Author Topic: New Bandit!! (Read 5431 times)

rmtcook · « **on:** February 05, 2007, 10:40:57 PM »

Hi guys,
Forgive the long post but I have a few questions. I just put a deposit on a leftover 2003 1200 Bandit (Naked). The salesman said they just bought a bunch of them in 03 which is why this one was still around. I'm hoping it's just my cynical nature that is making me suspicious, but is there anything I should look for that could be a problem with a "new" bike that is this old? Or should I just be grateful that I found a brand new Bandit for almost 3 grand less than what the new 08's are going to cost?
My last bike was a 99 Bandit 1200s and I was looking at an FJR1300 or even (Gasp!) a cruiser this time, but just couldn't resist the Bandit. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2007, 11:05:53 PM »

Hey man, I moved this out of the Members forum. You're much more likely to get feedback here. That Members forum was set up really to protect bandwidth for people that are kind enough to host shop manuals and stuff like that. Only registered members can access it rather than letting the whole world suck up multi-MB pdfs.

Snubnose · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2007, 11:56:50 PM »

Quote from: "rmtcook"

Hi guys,
Forgive the long post but I have a few questions..

Well, dont be too cynical, I know our dealer here bought a whack of 03' sv1000's in anticipation of a BIG year,and they got left with several of them that they were advertising as new till last year but with aftermarket goodies attached to clear them out and significant discounts to boot!.

You have to remember that we are a niche market, you cant think "would I find an 03 cage on some dealer's lot selling as a NEW product?". You might find an 05 in a car somewhere if the dealer bought too many, but unlike the dealership who can always fleet it out or auction it off, a bike dealership really doesnt want to do that, they'd loose way too much, plus they never know what "inventory" sometimes they are gonna get next year!. No-one really buys in winter, unless youre like...umm YOU! or some other shrewd biker who know deals are right this time of year. I dont know the stats, but I believe that most bike customers, say 50% are brand new, never been on a bike and hence are not thinking "BIKE" till early spring!.

This said... Check for seepage, leaks etc, and brittle tires and hoses, if these items werent lubricated and the bike is not broken in with ANY miles on it, then you could have some issues. Perhaps inquire and see what they'll replace if this has'nt been done.

Oh, and Warranty!, make sure about the Full Warranty still applies!

pmackie · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2007, 12:13:35 AM »

There's a couple of things...
1. As snubnoze said, make sure it still has full factory warrantee.
2. Your going to want the dealer to change the oil. 4 year old oil is OK in a sealed bottle or drum, but it's time to change it in the bike, or make a deal to change it soon. If your not planning to change it immediately, check for any milkiness or signs of condensation.
3. Look for deterioration of the tires, and plan to change them a little sooner once you get going. Lkely Macadams that most guys here did not speak well about anyway.
4. The brake and clutch fluid and fork oil will need to be changed sooner than normal. Plan to change and flush within a year.
5. Make sure the tank does not have any rust in it. Take a good look with a flashlight.
6. The battery may not have much life left in it, depending on when it filled, and how it was charged.

So...likely a great deal, but remember, some of the items are still 4+ years old.

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2007, 12:44:11 AM »

When I bought my 05 B12 new the dealer offered a green naked 03 overstock that had been sitting for 2 years for $6500 out the door but I needed the fairing and didn't like the green color.
Like everything already said the warranty is very important but also make sure you have them prep the bike properly, have them run it for you, then shut it down for 5 minutes at the dealer and start it again. If you buy it put as many miles as you can with respect to break in so that you will see if you develop any hard dry seal leaks, as the seals can suffer from a sitting bike. My DRZ400 which was an overstock new had a bad seal in the first week and they replaced it no charge so don't get sucked into an extended warranty, just make the most of the six month standard warranty within the 1st five months about 4500 miles if possible and that should shake out any problems or cobwebs.

H2RICK · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2007, 01:20:53 AM »

Quote

have them run it for you, then shut it down for 5 minutes at the dealer and start it again.

+1

If possible, have them start it for you from bone-cold, let it run for 5 minutes or so and then follow the Gunner's procedure. Make sure it'll idle properly once the choke is off and that it will also rev up properly without a load i.e on the centrestand. If this works out you can be sure the carbs aren't varnished up from sitting all that time. One of the guys on here had that problem with a brand new '06 that had been standing quite awhile.....so an '03 has more of a chance of having the same type of problem.

on the new ride and I hope it works out well for you.
BTW....FJR ?? Cruiser ?? What were you thinking ?? I'm glad to see you've been saved from the dark side....

Big Bo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2007, 01:49:44 AM »

I bought my 02 in 04 for 5800. The dealer wanted 7300 but I baulked as I could get an 04 100 miles away for 5800. I got the color I wanted and the bike that I love.

Make sure you have Suzuki`s warranty, check the oil, tires and the rest as the folks on this site say and ride that baby.

Have fun.

Get a pipe, or exhaust and a jet kit.

rmtcook · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2007, 09:16:06 AM »

Thanks guys, all great ideas. I'll follow the procedures you've suggested. I'd like to pick it up this week, but as I sit here it's 11 degrees in frosty NJ, so I may wait another day or two until it at least get's above freezing.
After reading lots of posts I'm putting a Givi windscreen (a600) and a Givi topcase (e36) on the bike and I've ordered a pair of Setup Sunrise boots. I'll let you know how it all works out. Thanks again!!

Bob

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2007, 09:41:35 AM »

A brand new '03 in '07! Wow, that's really pretty cool. Keep in mind what's going to happen to resale value the second you leave the dealer with it. It that doesn't matter to you, then the deal is sweet!

PaulVS · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2007, 10:27:32 AM »

One thing I would add to the fluids/hoses/tires is that if the bike has had any fuel in it - the carbs could be gummed up.

I'd make sure it's running smoothly when you pick it up, otherwise tell them you want the carbs cleaned.

I bought my '03 new in March of '04, so they weren't old at the time - the dealer had one silver and one green on the showroom floor - and one of each still in the crate.

I took one that was still in the crate, just to be extra safe.

rmtcook · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2007, 02:57:33 PM »

The drop in value out the door is one of the things I used to negotiate with the dealer. It didn't help me much though, I'm a crappy negotiator! So I just have to put that out of my head and enjoy the ride! Thanks for all the tips

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2007, 05:28:32 PM »

Always be as gentle as a dove but subtle as a snake when negotiating. I aways get OTD prices over the phone for a few dealers up to 100 miles away. Then in person negotiate for a better price and in the presents of the sales manager call another dealer on the phone and explain the deal loudly for a price beat. It make them hot as fire but I usually get a few hundred dollars off the lowest phone quote. It was hard in spring of 05 to find an 05 B12s let alone negotiate one but I get it for $7100 OTD in spring of 05. If I had wanted the 03 naked he would have had to come down to at least $6100 OTD

rkfire · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2007, 05:22:32 PM »

I bought a new 2003 silver naked 1200 just a few months ago. My dealer let it sit with gas in it tho, and NO stabil. Delivery was delayed while they cleaned the carbs, but it still had a stumble on low rpm, small throttle opening. They installed a new battery on mine.

I got a deal, and am happy with it. I figured I'd need to rejet anyway as they all come lean from the factory.

My tires, tank, chain, cables, hoses etc look fine. I'll probably change hydraulic fluids sooner than later to be on the safe side. The stock tires don't seem to last too long anyway, so I'll wear them out.

rmtcook · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2007, 11:51:51 PM »

RK
I guess they must have made a lot of the Naked silver 2003 1200's! I'll call the dealer tomorrow and ask them about the gas situation and the battery before I pick it up. Thanks for the feedback

rmtcook · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2007, 03:42:31 PM »

So here's how my negotiations went with the dealer:
Salesman: I just happen to have a leftover 2003 Bandit 1200 on the floor.
Me: (While trying to hide the fact that I've wet myself) Really, what do you want for it?
Salesman: $5900, actually I'll give it to your for below invoice, $5600
Me: OK, where do I sign!
Me: After I sign, I'm thinking to myself, Damn, I probably should have negotiated with him, after all it is a 4 year old bike, so what the hell does invoice have to do with it. Oh well, it's too late now you idiot, you already signed on the dotted line.
I have officially reached the age (50 next month) where I have more money than brains!
Now having said all that, I haven't picked it up yet and I haven't been on a bike since I sold my last Bandit in 02! I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas!!