• Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to register so that you can join the community and use the numerous features on the site. After registering, don't forget to post up an introduction!

The 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250S -The Mega Thread

Forums New posts
Kelsen, I've got the Rentecs on my B1250. Being 5'8", they were they first farkle I put on the bike. I really like them. They are much sturdier looking than all the other crash bars I've seen for the Bandit.

Where did you order the Rentecs from? When I got mine, there was only one place in the US that carried them. The last time I looked they were no longer available except from the UK.
 
Mick said:
Kelsen, I've got the Rentecs on my B1250. Being 5'8", they were they first farkle I put on the bike. I really like them. They are much sturdier looking that all the other crash bars I've seen for the Bandit.

Where did you order the Rentecs from? When I got mine, there was only one place in the US that carried them. The last time I looked they were no longer available except from the UK.
Click to expand...

www.motobars.com

I emailed Renntec in the UK, and they gave me a price (Total: £164.33), but also told me about their apparently new US distributor, motobars. At current rates (almost half of that is shipping....), the UK price is about 265 dollars. At Motobars, it cost me $215 including shipping. Ouch.

But I know up front the value of crash bars; in 1976 I totalled my '73 GT550 at around 70mph. Without the large crash bars mounted, my legs would have been torn off rather than torn up... These don't offer *that* kind of protection, but they will protect a lot of the bike in the case of a tip over.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
I like kids, but I could never eat a whole one.
 
I think I've got a buyer for the Bandit, will possibly say farewell tomorrow at noon.
Nope, still rollin' with the Bandit. Buyer found a better deal.
 
dasminkar said:
I think I've got a buyer for the Bandit, will possibly say farewell tomorrow at noon.
Click to expand...

I was in mind to sell my Bandit after me crash last May. Got it fixed up here in my shop and about a month after the crash, took it for a test ride to make sure all worked as usual. Then another ride, then another ride. Don't guess it's going anywhere's too fast. But, probably going to be a long time, if ever, before another long tour on it due to the shoulder. Age sucks when it comes to the body healing fast and proper. Sigh! :lol2:
 
achesley said:
But, probably going to be a long time, if ever, before another long tour on it due to the shoulder. Age sucks when it comes to the body healing fast and proper. Sigh! :lol2:
Click to expand...

I'll expand on this a bit. My advice for riders is that if they dream of 2-wheeled tours to beautiful parts of the country, try to make these desires come true while you're still relatively young and have good health and a strong body. You may make it well into your 70's in great health but once you cross the 60 year old mark, the odds of that happening become increasingly unlikely. Unfortunately you usually can't predict it ahead of time. It's a roll of the genetic dice.
 
I was very lucky to get in the touring and runs I did in the last 20 or so years. I really didn't start touring and roaming till '92 on an XV920RH Yamaha. Before that it was local cutting up and scrambles, flat track, motorcross, minor road racing. And generally just cutting up on my bikes. I wish I would of started the touring bit in my 30's instead of nearly 50. ;-) Well said Mick.
 
MY Penske shock is awesome!

It's like a Cadillac mated with a Ferrari and out popped a shock built specifically for me.
 
Well, finally, after an honest 70+ thousand miles, I'm gonna replace the bushings in my forks. Have the right fork seal just seeping enuff to collect dust on the tube. Had just flush the tubes and put new fluid in them at about 60 thousand miles. Already have the seals in stock but no use changing them without redoing the bushings. Also , gonna attempt to pretty up my wheels while on the bench and apart.
 
Tazman2 said:
Confused. What "bushings" in the fork!?
Click to expand...

You have the one right under the fork seal which when worn will help the fork seal leak. ;-) Then there are a few items on the dampner rod under the oil lock cap on the end that need to be changed along with the seal in there.
And the parts houses are proud of those bushings and seals.
You can go to Race tech's site and he has a list of bushings and seals needing to be changed also on a fork rebuild. In fact, they automatically change them out ( according to com I got from them ) if your forks have 20,000 on them when you send them for gold valves.
 
Hmmm interesting. Guess I should take a look at the blown up fork in the manual to see these! Obviously I'm still learning even though I managed to do the fork springs meself! ;)
 
Hey everybody,
I'm new to the forum and just purchased a 2007 1250SA! One of the best bikes I've ever owned so far! I'm looking at getting some mirror extenders and was looking for some input. Has anybody ordered from Metrickmetal.com? Seems to be nice stuff but a little pricey. Are they worth more than double the money of other extenders?

Thanks
 
lorenp said:
Hey everybody,
I'm new to the forum and just purchased a 2007 1250SA! One of the best bikes I've ever owned so far! I'm looking at getting some mirror extenders and was looking for some input. Has anybody ordered from Metrickmetal.com? Seems to be nice stuff but a little pricey. Are they worth more than double the money of other extenders?
Click to expand...

Yes they are worth it because of the ability to adjust the mounting. I really like mine but wish I'd ordered the 1 1/2" rather than the 1". Even the 1" are a big improvement over stock but the 1 1/2" would be even better.
 
My 2009 Bandit no longer looks new since I dropped it in a ditch. Can the scratched cowl be filled, sanded, and repainted? One part is cracked, can that part be patched underneath with fiberglas? I have no knowledge of working on plastic panels. Brand new parts are precious. Does anyone have experience buying body panels from a motorcycle recycling business or eBay? I'm considering just replacing the destroyed turn signal and riding it as is.

This is a new experience for me. Thanks for any help.

Robert
 
Zephyr said:
Can the scratched cowl be filled, sanded, and repainted? One part is cracked, can that part be patched underneath with fiberglas? I have no knowledge of working on plastic panels. Brand new parts are precious.

Robert
Click to expand...

Yes, it can be repaired and painted. However, by the time you pay for paint, repairs, labor, ect... You could probably buy a brand new factory pre-painted part for the same money.

I repaired several cracks and breaks in my front fairing with excellent results. I used a soldering gun and pieces of ABS plastic(plumbing section at lowes). Once I got the cracks welded back together I used ABS cement/resin in layers to finish up. I don't know if I would use fiberglass to repair the fairing maybe someone else could chime in. If I knew how I could have gotten a new front fairing for the same money I would have saved my self some time but atleast I learned something in the process.
 
lorenp said:
Hey everybody,
I'm new to the forum and just purchased a 2007 1250SA! One of the best bikes I've ever owned so far! I'm looking at getting some mirror extenders and was looking for some input. Has anybody ordered from Metrickmetal.com? Seems to be nice stuff but a little pricey. Are they worth more than double the money of other extenders?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I used the nylon black mirror extenders that are available all over online. They can be cheap or expensive depending on where you buy.
Google Bandit mirror extenders and check it out. They do help quite a bit.

I also stuck a FendaExtenda on the ft fender to cut down on flying rocks and debris off the ft tire.
 
Mick said:
Yes they are worth it because of the ability to adjust the mounting. I really like mine but wish I'd ordered the 1 1/2" rather than the 1". Even the 1" are a big improvement over stock but the 1 1/2" would be even better.
Click to expand...
Hm,the mirrors adjust easily with out any help from mirror extenders on mine. How do the metrickmetals jobbers help with that?
 
Since it's November, I'll post a note about some cold weather gear.

I have just taken up riding again, after a 10-year hiatus. when I used to ride in the cold, I had a Lockhart Apple Warmer. This was neck protection that attached to the outside of the helmet with velcro, and hung down all around, so that it could be tucked inside the jacket. I liked it a lot, because it didn't let wind in the back of the helmet, the side, or anywhere else.

They are no longer available, so I looked for something similar. There are lots of products out there, but I found only one that provided the same sort of all-around-the-neck protection:

http://www.schampa.com/product_p/hlmskrt01.htm

Having bought it and used it, I can say that it works pretty well, although I would like it to be a little longer. I will probably extend it a bit by adding some material to it.

What do you folks use for this purpose?


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
"Some day I'm going to have to have a looooong talk with that boy..." -- J.D. Clampett
 
Mick said:
I'll expand on this a bit. My advice for riders is that if they dream of 2-wheeled tours to beautiful parts of the country, try to make these desires come true while you're still relatively young and have good health and a strong body. You may make it well into your 70's in great health but once you cross the 60 year old mark, the odds of that happening become increasingly unlikely. Unfortunately you usually can't predict it ahead of time. It's a roll of the genetic dice.
Click to expand...
I think the trick is,as always,to keep moving. I trailride on some pretty energetic trails with guys 10 years older then I,Im currently 56. I think if you rest,you rust.

There's quite a pack of us older trailriders around here and its usually the youngsters amongst us who complain when things get ugly.
If I take a long break though,its hard to get it back going again
 
The big problem with age is the easier it is to hurt yourself and the longer it takes to heal. At 70 years young, I crashed missing a deer in West Texas in the Davis Mountains last May. Phase 1 separation of the shoulder and rotary cup damage. Way better now and just getting to where I can do some good 125 mile rides on the KLR and Bandit without too much trouble or pain aids. ;-) But, the shoulder will probably never be where it was before the crash.
First major crash I'd had since the spring of '86 and probably in the neighborhood of 250,000 miles. . Was lots younger then and healed way more faster.
 
Mick said:
It would be great if it were that simple for everyone. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
Click to expand...
No, I know it varies from person to person,Ive wrecked many parts of my body racing and riding dirtbikes,doesnt get any easier as I age.
I ride 100 miles a week when possible on road and mt bikes,at age 56 just getting up the hill is the thing,speed is not the thing.

I dont want to quit till I have to,just did 40 miles of tight singletrack last weekend,couple hard go downs but got up and kept going,if I take too much time off I lose my timing.

All of that makes the streetbiking easier I guess. Been going at it since age 12 and its hard to let it go.
 
Kelsen said:
Since it's November, I'll post a note about some cold weather gear.

I have just taken up riding again, after a 10-year hiatus. when I used to ride in the cold, I had a Lockhart Apple Warmer. This was neck protection that attached to the outside of the helmet with velcro, and hung down all around, so that it could be tucked inside the jacket. I liked it a lot, because it didn't let wind in the back of the helmet, the side, or anywhere else.

They are no longer available, so I looked for something similar. There are lots of products out there, but I found only one that provided the same sort of all-around-the-neck protection:

http://www.schampa.com/product_p/hlmskrt01.htm

Having bought it and used it, I can say that it works pretty well, although I would like it to be a little longer. I will probably extend it a bit by adding some material to it.

What do you folks use for this purpose?


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
"Some day I'm going to have to have a looooong talk with that boy..." -- J.D. Clampett
Click to expand...
Yes those helmet skirts work great ,much better than any baclava, amazing how much quieter the ride is. Shield fogging becomes a major battle with them though
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top