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confession time
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So my moms health is failing and I had to fly 2/3 of the way across Canada, then go to where she lives.
My brother didnt have a spare car to lend me, so he threw me the keys to his bike a Bandit 1250.
I was duly impressed, it has decent 6th gear roll on speed, and its way to fast in the strights, I was cruising at 125 kph most of the time.
Cornering wasnt the best, but it could have been me just not used to such a short bike. Brakes werent as good either but Im not sure what pad compound hes using. I got 300km out of a tank (13.75L out of a 15L tank)one time too, so its not bad....deff a better machine for 2 up than the MT. You can find side bags and top box mounts readily enough...

Would I buy one?
No
But it was better than the old GS1100s Ive ridden.
(not sure but I think the engine was sourced from the B-King?)

what else have you ridden this year?

Alan
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Re: confession time
« Reply #1 on: »
Hey Alan.
Funny you should ask. I've ridden many bikes this year.
My MT has been a spectacular all round beast for my 5 years and 60000km on her. It's my daily ride and weekend canyon conqueror. It's a 2006 that has been modded to Stage 2. The Velocity stacks sound like a steam train.
About time to strip down and spoil with many new parts. This entails time off the road and I don't enjoy driving a car so I shopped around for a 2 wheeled temporary replacement.
At six feet six it has always been tough finding a bike that fits. Looking through the classifieds I reckon every second bike here is a Bandit. I didn't bother with them as I have ridden my mates and found it small. I did find a Harley night Train and was blinded by the bling. It had an awesome open primary and went like a shower of sh#t in a straight line. I bought it and then spent 3 months bitchn about how it won't go around corners. Sold that on and started test riding again. Ducatis,  R1s,  RSV4, speed triples, nothing was quite as nice as my MT.
So I bought another one.  ;D
This one is a 2011 with only 9000km. Should arrive next week.
The 06 will get a well deserved break soon. 

Avagoodone

Kubiac
« Last Edit: September 05, 2019, 04:14:47 am by Kubiac »
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Re: confession time
« Reply #2 on: »
I had a GSX1400 before I bought the MT01 and my biggest beef with them was the quality of finish. Side cases were corroding and plastics dulling after only a few years of careful ownership. The GSX like the Bandit are cheap and I guess you get what you pay for. Stonking engines though with awesome mid range. The MT01 was built as a flagship model and the higher quality definitely is important for me since I plan to keep it forever. Nothing else like it on the road. I also ride a BMW R1200GS LC which is way better for long distance touring but feels quite bland after the MT. The MT I bought with my heart, the GS with my head.  Cheers  Steve
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Re: confession time
« Reply #3 on: »
If you're looking for a sensible and practical motorcycle, you have not understood a thing. ;)
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Re: confession time
« Reply #4 on: »
Yeah well I'd say the MT is very practical and sensible for daily work commute in the city. They are narrow for lane filtering and so much fun pulling away from traffic lights. But for long distance touring ... forget it. Too much vibration. I use mine for the weekend mountain cafe blast. Nothing like them in the mountain twisties where the grunt out of corners is addictive.  Cheers
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Re: confession time
« Reply #5 on: »
Quote from: Jota on September 06, 2019, 04:14:06 am
Yeah well I'd say the MT is very practical and sensible for daily work commute in the city. They are narrow for lane filtering and so much fun pulling away from traffic lights. But for long distance touring ... forget it. Too much vibration. I use mine for the weekend mountain cafe blast. Nothing like them in the mountain twisties where the grunt out of corners is addictive.  Cheers

I dunno, I have no problems with the vibes. But Ive done a lot of work to quell them.

Fortunately my partner allowed me a few days to take my MT out for a ride this year (I just havent had time with my work schedule). I took 5 days off, rode 3000km, and its a blast. I think its a wee bit faster than the Bandit, but Im not sure. Its surely a better at cornering. 
I was able to rip off Calgary to Vancouver in 10 hours.... Exactly the same time as google maps. But I think google maps  is daft. I think the average speed was prolly about 115, or higher. Theres a highway where the speed limit is 120. I rode at 145... (still got 200km/tank). On said highway, if youre caught travelling at 30kph over, youre walking home... so maxing out at 145 is it....
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Re: confession time
« Reply #6 on: »
I find the MT not very suited for city riding, too jerky when going slow. Also the fear of putting down a foot where there happened to be a hole... And not really suited for long highway rides either. It does vibrate a bit which can become tiring after a while. It will go at any speed you like and get there very quickly, though.
My favourite roads are the ones where you can go at about 100 km/h, dropping a gear before the bend, and accelerating out of it when you can see ahead. Not touring, not racing, something in between.
It's a brilliant machine.
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Re: confession time
« Reply #7 on: »
My 01 has been off the road this summer due to the fact that as I get older the weight is getting too much for me. I have a KTM 690 Duke that I have been using more and thoroughly enjoying. Using a BT1100 for touring and a Honda PCX scooter for the city. Bought the scooter 2013 and wished I had bought one decades ago.
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  3. confession time