My GSX1250FA

Picked her up yesterday and said goodbye to the SV650S. Upright riding position. Gobs of torque. ABS and gear indicator which is nice. Done about 140 miles, some motorway, some twisties and some town. Like Sim says, it does it all. Leans well and the tyres are nicely scrubbed in (might go to Bridgend tomorrow and see if I can lose what's left of  those strips, on the roundabouts) Pulls well from standstill even in 3rd (did it by accident and thought I was in 1st!) I've been overtaking today in gaps I didn't think I would! Stock exhaust is very quiet but it makes the bike a bit like a turbine. A bit windier than the sportsbikes with the upright position but no head buffeting. At 99 mph (on that track I found   ) I think it was only slightly above 5000 rpm - the wind seems pushed over the nicely raked screen and over my head above 70. Not sure yet about the touring screen - I find if I sit up rather than behind the screen, it is nice and smooth - I'm 6'. It's the power, particularly below 4,000 rpm that is giving the most smiles - the difference between the 650 Bandit (I had 2) and the 1250 is similar to going from a 125 to a 650! They offered me a Yoshi can at cost but I thought I'd see how it goes - if I get one, I've got my eye on a Delkevic 350mm, brilliant value at £120 and sounds the dog's b's. I didn't go for luggage cos my heaviest load is a carrier bag full of cat food from Tesco so the  expandable tail bag you see above is just purrrrrrfect, unless of course I decide to globe trot at a later date. I feel so much more in control on the motorway than on a smaller bike. Not to be compared to the cruiser because they are just different and complement each other well. Early days yet but at the moment I'm pretty knocked out. They threw in the 600 mile service free after which I can go to 6000 rpm but to be perfectly honest the current limit of 4500 is all you really need for 90% of the time. A bit heavy on fuel but I have been keeping the revs up to the required limit, above and down again to help bed things in. 
At the moment I just can't wait for tomorrow and another blast!     

ps. It is a bit on the heavy side but I managed to get it up on the centre stand today, remembering my technique from a few years ago - foot down, rock on to the legs, hands on left grip and mid rail, lift and push down at the same time. Sorted!

Beautiful, enjoy!

bigmal wrote:

Beautiful, enjoy!

  Forgot to mention I had the adjustable seat set atits high position - I've got fairly long legs so that suits me.

Very nice! I like the new silver frame and wheels   If you do go for a new end can? make sure you get the one for the model with panniers, it's the same can, but you get a little extra extension piece with the hanger that can be fitted if you ever decide on luggage   Happy torque surfing!

Very nice bike take care and enjoy. Looks like you may have a stalker in the back ground there.

One beautiful machine John,enjoy.

A truly beautiful machine. I've always thought that it looks like a predatory shark, gliding effortlessly through the water.

Thanks for the nice comments - very much appreciated. I agree Clive, the nose is just like a shark! I have just the same feelings as when I first had my Intruder - love it. My only criticism is  a loud clonk when it goes into 1st gear from neutral - oh and the c spanner is virtually impossible to alter the rear pre-load. Still all bikes have little things for us to sort or just get used to.

Bluesman wrote:

Thanks for the nice comments - very much appreciated. I agree Clive, the nose is just like a shark! I have just the same feelings as when I first had my Intruder - love it. My only criticism is  a loud clonk when it goes into 1st gear from neutral - oh and the c spanner is virtually impossible to alter the rear pre-load. Still all bikes have little things for us to sort or just get used to.

Ah the clunky first gear lol you certainly know it's engaged    the SV was the same though so it just seemed normal to me.

A clunk into first gear shows it's a real man's bike.

  A clunky man's bike !

Any updates on the Bandito John?

Added a Delkevic exhaust - nice to hear it roar properly! Had the 600 mile service and can go up to 7000 rpm but actually above 5000 is not often necessary. On 800 miles now in 3 weeks - can't stop riding! Love the power and overtake much more than I have done before. Makes the VN seem a little lacking sometimes - went to look at an a 1500 Suzuki today but I would miss the nippy nature of a mid range cruiser, I'm sure. Numb bum a bit on the 1250  
so some form of pad needed for longer journeys. Lots of muck around the rear - may invest in a hugger sometime. Will put on heated grips in the winter, if I can figure where to take the ignition live from, otherwise it will be straight from the battery and remember to switch off! 
   Still think it's one brilliant machine. Forum not up to this one mind!

Glad your liking it   The stock exhaust is a little tame for sure! especially for the size of it lol, The seat does become more comfy once it's broken in, either that or your bum becomes immune to it? I've done a 500 mile day and regular 300 miles on mine without issue, so something's broke in now    I wired my Oxford heated grips straight to the battery because they switch off automatically after 10 mins of the ignition being switched off, they work pretty good too!, I sometimes feels it lacks a little in top end rush but changing that that would be taking away it's low down grunt and turning it into something it's not designed to be I suppose?, Hey! for the price they are! you could have a second hand super sport in the garage as well to calm those desire's    Great bike for the money they cost!, As for the 1500?  Keep the VN! it's a Great looking cruiser