Greetings all. I've been riding for about 3 months now. I recently bought a bandit 1200S and I'm pleased with the comfortable riding position as opposed to the standard crouch of traditional sport bikes. Although I like the cool look of a crouching rider, I'm 6'3" and my knees sit high above the tank of traditional sport bikes. The bandit offers a more comfortable upright position but offers little wind protection (for tall riders) at higher speeds. My upper body gets pushed around causing me to wobble and it scares the hell out of me enough to back down off the throttle. I've spoken to fellow riders about it and they all say it's normal to experience this and that I'll eventually get used to it. But I'm still having a hard time overcoming it. Any advice?
Newbie seeking advice
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Advice? Get off the 1200'er and get a beginners bike. But that's not what you want to hear, so here we go...
I have a naked touring bike - I sit fairly upright and have no windscreen. Depending upon the weather and the other traffic (especially when passing trucks or busses), you will sometimes experience crosswinds that knock you around. And as I said in another thread, your clothing and helmet will have alot to do with this. I have 3 MC jackets - and with one of them, I have a big problem with upward pressure on my helmet and upper body. My other jackets don't have this kind of effect, so I guess it has to do with the cut of the jacket and placement of the air intakes. As for your head being rocked around, it may have to do with the aerodynamics of your helmet - my dealer recommended a Shoei XR-1000 because they are very stable, even at high speeds. And, like racers, you need to build up your neck and stomach muscles - once these are strengthened and trained, you will have less problems with your head being pushed around by the wind.
Hope this helps.
I have a naked touring bike - I sit fairly upright and have no windscreen. Depending upon the weather and the other traffic (especially when passing trucks or busses), you will sometimes experience crosswinds that knock you around. And as I said in another thread, your clothing and helmet will have alot to do with this. I have 3 MC jackets - and with one of them, I have a big problem with upward pressure on my helmet and upper body. My other jackets don't have this kind of effect, so I guess it has to do with the cut of the jacket and placement of the air intakes. As for your head being rocked around, it may have to do with the aerodynamics of your helmet - my dealer recommended a Shoei XR-1000 because they are very stable, even at high speeds. And, like racers, you need to build up your neck and stomach muscles - once these are strengthened and trained, you will have less problems with your head being pushed around by the wind.
Hope this helps.
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20,974 Posts
Good Lord, who's the genius who recommende a B12 as your first? Shoot him.
There are quite a few aftermarket windscreens for the Bandits. Givi, Zero Gravity, and Suzuki's own touring screen are a few. Opinions will vary on each because they all put airflow at a different height, and so your height and riding position determine what's right for you.
Get some training, bud.
There are quite a few aftermarket windscreens for the Bandits. Givi, Zero Gravity, and Suzuki's own touring screen are a few. Opinions will vary on each because they all put airflow at a different height, and so your height and riding position determine what's right for you.
Get some training, bud.
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