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Steakandchips posted:I mean, I loathe the Bandit 600, so I'm curious just how poo poo the 1200 is in comparison? It's fine. I owned the 1250 bandit for a while and it was a big comfortable couch that could make the earth spin in reverse if you bothered to use even a fraction of the throttle. Yet it did the typical Japanese thing of taking a formula that should be interesting (big fuckoff engine with infinite smooth torque) and made it polite, civilized, quiet, vibration-less and kinda dull because of it. It also had the typical Suzuki characteristic of having the shittiest build quality of the big 4; which is to say- perfectly functional and reliable but prone to tarnishing in ways a Honda or Yamaha wouldn't. The one I had was cheap, reliable and the bike I owned for the longest time out of all my bikes so far with heaps of trouble free riding. I also sold it to buy an Aprilia Shiver.
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Aug 30, 2021 12:01
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Steakandchips posted:I mean, I loathe the Bandit 600, so I'm curious just how poo poo the 1200 is in comparison? The 1200 is great, the 600 is a naked katana (the bad katana at that). It only shares its name with the 1250. They’re different bikes The 1200 also has a lot more character than the 600 and 1250 due to its engine origin. It’s a punched out GSXR-1100 oil cooled motor, which is, to this day, one of the best engines made. And as mentioned it has mountains of torque. It’s a “120 on the on-ramp” sort of bike. Beve Stuscemi fucked around with this message at 12:50 on Sep 1, 2021 |
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Sep 1, 2021 12:42
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Thanks guys, good to know! Completely separately, look at this big boy 2000 'wing for just £4,850, having done 58,000 miles: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/202108186388588 
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Sep 1, 2021 14:45
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That's a nice sofa. Why do you post it in the bike thread though?
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Sep 1, 2021 16:25
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(In response to Bandit 1200 stuff)Steakandchips posted:
I too owned a Bandit 1250 and would steer you that way if you'd rather fuel injection versus the carbs of the 1200. Both bikes are as described and infinitely boring yet will always start and do the job with minimal maintenance. I too "graduated from a Bandit" and went to the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT. Also, if you choose either and decide the absolute gobs of torque isn't enough and you don't mind waiting just short of forever for shipping, this guy/site is THE place to get your go fast parts for a Bandit: http://www.holeshot.com/holeshot/home
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Sep 1, 2021 16:39
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Steakandchips posted:Thanks guys, good to know! Sir that is clearly an RV
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Sep 1, 2021 20:06
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How close in size to a miata is that 'wing.
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Sep 2, 2021 00:33
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You could probably slice a Miata in half the long way and be drat close
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Sep 2, 2021 01:16
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Slavvy posted:Sir that is clearly an RV Any motorcycle is an RV, eh?
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Sep 2, 2021 02:33
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What is it with big bikes and those exact grips? Was down at my local dealer the other day and half the used wings and big Harleys had those aftermarket grips on.
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Sep 2, 2021 06:54
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Someone spotted an opportunity to add slightly more chrome and took it.
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Sep 2, 2021 09:10
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I have a natural aversion to unnecessarily chrome accessories because they always remind me of wandering down the farkle aisle of a walmart or canadian tire and seeing all the awful things they think people should be adding to their cars. This is the aisle that's next to the shaggy steering wheel covers and unnecessarily sexist floor mats and mudflaps, one aisle down from the wall of overwhelmingly pungent air fresheners.
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Sep 2, 2021 13:29
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Those grips are often recommended as anti-fatigue by touring guys. I've seen them on anything, including BMWs. The proper ones have some kind of gel, but the knockoffs are just cheap pads
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Sep 2, 2021 13:53
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My Nighthawk had those grips when I got it and I can confirm they’re comfy and feel great on long rides. I have switched to Oxfords since then and miss the chunky Kuryakyns when my hands get sore around mile 500.
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Sep 2, 2021 15:48
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Nitrox posted:Those grips are often recommended as anti-fatigue by touring guys. I've seen them on anything, including BMWs. The proper ones have some kind of gel, but the knockoffs are just cheap pads This, plus a lot of the riders of those bikes are old men with arthritic hands. Boomers loving love chrome = chromed fat grips
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Sep 2, 2021 15:50
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Jazzzzz posted:This, plus a lot of the riders of those bikes are old men with arthritic hands. Boomers loving love chrome = chromed fat grips I've seen lots of people mention this and idgi. Maybe I have twisted up rat claws but I've always found fat grips really unpleasant, I don't see how making it harder to reach the levers or hold the bar is better for people with crap grip strength?
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Sep 2, 2021 20:19
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I work with adults with disabilities and this principle applies with their silverware. Google pics of those, same principle applies (I can’t get pics to host on the app right now or I wouldn’t be so rude). It’s easier to grasp and manipulate, we’ve used them on dementia units amongst others. Make whatever inferences about cruiser riders that you like.
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Sep 2, 2021 20:59
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Slavvy posted:I've seen lots of people mention this and idgi. Maybe I have twisted up rat claws but I've always found fat grips really unpleasant, I don't see how making it harder to reach the levers or hold the bar is better for people with crap grip strength? Fat grips are more comfortable than narrow ones if you're actually holding the bar, ie wrapping your fingers around it, because fat grips keeps your fingers less bent. You know some people never really learn how to just rest their hand across the grips with uncurled fingers, it's for those people I guess.
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Sep 2, 2021 21:09
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Related to grips, as my dad used a gas helper when riding and recommended it I bought one when I got my first bike.   It's to the point that it feels real strange to not have one when riding. I have one on all my bikes and I bring a spare when I rent bikes. That example image is not where I place it, I have it at the end of the grip. I have the same deal with heated grips. All my bikes will have it. Supradog fucked around with this message at 22:00 on Sep 2, 2021 |
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Sep 2, 2021 21:23
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I hate those cramp buster things. Binned mine after one ride. Felt unnatural. I love fat grips and heated grips. Harley heated grips are fat and warm, just perfect. Wonder if I’ll be able to mcguyver some heated Harley grips onto the LiveWire…
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Sep 2, 2021 21:51
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Renaissance Robot posted:Fat grips are more comfortable than narrow ones if you're actually holding the bar, ie wrapping your fingers around it, because fat grips keeps your fingers less bent. I had a think about it and realised I'm riding around covering the brake pretty much constantly. Thinking about it more I think I'm holding the bar mainly with my thumb and upper palm so my fingers are free to operate the levers. Probably terrible and bad idk.
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Sep 2, 2021 22:37
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I try not to cover the levers but that's pretty much how I ride too  I used to grip the poo poo out of the bars until it started giving me wrist issues which prompted me to stop doing that.
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Sep 2, 2021 23:27
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I skipped 719 pages to say: KTM 500 excf
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Sep 3, 2021 00:06
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Supermoto*
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Sep 3, 2021 00:06
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Covering the front brake seems like a requirement in town due to traffic and then when you get to the twisties, I cover the front brake for trail braking and until I can see that a turn exit is clear.
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Sep 3, 2021 01:56
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I cover the front brake all the time, seems like a good habit and at this point I'd have to think about it to not cover it. One of the coaches at a track day commented on it so maybe I'm not supposed to do it at the track, but you're not supposed to be death gripping the bars anyway so I don't see the downside.
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Sep 3, 2021 03:36
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Supradog posted:Related to grips, as my dad used a gas helper when riding and recommended it I bought one when I got my first bike. I'll have to give this a try.
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Sep 3, 2021 07:53
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I rode dirt bikes a few times as a kid and have been getting progressively faster scooters over the last few years. I’m broke at the moment, so it’s all theoretical, but I am kind of ashamed to say that I think I really want a Harley Pan American for longer rides out of the city and doing some motorcycle camping and such. I’d be yet another middle aged dude who barely took advantage of everything an ADV bike could do off road, but I’m 6’2” and that posture is comfortable for me. Thinking of trying to pay all my debt down and picking up a cheap, used ADV bike to be sure I like it as much as I think I will. Also thinking of getting the same scooter I have now in a 300 when they come out some time next year (currently have a 150). I definitely need something a little beefier to get out of the Willamette Valley since everywhere I want to go requires making pretty big climbs. What I have is perfect for in the city, though. My older brother has about 6 Harleys in his family (he and one of his daughters have at least 2 and his son has 1) and I’ve never been a biker type, so the fact I really like anything that company makes is a little weird to me.
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Sep 3, 2021 20:20
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Geekboy posted:I rode dirt bikes a few times as a kid and have been getting progressively faster scooters over the last few years. I’m broke at the moment, so it’s all theoretical, but I am kind of ashamed to say that I think I really want a Harley Pan American for longer rides out of the city and doing some motorcycle camping and such. DR650
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Sep 3, 2021 21:00
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Sep 3, 2021 21:23
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So I guess what I’m hearing is I should nab a DR650. Looks like there’s even a few for sale in the extended area and that they hold their value all right without being one of those “buy used for $100 less than new” situations. None of this is happening until at least next summer, so I’ve got plenty of time to ponder. Unless we were to get a pay out that reflected the poo poo show we’ve all lived through since last March but lol at that happening. Hard to argue with less than 1/3 the price …
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Sep 3, 2021 22:21
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Geekboy posted:So I guess what I’m hearing is I should nab a DR650. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58vB-5urcJI And the rest of that series is mandatory watching if you're interested in DRs. Don't let his discussion of the suspension scare you, dude is a serious dirt rider and rides his bikes hard. That video should really be in the OP of this thread. HenryJLittlefinger fucked around with this message at 22:30 on Sep 3, 2021 |
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Sep 3, 2021 22:28
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Sagebrush posted:The redline is "maximum speed for sustained normal operation," not "engine explodes immediately at this point." Take your bike up there at least once every ride. A good video about this which just came out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhOl9Uh_nyw
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Sep 4, 2021 16:34
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Geekboy posted:So I guess what I’m hearing is I should nab a DR650. a dr650 is in no way an adv bike. it’s a great bike, but yeah. if you want a decent used adv bike I’d point you at a vstrom
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Sep 4, 2021 17:34
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The important thing to take away from this is Suzuki Supremacy. DR if you want to do some dirt plus a good all around highway/commute/twisty bike. VSTROM if you want a comfy zero stress couch for big miles, that can also do the twisties and some fire road stuff (I guess). Just get a DR and a parabellum rally screen and a comfy seat and live your best braap life.
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Sep 4, 2021 17:48
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I watched that video series while I was working on some stuff yesterday and yeah, I think a VSTROM or something similar is way closer to what I want. I can fix things, but I’m not a mechanic. I’ve changed a good number of starters in my life, but always years apart and it took me all day. The DR650 looks like an amazing bike, but I’ve got no interest in a project. I want to buy something, maybe change the oil and add a few quality of life accessories, and ride it to Mount Hood (but not necessarily all the way up it). I also have no interest in dealing with a carburetor. I recognize that the motor on the DR650 is one I could theoretically fix anywhere in the world, but I’m not going to be riding through any uncharted deserts any time soon. I accept the carb on my scooter, but scooters are supposed to be a little lovely. That’s part of the appeal.
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Sep 4, 2021 18:31
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a carb on a single is not that big a deal to maintain or tune, and smooth carb fueling is leagues better than fuel injection this is coming from someone who loving hates carbs, by the way. don't shoot the DR650 down because it has a carb
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Sep 4, 2021 18:41
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Geekboy posted:I watched that video series while I was working on some stuff yesterday and yeah, I think a VSTROM or something similar is way closer to what I want. I can fix things, but I’m not a mechanic. I’ve changed a good number of starters in my life, but always years apart and it took me all day. The DR650 looks like an amazing bike, but I’ve got no interest in a project. I want to buy something, maybe change the oil and add a few quality of life accessories, and ride it to Mount Hood (but not necessarily all the way up it). yep. get the vstrom. I think they're terribly boring, but it is a very good bike and sounds like it is what you want over what is basically a dirt bike (dr)
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Sep 4, 2021 19:06
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Every other post in the questions thread is "carbs hosed, what do?". If you like carbs, that's fine, but the idea of fussing with them continually is anathema to me. All that being said, I might just buy a carbed dirt bike/dual sport anyway at some point!
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Sep 4, 2021 19:30
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Both my bikes are carbureted and I have had essentially zero problems with them. I rebuilt the CL350 with entirely stock parts and settings and it runs perfectly fine, and the Hawk has just always worked. If you've been loving with the jetting or exhaust or air filters then yeah you're on your own.
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Sep 4, 2021 19:45
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