FJR and the Bandit

[DynaSport]

I was in my local Yamaha/Suzuki dealership yesterday and they had an FJR and a Bandit sitting side by side. They had added some very nice Givi sidecases and top case to the Bandit. It was still over $3000 less than the FJR. The salesman saw me looking and came over. He is a sport bike rider and was not that knowledgable about either bike. He did look up some info for me though. The Bandit weighs about 100 pounds less than the FJR. It has less horsepower, but is the lighter bike. The bags on it were bigger than the FJR's bags. The windscreen was smaller, so I am sure it has less wind protection, at least in stock form. I know there are larger aftermarket screens available both for the Bandit and the FJR. The Bandit has a six speed transmission instead of a five speed, but has a chain drive instead of shaft.

So, have any of you guys ridden the Bandit? What do you think of it. I want a bike that is comfortable for long rides, but is also sporty in the curves. I have really been thinking the FJR is probably the best bike for me, but I can't ignore the Bandit. Much less money, less weight, and similar performance I would think. This line of thinking has me looking at the FZ1 as well, but I fear I would be giving up too much comfort for the long rides.

Am I totally off base here?

Dan

 

[madmike2]

Just you wait.....

Lotsa of Bandit and FZ owners here. SOme have lade the "leap", others still own both.

Maybe this link will help you find information and opinion.

 

[ponyfool]

I spent thousands of dollars trying to make my Bandit a real touring type of sport tourer. When it died a miserable and fiery death 16 months ago, I was in a position to pick a replacement. I had always lusted after the FJR and picked up an '06. I am very happy to have made the switch!

Here's another thread on the topic: Forum link clicky

 

[snap1945]

I still have, and enjoy riding, my '93 GSX1100g, the shaftie that morphed into the Bandit 1200, that in turn morphed into the present 1250. It has the triple Givi's, engine guard and a Slip Streamer windshield. I have had it on several long road trips over the years and its conquered the dragon many times surprising many with how rapidly it can do it. I have since taken my aggressive twistie riding to the track WITH my 06 Feejer and am now looking for a track bike to add to my stable. The point I wish to make is that the Suzuki is comfortable, and I can dial in the speedo to just under 140 and I cant imagine the bigger, newer, injected Bandit would not be an improved machine in both handling and torque.. That said; even though I wear a full face beanie I would be reluctant to ever get another road burner without an electric windscreen like the Feejer has. Sometimes you need the window open, sometimes you need the window closed.

 

[DynaSport]

Thanks for the links. I should have realized this had been discussed before. Honestly, before the other day at the dealership I never considered the Bandit as an alternative to the FJR so I didn't think about the fact others would have already made the comparison. I enjoyed reading the links.

What I took from the reading is that the FJR is smoother and more refined. It has some advantages that really can't be matched no matter the amount of money spent on the Bandit such as a smoother engine with less vibration, shaft drive, and an electrically adjustable windshield. The point was also made that it takes a fair amount of money to make the Bandit more tour ready, which lessens the savings. From what I can tell though, many people switch out their seats and winshield as well as other mods on the FJR, so it's not like buying it would be my last expense. The best I can tell is that most people spend some money on whatever bike they buy, no matter which one it is or how much it costs.

The advantages to the Bandit are lower costs and maybe better canyon carving. I could also put bigger side cases on it.

I guess its good I don't have any money yet and have some time to look at all the alternatives.

 

[madmike2]

The point was also made that it takes a fair amount of money to make the Bandit more tour ready, which lessens the savings. From what I can tell though, many people switch out their seats and winshield as well as other mods on the FJR, so it's not like buying it would be my last expense. The best I can tell is that most people spend some money on whatever bike they buy, no matter which one it is or how much it costs.

There are a lot of FJR owners who ride there bikes as it was purchased. Some of us use the bike as an excuse to extend our ego and we add lots of "toys". You could well fall into the category of owner whoe doesn't NEED to modify anything.

I needed a seat because of FOR ME (6'2", 32" inseam, 250 lbs, 60 year old knees, hips and..uh..."hinder parts") it wasn't comfortable for more than 200 miles. A fleece cover would get me to 350 miles or so...but I could afford a seat, sooo....

 

[Mike-H]

Be glad your not up here in the Great White North....for 08 they are bring in a Limited Canadian Edition that come with factory lowers, & bags for about $1100.00 dollars more (MSRP).....

 

[alan sh]

I have both sat in the garage. An '07 FJR and an '07 Bandit 1250S (the faired one). They are different beasts but will both do everything.

The first thing about the Bandit is the awesome acceleration. Up to around 90 it beats most things on the market - including the FJR. It runs out of "puff" over 100 - but who cares..... It's a fun bike to ride - but you have to ride it. With the fjr, it's just too easy. Get on it and go.

OK - real differences - bearing in mind that, in the UK, the FJR is twice the price of a Bandit 1250:

1. The Bandit screen is too small. OK Useless. I have an aftermarket Givi one which is much better.

2. The Bandit seat is also too small and too hard. You can't move around it like on the FJR. I have had mine re-sculpted and it's an improvement but to make it work, I had to add padding - which now makes it too tall for my small legs. So, I got some longer dogbones to lower the back end a bit. Which cured this problem and the next one

3. The sidestand makes the bike lean too far. It looks weird. But lowering the rear suspension cures that!

4. It doesn't come with any luggage. So, you need a Givi rack and then some boxes. WHich then makes it wider than the FJR!

5. The instruments are OK - but you don't get a temp guage or gear indicator.

6. It uses more juice (just) than the FJR and has a smaller tank. Best I could get is 190-200 miles before it runs out.

7. Service intervals are more often (4,000 miles as opposed to 6,000 for the FJR). But it's no big deal.

8. It has a chain !!!

9. It is much lighter than the FJR - but you don't notice it once you are going.

10. Riding position is not as relaxed on the Bandit.

They will both do continental touring - my wife (she has a Bandit 1250 as well) and I just came back from touring around Spain and Portugal.

So, if you want comfort, easy riding and fun and have the money, buy the FJR. If you want real fun zooming around, get a Bandit. If you can afford it, get both.

Any question, please ask....

Alan

 

[DynaSport]

Thanks again to everyone. Especially Alan. That was a most thorough and helpful reply.

Dan

 

[rogdeb]

DynaS

We've owned both the bandit & fjr (still with the fjr) so here is our short .02c worth --

Love the FJR but also loved the Bandit.

We were tired of the soft luggage on the Bandit, but there is now Givi.

Fjr accomodates 2-up better than the Bandit (I ride 99% 2-up).

I never scraped a peg feeler on the Bandit, can't say that about the FJR - but then I'm not as proficient a rider as some.

If I had a choice now, bearing in mind that I'm mostly 2-up and not as agressive a rider as I once was --- FJR -- all the way.

ps. Alan's observations are on the mark.

 

[RadioHowie]

60 year old knees, hips and..uh..."hinder parts

And all this time, with the "youthful" flavor of your postings, I'd never have guessed you were a DAY over 59!

 

[FJReady]

Dyna,

If you think the FJR is for you, then it probably is. If you buy the 1250 ( a sweet looking bike IMHO, never rode one) you'll probably spend $$$ trying to make it as useful as the FJR. Why not buy a decent used FJR, probably comparable in price to a new Bandit and ride it for a while- see how it fits.

My $.02

Whatever you decide, you'll have fun.