The 1250 "Bandit" no longer being made? Any other suggestions?

[Jedz123]

Just a baby at 60K. My 19 year old FZ1 has 232K and I'd take it to Australia tomorrow..... if there was a road.

By the way that's one valve check in all those miles, and it was in spec.

One of the best bikes ever made... Period.

My T120 rides very similarly except it's more comfortable 2 up and solo, cruise control is the bee's knees... If I was on a stricter budget I'd be on one however I do budget for a new bike... The T120 will yeild +100K miles over the next several years... As long as it doesn't pull any break down stunts like my Harley did last year. As stated folks are already closing in on the 100K mile mark on some 2016's the new liquid cooled Triumph lump is proving to be a stone of a motor. This bike will be remembered as one of the bests as well...

You did swap the motor correct? I did too at 70K... It burned oil bad but ran like a freight train... I should have kept running it but at 1000 miles per gallon (of oil) it was getting a bit ridiculous and you could tell where I went for there was a smoke tail if I was under hard acceleration. When i had both bikes together (for a short time) we use to call them Smokey and the Bandit. HAHA

[jabcb]

Yup! Great bike! My TUX gets about 200-250 depending on how you ride it on the 3.25 gallon tank... Putting back roads the bike will run all day on gas. Pin it and the bike will hold 70mph all day as well. Each their own, I'm not a fan of fared bikes... However I have seen some AWESOME Ninja 250 builds:

I only need 1 250 in my life... My next little bike will likely be the new Honda Cub 125... I'm content with going the speed limit in my area, I live over an hour away from an interstate and the state limit is 50mph.

+1 on that sweet looking Ninja cafe.


Was curious about the before pic. Thats actually a kit build based on a 1988 — 2007 Ninja EX250R.
Kit is very reasonably priced & they have other kits available.

https://bluecollarbobbers.com/kawasaki-ninja-250-gpx-250r-cafe/

[GS1150Pilot]

Yep, BCB is a neat little company.

[mrbill5491]

There is a new zero miles 1250 Bandit on the show room floor here where I live. Las Cruces Motorsports.

[Spyder]

My son had an '08 Ninja 250 R as his first bike. VERY nice riding little bike. Very slow little bike... Granted, the carbs could have used to be properly tuned up, but still lacking where it counts for me... He sold it, and bought a '95 Ninja 600 C. Also needs a little carb help, but a very comfy bike.

I have a '95 GSXR 750 W, with 15k on it. I recently checked the valves (shims under bucket) all were still in spec, no issues there. Much better design in my opinion. Keep us posted on what you end up with Keith.

[Nessism]

How come this thread has drifted towards small bikes? I thought Keith wanted something bigger?

While removing cams to change shims does add to the maintenance time, as others have stated modern bikes require only occasional valve adjustments so the burden isn't onerous. The FZ-09 for example calls for 24k mileage intervals for checking the valves. My KZ750 uses shims under bucket and changing the shims is quite simple. A dab from a paint stick on the cam chain link directly over the arrows on the cam sprockets makes simple work of the alignment.

Personally, if purchasing my "last bike" I'd get something lightweight. The Yamaha 900 bikes have a few different models, including some with fairings, that are plenty powerful and reasonably light. I'd lean towards something like that for a bike to take me up to my 70's.

[TxGSrider]

If I was going to get my "final bike" it'd probably be a ZX-14 . Its fast, reliable, a reasonable seating position that is comfortable for long rides. And because its fast, and how I ride, it would almost certainly be the reason it was my "final bike".... lol.

[RichDesmond]

...Personally, if purchasing my "last bike" I'd get something lightweight. The Yamaha 900 bikes have a few different models, including some with fairings, that are plenty powerful and reasonably light. I'd lean towards something like that for a bike to take me up to my 70's.

+1. A lighter, easier to handle bike would keep me riding longer. The Yamaha 900's are good choices, and a newer (2014+) V-Strom 1000 is a very capable all-around bike that only weighs a little over 500lbs.

[Dogma]

I think this must depend on the rider. Earl isn't a big guy, and older than dirt (though not as old as Don, who was fine on a GK or 1100E up until a couple years ago), but he doesn't seem to have any trouble with his B12. If your health starts failing so you can't balance a bike, you'll have to make some life changes anyway. Ride what your want while you can.

[wymple]

My son has a newer V7 Moto Guzzi. It's big enough, wonderful torque band, handles and feels very light when muscling it around. Weight is low in the chassis, I'd say. I could finish my days on one of those or the newer V9 quite easily.

[limeex2]

If on the cheap I like Bandits, FZ-1, and 900 carbureted Triumph, most are under $3000 and plenty of nice ones. Lots of fuel injected Triumphs of all types for under $5000 Once most bikes get up there in miles, valve adjustments are far and few in between. Once you drive a properly set up Triumph, they get under your skin.

[GS1150Pilot]

Mmmmmm, Triumph triples are special. I often look at the 885 and 955 Tigers and still have a fondness for the Thunderbirds.

[jabcb]

Definitely like the look of the Triumph Thunderbird. Probably would have bought one but they discontinued them before I bought a FI Bonneville.


My next modern bike will have ABS, FI & cast wheels. Boxers & Moto Guzzis are good candidates but there aren’t any nearby Guzzi dealerships. Those new Tigers look like an interesting choice too.

[earlfor]

I think this must depend on the rider. Earl isn't a big guy, and older than dirt (though not as old as Don, who was fine on a GK or 1100E up until a couple years ago), but he doesn't seem to have any trouble with his B12. If your health starts failing so you can't balance a bike, you'll have to make some life changes anyway. Ride what your want while you can.

I have no problem with riding the B12. It's grabbing it and holding it over my head that I can't do anymore. LOL These days, I can't standing press more than 400 lbs, so the bike needs to be less than that. heh

[salty_monk]

I've done some shim under bucket valve stuff - KLR & V-Strom. It's not that hard in my opinion. Takes a bit more time than a GS but you're retired... what else you got to do?