06B12 vs 07B12.5 I've now ridden both.

[JamieK]

Took a B12.5 out on a demo ride today so now I can compare the two back to back.

Keep in mind mine has a Muzzy full exhaust and holeshot stage 1 /w timing advancer.

Power
Below 3krpm mine has more grunt...sorry folks but it does.
4-6krpm the 12.5 gets the nod...significantly more acceleration
6krpm+ mine will walk, then run away from the 12.5

For day to day riding I'd give the 12.5 the advantage here...especially since that's the range I mostly ride in.

Throttle response
B12.5 good, my B12 awesome...the 12.5 is too snatchy at low revs compared to my carb setup. Cracking the throttle wide open (from any rpm) mine feels more responsive and is more linear than the FI. I give the 12 the advantage on throttle response (if jetted correctly)

Handling, seating, controls, ergos
Identical (remember the 06 has the same body/chassis/controls as the 07)...even though the B12.5 is heavier you really can't feel it in the handling but I think mine was slightly better under aggressive braking due to its lighter weight...you'd have to prove that with tape measures though.

Vibrations
B12.5...very little vibrations from the engine...it is smooth...hell the mirrors aren't even blurry. Nod to B12.5.

In the end the bikes are so similar that you'd be nitpicking to say one is better than the other. I like mine more just because of what I've done to it and am still ahead of the game for out of pocket expenses. BUT if I was to choose between a bone stock B12 or B12.5 I would go for the B12.5.

Then I took out a Busa...Busa's f#$&ing rock!!! More comfy, more power, better handling, better brakes...I couldn't believe what a fun bike the Busa is

[SteelD]

So, B12.5 not bad for a stocker then? Think what that might do with a little fine-tuning.

We all expect the Busa to be good but you'd expect that - it costs more...  

[Red01]

Then I took out a Busa...Busa's f#$&ing rock!!! More comfy, more power, better handling, better brakes...I couldn't believe what a fun bike the Busa is

Then just imagine what the '08 1340cc Busa would be like, more power and better brakes.
(and IMHO better looks, too.)

[SteelD]

Then I took out a Busa...Busa's f#$&ing rock!!! More comfy, more power, better handling, better brakes...I couldn't believe what a fun bike the Busa is

Then just imagine what the '08 1340cc Busa would be like, more power and better brakes.
(and IMHO better looks, too.)

You mean that it's based on the Bandit 1250?  

[JamieK]

So, B12.5 not bad for a stocker then? Think what that might do with a little fine-tuning.

Yes I believe the B12.5 would kick the B12's butt mod for mod. On a purely financial standpoint I have a better bike now than I would have if I bought the B12.5. Also from a nostalgic point of view I like the character of the SACS engine over the water cooled engine...there is just something about the wail coming out the pipe from that air/oil cooled I4 that brings me back to my high school days when I was lusting after the old praying mantis looking 1100 Katana

Then just imagine what the '08 1340cc Busa would be like, more power and better brakes.
(and IMHO better looks, too.)

I am imagining it I agree the 08 looks better than the current version

[Snubnose]

Took a B12.5 out on a demo ride today so now I can compare the two back to back.

Alot of my friends who ride other bikes, like the VFR 800 or FZ1 really like the New B12.5, in fact my buddy with the VFR is really considering one!.

I have yet to ride a Busa, Although would jump at the opportunity. trouble is, most dealerships I know are extrememly hesitant about loaning one out (unless its a demo day- and then its often first come first serve or pre-registration, where in I seem to be at the end of the line and never get to it.

All those good things I hear only make me want to test one more!. Yet I hear the insurance is a real killer!

[JamieK]

The Busa was a real blast but I wouldn't want one as my only bike...the B12 is a better fit for my personality  

[H2RICK]

Dreadnought:
Thanks for the comparo of the 2 Bandits. I'm with you on the SACS engine thing, although I have no previous "history" with it as such.
One of the huge bonuses of the SACS engine is that just about every shop in the world has worked on that engine in one form or another....Gixxer, Katana, Bandit.....
so that if you're ever stuck 1000 miles from home with problems, the local small shop will be sure to be familiar with the engine, if nothing else. Kinda like a small block Chev V8, I guess. That, alone, is a huge bonus for any long distance rider.
The SACS engine is not prone to breakage as long as you give it a reasonable amount of care....but stuff DOES happen.....and it always seems to happen when you're miles from home.  

[ZenMan]

All those good things I hear only make me want to test one more!. Yet I hear the insurance is a real killer!

I've read enough discussion on the board to know that the motorcyle insurance classification system in Canada is different than here in the states, but I'm still not that informed so excuse me if I get it wrong...  

I do know that insurance on the B1250 here is WAY cheaper than a Busa or Gixxer or any other "sportbike"... it is classified as a "standard" motorcycle, and the engine displacement isn't as big a factor. Plus the fact that Suzuki rates it as only 98 horsepower, when in reality it is well above 100. The insurance goes up quite a bit above 100 hp's... SuMoCo isn't totally stupid, I guess.  

I would think that your age, driving record, experience, and all that would have an effect on your premiums in Canada also? Being an old fart sure helps when it comes to insurance rates here...  

Anyway, Snub, if you do take a B1250 for a test ride, might as well bring your wallet. As you may have noticed around the board, the percentage of test rides that end up as purchases is pretty high for this bike.  

Getting close to 3K on mine and I'm lovin' it more every day...  

[ZenMan]

Yes I believe the B12.5 would kick the B12's butt mod for mod. On a purely financial standpoint I have a better bike now than I would have if I bought the B12.5. Also from a nostalgic point of view I like the character of the SACS engine over the water cooled engine...there is just something about the wail coming out the pipe from that air/oil cooled I4 that brings me back to my high school days when I was lusting after the old praying mantis looking 1100 Katana

I agree... of course the right mods improve performance with any bike. Just a different approach with EFI vs. carbs, but the principal is the same... more fuel/air in, more exhaust out.  

I'm generally an "old-skool" kinda guy... I miss the hell out of my old Z-1 Kawi's. But I really got hooked on fuel injection with my '82 GPZ1100. Just a performance "chip" and a Kerker exhaust made a huge increase in power.

I imaging a full exhaust on the B1250 would sound pretty darn good though... might not be as "raw" but I bet it would have quite a deep, throaty growl, and the same banshee scream at the higher rev's.

When it comes down to it, the money spent on TFI/PC-III fuel injection mods is a bit more as opposed to carb jet kits, but the hands-on wrenching is quite a bit less. Exhaust systems are probably about the same for either.

I think the real difference in cost would be when you get into the engine. The new water-cooled 1250 will probably cost a lot more when it comes to big-bore piston kits, and I have no idea if any cams are available for it yet, or if any existing parts from SACS motors will fit. Probably not, it's a new engine all-around as far as I know.

One think about the B1250 that I'm very pleased with, is the complete reliability of the new design. I haven't heard of a single major problem with this bike yet (knock on wood!) other than minor complaints like the seat or the big muffler. Not bad for the first year of production, aye?