Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: kevinfromrex on October 26, 2006, 07:06:34 AM
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I read several bike mags a month, Cycle World ( since the mid 70's), Sport Rider and the UK's Bike.
This months bike compares 3 good used sport/tour bikes, a Bandit 1200, an FZ-1 Yamaha and the ZRX1200 Kawasaki.
The Kawi won the test riders hearts for its attitude and overall power and powerband, the yamaha won second, again great power on top and the Bandit seemed to get last (though results were not numbered).
The Bandit did everything right by theyre own admission, was the newest and lowest mile bike for the best money and lost for what, because we are not as flashy?
And the Bandit was the best selling bike in the UK for how many years (3 in a row in early 2000's said Total Motorcycle).
I know we Bandit rider catch hell because we are not covered in tirbal flamed plastic, but damn.
We catch hell because we dont have inverted forks and trick parts.
But we have suspension that works, sport riding, touring and 2 up. The brakes do the job, the 1200 goes 150 mph or more, the 600 with a little tweaking goes high 11 second quarter miles. The bike looks good NAKED with old GSXR derived air cooled engine poking out. Our bike starts runs and hauls a** everyday. all day. all year, all weather and it is dirt cheap to buy because we get no respect and I can service just about anything myself.
Wow, I guess I did get the right bike (after 27 years on the road).
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I saw the article too, and no doubt the other 2 have a 'look' that the bandit doesnt. I think you hit the nail on the head. People (Bike editors included) like flash. Period. I dont think youll have a hard time finding people to agree that the bandit doesnt have much in the flash department. Not to mention the stock suspension sucks. The bandit isnt the cheapest (but its close), it isnt the most comfortable (but its good for hours upon hours in the saddle), it isnt the fastest (but you better watch your ass from 0-100mph), and it doesnt handle the best (but a good rider can make the average squid look like a real retard). In my very unexpert opinion, its a damn solid amalgamation of the 4. Thats why Im riding a bandit instead of a speed triple, or yammie or kawi or any number of other bikes.
Flash? No thanks. Ill take a B12, please.
Just an aside--WTF is with those lower fairings. I love the look, But damn, if you can swing fairings, buy $20 in paint and color-match the SOB's. :stickpoke: Silly brits.
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One of the best quotes I've ever seen about the Bandit 12 was in an Aussie bike mag and went something like.....
"In it's day the Bandit was the badest, fastest, most powerful bike in it's class, but now, just like some of it's owners, it's a bit tubby round the middle, takes a while to warm up and is really more about comfort than all out performance"
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Well, the bike mags are all about the very latest and gimmicky and that's OK. Besides, tell me a bike that's perfect in every regard. There ain't one!
My opinion of all the plastic on bikes is that some of it DOES look nice, or cool, or racey, but it's so susceptible to rock nicks and chips that it turns me off, plus if you have to replace anything....
$$$
Funny thing is, over the last couple of years I've come to think the Bandit is a pretty bike and has the big honkin' engine look to it. I can't ride most of the bikes currently being offered in the States, not counting cruisers, because of riding postition. If I were 20...maybe, but not now.
If you just keep in mind that bike mags are all about the newest, highest technology, then it won't faze you that they obsess over GSXR1000s and the like. A year from now it'll be something else. :grin:
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The bike I was originally after cost $5000 more than the Bandit. It had all the bells and whistles. But, ya know, I am sooo glad I didn't go for it and couldn't be happier with my beauty. And the Modding. Oh, the Modding.
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After 69 new marketing strategies have pushed hard to get the publics attention away from classic looks and styling and more on gadgetry and the techno race. So the ear and eye of the new generations has changed into buying the next socially acceptable cool thing (what others think) and show off move on. The bandit is a classic for more then just its gadgets, but very few are capable to notice that or care about it.
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Funny thing is, over the last couple of years I've come to think the Bandit is a pretty bike and has the big honkin' engine look to it.
In the 2.5 months Ive had my bandit, prolly 10 people have come up to me and asked "Dude, what is that thing, that engine is friggin HUGE!?" I suppose its a look i can live with. :banana: :motorsmile:
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Funny thing is, over the last couple of years I've come to think the Bandit is a pretty bike and has the big honkin' engine look to it.
In the 2.5 months Ive had my bandit, prolly 10 people have come up to me and asked "Dude, what is that thing, that engine is friggin HUGE!?" I suppose its a look i can live with. :banana: :motorsmile:
Yep, same way I feel. They can't see the engines nowadays, or the engine is a twin, and then they see a big badass 4-across and they dig it! Engine envy, for sure!
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I have 60,000 miles on my '97 1200s. I've had to replace the steering head bearings and that's it other than tires, chains, etc. I travel the PA turnpike and hundreds of miles of secondary PA roads every weekend. I haul ass too. I wouldn't even consider any other mount for rapid transit. The Germans are too expensive and Harleys just don't match up. I've spent a lot of time at or over 100 mph and my Bandit NEVER lets me down. BTW I'm still on the original battery :banana: I love my Bandit!!!
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I used to have a ZRX1200R. Let me tell you, that thing had one hell of a motor. The power was everywhere, and there were many times I found myself laughing inside my helmet. I didn't care for the square headlight, the bikini fairing didn't provide enough wind protection, and the seat was angled funny which made long distance rides tiring. I always liked the looks of the Bandit better, and what I really wanted at the time was a Bandit 1200S with a better motor. If the new 1250 hasn't been totally castrated by emissions regulations, maybe I can now have the bike I've always wanted.
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The funny thing is that the Bandit looks like a sleeper bike. My roommate drive a 2001 GSXR 1000 and when she is stopped at a light No one and I mean no one has the stones to revv at her. The bike looks sporty and of course fast. Now I drive a 99 Bandit 1200s, and if I am stopped at a light even toyota's and suped up neons revv at me, and want to race. The funny thing is the look on their face when I leave a blurr. I had a friend of mine who bought the new Dodge charger with a V-8 Hemi, and when my roommate was tired of hearing that it could decimate anything on the road, she challenged him to a straight drag race, and the moment he saw what she was driving, backed down. I wanted to prove a point so I took the challenge with him, and he happily bet 300 dollars. I took a look at him and pointed out the 1200 printed on my front cowel, and his remarks were...."It can't be that fast it looks old". I wasn't going to race him but after that statement I couldn't resist. I walked away with 300 bucks and my roommate laughed at him after she said that I can keep up with her bike no problem, and that was the stupidest bet she had ever seen made. Everytime I go to the club he is always there telling how he modified his car......I would just look at him and ask if he wants to test it out.
The bandit gets a bad rap because of the way it looks. So I say let them all think it is an old POS, then that way you can just shake your head when its all done. I love my bandit and wouldn't trade it for anything.
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The funny thing is that the Bandit looks like a sleeper bike. My roommate drive a 2001 GSXR 1000 and when she is stopped at a light No one and I mean no one has the stones to revv at her. The bike looks sporty and of course fast. Now I drive a 99 Bandit 1200s, and if I am stopped at a light even toyota's and suped up neons revv at me, and want to race. The funny thing is the look on their face when I leave a blurr. I had a friend of mine who bought the new Dodge charger with a V-8 Hemi, and when my roommate was tired of hearing that it could decimate anything on the road, she challenged him to a straight drag race, and the moment he saw what she was driving, backed down. I wanted to prove a point so I took the challenge with him, and he happily bet 300 dollars. I took a look at him and pointed out the 1200 printed on my front cowel, and his remarks were...."It can't be that fast it looks old". I wasn't going to race him but after that statement I couldn't resist. I walked away with 300 bucks and my roommate laughed at him after she said that I can keep up with her bike no problem, and that was the stupidest bet she had ever seen made. Everytime I go to the club he is always there telling how he modified his car......I would just look at him and ask if he wants to test it out.
The bandit gets a bad rap because of the way it looks. So I say let them all think it is an old POS, then that way you can just shake your head when its all done. I love my bandit and wouldn't trade it for anything.
He must've been quite the dumb@ss to stand there looking at ANY 4 cylinder, 1200cc, from a Japanese manufacturer and thinking he could take it! :roll: How many decades will it take to sink in with people about these bikes? :grin:
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I got the same thing a couple weeks ago. A POS old a** rx7 thing pulled up smoking from its bumble bee can and revs it up. I thought he must be kidding, light changes he wasnt, he drops the hammer. I dont thinkhe knows my little 600 slightly breathed on Bandit runs a 12 flat Im guessing, well he knows now. I jumped out, jumped in his lane and let him stare at the rear while I dissappeared into the distance.
I guess we are never going to get respect, BIKE magazine wrote the bike did everything right for the best price, best all around, said a pipe unleashed the last 15hp that smoothed out the top end and gave a bigger charge, but the bandit lost because it didnt stir up his loins as much as a ZRX......................, give me a break. Ill just keep having fun on the most under respected, cheapest little sportsbike on the road, dont tell anyone how much fun they are!
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Well, the bike mags are all about the very latest and gimmicky and that's OK. Besides, tell me a bike that's perfect in every regard. There ain't one!
I love the Bandit and I keep it for good reason, it suits me. But, you have to admit, Suzuki has done little to upgrade the bike. In '01 they fixed a few of the bad areas, but were small changes in the grand scheme of things. Yamaha, did some serious upgrades to the FZ1. Changed the frame, exhaust, inverted forks, etc. Obviously a bike that has better upgrades is going to get better reviews. The Bandit when it first came out was at the top of its game, and continued to be in '01. But after that, other bikes continue to upgrade and the Bandit sat idle. Regardless, I honestly think that the writers are looking more into the bike than just the flash or plastics. If flash was the case, then the V-Strom would've never got great reviews when it came out.
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Well, the bike mags are all about the very latest and gimmicky and that's OK. Besides, tell me a bike that's perfect in every regard. There ain't one!
I love the Bandit and I keep it for good reason, it suits me. But, you have to admit, Suzuki has done little to upgrade the bike. In '01 they fixed a few of the bad areas, but were small changes in the grand scheme of things. Yamaha, did some serious upgrades to the FZ1. Changed the frame, exhaust, inverted forks, etc. Obviously a bike that has better upgrades is going to get better reviews. The Bandit when it first came out was at the top of its game, and continued to be in '01. But after that, other bikes continue to upgrade and the Bandit sat idle. Regardless, I honestly think that the writers are looking more into the bike than just the flash or plastics. If flash was the case, then the V-Strom would've never got great reviews when it came out.
Well, there is that. :lol:
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I agree the bike has sat idle but sometimes upgrades are not the best thing. I would rather have a 2001 FZ1 than a 2006. The newer bike with fuel injection is too buggy, fuel injection bike doesnt seem to run as good as the carb version. Sometimes progress isnt progress.
If I was the factory, I wouldnt contiue to build a bike that I would not put any upgrades into. If Suzuki doesnt think the Bandit has fans willing to spend some money than the model has to go. I dont understand building a water cooled Bandit and letting it weigh 500 pounds, that isnt going to help sales any.
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I was actually thinking the V-storm would be my next bike with all the good review but there was something butt ugly about it that bothered me that I cant put my finger on. But then I noticed how much sharper the SV1000s looked and I know that would be my 1st sport standard twin.
(http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/02/005/6F/B7/50/8F/aLIqdWnRs46jEJGWdEFSpSBORKeHp9pZ01F3.jpg)
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I got to ride a new FZ-1 this fall.
All I can tell you is that when I got back on my Bandit, it felt like I had mounted a 1939 Sherman tank. There is that much of a difference between the two bikes. I wanted to ride the Bandit back to the daler for a trade in.
The fun factor on an FZ-1 is right off the scale when comparing it to my Bandito. (I am sure however that someone has worked out a new mapping program for the FZ-1).
After riding the new FZ-1, I would not even consider the purchase of the new 1250 Bandit, just due to the 438 lbs versus the Bandits 505 lbs.
(http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/logo/500/GSF1250SAK7.jpg)
(http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/content/images/600/07fz1_black_3_f700e4cf.jpg)
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I was actually thinking the V-storm would be my next bike with all the good review but there was something butt ugly about it that bothered me that I cant put my finger on. But then I noticed how much sharper the SV1000s looked and I know that would be my 1st sport standard twin.
(http://shutter15.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/02/005/6F/B7/50/8F/aLIqdWnRs46jEJGWdEFSpSBORKeHp9pZ01F3.jpg)
What you gain in looks you lose in riding position & comfort.
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The more that I think about it,the more I am to stray away from the 1250. Let's think about the facts: :stickpoke:
1. PRO - Bigger displacement
2. PRO - Fuel injection
3. PRO - Water cooled
4. PRO - Same great looks
5. CON - Higher price(Gonna miss the cheap entry price)
5. CON - No upgrades to frame
6. CON - No inverted forks
7. CON - Higher weight(bad enough that I gain weight over the years, the that shouldn't happen to a bike.
7. CON - Probably going to lose some handling due to the weight gain
8. CON - Sould've used the GSXR 1000 motor
I know that some may disagree with some of my pro's and con's, but these are the thing that I see at this point.
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Most of us have been through many bikes__I have anyway__and the B12 is the only one wich has me thinking: When they stop selling it I'm gonna buy two of the last batch and be sure I don't run out of Bandit before I'm ready for another two wheeler...a wheel chair. :grin:
Granted, not the flashiest, but it does it all so well...
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i196/Pict_photos/MapResize.jpg)[/img]
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I just found out that the frame did get changed. The tubes are thicker to make up for the increased weight and torque.
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:shock:
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What`s a Bandit?
:duh:
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The funny thing is that the Bandit looks like a sleeper bike. I drive a 99 Bandit 1200s, and if I am stopped at a light even toyota's and suped up neons revv at me, and want to race. The funny thing is the look on their face when I leave a blur.
The bandit gets a bad rap because of the way it looks. So I say let them all think it is an old POS, then that way you can just shake your head when its all done. I love my bandit and wouldn't trade it for anything.
He must've been quite the dumb@ss to stand there looking at ANY 4 cylinder, 1200cc, from a Japanese manufacturer and thinking he could take it! :roll: How many decades will it take to sink in with people about these bikes? :grin:
Couldn't have said it better. I especially enjoy the looks I see on their faces as I CASUALLY open the throttle away from a light and then SHORT-SHIFT EVERY GEAR, yet appear to them as if I'm going into hyper-drive.
A new Corvette decide to run up on me recently, so I let him come even. I dropped a cog and whacked the gas, got some air under the front wheel while already doing 60 and proceeded to redline the beast. I have to give the Corvette driver an E for effort because he stayed with me until I upshifted to 5th at over a 100 and then the Bandit REALLY took off as the engine dropped into the peak torque zone.
Ah, yes, boys and girls - money spent on a Bandit is WELL SPENT. You get more smiles per mile than anything else can give.
Herb
1999 1200S, British Racing Green, slightly raised carb needles, Yosh RS-3 can, snorkel removed and X-ring chain lubed with Lubriplate No.105 (secret weapon). :gatlin
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If the bandit did do all the flash, I don't think I would own one. The bike LOOKS responsible, and that's an image I want to project. But 0-100k in 4.1...that keeps me happy. ('01 B6)
Add to that the solid, time tried engine, and I was sold.
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I was torn between the Bandit & the Kawi ZRX1200R. I liked the old school look of the ZRX, but my wife preferred the styling of the Bandit. I am very happy with my purchase of the Bandit.
For those that moan & complain about the weight of the Bandit, for me I am glad to have a 500 lb. bike. After owning a Buell XB12S, which weighs less than 400 lb., the extra weight of the Bandit makes it much more stable, and comfortable, on the highway, especially when passing or riding behind an 18 wheeler.
The Bandit is NOT a GSXR, nor is it a Gold Wing. What it is, and why I purchased mine, is a combination (or compromise if you will) of the two. A capable sport bike that also serves well as a commuter. My wife finds the passenger accommodations much more comfortable on the Bandit than she did on the Buell, yet I still have a bike that exceeds my needs for a sporty ride.
Many will say that the Bandit does not do either sport or touring particularly well, but for me, it is what it is, a bike that does both well enough to suit me.
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The Bandit 1250 is one of the few new bikes on the marked I'd be interested in.
"IF" I was to buy a new bike, it would be a tough choice between the '07 Triumph Tiger, SV1000, and B1250.
FZ1? They ruined it by taking away low and midrange torque. The ZRX isn't being made anymore. Thank God they brought the Bandit back.
Guess I'm getting old.
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What the Rex won, Bull shyte.
The Rex may be a good bike, but I shyte you not its the biggest pain in the butt I've ever owned. The Bandit kills the Rex for comfort, for rides anything over 1 hour long.
So therefore the journo's who wrote that crap didn't ride for long or far.
Sad really, that bull shyte like that sells bikes.
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Personally? If I replace the Bandit it will be with either the new Connie or FJR 1300. I like the Idea of speed and comfort with emphasis on the comfort. Harleys are nice for what they are. But they definately aint me. The Euro trash is just to darn expensive...pretty, but expensive. Until my back goes out or my bumm goes numb I'll keep the Bandit for my smile miles :motorsmile:
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the bandit is the best all around sportbike period. and rules all bikes in the bang for your buck, cant have this much fun any cheaper.
I just wish suzuki would have let us make a few suggestions on the new model, I would have liked to see inverted fork, showa shock, a little lighter weight, technology is now cheaper and better, I dont need a cast aluminum frame with sub frame, but lighter stronger, smaller diameter tubing may have been nice. I think most of us like to cruise/tour alot sportier than the cruiser/ harley riders I know I do, Im an ex harley/ crusier rider, I wanted a lighter bandit, maybe 430 pounds or so. I like the motor and trans but was dissappointed in the larger heaver frame and cheap fork.
I just dont see the bike selling well and I would hate to see the bandit go. Europe gets the 650, we dont, europe gets the honda hornet bad a**, and we dont. I know a bunch of 80's nuts that would drive a CB1300 or big suzuki, but UK bikes, not US. I think they not selling the right bikes sometimes???
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I've already put 21,000 miles on my 2005 Bandit. Glad I bought one before the end of production of the classic bandit. Who knows, the new bandit may be a good ride? I think moto journalists are like most of us. Sit on a new bike, and for a while the bike can do no wrong. It's new, it's the latest etc.... I wouldn't even consider the new generation FZ1. Sounds like it has terrible low and midrange power, much worse than the prev. gen. Plus, the bandito puts out more power than the old FZ1 all the way to 7000 rpm ( in stock form ). It would be nice to have more top end power on a stock bandit, but really, overall the bandit is tuned real well for sport touring. A sixth gear might be nice sometimes, but it's also nice having good top gear acceleration on the highway without having to downshift. I'm plenty happy with just dealing with five gears.
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Don't be surprised, both the ZRX and FZ1 have more modern liquid cooled powerplants. I would not decribe the ZRX as flashy, it looks like a 1980's all business Superbike. The FZ1 is too angular for me and looks plastic.
The Bandit is the better sport tourer of the bunch, but is lacking on the performance side of things.
Both the ZRX and FZ1 put out between 10-15 more hp stock than the B12. The B12 just needs help.
A pipe, smoothbores, and some GSXR cams will help close the performance gap.
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The B12 just needs help.
A pipe, smoothbores, and some GSXR cams will help close the performance gap.
Just a full system exhaust and a stage II jet kit will seriously close the gap. I am not sure if I would want smoothbores though. I rode a bike once with them and handling the throttle is a bit different.
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I own a '97 B12 and an '03 FZ1. I still laugh a lot more riding the Bandit. The Suzuki makes real world horsepower and torque at mostly legal speeds. Snap the throttle at 3,500 and the front end floats/jumps up - on the FZ it is more like 6,500 and you are already over the speed limit. Oh yeah, the Yamaha gives you a bigger rush at higher revs where the Bandit runs out of steam, but again -- most of us live in the real world. I have considered trading the Bandit for an SV 1K but, it's just not a Bandit! I also considered making a naked bike out of the Bandit, but it's so convenient to have a place to inconspicuously mount the switch for the grip warmers, and the accessory outlet for the cell phone charger (I had to charge the phone a few times on my summer trips 3,500 - 4,400 miles.) I also had a Hemi Charger experience - it was really funny - it would have been even funnier if I had balanced my carbs a week sooner. Owning a sleeper is always fun!
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Your right, this is not a track bike. Its for real street riding. The powerband works so well in the real world. My little 600 floats or slightly lifts that front end and carries me to all the speed I need.
I dont need to acheive 150 plus mph, that crazy driving got me jail time in Georgia in my car. But a quick, quick sprint to 100 plus is just fine. The bike does so good riding to work, or sport riding the back country roads or just cruising I just cant see getting rid of it. Even if a new bike joins the garage crew.
I was almost bitten by the FZ1 bug, but came to my senses, there was nothing out of the motor down low.
None of my friends like my bike, they tolerate it, but I just love it.
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Just a full system exhaust and a stage II jet kit will seriously close the gap. I am not sure if I would want smoothbores though. I rode a bike once with them and handling the throttle is a bit different.
RS smoothbores are the bomb. More power everywhere over stock. Combine the RS carbs with GSXR cams and a pipe; the B12 really opens up on top, pulling hard thru 10000rpm with a minimal loss of low midrange.