After 14 years I STILL LOVE MY BANDIT!
My bike: 1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200; dialed in just the way I like to ride!
My bike: 1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200; dialed in just the way I like to ride!
- GIVI luggage: this luggage has held up VERY well; I'm impressed.
- Yoshimura exhaust can which still sounds great
- Factory jet kit (tried Dynojet but liked the Factory kit better).
- K&N air filter
- Dyna 2000 ignition and coils
- Progressive Suspension fork springs
- Ohlins shock: 18 clicks of compression and 24 clicks of rebound dampening as a
starting point. - Corbin seat
- EBC brake pads & braided brake lines
- Suzuki VX800 handlebars for a more upright riding position
- Metzeler MEZ6 tires; almost 7K miles between rear tire changes
- V-Strom handguards for cool weather riding.
- Stebel air horn .... CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?????
- Garmin Zumo 550 GPS helps me find the roads less traveled ... and get back!
Janice's Bandit: 1998 Suzuki Bandit 600
- GIVI luggage
- Vance and Hines exhaust can
- K&N air filter
- Factory jet kit
- Progressive Suspension fork springs with 4 1/2" PVC pipe.
- Ohlins shock
- Corbin seat
- Suzuki VX800 handlebars
- Metzeler MEZ6 tires
- V-Strom handguards for cool weather riding.
- Stebel air horn
| Visit this excellent motorcycle Link: Ronnie Cramer's MOTORCYCLE WEB INDEX |
In the Georgia winters we ran Plexifairing windshields, then put the stock Bandit fairings back on in the summer. Guess you could tell we lived in a part of the U.S. where you can ride all
year round. Oh, but we also have Gerbing's electric clothing, vest, gloves, and socks ... just in case.... If you want heat (I do, I do, I do!!!) then Gerbing's is the way to go!!!
Now we're in Texas and the stock fairings stay on all year; it just doesn't get as cold but all the electric goodies still come in very handy. Of course the heat and humidity are a little more
intense here than in Georgia.
And then there are the "lovebugs" (YES they really exist). For those who have never experienced running through a cloud of lovebugs and the smell of them baking on your motor, you
are in for a real treat.
year round. Oh, but we also have Gerbing's electric clothing, vest, gloves, and socks ... just in case.... If you want heat (I do, I do, I do!!!) then Gerbing's is the way to go!!!
Now we're in Texas and the stock fairings stay on all year; it just doesn't get as cold but all the electric goodies still come in very handy. Of course the heat and humidity are a little more
intense here than in Georgia.
And then there are the "lovebugs" (YES they really exist). For those who have never experienced running through a cloud of lovebugs and the smell of them baking on your motor, you
are in for a real treat.
My rear tire after an afternoon at the Gran
Prix motorcycle track in Talladega, Alabama!
Prix motorcycle track in Talladega, Alabama!
| The Dragon If you are ever near Deals Gap Tennessee ride "The Dragon". 318 curves in 11 miles. Yee Haw! |
My B12 put out over 116 HP and 80 ft/lb of torque on the last Dyno run. It's more than enough to get me into (or out of) trouble. It now is has 70,000 miles and I'm looking forward to the
next 70,000+ miles. Yes, it still runs strong; I don't know if that motor will ever wear out.
next 70,000+ miles. Yes, it still runs strong; I don't know if that motor will ever wear out.
- It still has the original clutch even after all those miles and 3 track days; I think the clutch springs are off of a John Deere tractor!
- I've been running a DID 530VM chain for over 21,000; still no tight or loose spots. I think I've only had to adjust it half a dozen times; I'm impressed!!!!
In "Pit Row"
No, I don't ride like this on the streets. A racetrack is where you want to try your
limits and improve your skills. I ran my Bandit as fast as my foot pegs would let me go.
(See below).
limits and improve your skills. I ran my Bandit as fast as my foot pegs would let me go.
(See below).
Our Bikes .... Los Banditos:
Janice and I ride a Suzuki Bandit 600 and 1200 (have you had your dose of Suzuki's "vitamin" B6 and B12 today?). They are fast, comfortable, and nimble in the mountains. They also
do not get unwanted attention from the police like sport bikes can.
Janice's last bike was an '84 Honda 650 Nighthawk. After one ride on my Bandit, she sold her Nighthawk the next day and bought the 600 Bandit!
Vacation hint: Go to the website "Motorcycle roads", get out your Rand McNalley (or GPS) and plan your vacation around these roads. You won't be disappointed!
Janice and I ride a Suzuki Bandit 600 and 1200 (have you had your dose of Suzuki's "vitamin" B6 and B12 today?). They are fast, comfortable, and nimble in the mountains. They also
do not get unwanted attention from the police like sport bikes can.
Janice's last bike was an '84 Honda 650 Nighthawk. After one ride on my Bandit, she sold her Nighthawk the next day and bought the 600 Bandit!
Vacation hint: Go to the website "Motorcycle roads", get out your Rand McNalley (or GPS) and plan your vacation around these roads. You won't be disappointed!
| Motorcycle touring around the world. 5 stars in my book! |
| Taking a break on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Can I have some more corners ....please! |
Our speedometers are taped over because
... you REALLY don't want to know!
... you REALLY don't want to know!
Here I am tearing up the track. Notice the
duct tape on EVERYTHING.
All I needed was my GIVI luggage on those
nasty looking (naked!!) bag mounts and I'd
have the ultimate "Track Tourer".
It must be hell to be passed by someone
with all that luggage mounting hardware!
duct tape on EVERYTHING.
All I needed was my GIVI luggage on those
nasty looking (naked!!) bag mounts and I'd
have the ultimate "Track Tourer".
It must be hell to be passed by someone
with all that luggage mounting hardware!
| Footpegs, yeah we USED TO have those! |
"Hammering" out of a corner and onto the
front straight. Take that you GSXRs!
front straight. Take that you GSXRs!
| When was the last time you went out just to see where the road goes? |
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| 70,000 miles! |