I was itching for a new bike lately, and was trying to decide what to get, when it hit me. I was scanning Ebay and there was this really nice 2001 Bandit for sale. The but it now was set at 3500, but I waited it out and got it for 3200. The modifications include a Yosh Slip-On, Ivan's jet kit, JE 11:1 stock bore pistons, Napoleon multi-adjustable mirrors, carbon LED turn signals, case guards, Corbin seat, and custom blue flames painted on the tank.
So I win the auction and I have to go up to Wisconsin, just north of Milwaukee to get it. I was thinking of riding it back the 116 miles, but for once in my life, I made the correct decision to trailer it back, which will be described later.
I get up there early on Saturday to pick it up, and Dan is in the back already with his garage open. He starts apologizing for not having the bike detailed like he wanted. I haven't seen the bike up to this point except for pictures, and it looks fantastic. Really clean. We talked a while about his other bikes, and other bikes I owned, and then he gives me a folder with all the documented service on the bike, dyno charts, original owners manuals, and a CD with the service manual. Nice. I guess the previous owner had a shop install the new pistons because this bike was one of the oil burners that Suzuki had messed up the pistons on. It is well documented on the net about the 2001 and some 2002 Bandits using excessive amounts of oil. The piston install took care of that, and it was done 5000 miles ago on this bike. The bike has just over 16,000 on it. We fired it up and I just took a ride for a couple of blocks to make sure it ran ok, and rode it on the trailer and took off for home.
So here is where my good decision came in. There was a winter storm watch for a large area around Chicago that day, and I got caught in this ice storm that would have stranded me on the bike. The roads became an instant skating rink, and it would have stranded me, dumped me on my ass, or both if I had ridden home. (Shut up Buz!)
I finally got to ride the bike about 15 miles the other day and I'm going to love this thing real quick. The dyno charts show 120 hp and 81 ft lbs, and that feels about right. The jetting is about perfect, with a smooth idle and no real flat spots. I hoisted the front wheel a couple of times and spun the rear tire more than once. I got to hammer it in 3 gears, and it has a nice powerband. I hae to admit that after riding the Busa for the last 2 years, the power wasn't overwhelming, but it probably won't get me sent to jail as quickly either, and it still has plenty of juice for lots of fun. The Yosh pipe has that nice low raspy sound, but it isn't too loud until you hammer it, and then it speaks up nicely. There is a bit of vibration in the bars and pegs, but not anything that is bothersome. Just that little buzzing that lets you know the motor is waking up and ready to kick ass! The only negatives I found so far is a rear tire that is pretty worn and the chain was kinking a bit when I cleaned and lubed it, so I may be looking at a new chain, and will probably replace both sprockets as well, even though they look fine. Overall, I think this bike will make a great commuter/sport tour/playbike for me. I know Sarnali loves his, but I really need more miles to get hooked on this thing. Here is the picture again:
So I win the auction and I have to go up to Wisconsin, just north of Milwaukee to get it. I was thinking of riding it back the 116 miles, but for once in my life, I made the correct decision to trailer it back, which will be described later.
I get up there early on Saturday to pick it up, and Dan is in the back already with his garage open. He starts apologizing for not having the bike detailed like he wanted. I haven't seen the bike up to this point except for pictures, and it looks fantastic. Really clean. We talked a while about his other bikes, and other bikes I owned, and then he gives me a folder with all the documented service on the bike, dyno charts, original owners manuals, and a CD with the service manual. Nice. I guess the previous owner had a shop install the new pistons because this bike was one of the oil burners that Suzuki had messed up the pistons on. It is well documented on the net about the 2001 and some 2002 Bandits using excessive amounts of oil. The piston install took care of that, and it was done 5000 miles ago on this bike. The bike has just over 16,000 on it. We fired it up and I just took a ride for a couple of blocks to make sure it ran ok, and rode it on the trailer and took off for home.
So here is where my good decision came in. There was a winter storm watch for a large area around Chicago that day, and I got caught in this ice storm that would have stranded me on the bike. The roads became an instant skating rink, and it would have stranded me, dumped me on my ass, or both if I had ridden home. (Shut up Buz!)
I finally got to ride the bike about 15 miles the other day and I'm going to love this thing real quick. The dyno charts show 120 hp and 81 ft lbs, and that feels about right. The jetting is about perfect, with a smooth idle and no real flat spots. I hoisted the front wheel a couple of times and spun the rear tire more than once. I got to hammer it in 3 gears, and it has a nice powerband. I hae to admit that after riding the Busa for the last 2 years, the power wasn't overwhelming, but it probably won't get me sent to jail as quickly either, and it still has plenty of juice for lots of fun. The Yosh pipe has that nice low raspy sound, but it isn't too loud until you hammer it, and then it speaks up nicely. There is a bit of vibration in the bars and pegs, but not anything that is bothersome. Just that little buzzing that lets you know the motor is waking up and ready to kick ass! The only negatives I found so far is a rear tire that is pretty worn and the chain was kinking a bit when I cleaned and lubed it, so I may be looking at a new chain, and will probably replace both sprockets as well, even though they look fine. Overall, I think this bike will make a great commuter/sport tour/playbike for me. I know Sarnali loves his, but I really need more miles to get hooked on this thing. Here is the picture again:
