Author Topic: What do you want a new Bandit to look like? (Read 3084 times)

pmackie · « **on:** October 05, 2007, 05:06:54 PM »

Since I'm sitting here in the rain and drizzle, at 3 deg C, with snow falling in the mountains all around me, I can only dream now of riding. So...

If Suzuki was going to build a new Bandit to meet YOUR expectations, what would that new Bandit look like? Size, engine type, weight, frame, suspension, brakes, etc. ie: what bike would you go out an buy if Suzuki announed it! For me it would be:

Size/Engine: 750cc, inline four. I prefer the SACS simplicity, but Water cooled and Fuel injected is fine; I would like 85 rear wheel horsepower, but more importantly is good torque in the 4500 to 7000 rpm range;
Weight: Get it down to 450 lbs or so;
Frame: Preferably a hanger type, perimeter, steel tube, similar to the Bandit 400, c/w aluminium swingarm;
Suspension: Conventional or inverted cartrigde forks, with preload, compression and rebound; shock - single, adjustable for preload, compression & rebound. something better than the 2nd Gen;
Brakes: Minimum 310mm, 4 piston. Don't need to be radial mount, but do need to be 2 finger stoppers;
Fairing: I want a 1/2 fairing, exposed engine, like the current 2nd Gen, but would want better wind protection for the upper chest/helmet;
Accessories: I want close fitting, colour matched bags, so that they don't stick out like elephant ears. 25-30 litres each is fine;
Styling: Similar to the existing "S" is good. I don' t want an FZ-1 or V-Strom.

If Suzuki had this bike in the line-up for 2008, I would put a deposit on it now.

How about you, what Bandit do you want Suzuki to make?

Nitro · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2007, 07:08:03 PM »

Well, if we're gonna wish, I want a sport touring version

New 1200 3 cylinder engine 110 or better HP, same torque, with hydraulic lifters or setscrew adjustable rockers like the air cooled 1G/2G

shaft or belt drive

12V outlet or two on dash/fairing

quick removable bag/trunk mount for Givi and/or Hepco Becker and/or aluminum style panniers as an accessory

under 500lbs.

higher touring style bars (more adjustment would be good to)

better lighting, perhaps HID

hinged flat seat so the passenger doesn't sit so far up in the atmosphere, no plastic bodywork/tailpiece around the seat (think 70s-80s UJM with steel rear fender)

Good adjustable suspension (compression and rebound), with remote preload setting for the rear

no fancy fob like the new Concours, or unnecessary doodads, ABS as an option is OK

This would outsell the BMWs, FJR, and the Concours if the price was still reasonable, i.e. under $10K US

aussiebandit · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2007, 02:51:29 AM »

My perfect Bandit is already sitting in my garage. About the only thing I'd change is the exhaust note......

gunz · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2007, 12:03:10 PM »

I like the idea of a sport touring model as well.
1 A taller windscreen
2 Pockets in the dash like the old concours.
3 Temp gauge
4 lower exhaust exut to allow for big bags
5 top opening saddle bags so everything doesnt fall out
6 when you open them
7 Stay with the 1250 power plant but hide the fuel injection wiring better.
8 case guards with foldaway highway pegs

Wait, this is my future farkle list....

Barbarian · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2007, 04:18:30 PM »

When I went shopping for my current bike, I was looking for anything 650 cc and under -- preferably a 400, but those are nearly impossible to find.

After a season on the Bandit (which ain't over yet!), the only beefs I have are the position of the gear shifter (which I will probably tweak once I get my manual) and the brightness of the indicator and tail lights. I'd also add a gear indicator, and give the tail end less of a sport look, if possible.

Red01 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2007, 09:30:09 AM »

I don't know about the new water-cooled 650/1250 motors, but a gear indicator is a pretty easy mod on the ol' SACS motors. You might wanna look at the neutral safety switch and see if it's similar to the older Suzuki motors and if it is, you can do the gear indicator mod.

Barbarian · « **Reply #6 on:** October 07, 2007, 06:07:37 PM »

I do believe I have the SACS engine...

longislandbandit99 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07, 2007, 11:48:25 PM »

The only thing I'm not liking about my Bandit is the carbs. I'd like EFI in mine.

H2RICK · « **Reply #8 on:** October 08, 2007, 05:23:51 PM »

There's only 4 REAL complaints I have/had with my 2.5G 1200:

1) Better wind protection. Why, oh, why does the aftermarket not make a proper/higher screen for the newer style fairing ??
For that matter, why doesn't Suzuki offer something??
2) Longer arms on the mirrors. Yes, I know I can buy/make extenders, but that's not the point. We owners in the real world are NOT skinny little Orientals with 12" wide shoulders. The cost to extend the mirror arms at the factory would be peanuts......and if it causes the mirrors to fold back at 250 km/hr, well, I can live with that.

3) Somewhat higher bars with a little more setback. Yes, the aftermarket makes this stuff but it wouldn't be a stretch for the factory to come up with a properly adjustable bar setup.
4) Stock seat is some kind of mediaeval torture instrument.
I fixed this with the help of an upholsterer so now it's no prob.

Otherwise from those 4 kvetches everything is roses, IMO.
Riding yesterday for 3 or 4 hours has finally convinced me that the SACS engine is really a 4 speed with 5th as an overdrive. I spent most of my time in 4th around 5K-6K RPM which is nicely in the smooth zone of the engine.....
and passing is REAL easy at that engine speed.

Red01 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 08, 2007, 09:36:57 PM »

Quote from: "Barbarian"

I do believe I have the SACS engine...

Yes, you do... so you can do the mod for sure.

For some reason, I was thinking you had the '07 650.

Barbarian · « **Reply #10 on:** October 09, 2007, 09:36:58 AM »

Well, I did say I bought it this year, so the confusion is understandable ;)