Touring on a 1250 Bandit
Discussion
My last chance to ride on the South Island is probably in the next couple of weeks before the weather turns.
I mooted the idea of flying to Christchurch and renting a bike to the wife. She is hardly enthused about me riding around on the South Island but her main objection is that with Covid now raging here she doesn’t want me to fly. I can certainly understand her concern.
Only alternative would be to ride from Auckland and take the ferry across. I’ve done a provisional route going down to Palmerston North then taking ferry across on the second day, stopping midway to Christchurch, then a day in Christchurch, off to Dunedin, then Queenstown, Lake Tapeko, near Picton, near Taupo then home. So eight nights. I think around 250 miles a day. Just sticking to state highways.
Having just sold my bike I would need to hire one. Dealer from whom I bought my GSXR 750 has a 1250 bandit for £35 a day, which seems like a pretty good rate. I’ve seen £150 a day for a BMW GS. But what would it be like to tour so far on a bandit? Anyone done it? I did over 300 miles a day on the Tuono with only a slightly sore backside.
I probably wouldn’t book any accommodation in advance. Owing to no foreign tourists I don’t think finding a room is a problem and I would want flexibility in case I get tired or the weather looks crap and I can change plans.
Too ambitious? Not ambitious enough? Thoughts?
I mooted the idea of flying to Christchurch and renting a bike to the wife. She is hardly enthused about me riding around on the South Island but her main objection is that with Covid now raging here she doesn’t want me to fly. I can certainly understand her concern.
Only alternative would be to ride from Auckland and take the ferry across. I’ve done a provisional route going down to Palmerston North then taking ferry across on the second day, stopping midway to Christchurch, then a day in Christchurch, off to Dunedin, then Queenstown, Lake Tapeko, near Picton, near Taupo then home. So eight nights. I think around 250 miles a day. Just sticking to state highways.
Having just sold my bike I would need to hire one. Dealer from whom I bought my GSXR 750 has a 1250 bandit for £35 a day, which seems like a pretty good rate. I’ve seen £150 a day for a BMW GS. But what would it be like to tour so far on a bandit? Anyone done it? I did over 300 miles a day on the Tuono with only a slightly sore backside.
I probably wouldn’t book any accommodation in advance. Owing to no foreign tourists I don’t think finding a room is a problem and I would want flexibility in case I get tired or the weather looks crap and I can change plans.
Too ambitious? Not ambitious enough? Thoughts?
A 1250 Bandit would be an excellent bike to tour on. My only suggestion is around the seat. The one thing that can turn a tour into a torture session is the seat. Different people find different seats comfortable/uncomfortable and you won't know how well you'll get on with the Bandit seat until you're on your way. Taking an AirHawk with you will ensure that, if you find the standard seat uncomfortable, you can still enjoy the tour. Something like:
would probably be a good investment.
would probably be a good investment.
CheesecakeRunner said:
Not sure. Might drop past dealer tomorrow and check out bike he is suggesting. I assume at that price it will be fairly well used - not that that bothers me. As long as it is reliable and comfortable.
Mentioned the idea to daughter and again to wife. Went down like a cup of cold sick! Wife was totally baffled why I would want to go off by myself for 9 days. Is it odd? I do usually go on car road trips with my daughter and that is more fun than being alone but not on option for this trip.
Esceptico said:
Mentioned the idea to daughter and again to wife. Went down like a cup of cold sick! Wife was totally baffled why I would want to go off by myself for 9 days. Is it odd? I do usually go on car road trips with my daughter and that is more fun than being alone but not on option for this trip.
If you're returning to Great Britain wouldn't it be a case of now or never? It's unfortunate the wife and daughter can't accompany you.250 a day - on highways - on a bandit, will that be fun ?
It's been 20 years since I toured NZ so I can't remember the roads but it seems like a lot of travelling to get there
Bearing in mind we have now dropped all covid restrictions and the later variant (assuming that's dominant in NZ) is like a cold to the vast majority unless you / immediate family have a health issue I'd fly
It's been 20 years since I toured NZ so I can't remember the roads but it seems like a lot of travelling to get there
Bearing in mind we have now dropped all covid restrictions and the later variant (assuming that's dominant in NZ) is like a cold to the vast majority unless you / immediate family have a health issue I'd fly
Do you really wont this last adventure on an old Bandit ? Personally id rathere not bother, i dont ride bikes for bikes sakes, if my only option was to ride something s
t id not bother 
I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
t id not bother I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
mak said:
Do you really wont this last adventure on an old Bandit ? Personally id rathere not bother, i dont ride bikes for bikes sakes, if my only option was to ride something st id not bother
I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
Go on, I’ll bite.t id not bother I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
What a stupid comment. I very much doubt you have any experience worth mentioning on two wheels.
trickywoo said:
mak said:
Do you really wont this last adventure on an old Bandit ? Personally id rathere not bother, i dont ride bikes for bikes sakes, if my only option was to ride something st id not bother
I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
Go on, I’ll bite.t id not bother I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
What a stupid comment. I very much doubt you have any experience worth mentioning on two wheels.
t' some might think it is, what an entitled plank.mak said:
Do you really wont this last adventure on an old Bandit ? Personally id rathere not bother, i dont ride bikes for bikes sakes, if my only option was to ride something st id not bother
I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
What a complete load of old bt id not bother I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
ks. So I went to the dealer to see the bike. Basically just a Bandit 1250 he has taken in recently as px on another bike. Black, naked, 90,000 km on the clock and a bit grubby. No luggage. Not a problem. He disappeared out the back and came back with some side bags and a tank bag he could let me use. “You’re a bloke, how much luggage do you need!”
Bike needs a service and Kiwi MOT equivalent but he said if I let him know on Monday he could have it ready next week.
Wife softening slightly to the idea.
Bike needs a service and Kiwi MOT equivalent but he said if I let him know on Monday he could have it ready next week.
Wife softening slightly to the idea.
mak said:
Do you really wont this last adventure on an old Bandit ? Personally id rathere not bother, i dont ride bikes for bikes sakes, if my only option was to ride something st id not bother
I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
Not my first choice of bike but possibly still a good choice as my aim is to do some sightseeing. On the Tuono I was often too focused on the riding to enjoy the views. I’m also keen not to pick up any speeding tickets so something a bit more sedate not a bad idea. t id not bother I guess I've offended a few people but you've had some nice bikes, let us no how it goes and good luck with the venture back into the UK
Back in the 70's only Beemers had fairings.
If you wanted to go Touring on a Jap bike, you just did. I did the South of France on a GT750
my mates on a GS850 and a Z650.
Chucked a set of panniers and a top box on,
no problems.
No heated gloves, no handlebar muffs.
Just a pair of Sunglasses.
Kept it under 90.
People are as soft as ste these days!
If you wanted to go Touring on a Jap bike, you just did. I did the South of France on a GT750
my mates on a GS850 and a Z650.
Chucked a set of panniers and a top box on,
no problems.
No heated gloves, no handlebar muffs.
Just a pair of Sunglasses.
Kept it under 90.
People are as soft as s
te these days!mickyh7 said:
Back in the 70's only Beemers had fairings.
If you wanted to go Touring on a Jap bike, you just did. I did the South of France on a GT750
my mates on a GS850 and a Z650.
Chucked a set of panniers and a top box on,
no problems.
No heated gloves, no handlebar muffs.
Just a pair of Sunglasses.
Kept it under 90.
People are as soft as ste these days!
Under 90 you big girl's blouseIf you wanted to go Touring on a Jap bike, you just did. I did the South of France on a GT750
my mates on a GS850 and a Z650.
Chucked a set of panniers and a top box on,
no problems.
No heated gloves, no handlebar muffs.
Just a pair of Sunglasses.
Kept it under 90.
People are as soft as s
te these days!Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff