Thinking of gettin rid of the bandit

[TheBikerStig]

Currently got a 1250 on about 36000 miles. Basically the engine rattles, the front brake binds and is also making a knocking noise when riding at low speeds (and probably higher speeds but cant hear it). Also wont be long before new chain and sprockets aswell as tyres need changing. The cost of having all this done is gonna be silly money so I am thinking about part ex for a new but cheaper to run bike, maybe a cbf600 or something.
However my issue with smaller bikes is the mechanical maintenance costs. How much lower will these be and what bikes have larger service intervals? My bandit has 4000 mile service intervals but I only change the oil and filter every 4000 miles and wait until 8000 miles before taking it in.

I basically need a bike thats reliable, cheap to run and not a moped. Is this asking too much?
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I am usually naked when posting to this forum.

[RhynoCZ]

The engine rattling would be the timing chain. The front brake, just take the calipers off and clean them, the knocking could be the discs, just try to move them with your hand, you're gonna know right away.

I think you're gonna lose quite a lot of money just selling it like that. You can do lot of work yourself.

About alternatives, the Honda would be the best way to go, I had CB1 and the only problem it had was burned stator, which can happen to anyone. It was made in '90 and the engine was smoother than any other bike I've ever been on. If you want a cheap, low cost motorcycle, go for a CB500 (with brembo brakes).
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'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

[mic]

If ya fix it I'll swap for the zzr600
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zzr600

[UnspeedySam]

Knocking could be a tight spot in your chain. The Ninja did the same thing when it needed a new C&S set.

Honestly doubt there's a lot of money that needs spending on it. But if you want a new bike now is a great time to buy.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Eddie Hitler]

Yes.

[-Matt-]

I'd just fix up the bandit, they're fairly bullet proof, won't need much work to get it back in shape, and at least its a bike you know the condition of and have fixed up yourself.

You could sell it, buy a 'cheaper to maintain bike' then find out its been thrashed and poorly maintained and starts developing all sorts of unexpected expensive problems.

I was under the impression bandits/cb's etc were all some of the cheapest and most reliable bikes in terms of maintenance/neglect etc, and a bit cheaper on fuel than a CBF600 also aren't they

[Robby]

The problems you're describing will happen with any bike. A weekend in the garage will have it sorted.

[BigDan1190]

You could trade it in for a bike with shaft drive and no front brakes, I imagine that would save you from having to actually maintain your vehicle much?

[_Iain_]

[sickpup]

[nowhere.elysium]