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Bandit 1200 vs Thunderace
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Hey all, not posted for what must be over a year.
I'm getting rid of my Bandit 12 for something a bit more sporty, but for
insurance purposes it can't be a top class sports thou, so I'm thinking
about getting a Thunderace.
Anyone got any opinions on the Thunderace, either good or bad, and what the
differences between the two are going to be? I'm expecting alot better
handling, less torque, more top end and not sure on the comfort.
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I have had a year 2k one since November 04. Lovely. Bought it from Pole
Position in Southend with a 6 month warranty and now it has nearly 37k
on the clock. I have tried Dunlop 208's didn't like them. BT014s good
but only 6000 out of the rear. Avon Azaros which I love and got 9000
comfortably from the rear.
In 05 I rode it to Mugello, 06 to Catalunya, and last week we got back
from Mugello again. I fitted Avon Storms St this time and now with 3000
miles on them hardly a sign of wear. A mate on an 02 B12s didn't like
the feel of his Contis in the wet plus he had fitted a special seat
(can't recall the name) which gave ideal comfort. His bike used about 7%
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Colin Irvine of this parish is your man. He rates them.
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So do I.
When Colin was looking for a bike to replace his 40K mile old P regd
Thunderace he couldn't think of anything better to replace it with, so
he went searching for one of the last Thunderaces to buy. He found a
very late registered one and I bought his old one from him. Of all the
bikes I've owned that Thunderace is probably the one I miss the most.
It was the perfect all round tool - you could use it for commuting,
touring, hooning up country lanes and do trackdays on it. The pillion
seat was comfortable and the riding position was perfect no matter
what you wanted to do. I wish I'd kept it longer and not bought the
ZX-9R I sold it for, I just couldn't get on with the 9R after owning
the 'Ace.
When I sold it there were 48K miles on the clock, and in all those
miles I think the only thing that ever went wrong was a bolt fell out
of the gearchange linkage. That didn't bother Colin, cos he rode it
with Pat on the back across half of France and almost into Switzerland
stuck in 3rd gear, and then put a new bolt in when he got to Ace's
gaff. They drink a bit of oil once they go over 40K but the oil light
is a level light, not a pressure light, so you'll know when it needs
doing. The only other thing to keep an eye on is the Exup valve
sticking. The tacho has a self-diagnostic system that tells you what
needs attention. If the tacho goes up to 7K revs and stays there for a
couple of seconds before dropping down to normal it means the Exup
valve is sticking. This can be expensive if it's been left like that,
if it starts happening to you then get it sorted soonest.
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more petrol than mine did and I did this last trip two up with Buffalo
panniers, and a Louis bag, and a hold all strapped to a Renntec rack.
Sat nave recorded a top end of 137 near Milan - but I ran out of road.
Round town and local hooning the bike is fabulous. Smooth and excellent
handling - I have set up the supension to my own liking. It has a Leo
Vinci carbon can but I put the standard back on for foreign stuff.
As for maintenance I do my own oil and air and carb balancing (rarely
needed). I had ZR motorcycles (rear of Rochford fire station) do a major
service last year before Catalunya which included every fluid changed,
rear linkage stripped and lubed, new clutch (not strictly needed but I
had got it smelly hot at Mugello the previous year negotiating that
perimeter track) new chain and sprockets. I have a Scottoiler on it.
This year I had ZR remove and lube the Exup valve with the correct
ceramic grease.
I will never sell my 'Ace.
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