Author Topic: Buying a new Bandit (Read 10074 times)

JamieK · « **on:** October 07, 2006, 10:58:46 PM »

Hey guys and gals,
Looking for some opinions here. I've been pondering whether to buy an 06 B12 or wait for the 07 B12.5. I can get a pretty good deal on an in stock 06 (about $2K off retail) so that is making the 06 look pretty appealing. Anyone here think that the 07 B12.5 would be all that much better than the current bike?

00to60 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2006, 11:16:36 PM »

You can save $2000 on the 06 B12 and add accessories to make it as powerful, if not more powerful than the B12.5. Pipe and jet kit is about $700. That leaves $1300 to play with.

on the new bike (when you get it).

LensWork · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2006, 01:07:47 AM »

For me personally, I have an '05 and I will be waiting until at least '08 to trade-up. New models always seem to have issues that don't rear their ugly heads until the bike has been on the street for a while. Also, it will be several months, maybe a year, until aftermarket parts (Pipes, Power Commander, etc. ) are available.

LowRyter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2006, 02:41:18 AM »

there was no '06 in the States. If given I choice, I'd have to check out the '07 before deciding. Many Yamaha rider were so disappointed with the '06 FZ-1, they bought '05 models.

PaulVS · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2006, 10:58:47 AM »

One thing to add to the equation is that Suzuki is supposedly going to kill the Bandit entirely after 2007. It will not be available in the 2008 line-up.

If that rumor is true... it's funny that they'd come up with a completely new engine for 1 year, though.

JamieK · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2006, 11:46:23 AM »

Quote

You can save $2000 on the 06 B12 and add accessories to make it as powerful, if not more powerful than the B12.5. Pipe and jet kit is about $700. That leaves $1300 to play with.

Exactly...and that extra $$ could go into luggage

Quote

New models always seem to have issues that don't rear their ugly heads until the bike has been on the street for a while.

I have considered that as well...and this is a completely new engine and transmission in the 07...

Quote

Also, it will be several months, maybe a year, until aftermarket parts (Pipes, Power Commander, etc. ) are available.

Yes that has been another consideration. Having said that I haven't seen a lot of slip-ons for the 06 either...it apparently has a catalytic converter integrated with the muffler. I expect that a slip-on from the previous model should work with some minor fiddling though.

Quote

there was no '06 in the States. If given I choice, I'd have to check out the '07 before deciding. Many Yamaha rider were so disappointed with the '06 FZ-1, they bought '05 models.

Yeah that was an oddity that we got them but the US didn't, the 06 will be a bit of an oddball as it has the same bodywork and suspension as the 07 but the previous model engine and transmission. I hear ya about new model disappointment as well...by the sounds of it the 07 will be considerably heavier and with the change in gearing the character of the bike could be much different as well...plus we have no idea what the vibes, power delivery, fuel mileage, et al will be like...its definitely a crap shoot

Quote

One thing to add to the equation is that Suzuki is supposedly going to kill the Bandit entirely after 2007. It will not be available in the 2008 line-up.

If that rumor is true... it's funny that they'd come up with a completely new engine for 1 year, though.

Yeah two oddballs to close out the line, it would be strange but maybe they already have plans for the new engine and the Bandit chassis makes it easy to try the new engine and work out the bugs for the new bike...

Thanks for the feedback so far guys

LowRyter · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2006, 11:57:18 AM »

doubtful that Suzuki wouold build an entirely new engine and then cancel it within a year. The question, will the Bandit remain a hooligan bike, more a sport tourer, or just as watered down standard?

Suzuki came up with the "Bandit" name because they wanted a lot of performance within th package. Hopefully, it won't lose that.

jbrough7 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 08, 2006, 01:10:03 PM »

Why even bother worrying about the 2007? Even parked side by side it's hard to tell the difference. The engine is a bit faster? Big deal!

Grab a 2006. Here's one for $7400 BRAND NEW!! That bike was $11000 MSRP!!
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1508570&adid=5516604

Must be similar deals out west?!?

Good luck!

jim

JamieK · « **Reply #8 on:** October 08, 2006, 06:20:34 PM »

Quote from: jbrough7

Why even bother worrying about the 2007? Even parked side by side it's hard to tell the difference. The engine is a bit faster? Big deal!

Grab a 2006. Here's one for $7400 BRAND NEW!! That bike was $11000 MSRP!!
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1508570&adid=5516604

Must be similar deals out west?!?

Good luck!

jim

The dealer has to bring one in from the warehouse so I'm going to go talk to them next Saturday. I got $2K off over the phone so I'm hoping to do a little better in person

H2RICK · « **Reply #9 on:** October 08, 2006, 10:47:07 PM »

Well, Dreadnought.....
We all know REAL men drive bikes with carburators, air cooled engines and five speed trannys....

....so I've voted for the '06 model....on your poll and with my wallet....and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be trading in my '06 on an '07. Nice though the '07 engine might be, I just can't bring myself to be at the mercy of a fuel injection system and a catalyst that will need at least 2 years of sorting out, as Lenswork mentioned.
Call me old-fashioned but I still like to be able to work on my bike at the side of the road, if necessary. If I keep my '06 as long as I keep everything else I buy new then there's every chance I will be working on the carbs sometime in the distant future. It's always nice to be able to keep the dealer's vacuum cleaner hose out of my wallet.

Yes, I know.....electronic ignitions have somewhat the same issues as fuel injection systems so why aren't I concerned about that issue as well ??
Well, I am somewhat....but electronic ignitions have been around for 20+ years so Nippon Denso SHOULD have the bugs worked out of that item by now.

I guess I've rambled enough here.....but lastly, you'll be happy with an '06....and have the extra bux in your jeans to spend however you'd like.

LowRyter · « **Reply #10 on:** October 09, 2006, 01:05:46 AM »

The ad link was blank. What $11k retail bike can you get for 7500 new?

jbrough7 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2006, 06:35:13 AM »

2006 Bandit 1200 lists for $10700 in Canada w/o abs and on sale right now for $7399!!

Gixxer 750 I'm looking at lists for $13000 and on sale for $9994!!

They had a super deal on my Bandit 650S as well. List was $8800 and it went out the door for $5999!!

Those are killer prices so forget about the 2007s for sure.

jim

JamieK · « **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2006, 11:44:36 AM »

Quote

We all know REAL men drive bikes with carburators, air cooled engines and five speed trannys....Wink ....so I've voted for the '06 model....on your poll and with my wallet....and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be trading in my '06 on an '07. Nice though the '07 engine might be, I just can't bring myself to be at the mercy of a fuel injection system and a catalyst that will need at least 2 years of sorting out, as Lenswork mentioned.
Call me old-fashioned but I still like to be able to work on my bike at the side of the road, if necessary. If I keep my '06 as long as I keep everything else I buy new then there's every chance I will be working on the carbs sometime in the distant future. It's always nice to be able to keep the dealer's vacuum cleaner hose out of my wallet. Very Happy

I'm leaning toward the 06 right now, my neighbor builds drag engines and is more than willing to teach me everything I need to know about tuning the beast...he's thinking of getting one as well...

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2006, 02:32:03 PM »

Whatever you decide to buy remember that the bottom line is the OTD price. So if price is a consideration make sure you compare OTD prices over the phone before getting haggled to death over fees, setup and options. If they ask you to come down first, tell them you need the price for the cashiers check first. I pretty much buy my bikes over the phone now after researching the internet and then find a dealer who will commit to an OTD price with a credit card deposit. Then I walk into the dealer take a look at the bike and go strait to the cashier to pay cash or get financing but the OTD price doesn’t change. All extras I keep as a separate part of the purchase price so those extra cost are visible not hidden and inflated. Remember you are in control!

Sven · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2006, 02:43:41 PM »

Echoing others' thoughts;

1) First year models are always a gamble as there are bugs to work out. Not sure how the engineers and testers miss anything...how hard is it to design an engine in this day and age?

2) If you can get a great price on a bike you like, then why not get the '06 and be a happy camper?