[33225]

I was concerned about the choice of a bandit 600 for touring. But doing only 130 miles a day I guess it won't be a problem.



I like this quote "Two of the bikes were 1100s, made in 1999. I felt my first twinge of motorcycle envy." She is now officially part of the community!



First post?

 

[bikervince]

I guess a Bandit 600 is as good as any other bike for touring, except an actual touring bike. We have become so accustomed to having specialized bikes for specialized purposes, (i.e. touring, canyon carving, cruising etc) that we forget almost any bike can be used for almost any kind of riding. A couple of years ago in a moto-mag, I read a story about a couple who spent several years touring two-up on - get this- a Honda CX500 !! And hell, if a guy can ride a Hayabusa across the Sahara, anything is possible!



BikerVince



(Is there a 2nd post club?)

 

[iamz]

I wouldn't be concerned about using the Bandit for touring. My friend has toured on both 600 and 1200 Bandits and a 600 mile day is like a walk through the park for him. In fact I know he has traveled more than 1000 miles (on the 600) in a 24 hour period. And another friend of both of ours, well, she toured on a 400 Bandit, riding 500-600 mile and longer days.



A person can tour on just about any bike they want. Sure, some are more or less comfortable than others, and while a bike will affect how sore and tired you are at the end of the day, it's the rider that matters, with his/her physical and mental strengths or weaknesses.

 

[33225]

Oh, I still have my '96 Bandit 600. I've done 600+ mile days, Houston to Dallas banzai "radar love" runs on it and much more besides. The saddle was hell after abou t 200 miles before I got the corbin. But 2 up my vfr is a much better choice. My bandit has since be reassigned to track bike duty (with a few minor suspension and riding position mods), so I know far better than most how flexible it is.

 

[44890]

Very nice photography. So why didn't they tour with a Ural ?

 

[gniewko]

The guy that rode across the Sahara did it on a Benelli TnT, not a Hayabusa.



On one hand riding in the desert on a fragile Italian street bike is kinda cool and he got articles in a bunch of magazines out of it. But on the other hand it's like running 5 miles in stilettos - sure it can be done, but why would you want to? But then again he did get articles in a bunch of magazines out of it...

 

[iamz]

Two up, given the choice (600, VFR), I'd probably go for the VFR also. Might be a toss up if the choice were between the 1200 Bandit and the VFR.

 

[KLRer]

brilliant, illuminating, but too many comas

 

[33129]

There is a more interesting article there about the history of the vibrator.