Author Topic: Bandit came in last? (Read 10026 times)

kevinfromrex · « **Reply #30 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:15:19 PM »

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???

banditII · « **Reply #31 on:** December 14, 2006, 08:40:45 AM »

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.

2005B12S · « **Reply #32 on:** December 14, 2006, 10:27:55 AM »

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.

solman · « **Reply #33 on:** December 18, 2006, 10:44:03 PM »

Quote

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.

texasbandit · « **Reply #34 on:** December 19, 2006, 09:36:35 AM »

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!

kevinfromrex · « **Reply #35 on:** December 19, 2006, 02:06:05 PM »

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.

2005B12S · « **Reply #36 on:** December 20, 2006, 12:39:27 AM »

Quote

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.