the Honda dealer at a good price...

Bandit Repairs

All done! Picked up the bike this morning. Great to have it fixed so quickly, the weather's great at the moment so guess what I'm doing tomorrow!

Bandit Repairs

Good news on the bike repair front. Claim has been approved and bike shop reports little damage: just need a new mudguard ($180) and the forks straightened (slightly twisted). Should be on the road in no time hopefully.

Guy that hit me get's off lightly (or his insurance company), cheap repairs although he'll probably loose his no claim bonus and see a hike in his premiums.

Southern Cross is still a goer - thank the god of motorcycling adventures!

New Muffler

Now you can hear the bike!

I've finally got my old Promuff muffler fitted to the new bike. The muffler had done approx 30,000 k's on the old K2 so Brendan (who made the muffler originally) took it apart and repacked it. Because the K6 muffler was not a slip on like on the K2 it meant that Brendan had to modify the inlet side of the muffler and then weld it to the pipe coming from the collector under the motor.

As you can see from the picture he has made a really good job of it and it looks like it's been there from the factory.

The bike sounds great - just like the old one. Haven't had a chance to go for a decent ride yet (windy as hell still) but have got a toy run to do next weekend - a good chance to see how the bike goes with the new muffler.

More on the K7 Suzuki's

Just checked out the Suzuki NZ site and you'll find a little bit more on a few of the 2007 models:
http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/motorcycles.html

Looks like April 2007 for the new Bandit. 650 gets a new motor too.

B-King looks pretty radical - wonder if it's still got a supercharged version of the 'Busa motor like the concept bike had...

More here on both B-King and Bandit:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=3763&Page=1

and:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2007models/2007models-Suzuki-Bandit1250S.htm

and:

http://www.mcnews.com.au/2007_bikes/nakeds/suzuki_bandit1250s/intro.htm

New K7 Bandit 1250

Damnation! I bought my new K6 in April and now there's a new model already.

As you can see from the picture, the styling has not changed but the big change is the heart - a brand new 1250cc liquid-cooled and finally fuel-injected 4 cylinder lump. Sounds good - has to mean even more ergs...

And I was planning to keep my one for a few years yet. What am I gonna do? At least my luggage system and seat cover should fit on easily.

More info on the new one below:

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=26975