I beleive I am probably faster on the dragons tail (or any twisty road) on the bandit 600 than a larger bike.
The smaller bandit can really turn with little effort. (and get to 120 mph plus quickly).
I think it always boils down to wanting more, no matter how much we've already got!
I like the ZRX power and looks but I think it handles "heavy" kinda sluggish. Dont want a GSXR, dont like that riding position (my other bike is Nighthawk). May have to get a 1200 Bandit, but I am curious, UK's Bike magazine says they let it get heavy and took the edge off the motor and they didnt like it too much? Did Suzuki hurt the Bandit.
Ive never ridden a 1200 Bandit, Id like to try one with a pipe. Is any year betetr than the others?
But there are many low mile, super clean 1200's here. But I am still having a ton of fun on my little rocket.
My buddy just rode my bandit 1200S for the first time the other day. He had a ZRX 1100 with jetting and kerker exhaust, sounded amazing. He used to race bikes and just bought a SV650 after trading the ZRX in.
I told him my bandit will probably feel alot like the ZRX. He was amazed at how much more powerful my bandit was, but most of all he said it feels lighter. Its not but the weight is much better balanced. He was happy with the riding position compared to the ZRX, although the ZRX is powerful it seemed to have more of a cruiser standup feel to it. I rode the ZRX before too.
Anyhow it seems like I made the right choice a year ago buying this 1200S instead of the ZRX 1100.
I just figure I would pass this along to ya kevin since your looking for a more powerful bike, but with a more sportier feel than a touring feel. I would take the bandit over the ZRX if you don't want an extremely sporty bike.