Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: JamieK on October 07, 2006, 10:58:46 PM
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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?
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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.
:congrats: on the new bike (when you get it).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 :wink:
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...
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.
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 :wink:
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 :beers:
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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.
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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
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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 :wink:
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Well, Dreadnought.....
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. :grin:
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.:grin:
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.
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The ad link was blank. What $11k retail bike can you get for 7500 new?
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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
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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...
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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!
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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?
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Don't buy the first iteration of ANYTHING.
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Holy crap $7400 new! I paid close to $10k (with abs) :banghead:
Don't wait. Buy the '06 :motorsmile:
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I know - it's so frustrating! I didn't even look at the 1200 cuz I was thinking of spending less than 8 large! :duh:
jim
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I was chatting with the dealer yesterday and he is bringing a red one and a blue one for me to look at...right now I'm leaning toward blue as almost all of my bikes have been red...funny though that the only Suzuki motorcycle I've owned was primarily blue...hmmm....
When I start the negotiations with any dealers I only discuss OTD pricing for the bike only. Once we're in agreement on the bike then we can start talking accessory discounts. They need to sell this stuff more than I need to buy it...especially at this time of year in the Great White North :wink:
Thanks for all the advice guys :grin:
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I know - it's so frustrating! I didn't even look at the 1200 cuz I was thinking of spending less than 8 large! :duh:
jim
Time to trade up :bigok:
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Yeah! To a Gixxer!! :banana:
jim
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Yeah! To a Gixxer!!
You mean those cookie-cutter bikes they apparently distribute by driving through the Memphis ghettos and throwing them into people's driveways?
I'd buy a Harley first, and THAT ain't gonna happen. At least no time soon.
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No! No! I mean Gixxers! The coolest sportbike of all time!
Sven, please tell me what you HAVE against plastic!! Some of the best products out there (more than 1300 of them!) are made out of the stuff (recycled even!)!
jim
PS - Wanna join a hockey pool?http://www.cbc.ca and 'hockey pool' on the right. Pick Leafs if you want to win. :roll: and here: www.thestar.ca and here: www.sportsnet.ca
Americans are welcome!
j
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please tell me what you HAVE against plastic!!
...wanna join a hockey pool? Pick Leafs if you want to win.
OK, if you want me to dredge up what I have against plastic...as a child, I was molested by a domineering GI JOE who said I couldn't ever tell anyone or I'd break the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and be court martialled.
Pick the leafs? You must mean to press in my scrapbook! SPORTS ILLUSTRATED placed them 11th in the East. ESPN did the same. Not sure what THN yearbook said...they print it so many months in advance, they're not even sure who won the Cup!
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Geez! I guess a f^ck is out of the question, then? :shock:
jim
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I opened this topic about a week ago and I'm happy to say that I will be the owner of a shiny red 06 B12 on Tuesday...they had a blue one beside a red one and the red called to me :wink:
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Good on ya! Was there ever any doubt? You're getting a dead reliable bike that goes like skunk and looks good for a nice price, I'll bet. And you got red!! What more could a man want?
The weirdest thing about these Bandits is that ordinary people think they're a sportsbike....PLUS, I've even had bikers come up to me and call it a crotch rocket!
It looks like a standard to me but to lots of people it must be just one cool looking red machine!
You're going to have a great time - enjoy! Pleae post a pic as soon as you can!
PS: In -2C weather, I just choke it for a couple of minutes and then go; I take the choke off as soon as I hit the end of the drive. It's never stalled on me yet. Hope you get another month in there!
Take care.
Jim
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Thanks Jim,
I'm looking forward to getting it to the garage so I can give it a thorough going over...any kind of luck I'll even get it out a few times this year (heated clothing should help :wink:) ...as for price, if you take the current list price, add the destination and setup charges plus GST, then subtract $2400 you'd be in the ballpark...don't know if it was too much but it was what I was willing to pay. Also, while I was at the dealer I got a look at the Canadian 07 Bandit brochure, it looks as though we are getting the naked version as well.
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Geez! I guess a f^ck is out of the question, then? :shock:...In -2C weather, I just choke it for a couple of minutes and then go.
Wow, you're pretty aggressive, are you a GI JOE, too?
The weirdest thing about these Bandits is that ordinary people think they're a sportsbike....PLUS, I've even had bikers come up to me and call it a crotch rocket! It looks like a standard to me but to lots of people it must be just one cool looking red machine!
I haven't found that too many people remember what a standard is. If it's not a Harley, it's a crotch rocket. And don't even say "UJM"
Hey, anyone see the article about the new 1250 Bandit in the new MOTORCYCLIST mag?
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:grin: :grin: :grin:
I haven't seen the test or any test. I am really disappointed in the new look, to say the least. :crybaby:
Here's what I am reading now:
http://actionfigures.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=actionfigures&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwizarduniverse.com%2Fmagazines%2Ftoyfare.cfm
I find if I don't continue to grow, I just become so stagnant!
jim
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I find if I don't continue to grow, I just become so stagnant!
AH, THAT'S what I smell every time I read your posts! :stickpoke:
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
Hey! When did you get to be over 1000??
I swear you don't look a day over 997!
jim
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Hey! When did you get to be over 1000?? I swear you don't look a day over 997!
These informative and insightful posts add up, don't they!
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Not to mention argumentative! :wink:
The irony of life:
I'm sitting here thinking of love and romance and my friggin' cat vomits beside me! To top it all off, this is one sick kitty with lovely little squiggly things in her tiny, teeny-weeny tummy and they are swimming/crawling through this mess on the floor!
Now there is a challenge. You have to come up with something to top that!
:grin: :grin:
Plus it has to be TRUE!
PS Could you come over and clean it up? Remember, a friend in need and all that bs!
Signed: mr. clean
Jim
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Way to go, dreadnought !!! The "red" spoke to me too....plus my old GS was a red bike (a REAL red, not the wine/maroon of the 1200 Bandits) as well.....so maybe I'm destined to be seduced by Suzuki's versions of "red" paint.....
My buddy Bruce lives in Leduc and he's got a blue '05 B12S. He comes down to Cowtown to go riding with our group at least twice every summer for our extended BC trips. You're welcome too....as long as you like camping. We're hardcore about that kind of thing.....unless it's raining heavily, of course.
:grin: :grin:
Enjoy your new ride. I'm sure we'll get SOME Indian summer yet......:banana:
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Thanks for the invite Rick, it'd be a blast to tag along...I'm into the camping riding as well!
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I'm sitting here thinking of love and romance and my friggin' cat vomits beside me!
If you provoke that reaction when trying to romance you cat, imagine how a human woman would react!
Hey, some people are trying to have a discussion here congratulating a proud new Bandit owner. Let's get back to that, hmmm-KAY?
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I've always had an affinity towards the Gixer engines' looks. That is the black finned, oil cooled beast. This watercooling thing doesn't make it for me. Besides looking just like a Kawie. In the next couple of years I'll be makin my 06 have more power with different mods. Granted, one more gear would have been nice but I can easily live with that. And fuel injection and ABS just skyrockets the cost. Who needs ABS on a bike? I expect my brand new carbs to go strong for years to come with a little TLC and preventative maintenance. I always thought the 10,000 price tag was a steal compared to a lot of rigs today. And now they are saying you can still get an 06 for a couple less? Wow.
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Yeah it is a good looking engine. I did a lot of research since I test rode the 04 three weeks ago and I found that so many people were happy with the reliability and rideability of the SACS engine that I wouldn't be disappointed with it...I think I'm going to be quite happy with this machine and will be interested in seeing how I feel about it in a few years :grin:
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Well, James, it's been a pretty dependable engine since, what, 1987 or so, when Suzuki released the big block version of the Gixxer......despite all the mechanical indignities heaped on it by various "tuners" and "builders" over the years. Aside from the notorious "pistons/rings" episode of 2001-02 I don't believe there's ever been anything that has caused worries about the engine at any time since the beginning. An added bonus is that, should you ever be stuck on the road anywhere, pretty much every mechanic in North America with any sizeable amount of experience has worked on one at least once in his career, even if he's never worked at a Suzi dealer. It's kind of the model T or VW Beetle of the motorcycle world....although this comparison might not appear to be too flattering at first glance.....LOLOLOL
No, I think you'll be happy with it even 4 or 5 years down the road. Now if there was just something I could do about the wind blast. Maybe Givi will finally come up with a real touring screen for the G3 fairing setup.....here's hoping.....
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I posted this on another thread but will post again.
My dealer quoted me $10,500.00 (Canadian) for a new 1250 ABS.
My real feeling is that the old B-12 was a good bargain.
The New B-12 is in my opinion an overpriced, porky old piece of ride.
For $10,500, there are much better, lighter bikes out there.
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One thing to add to the equation is that Suzuki is supposedly going to kill the Bandit entirely after 2007. It will not be available in the 2008 line-up.
If that rumor is true... it's funny that they'd come up with a completely new engine for 1 year, though.
If it is true, that means all of ouR Bandits will become collectors items. Can you say CHA-$-CHING! :beers:
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I'm new here but I made my choice to buy my nice blue 06 based on a lot of the considerations that have concerned this post. The price was a factor, and the shop helped me with the sale of my old bike.
I haven't had a chance to ride it yet. The arrival of winter has forced me to postpone my first ride. So I'm waiting, and not real happy about it.
I have never ridden a bike with ABS but I hoping to give it a shot soon.