Buying a bandit 600

[wookey]

Hi all,

I am off to look at a bandit 600 unfaired tommorrow. Its got 11k on the clock for around 15oo quid.

So am hoping someone has a buyers guide to these hacks.

Any help, common problems or dead givaways its bee thrashed or crashed would be ideal

Cheers
Woo
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Nah mate, those aren't bold there racing slicks

[wookey]

its a 1996 if that helps soz
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Nah mate, those aren't bold there racing slicks

[Major_Grooves]

I think Keith always mentions corrosion as being a problem with bandits. Probably true if it's that old.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

I have a 1200 Bandit, not a 600. Corrosion is a problem (I had frame paint crack off when the bike was under 6 months old). The rear brake caliper seizes up. Wiring covering breaks as it goes around the head stock. 95% of the exhaust is stainless steel, but the 5% that is mild steel (on the 1200, where the 4>1 section joins the link pipe to the silencer) rots badly. Fuel gauges can fail. Rear shock is likely to be getting on a bit, and the linkages are probably in need of attention. Bodywork breaks where in attaches under the seat just behind the petrol tank.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[sickpup]

The front forks are only 39mm so bend real easy in an accident and he rear sub-frame bends when dropped on the right hand side

Corrosion shouldn't really be a problem on a bandit especially on the engine. If there is untoward corrosion walk away.

At high mileage the carbs wear out.

The engine is bullet proof, remember its just a sleeved down slingshot GSXR750. As long as its had regular oil changes with good quality synthetic or semi-synthetic oil its good for 90,000miles before a top end rebuild.

[Kickstart]

[sickpup]

Hi Kickstart

Yes I agree the corrosion on your frame is bad. Worse than I've seen on any couriered Bandit 600. It does look and sound like the primer and paint didn't key properley. If this started within six months of new did you try and get it repaired under warranty?

I'm also surprised that you seem to have dropped a valve at 35,000mls. These engines are very tough, any idea's as to the cause, I really would like to know.

[Kickstart]

Hi

The paint around the rear footrest hanger cracked off at 6 months old, and was (eventually) bodged up under warrenty. Most of the other damage only became visable when I stripped the bike down. Suspect that 99% of other Bandits are similar, its just that until it is in pieces you cannot see it.

It bent the valves (all 16 of them) because the cam chain jumped, and that happened because of a foreign object getting into the crankcases, which is probably my fault as it probably got in there while the rocker cover was off. By the way, 16 valves is around £300.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing