Am I going to die on Bandit 1250?

[Purn1]

Hi guys.

I know there are a million "is a 1000cc bike too much as a first bike?" posts, but I think this is different so bear with me if that's ok!

I'm very close to 30, have been driving well over ten years and have been riding an Aprilla RS125 (brave, aren't I?) 15 miles to work in central London for the past 6 months as well as lots of pleasure riding.

A friend of mine has just sold me his 2008 Bandit 1250 for a bloody good price. I have my test on Monday so if I pass will be going straight on the road with the Bandit.

I've already ridden the Bandit (very conservatively) to see if it terrified me, and actually felt very comfortable on it. I'm aware of the lashings of torque it produces and its weight. It's 90BHP, which is substantially less than a 600Super sport but obviously the torque it chucks out is a lot more.

So, with all that considered, am I being a little silly and Squidish jumping on a 1250 from 125? Will it bite me and will the weight and torque disallow me from getting the most from the bike?

Thanks for reading, long one I know.

Many thanks, Chris

[Aff]

No.

But buy a Fireblade anyway.
____________________
Current Bikes:Honda 929RR Fireblade, Honda CD200 Benly (Project), Stomp Z2 140
Electric Bike Project

[daifuco]

Actually today my instructor suggested me not to rule out the big bandit. So it might not be such a crazy idea.

[Purn1]

[kerr]

Your rs125 could kill you too yknow
As long as you respect it you will be fine.
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aprilia 125 Af1 Futura >> Suzuki gsxr 600 srad >> J1 zx6r >> cbr 600rr >> Speed Triple

[Fisty]

It only goes and stops as fast as you want it to. Fuck the naysayers and enjoy it, just don't let it control you. You control it.
____________________
Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Purn1]

[struan80]

Personally I would have no problem with anyone jumping straight on any bike, this based on my own experience.

Buggers (the world motorcycling public) convinced me to get a 'beginner' bike, which I got bored of rapidly and cost me money don't listen to the damned fools! A CBR500 or the likes is like wearing an 'L' plate with a strike through. Get a Fireblade or a GSF1250 and enjoy

[RhynoCZ]

If in doubt, flat out.

Buy the bandit if you want it. Our approval won't change a thing. I for instance think it's not really a safe motorcycle. It's engine is quicker than its frame.

Fireblade is a much safer motorcycle.
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[TomKenn]

I am in a similar position to you at the minute. i have my DAS in 2 weeks and my friend is currently selling his bandit 1250 and will let me have it for a decent price. i cant make my mind up about it!

[Mattaria]

My first bike was a bandit 1200. Was fine, plenty torque but overall it's a pretty tame bike. you'll be good dude!

[NJD]

How would you know if you could die on it, you'd be dead?.. I laughed at someone the other day who said my 125 wasn't fast enough and therefore didn't need a full set of textiles, mu flubba soon shut up when I stopped them and told them wrapping yourself around a lamppost at 30mph would result in potatoes.

The question you should be asking is "do I want to own this bike?", if you're thinking about death before getting on a bike or even buying it what must your thought process be when riding, if being deaded on a bike is a concern I wouldn't advise riding at all.

Maintain a safe riding style at all times and regardless of power of the bike you in theory will be fine, pss, avoid the cagers.

[arry]

I know a fairly petite girl that went from an XR125 to a Bandit 1200 as her first big bike and she hustled it big time.

[Purn1]

[struan80]

[RhynoCZ]

What I've learned over the years is, that the difference between a superbike and a naked (not made for speed) motorcycle is, that when you think you are riding on the superbike on the edge, pushing it to the limit, you're in fact using only about 60-70% of its real potential. Which means when you've got a problem, there's still the 30% of assurance and safety before things get really fecked up. The brakes, suspension, frame, just everything is made for far higher speeds than you'll be capable of achieveing on the open road.
Side note: You have got to trust the motorcycle, to benefit from those extra 30%. If you don't trust it, you'll crash it.

When you think you are riding a not made for speed motorcycle on the edge, you are mostly pushing your luck. And bigger and heavier the motorcycle is, more trouble can come, when you'll have to slow down the thing.

Slower motorcycle does not necessarily mean more safety.
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[oscar777]

I went from a CBR125 to a GSXR600 so about 10x the power. Dont regret it at all, I love the bike and I know it will keep me entertained for years until I am able to reach its limits (if ever).

If I had gotten something more mundane Id just be distracted by the fact I want a supersport and it would take away from enjoying another bike. At the end of the day this is a big part of why we ride, its fun. So I say enjoy the bandit and no regrets!
____________________
Push bike with a 80cc jerry rigged 2 stroke---> CBR125R ---> GSXR600 ---> Ducati 1098SF

[Baffler186]

[DrSnoosnoo]

I'll be a reassuring voice. Do it. If you can ride a 125 without dying, you can ride a bigger machine without dying.

The only difference is acceleration and deceleration but this is all controlled by your right hand.

Providing you don't go balls out in the first week of riding you'll be fine. AFAIK that bandit isn't intended for knee down speed hunters, more a fast tourer kind of bike (?) though I may be wrong.

I went to a 100bhp (claimed) bike after 0 experience of riding bikes, I just did my DAS and went for it. By many people's opinions I should have died instantly but I didn't.

DO IT. You will only regret the stuff you didn't do.
____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[el_oso]

[Rogerborg]

You're far more likely to die off of it.

It's bought, ride it, win.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Reg Tidy]

No. You will die alone.

It is written.

[RhynoCZ]

[Wednesday Biker]

Having a naked bike I don't find I ride that quickly anymore because wind blast makes going fast only appealing for a short duration.
I'd imagine the feeling of your head getting ripped off and your hands hanging on to the bars will stop you going daft on it.
I don't imagine they handle great so you'll probably be cautious round bends too.
You are quite likely to drop the thing at slow speeds though as they are quite heavy but you'll probably survive that.