Blade or Bandit

[Sniff9]

I thinking of an older one of these..

Blade's an old 96 40000 on it and no history but all more/less original bar a can and mini rears, 9 months mot

Bandit 12 mk1 97 30000 again no history been "modded" here and there, back end's been hacked and twin R1 type lights overall looks ok again 9 months mot

it'll be a kinda daily when not using the car, won't be going long runs both more/less same price.

[Islander]

I can recommend the Bandit. I've just bought a very low mileage Mk2 and I'm really enjoying it. It handles really well at either low or high speed (NSL obviously... ), picks up very quickly, stops well is very stable in fast bends.

[Sniff9]

I had a mk1 one a few years ago and liked it, prefer it to the mk2 but each to their own.

Very temped to get anther but not sure about a "modded" one fancy the Blade too

[ThatDippyTwat]

The bandit depends entirely on how well it's been "hacked". Some of the subframe and suspension jack up "mods" I've seen are fucking terrifying.

Some are bomber engineering and had a lot of thought put into them.
If it looks good, I'd get the bandit for a daily.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[kramdra]

Blade will be the better bike. Looks better than the new ones

[chickenstrip]

Very different bikes. Fazer 1000, gen 1 or 2. A nice 'in-between'. Can usually be had at fair prices with a little patience, plenty about.

I would always be a bit suspicious of older Bandits, simply because of how many do/did get 'hacked'.
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[stevo as b4]

A scabby or tatty but straight bandit that's not been seriously fucked up would be better of the bikes as a daily hack IMO. You want one that's cosmetically tatty or is covered in tasteless anodised tat enough that it put people off. That was you get it cheap and all it has to do us be safe/legal and reliable for a daily beater. Fuck what it looks like and don't get all precious about making it look better or change bits to improve it etc.

They are a cheap cheerful value for money bike, you shouldn't buy one as a project or resto material. Also bits are everywhere for them, cheap as well and hopefully it's unfaired to making it simpler and quicker to work on. Engines and boxes in 600/1200 sizes are tough old things and mileage shouldn't worry them. The chassis probably will want work by now, but keep it simple and cheap.

A 96 Blade as a daily hack? Fine if it's too far gone to make a nice bike out of, but I can't see anyone wanting to rip the fairing off a bike they don't love every time it needs a service or there's a problem. If I were going to buy a 90's blade I'd want a really fucking nice one that's been well looked after, not a shitter that's loose and baggy. It'll feel crap to ride if it's not right, and why make more work for yourself on a bike that you don't love and is just a daily beater?

[Sniff9]

Don't know if this'll work..

https://i66.tinypic.com/29mt8bs.jpg
https://i65.tinypic.com/2v7xsnq.jpg[/img]
https://i65.tinypic.com/35ic9dc.jpg[/img]

[Sniff9]

Edited..

[Sniff9]

[stevo as b4]

I kind of get that from the specific bikes you picked out, but I don't see how anyone could enjoy running a scabby sports bike as a daily rider or need to think that the everyday bike is good looking and cool if it's just a tool to get to work.

A rough blade will be much worse to own and ride than a rough bandit IMO.

The run a shitter in the week and have something nicely clean and well fettled sat for weekend rides or days out is infinatly preferable in my book, than having an ok but slightly tatty not quite sharp as it should be hack that you want to try and keep looking ok as well as run it daily for all weather commuting duties.

[Minty]

I commute on a 97 blade and I really don't get the quote about having to take the fairings off all the time to service it. I've had it 7 years now and have the fairings off a total of never.

Bullet proof engine, mines on 40k too.
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[Ste]

[Sniff9]

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[Sniff9]

Don't know where the photos I posted went..

Well the advice which wasn't many at all still didn't say get this don't get that....I guess I'll think about it and if they're gone they're gone.