Suzuki Bandit 1200

[Moffy]

Looking to trade up. Thinking about a 98 Bandit. Rode one today seems ok. Any gotcha's with these bikes? Any particular years better than others?

[babyB]

lol i praise the bandits good all rounder and not hard to modify. been on the '97 1200 was all godd but a little too heavy for me. i dont like being pillion on them though but thats my opinion. havent had any machinical probs but note; check stearing bearings/replace (manfacture grease fault) & '97 can take abit to warm up other than that  well i just love me bandit  oh yer parts are interchangable with other models like GSX

try this http://www.banditalley.com/usa/wa.html

[Lou Girardin]

My brother has a '97, done 80,000km. It's been bulletproof, a little hard on tyres if you push it. But then, what isn't. He upgraded the forks and fitted a Kerker can, but otherwise it's standard. The later ones with the larger fairing are more protective and have a front fork upgrade as standard. Great bikes!

[MikeL]

I seem to recall some discussion (I think on a British bike forum) about excessive oil consumption on some models of Bandit 1200, but I can't remember which years it applied to. I know that the later ones (last few years) are O.K. Might be worth doing a search.
My GSX is basically a Bandit in disguise, sharing most of the same mechanical components. The engine is pretty bullet-proof with heaps of grunt, and the gearbox is nice too.

[doon12]

I have recently purchased a 2005 bandit 1200s with 4500ks fitted with a yoshimura rs3 can. It has very strong low to midrange power with plenty of room for a larger rider and pillion but feels a litttle heavy around town. Buy a late model machine, thrash it and enjoy suzuki's legandary reliability.

[doon12]

I have recently purchased a 2005 bandit 1200s with 4500ks fitted with a yoshimura rs3 can. It has very strong low to midrange power with plenty of room for a larger rider and pillion but feels a litttle heavy around town. Buy a late model machine, thrash it and enjoy suzuki's legandary reliability.

[carver]

i found the 01 model real good and fun, but not very agile, but at the same time not too bad, i chose my 6n instead!

[rwh]

I have recently purchased a 2005 bandit 1200s with 4500ks fitted with a yoshimura rs3 can. It has very strong low to midrange power with plenty of room for a larger rider and pillion but feels a litttle heavy around town. Buy a late model machine, thrash it and enjoy suzuki's legandary reliability.

OK, but as at the time the question was asked, yours hasn't been released yet

Richard

[Macktheknife]

Now that is what I call a Serious Thread Dredge!
Almost 4 years, well done, and a double post to boot!

[TLMAN]

Try the K7 bandit 1250, what an awesome bike. I tried one out before i got the SV and it was a close contest between the two.

[rocketman1]

Just sold my 2001 Bandit, Suzuki did major uprgrade in 2001, changed shape and tank shape, plus plenty of small mods every where.I had a GSXR rear shock and a Scorpion Can, I traded in on a SV1000S, which basically as it is a more exciting bike to ride. The Bandit is powerful & bullet proof, they are great bikes and are great tourers, easy to get another 20hp out of, and very reliable, I would not have sold it if I could have afforded to have kept both.
The bandit needs a little bit work to hold on lines in the corners but in saying that it is 40kg heavier than the SV. The bandit is a comfortable tourer and will just go forever giving about 40-45mpg average riding. Buy one, do it.

[TLMAN]

Now that is what I call a Serious Thread Dredge!
Almost 4 years, well done, and a double post to boot!

I didnt realise until just now!!

[Edbear]

Now that is what I call a Serious Thread Dredge!
Almost 4 years, well done, and a double post to boot!

MMmmm! Where is Moffy, anyway? Wonder if he bought one...

[cold comfort]

Yeah, it does rather beg the question particuarly from my point of view at present.QUOTE=Edbear;1255055]MMmmm! Where is Moffy, anyway? Wonder if he bought one...[/QUOTE]