Bandit 400 Taupo Trackday

Riding my bandit 400 at a HRC Rider Development Day at Taupo on the 20th August 2007. First time back on the track since May 2006, heaps of fun. :)
The trackday is split into 3 groups, fast, medium and slow. I was in medium.

Apologies for the audio. I didn't have time to sort out a microphone and didn't expect it to record any audio, but it did. I'm not sure how.

The camera is a no-brand cheap CCD security bullet camera. The guy I bought it off isn't selling them anymore, but http://www.viewtech.co.nz/product.pasp?categoryid=5&productid=28 looks pretty much identical. The video from the bullet camera was recorded on a jxd900 portable media player. In later videos I used a mic made from approximately this circuit: http://www.reconnsworld.com/audio_singleicpreamp.html
The jxd 900 is the limiting factor in the video quality, it only records 320x240 pixels. camera is good for more. I also made a small voltage regulator to run the camera and mic off the bike's electrical system (not sure if that was needed).

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• gsf400
• gsf
• 400
• bandit
• suzuki
• motorcycle
• track
• day
• HRC
• taupo

[erikkb]

Not the frame, but I did have to tidy the casting seam on the bottom linkage and remove some material from the shock's lower bracket where it touched the lower linkage and also round the shock's top eye so it cleared the frame mounting point. Have a look at the forums on banditalley net for more info.

[flim72]

with bandit400 u could put your knees down?

[erikkb]

Yes. But its got a gsxr1100 rear shock in it which raises the rear and gives it a bit more ground clearance. And also I'm quite tall, so maybe that makes it easier for me.

[mahiap]

what kind of camera is used for this?exact model.

[erikkb]

haven't got an exact model. I've updated the video description with camera details and links.

[mota77]

hey,,,ive tested 600 but too weight for the city...I DEF LOVE 400... Tested several but i always end up by not buying cos of the typical comments...cdi problems, valves, spare parts...eb talks bout 400 problems...could you explain me your xperience wit this great bike? I just want one!

[erikkb]

I bought it second hand when it had done 49,000km. I've had to replace the clutch friction plates because they were dragging. When I got it, the radiator fan had stopped working, so I had to replace that and the fan and warning light thermo switches. Also had to clean the front callipers because the brakes weren't working too well. All fairly normal stuff for a 15 year old bike, I think. The bike's just ticked over 85,000km now, still goes well but I've been told it smokes a bit when I gas it.

[nosi86]

i wish i could ride here with my b400 :)

[chopstx667]

glad to see the gsf400 is able to keep up with some supersports on the track. Just bought me one this past week and am loving it.

[R3L4X1N6]

hheeh i have a Transalp 600 for every day, but for weekends i have a gsxr 750 coz i like to do some conering, and yes, some times i end up making some errors.. but till now iv been abel to get back on the line without crashing... :D

[erik7]

I think it must've been my 3rd or 4th trackday, but the first I'd done in about a year. No idea about the other riders, but it was the medium group.

All you can do is ride to the limits of your comfort zone, if you go beyond that, you end up making mistakes and crashing. I bet the slower riders were still having fun.

Bandit 400 is 50hp and 168kg (dry), unless it's the vtec model, which mine isn't.

I've even seen Harleys (scraping pegs on every corner) and scooters at track days! Good on them.

[R3L4X1N6]

this is ur first track day? and all the other riders to right? Tell me something, what is the point on paying for a track day or driving lessons. if most of the ppl seen on the vid r scared to pull the bike to its limit? The Bandit 400 its a very nice bike, except for its weight, 60 hp, but with 190kg. :( even so... what was a kawa 1100 doing on a track? that is the most wierd part. any way.. nice riding from u, bad riding from almost every one else. haha. :D

[Espigad0]

Bandit 400 RulleZ!!!!

[xiand666]

Hi, I just bought a Bandit 400 around 3 weeks ago, and I'm also pretty tall. I was also thinking of replacing/raising the shock, or maybe thickening the cushion on the seat to raise it a bit.

Did you have to modify the Bandit's frame/subframe to use the gsxr1100 shock, or is it a bolt-on thing?

Nice video by the way. :)

[flim72]

oh ok... i got a rgv250 rear shock... iam 170cm. tall... and next week i try my first time on a track... maybe it will not be easy for me ;)