Is this Bandit 1200 worth considering?

[rfulcher]

I am looking at a 2003 Bandit 1200. It only has 1000 miles and is in like new condition. The seller has been out of the country most of the time since he bought it. He wants 5000 for it. Is this a worth following up?

Ross

[PaulVS]

Yes.  

Absolutely.

[Dave 02 1200]

In my very biased opinion, the B1200 is a great bike.  What else can you buy for that amount that is even close in terms of performance, comfort, and just plain good fun?  If you like it, buy it.

[rfulcher]

My wife has a 2002 B600 and I like it. Thats why I started looking at the the B1200. How does the ride of the 1200 compare with the 600? Is the vibration better or worse at interstate speeds?

Ross

[elofdahl]

I am looking at a 2003 Bandit 1200. It only has 1000 miles and is in like new condition. The seller has been out of the country most of the time since he bought it. He wants 5000 for it. Is this a worth following up? Ross

It is definitely worth a follow-up...but...I bought my '03 new for only $5999 back in '03.  Offer him $4000; after-all, it is 3 years old!

[TheBigB]

Hell yeah! Call and offer him $4800

I would say that even at $5k you aren't getting screwed by any means. I have an 03 B12 Nekked and I bought mine new OTD for $6600. I got a good deal because the stealer was up against the clock on his buy back with Suzuki and needed to get the bike off the floor.

Just to give you an idea on the value of the bike here in Los Angeles. I recently totaled mine and got $4800 from the insurance company. (I bought the salvage back from them - the bike wasn't anywhere near a total but hey, I wasn't making that call.)

Good luck.

The Big B

[lucas]

Hi,

I paid 6500 OTD for my 05 Bandit 1200s a year and a half ago. I purchased it in Santa Ana Calif. That was just before the price of gas went nuts. They probably go for a lot more now.

Lucas

[curiousmike]

How does the ride of the 1200 compare with the 600? Is the vibration better or worse at interstate speeds?
Ross

It's been many years since I rode a friends 600, but I'll say that the 600 felt "buzzier" on the freeway than the 1200, but the 1200 isn't 100% smooth.

Any buzz on the freeway is really not a bother --- i've done a few 300+ mile days on the bike, and you just don't notice it after awhile.

[ttewejnodnarb]

Kelly Blue book:

2003 1200 Retail: 4425 Trade: 3040
2003 1200S Retail: 4720 Trade: 3250

I would look to offer something between retail and trade like $3800 - $4000 or $4000 - $4200 (S).  Take some off for maintanace items like chain/sprokets and tires (which it probably doesn't need with only 1000 miles) and add for the low milage...Maybe $4500 for the S?

Just my $.02

[rfulcher]

It looks like we may go thru with the deal at $4700 contingent on test ride. The bike is in Virginia, can the title be signed over to me as a private transaction or does title transfer require DMV or something like a public notary.

Ross

[Daytona]

="rfulcher"]It looks like we may go thru with the deal at $4700 contingent on test ride. The bike is in Virginia, can the title be signed over to me as a private transaction or does title transfer require DMV or something like a public notary.

Ross

Don't ask!! Call your auto tag/title agency or the DMV in your local! As far as i know all states require just the sighed title. Good to get a bill of sale with phone #'s etc in case they don't want to believe you only paid $523.67 for it after you lie your A$$ off try in to save a few $$$!!! Since the taxes keep getting paid time & time again on the same unit...      

[elofdahl]

Be sure to make a copy of his driver's license (or at least write down the pertinent information from it) and be sure his name is the same as is on the title.  As mentioned above, get a bill of sale signed by him to document that you paid him $4700 for that particular vehicle.

[solman]

I bought my '03 vitamin B12 new for $6450(total).  I would shoot for $4500 to $4800 range.

[GaryB12VA]

A VA title has a space for the seller to put down the selling price when they sign it over to the buyer. But still probably not a bad idea to get a Bill of Sale

[KX5000]

Here in PA you have to have the signature notarized, and the signer has to be there to do that, you should make sure of the rules in your state before you do anything.