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[Red01]

Here's a call-out to all to help make the best Bandit Wiki on the net.  I'm currently concentrating on just the spec sheets, and would like for you guys to check my work and make any corrections and/or fill in blanks.  I especially need some help with both versions of the B650 as well as the new 1250.

Bandit Alley's Bandit Wiki

[H2RICK]

OK, Paul, you're gonna be sorry you asked on this one.....
Re: 2006 GSF1200 and variants
Firstly, model designation is GV79A (for non-ABS) or B (for ABS) ....but apparently from the info I have this applies ONLY to Canadian models. Other countries get a different designation system altogether. F'rinstance.....GSF1200SA in Europe has a starting frame number of JS1CB113100100001 whereas the same model in Canada
gets a starting frame number of JS1GV79B62100001.
After that......
Wheelbase all variants (AV): 1480mm (58.3")
Height GSF1200/A only: 1095mm (43.1")
Ground clearance (AV) should read: 135mm (5.3")
Dry weight GSF1200 only: 212kg. (467lb)
Dry weight GSF1200A only: 216kg (476lb)
Dry weight GSF1200S only: 215kg (474lb)
Dry weight GSF1200SA only 219kg (482lb)
Third gear ratio (AV) should read: 1.250
Fourth gear ratio (AV) should read: 1.045
Fifth gear ratio (AV) should read: 0.913
Rake: not listed in anything I have
Trail (AV): 104mm (4.1")
Fuel capacity (AV): 20 litres (5.3/4.4 US/Imperial gallons)
As an aside you may want to include manufacturers of brake systems since you've mentioned the fork and shock manufacturers.
Front brakes are by Tokico. Rear is by Nissin. Go figure.....
Oh, BTW, the rear brake is listed as a SINGLE piston caliper...and, sho 'nuff, the exploded view shows only one piston.
These are the changes/additions I can see at first blush. All figures, barring the usual E & O on my part, are from my owner's manual part #99011-49G50-01A issued Nov 2005.....OR.....factory service manual part number 99500-39280-01E issued December 2005....OR.. supplementary service manual (covering ABS stuff) part number 99501-39750-01E issued February 2006....OR....advertising leaflet
from Suzuki Canada issued Aug 2005.
Oh, I also see you've elected to call the one-year-only 2006 1200's a Third Generation, rather than the 2.5 Generation which, IMO, it really is......but it's your Wiki and in the grand scheme of things "a rose by any other name"....etc etc.....
If I find anything else, I'll pass it along.

[Red01]

The model designators like GV79A are also used in Japan, from what I can gather from all the older Suzuki models, not just Bandits.

I was listing caliper brands on ones I could find, but I didn't find anything for the 3G & 4G. (Don't have caliper brands for the 250/400's either... hoping someone comes up with those for us.) I hadn't found braking specifics for the latest models, such as what you give, anywhere, so I had assumed the rear brake to be carried over, since the 600 & 1200 had been using the same rear brake since day one (with the exception of the 1G 1200 w/ABS).  Thanks for the correction!!  That sort of thing is exactly why I asked for you guys to help out.

Oh, I also see you've elected to call the one-year-only 2006 1200's a Third Generation, rather than the 2.5 Generation which, IMO, it really is......

This statement confused me a little... in your opinion it really is what? A 2.5G or a 3G?

Here's the reasons I called them what I did:

1) Previous models changed generation when they changed looks.  This seems to be standard not just with Bandits, but thoughout the m/c community on long running models.  Following this standard, the '06 B12 & '05-'06 650 models are 3Gs.  Had the water-cooled bikes never exisited, there would be no argument that it is the 3rd generation Bandit.  In fact, when our first B650 members showed up, that's what we started calling it.

2) Even though the water-cooled models have the same bodywork as their previous model year predicessors, a change this big seems to warrant a new moniker to me.  Quickly, off the top of my head, I can't think of any other bike models out there that have made a big change like this and kept the look of the previous one and not be considered a new generation.  (I can't even think of a bike at the moment that's made a major engine change and NOT changed the styling.) At a minimum, I felt the '07's would be a 3.5G, not the '06 (and '05 650) models as 2.5G.

3) When I first started putting info into the wiki, I was calling them Air/Oil-Cooled and Water-Cooled 3G's.  While searching various sources for specs and details, I revisited BanditMania.  On their front page, they have a brief section at the bottom on how to ID the bigger Bandits. They call them Mark 1, 2, 3, 4.  This was the kicker for me. If the water-cooled powerplant change was enough for them to separate the '07 from the '06 with a whole number, it's good enough for me and it sealed my decision on this somewhat controversial topic.

......but it's your Wiki

No!  It's OUR Wiki!  That's why I'm asking all of you for help.  I'm just inputting data.  If it needs corrections, great! 
Perhaps I should put in footnotes over the whole 2.5/3.5G thing?

  for the info!  I'll get it incorporated right away! 
Seems odd that the '06 appears to use the same tank (30 mm shorter than the 2G) as the '07-up models and American, Canadian & UK Suzuki's spec sheets list fuel capacity for them ('07's) at 19L... but searching out spec sheets for the '05 & '06 650 & '06 1200 do list capacity as 20L... where'd the liter dissappear to?  Perhaps more expansion space, like the CA models of the 2G? 

[H2RICK]

Previous models changed generation when they changed looks.  This seems to be standard not just with Bandits, but thoughout the m/c community on long running models.

Okay, I stand corrected. I've got a 3G 1200, then. Talk about unique...
a one year only model.....Hmmmm.....I foresee this as the old double-edged sword thing.....unique....but maybe difficult to get parts for later on. Oh, well, she's mine for the duration......

[Red01]

You ought to be OK, you can get powertrain parts from the 1G & 2G and everything else from the 3G & 4G.
Remember, the 3G 650 is a two year deal and shares bodywork... ooooh! 

[txbanditrydr]

Looking at the 2005 B1200 section of the Wiki.... would you consider adding/noting the commemorative paint job for that year???  (25th anniversary I think)

[terrebandit]

Paul,

Damn good job!

Dave

[Red01]

  Dave!!

Looking at the 2005 B1200 section of the Wiki.... would you consider adding/noting the commemorative paint job for that year???  (25th anniversary I think)

Sure, I'll consider it, the text still has a ways to go, but remember, that paint scheme first appeared in 2004 in Europe.

Keep the input comin'! 

[txbanditrydr]

....but remember, that paint scheme first appeared in 2004 in Europe.

Now THAT I did not know...

[Red01]

Actually, I guess that isn't completely true... the multiple hues of blue over white on the '04 600/1200 was a different pattern than the '05 1200, but it's similar.  Here's the pics I added to the wiki yesterday of the naked 600 & 1200 paint schemes as well as the '05 1200S's:

[JamieK]

Fantastic job of gather specs Paul!! 

[Red01]

  - there's still some blanks to fill in and some model's enties could use more detail... hence the request for help.

[H2RICK]

Paul, two niggling little things re the 2006 B1200.....
AA) I don't believe they all came with adjustable bars. Only the 650 had this feature....at least in Canada. Maybe other areas got the adjustable bars on both models ?? I queried Suzuki Canada on this point since it is shown in the advertising propaganda AND mentioned in the Owner's Manual. They replied via email that this feature was NOT installed on Canadian versions of the 1200. Screwed again.....
BB) The new longer swingarm is a hexagonal cross-section as opposed to the rectangular shaped item on the earlier models. A small point, I know but you've mentioned that this model DID get a new longer swingarm.......
Otherwise from those two kvetches, the whole Wiki is shaping up nicely. Thanks for all your hard work on this. A great reference for ALL of us.....vets and newbys alike.

[Red01]

Thanks, Rick! Any idea if the 1250 comes with adjustable bars then?

C'mon, 1250 owners, go out and take a look. 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Excellent job and very comprehensive and informative. However I do think your description of the 4th gen B1250 is too simplistic and over summarized in recognizing the B1250's well publicized changes, advances, improvements and unprecedented popularity IMO. Although the picture you chose is worthy of the bike +1.