Smokey and the Bandit

lutmfurl · Derestricted Danger Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Karma :

Hi all, new to the site and fairly new to biking. Little over a year under my belt. Recently changed up from a cb750 to a X plate 1200 S Bandit. Been a bit confused due to the bike being registered in 2000 but apparently the model (K1) is a 2001. Has the single grab rail, sweeping clock faces etc.

Anyway to my problem, In the mornings/after the bike has sat for a few hours I am finding it hard to keep ticking over for the first 10 minutes. I stick the choke on and start it up and leave it on choke for about 3 minutes. When I take it off the revs drop down to about 750 and finally cuts out. If you try to rev the bike for the first 10 minutes it revs upto about 4500 drops a couple then carries on up the clock. I can do 5 miles and it still cuts out when you roll off It also smokes alot for the first 5 minutes. I have heard that this is a common problem with the bandit along with guzzeling oil. Used a full tank in around 1000 miles.

Have tried turning the tick over up but this then causes the bike to sit to high once its done a few miles.
Anybody any clues.

Thanks in advance

Matt
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We came, we saw, we drank the place dry.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Who told you that was a common bandit 'trait'? It wasn't the dealer that sold it to you by any chance?

I've never heard of any bike (apart from a two stroke) where smoking is 'normal'.

What colour is the smoke? Blue? White? Black?

Sounds like you have an issue...
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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.

lutmfurl · Derestricted Danger Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Karma :

white smoke
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We came, we saw, we drank the place dry.

lutmfurl · Derestricted Danger Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Karma :

https://www.sukbog.co.uk/gallery/misc/lenny/lenny.html

have a look at this and also try googling stuff like

smoking bandit 1200 oil problem

Just noticed that there were other ppl talking about a simular thing
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We came, we saw, we drank the place dry.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

White smoke sounds like coolant rather than oil. If it were burning oil it would be blue smoke.

Have you checked your coolant levels lately? I realise that the oil level is dropping, but it is worth noting that there might be something else wrong beyond the standard issues.

It could be a blown head gasket, that would explain the loss of oil and coolant.
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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.

lutmfurl · Derestricted Danger Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Karma :

is that easly fixed. How much is it likley to cost if it is the problem
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We came, we saw, we drank the place dry.

lutmfurl · Derestricted Danger Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Karma :

it only smokes for the first 10 minutes though
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We came, we saw, we drank the place dry.

Mark_petty · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

I have a bandit 600, it always smokes first thing for about 5 minutes until its warmed up (white smoke as well)

I had the same issue as you about cutting out straight away even after a long ride. It also backfired alot. Does yours?

In the end is was my carbs totally gunked up so needed striping and cleaning.

It now runs like a dream
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[Rides: Suzuki GSF600sx]
[CBT: Passed] [Theory: Passed] [DAS: Passed]

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Davie_G71 · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Karma :

Are you sure it isn't just condensation evaporating in the exhaust?

My GSXR does this, especially in the cold mornings.
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Suzuki GSXR600 SRAD, 1997 & Kawasaki Z1000, 2003.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

On cold mornings it is quite usual for the exhaust on any vehicle to look like a lot of white smoke/steam. It will look like this until the engine is up to full operating temperature, and exhaust has some heat in too.

This will take a fair while on a bandit 12, because it is a large air/oil cooled engine. Also the reason why it won't burning coolant, because it doesn't have any.

Burning oil is still a bit of a worry though. A litre every 1000 miles is the upper end of acceptable fuel burn. I would check the crankcase breather is clear, change the oil, and take it out for a good hard thrashing. See if that sorts it out.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

BanditsHigh · Worse than a woman Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Karma :

From memory I am sure the 2001 B12 had some engine changes which weren't done right, result the engine burns a lot of oil.

the grim reaper · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Karma :

I had a 2002 Bandit 1200s and never had any oil burning issues, condensation is normal though. FWIW, the choke is bloody useless, mine would never idle properly although not as bad as yours is. Have you checked that the choke on the carbs isn't seizing or badly adjusted?

Cheers

Grim
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