1991 Suziki Bandit 250cc for first bike

[rstefanov]

Hello to all!

I am considering to buy an old 91 Bandit 250cc. I will be using it to go to work and maybe travel around EU a bit during the summer.

I am a techie and mechanically educated, so not worried about bike's age. Also it is dirt cheap and I can easily sell it after that for the money I got it if not more...

Do you think this bike is OK for a new rider? I know some people say you should not start on a bike with 4 cylinders engine.

I am 29 years old, 187cm tall and ~76kg. I've tried a couple of bikes while taking courses for my license and the Bandit feels OK to me

I was also looking into 400cc Bandits, same era, but knowing myself (titanium bolts and several broken bones from MTB accidents, because I am stupid) - I think I will be better off starting on something small...

[MarJay]

250 bandit is rare, and gutless. a 400 is more common and should be OK for a new rider to be honest.

You'll probably be OK on a 600 Bandit really. Again, even more common than the 400 and not exactly a widowmaker...

I think you'll be bored of the 250 Bandit in no time at all.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[arry]

If it's practically free then fine and keep it until it's knackered to a point it takes more than tuppence to fix it. Otherwise, I'd stick with something more mainstream as to pay for the privilege of struggling for parts and fixing things I'd not bother. It may be tip top, but it might not be and that's a risk.

[Rogerborg]

I'd mark that as a "Future Classic". Lardy as only Suzuki know how to make 'em, but 45hp at the top end might be giggles.

Intardtubes suggests that it's a unique engine, and even oil filters are engine specific, so I would definitely check out the spares situation if you actually intend to ride it.
____________________
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

[wr6133]

[Rogerborg]

[rstefanov]

Thanks for the replies

[MarJay]

Where are you based? Certainly in the UK they are rare as rocking horse dung...
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[woo]

chain is slack!
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[rstefanov]

[RhynoCZ]

No chain cover = MOT Fail.

Those who experienced a motorcycle chain snap know why this should and is a MOT fail.
____________________
'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

[arry]

[redeem ouzzer]

[RhynoCZ]

[Rogerborg]

Best. Queendom. Ever.

I bet your monarchs don't last 6 months before they get rolled over for their bling.
____________________
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

[RhynoCZ]

[lilredmachine]

The GSX-R 250 was the worst of all the 250 bikes, boring power delivery. Yes it will rev to 18k, but you will be bored before it gets there.

Hornet 250 is the way to go. On the other hand, being in Bulgaria where 90% of the traffic is agricultural based, I don't think you will be left behind in the traffic light GP.
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Bikes: too many, too much for one man to maintain anyway.

[rstefanov]

So I went to see the bike with a friend - we tried it and we actually bought it. Starts right away, cold, sounds amazing. Chain was aligned, not like in the pictures.

45bhp / 146kg according to papers. I think it will be plenty of fun for a new rider.

[lilredmachine]

[TCFA]

I had something called a Suzuki Across, which was a 4 cylinder 250 which redlined around 18k ish IIRC. It was fully faired, sports bike style, had a "boot" where the tank normally is, and an undersea fuel tank of a wee 12 litres. And it was bloody purple.

No idea if it ran the same engine, really didn't know a lot about it (or bikes really) back then. But very fun and you could fit a maccas or a six pack in the fuel tank space.

Before that I had a ZZR250. Ok (liked it for being my first bike) but preferred the Across.

Friends had the CBR250RR. That was awesome.
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[kramdra]

How do you spend 4k on a bike that wont do 20mph

Does look in good condition, good purchase. Moar pics required. I imagine everything outside of engine will be common and shared with other models, the cbr250rr has a lot of chinese parts available. 250's were common in Aus as learner machines

[talkToTheHat]

[M.C]

[chris-red]

[chris-red]