Succinct synopsis of 97-00 1200's compared to 01-05 1200's?

[curiousmike]

Is there a good overview of the diffs between the revisions ?

motor / weight / frame/ clocks / brakes / base HP diffs ?

[GaryB12VA]

This is one of the best comparo's I've seen between 1st and 2nd Generation Bandits. Not too technical but a good comparison. This article was one of the reasons I traded my 2000 Bandit for the 2002.

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcsuz/01b12.html

[curiousmike]

Gary - thanks for the link.

That was a good overview -  interesting that the 2001 tested with about 110hp, where the '97 they tested put out 100hp --- 10hp is a lot to gain.

[gearset01]

Looks like 9 grand is the sweet spot for shifting.
 

PIN

[curiousmike]

From both dyno-charts (97 and 01), you can see that 8k-9k is your point of diminishing returns for torque and power.

[gearset01]

Dont know much about reading those charts, it looked like you should hold it till it started to drop off is that not the case ??
Do you only stay in it till the upwards curve starts to go lateral ??
PIN

[curiousmike]

For racing, you'd want to go over the 9k mark to almost redline, because shifting to the next gear would put you back in the power.

If you shift at 9k, it'll put you lower in the rev range and not at the max power for the next gear.

On the street for "typical" riding, it's moot.  
Knowing that 9k is max power and you're not getting more is useful just in the sense that you don't need to beat the bike to 11k all the time.

OK, I'm rambling.

[Red01]

This is one of the best comparo's I've seen between 1st and 2nd Generation Bandits. Not too technical but a good comparison. This article was one of the reasons I traded my 2000 Bandit for the 2002.

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcsuz/01b12.html

The only thing I could find wrong with the article is it would have you believe the 2G got two new cams. It only got a new exhaust cam. The intake cam is the same.

[FrankB12]

The dyno chart comparing '97 and '01 Bandit 1200's were from two articles, and dyno'd on different days.  That 110 hp figure for the second generation looks a little optimistic to me (and I own one).  In reality, they are very close in performance and simply adding a jet kit, GSXR cams, or an aftermarket piston kit would give you an 'affordable land missile' in the case of either.

[KX5000]

It's funny, I didn't know how terrible my Bandit was 'til I read the article comparing it to a gpz1100. I guess I must've been dropped on my head as a child, I love everthing about my bandit!

[Red01]

The dyno chart comparing '97 and '01 Bandit 1200's were from two articles, and dyno'd on different days.  That 110 hp figure for the second generation looks a little optimistic to me (and I own one).  In reality, they are very close in performance and simply adding a jet kit, GSXR cams, or an aftermarket piston kit would give you an 'affordable land missile' in the case of either.

TRUE! I'd say there's no real difference in power between the two. Not any more than you'd find in dynoing any two same model bikes from the same year. ~100 RWHP is the norm for either Gen - and I assume the 3G is no different.

[curiousmike]

Err... I'm still coming up to speed on my bandit lingo.

I assume
1G = '97-2000
2G = 01-05

Is there a 3G?

[Red01]

G = Generation

For the 1200 it's:
1G = 1997-2000
2G = 2001-2005
3G = 2006- (not available in the USA)

For the 600, everything is a year earlier:
1G = 1996-1999
2G = 2000-2004
3G = 2005- (these are 650's - and not in the USA)

[Bob Holland]

With Suzuki not bringing the Bandit to the U.S. market, if I were to get a new bike, I would get the Kawaski ZRX 12, if it is still available, it is close to a Bandit.

[Red01]

No ZRX in the US for 2006 either. They do still offer the Z1.