Opinions Please...1200 Bandits

[kiwisfly]

Hey team!
New to the group. After years off bikes (previously GSX1100, GPZ750, GT550 etc) & lately puttering to work on an old DR250 I'm looking at the Suki 1200 Bandit's either new or 2nd hand? New are $10,000 which seems reasonable but why so cheap? Also any opinions on the choose of bike & any other recomendations, just trying to think of consideration I havnt covered? General need is day to day commuting here in Wellington & rides in the weekend (kids have got old enough the wife & I can get a leg over & get away...so to speak)!
Cheers in advance.

[Silage]

Hi WS and welcome to the (generally helpful) madness here.

I understand it is the naked Bandit that is $10k with the fared on at around $13k. $10k sounds a very good price (the GS1200 was that last year for the tail-end 2002 models). It could be that Suzuki are trying to flick them off before a new model is released ??

[sels1]

welcome aboard Whole Shabang. The 1200 bandit is certainly good buying at its current price. Been meaning to take one for a test ride but not got round to it.

[Hitcher]

The Bandit is good value indeed at current prices. Buy the blue and white one that WMC has in stock. The rest look shite. And if you're going to buy a new muscle bike, don't ride anything else. That way you'll love it...

[Paul in NZ]

The Bandit is good value indeed at current prices. Buy the blue and white one that WMC has in stock. The rest look shite. And if you're going to buy a new muscle bike, don't ride anything else. That way you'll love it...

Good thinking! It's why I rate my Guzzi so highly....

[kerryg]

Hey team!
New to the group. After years off bikes (previously GSX1100, GPZ750, GT550 etc) & lately puttering to work on an old DR250 I'm looking at the Suki 1200 Bandit's either new or 2nd hand? New are $10,000 which seems reasonable but why so cheap? Also any opinions on the choose of bike & any other recomendations, just trying to think of consideration I havnt covered? General need is day to day commuting here in Wellington & rides in the weekend (kids have got old enough the wife & I can get a leg over & get away...so to speak)!
Cheers in advance.

In the past few years I've owned one of these, amd a GS1200s, and a GSX1200y, and a few GSXR1100s, and an XJR1200 , and an FZR100......I should stop, the depths of my foolishness greatly exceed the depths of my pockets. The Bandit has an old (mid-80s) technology oil/air cooled engine in a steel frame, with very limited suspension adjustments and fairly middle-of-the road componentry. Only 5 speeds. Carbs, not injected. Conventional forks. No bells or whistles. But it's IMHO greater than the sum of its parts. They're plenty pwerful enough for most riders (100hp odd at the crank from memory), good riding position for the older (more pear-shaped) rider, great with a pillion, will tour or scratch very capably. Not a crotch rocket, not gazillions of screaming RPM, so the younger and more flamboyant members of this forum would not disdain to sit upon one, let alone own one, but for 99% of riders their capability will run out before the bike's. I reckon they're great, and that engine is one of the most trusted and robust around.

[DemonWolf]

Welcome to KB Whole Shabang

[calmone]

Hey team!
New to the group. After years off bikes (previously GSX1100, GPZ750, GT550 etc) & lately puttering to work on an old DR250 I'm looking at the Suki 1200 Bandit's either new or 2nd hand? New are $10,000 which seems reasonable but why so cheap? Also any opinions on the choose of bike & any other recomendations, just trying to think of consideration I havnt covered? General need is day to day commuting here in Wellington & rides in the weekend (kids have got old enough the wife & I can get a leg over & get away...so to speak)!
Cheers in advance.

Hi Kerry I have just purchased a new K4 1200 Bandit after getting back into biking over the last 18 months and have done about 1200kms mostly in the rain over the last 5 weeks. They are very good value for money, they might not be as sophisticated as some others on the market but are in most cases half the price. I fitted a GIVI screen and after market muffler to mine. Riding position is good (for a senior like me) and on a recent 350km run found out just how fast they are in a straight line and around corners. There are lots of websites with postings on them which give a good idea of there capabilities. If you look at used pricing they also stack up well. As I said before great value for the money. Dick

[Ninja]

Not a bad choice Kerry. Very good value for money. I have ridden one in a wheelie school back in the uk and trained a couple of guys for their advanced test who ride 1200 bandits. No complaints from them at all. Only things to be aware of...they are oil/air cooled so don't like heavy traffic and have a fairly high centre of gravity (top heavy). Other than that they are highly recommended.

Best of luck,

Ninja
www.RiderSkills.co.nz

[Hailwood]

Hi and welcome to the madness that is KB. I was in a similar position to you several months ago in trying to find something to upgrade to. Rode a Blackbird (fast and comfy..possibly too fast for me), ZRX1100..not my liking, XJR1300 quite nice and comfy and a 2000 GSX1220Y which I ended up buying from TSS in Alicetown. I understand it has the same engine as the Bandit and is a great bike to ride...enough torque to make life a breeze and comfy with a pillion...go and ride everything you can find and then make a decision. Good position to be in too having to ride all sorts of bikes before you decide on one...enjoy..

[Pixie]

Luvley luvley

[mstriumph]

it's been recommended to me as a possible replacement for the trumpy ---- i need something with a button start, less angst and more oomph
but i'm not keen on the 'middle-aged' image being portrayed here
[ok - mebbe i am but i like to think i don't RIDE like that ]
sooooo is it something a reasonable rider could improve riding? or is it a dead end? am i gonna be overtaken by stationary pushbikes? are small children gonna point at me and laff??

Hi Kerry I have just purchased a new K4 1200 Bandit after getting back into biking over the last 18 months and have done about 1200kms mostly in the rain over the last 5 weeks. They are very good value for money, they might not be as sophisticated as some others on the market but are in most cases half the price. I fitted a GIVI screen and after market muffler to mine. Riding position is good (for a senior like me) and on a recent 350km run found out just how fast they are in a straight line and around corners. There are lots of websites with postings on them which give a good idea of there capabilities. If you look at used pricing they also stack up well. As I said before great value for the money. Dick

[Indiana_Jones]

You want a FXR150
Just not my one, it's a piece of poo lol, and no one say 'take it to frosty'

-Indy

[mstriumph]

Indy - Frosty has been BEGGING you to take it to him for megayonks!!

and no - i most decidedly DON'T want one - ta

in fact, i'd rather ............ oh hell - isn't upbringing a KILLER??? i can't TELL you wat i think about your suggestion without severely compromising ---- erm ----- mutter mutter mutter

You want a FXR150
Just not my one, it's a piece of poo lol, and no one say 'take it to frosty'

-Indy

[LB]

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Don't forget the GS1200SS is a good buy too - something like $10,000 grand brand new? Retro looking. Hamish (hubby) has one. Feel free to PM (private message - click on my user name in this message to get the option list) me if you'd like to have a look/chat about his - we're in Wgtn too.

Thought about a Ducati? Loads of accessories available........(for you as well as the bike).....
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