Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: kevinfromrex on May 24, 2006, 05:35:57 PM
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Ive owned my 600 bandit s for about 6 weeks now. Cant help but want a 1200. ( something naked, ZRX1200, Z1000, Bandit 1200)
I have owned harley and shadow 1000-1200 but thats not the same.
My 2001 GSF600S is a mini rocket, if you are brave enough to hold throttle wide open after 8,000 rpm and leave it till 11 plus, probably runs a 12 flat quarter, enough power for any normal person. But why must I have a 1200, 150 or 160 horse power bike!
I must be mental......................
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Manhood beckons....
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Abundant Torque :wink:
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You want a 1200 because they make about 100-115 RWHP and go from 0-60 in 3.0 sec. It does this on 87-octane! Then there are the easy upgrades to power offered by guys like Ivan, etc. But in its stock form, this bike is so brutal that mods are like ordering dessert with your dessert! Who needs to go over 140 MPH? And unless you hang a turbo on it, there is no easy way to increase acceleration anyway, apart from shedding weight (your own).
Then we have the insurance picture: Try to get minimum coverage for a Gixxer for $60 per YEAR (ha-ha).
The 600 is respectable, but makes more like 70 HP at the crank. What the RWHP is, I have no idea. But if the 600 does not meet your needs, find a used 1200 and sell the 600. Personally, I know why the Bandits are cheap, but I fail to see why there have not been bone - crushing stampedes to buy these bikes at the asking prices. Fear, maybe? Many cruiser riders can not handle the power. All I want now is a 1400 Bandit!
Herb
There is no substitute for cubic inches.
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Lucky I've got a 650 so I have no such wants or needs!
As I recall, there is a post elsewhere here which reveals the performance advantage of the 650 over the 1200.
Thank you.
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Im gonna stick with me B6 till 2010 because then the B12 will come under classic insurance over here. And it will cost fook all to get insured on it.
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There's no replacement for displacement. :wink:
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As I recall, there is a post elsewhere here which reveals the performance advantage of the 650 over the 1200.
Wasn't that later discredited by Snopes as being the works of a raving loon?
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raving loon?
A species indigenous to Canada, I believe.
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in-di-ge-nous; that's four syllalbes! No fair! :wink:
Seriously, though, I have to agree with Kevin. When is too much, just too much and when is it obscene?
My little 650 is scary fast - it gets me up to 150 km/hr/ in a couple of heartbeats (i know my ticker has indeed slowed down over the years) so why do you need any more?
Maybe a passenger? I've had my son on the back and he's 205 lb. and I'm 225 lb.(both solid muscle although his is spread around a bit differently than mine) and then I thought I could use a wee bit more grunt if I was going any distance.
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raving loon?
A species indigenous to Canada, I believe.
They even call their $1 coin a "loonie"...or was he the Prime Minister?
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Loonie_reverse_view.png)
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My little 650 is scary fast - it gets me up to 150 km/hr
What is that in American...52 MPH? Something like that?
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I will probably keep my b6 for several more years. I don't have a burning desire for a 1200. I've had Suzuki street bikes fron 450cc to 1100cc and I've probably had more fun on the smaller bikes. You can run a smaller bike hard up through a few gears often and not get noticed. Try doing that regularly on a 1200 you will get alot of unwanted attention. My next bike probably will be bigger. I think I will go with one of the adventure tourers for the lugage capicity and the abundant leg room.
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Simple, If some's good...More MUST be better!
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I personally like the 1200 because I am 6'1" 220 lbs. I have also sat on the 600 and it didn't feel the same. As far as shedding weight, I could stand to lose a few lbs. But, you can easily shave some weight off a bandit by getting rid of the stock exhaust. It was also mentioned when is it too much. I don't believe that any bike can be too much in general. It really depends on the rider and his/her ability to control the machine. I do however feel that some of these new sport bikes are reaching that point for general population riding. These bikes like the gsxr 1000 is weighing in around 400 lbs with a 161 horsepower. That is a lot of get up and go. I personally don't have the need for anything like that and I don't need bragging rights.
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as tim allen from home improvements put it "more power" then that grunt he does.
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I don't know about that.
I've got the ZRX and the B6, ok the ZRX kills the B6 in a staright line but, when it comes down to funablity factors, I reckon the cheeky little B6 wins, hands down. Ref to post Aust and NZ forum, I want My B6 back.
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The fun factor can and does come in to the factor. I know guys that can rock n roll in the twisties, but they will complain on all day rides. They usually start complaining about their wrists hurt. Don't get me wrong, not all of them are that way, but I have seen my fair share. As a side note, I have one friend who can comfortably ride a crotch rocket across the U.S. I have seen him go from Arizona to Georgia and back on a TL1000S and a SV1000S.
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...I have seen him go from Arizona to Georgia and back on a TL1000S and a SV1000S.
:shock: :shock: You know Superman?! :shock: :shock:
...All I want now is a 1400 Bandit! ...
Ah, another candidate for an unrestricted and slightly modified GSX1400!
(http://www.suzuki.at/stuff/bike/wallpaper/800/GSX1400_K6_1.jpg)
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thats a pretty good lookin bike. I like the seat and could even get used to the rear shocks look.....but the exhaust...wow. that is too throwback to the 70's. I am sure all you old guys are going to crucify me for saying that, but since I wasn't even alive then I am going to say its outdated. :monkeymoon:
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thats a pretty good lookin bike. I like the seat and could even get used to the rear shocks look.....but the exhaust...wow. that is too throwback to the 70's. I am sure all you old guys are going to crucify me for saying that, but since I wasn't even alive then I am going to say its outdated. :monkeymoon:
Now, it's interesting you make that comment. One of the first things I noticed when I got back into bikes after many years was how crude the exhaust systems looked. Instead of the pretty chrome and smooth, sleek part-of-the-bike look, everything was some kind of bolt on canister. I always thought they looked cheap...like something added as an afterthought or a cheap way of not having to buy a whole new exhaust system when one got damaged; just cut the pipe and stick something on.
I've gotten used to them now. I even think certain ones make a bike look "bad", but truthfully, it's still a cruder & cheaper way to go to my mind. I imagine it's something racing bikes were using and people wanted their bikes to have that "look", so in time they were on everything. Just like how the racing bikes had low bars and funky shaped tanks and had the riders laying on the tanks to drive and eventually virtually every bike's riding position at the dealers were like that. Now everyone thinks laying down on your tank with your neck kinked and your hands about dragging the ground is what we all want.
:grin: Not for my cross country ride! :grin:
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If a lot of horsepower is good, then too much is just right. Why a 12 over a 6 - hmmm, brutal torque and acceleration even when short shifting, accidental power wheelies at legal speeds, three tones deeper exhaust note, the ability to run coast to coast at hyperlegal speeds at 1/4 to 1/3 throttle -- that might be part of it. Oh yeah, and down shifting when passing is totally optional. It tends to scare my neighbors however.
'97 B12, Dale Walker Stage II, 5 degree advancer, D&D can, and other stuff to make it into a comfortable Sport Tourer.
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+ 600 CCs
+ 40 HP
+ ? Torque
Cost ? only 20 more pounds
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I think the reason is that there isn't an extreme difference between the 6 and 12 as in size of bike, rider position, wieght etc. I've owned the 400 and I have a 1200 now.
I enjoyed both those bikes since the 400 was so tiny it was like you could toss it around like a dirtbike. Kinda like a ninja 250 small trackbike, with twice the horsepower.
The 1200 is great, but it has its disadvantages compared to other sportier bikes, but its all worthwhile with the sheer torque/hp and comfort. just seems worth it, with the 600 its somewhat similar to the 1200 but you can't say, its all okay since the engine pulls like a beast.
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Oh yeah, and down shifting when passing is totally optional.
If you have ridden a 1200 you would certainly understand. Even if you don't speed around it is very nice to always be in the right gear. I forget how fast my bike is until I ride my wifes SV. Her's has a full exhaust and jet kit and runs great, just doesn't have the ass when you crack the throttle. Kick down one gear, nope, kick down one more...there we go. Not a problem with the liter bikes.
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wow the first thing i noticed was that exhaust. yes i am old
if i could get that fitted to my b12 i would do it for sure.
i did take off the two 48oz. juice can stock one and replaced it with oval but the clean seamless megaphone looks great IMHO
the newer bikes have even worse mufflers.
advertising says low slung light wieght but the real reason is catylitic converters and more difficult to modify.
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There's no replacement for displacement. :wink:
Yup
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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.
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I beleive I am probably faster on the dragons tail (or any twisty road) on the bandit 600 than a larger bike.
That would be true with some 600's... but not the Bandit 600. The Bandit 600 is only about 35lbs less than the 1200... and has a lot less ponies.
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:banana: FIGHT!! :banana:
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:banana: FIGHT!! :banana:
Naw.... it's just that the 600 Bandit & 1200 Bandit are almost identical to each other with the exception of a few things like tires, swingarm, and of course the engine. So with dimensions/geometry being equal, and given equal riders... the advantage goes to the 1200 with the extra HP.
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You are probably right, I dont know the difference between 600 bandit and 1200 weight and wheelbase. I do know my 600 is lighter and shorter than my 750 honda and corners much better.
A friend who has owned GSXR's for a dozen years says he is faster on the 600 than the 1000 on the street and tight tracks.
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Sheesh! What's it take to start something around here? :roll:
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It really comes down to what you use it most for. On the track my B12 will not get the lap X of a SV650 even though I have tons more hp and torque. But if you want to take a tour or even get around traffic (sometimes you might have to pass 3 cars at a time) you'd be better on the Bandit1200.The only down fall of the B6 (as mentioned) is it still has the extra weight compaired to other newer mid sized bikes. If I were to give up cc and hp, I'd want to drop weight too. But if most of your driving is on the roadways your fine. Maybe even a advantage on all weather conditions useing it for everyday(or as much as you can) use.If you ride double up,then theres definatly a addvantage w/ the bigger bike.Its all what you get used to, and what you want it for. For me, I think my next bike will be a SV1000. Just shedding a little weight for sharpper hadleing and still have some grunt. But I'm 200lbs.,if I were a light wt.I'd probably go w/ the 650 just so I could kick ass on a smaller bike w/smile.At the rally,there was talk of a older local guy(peanut)that kicked all the sport bikes asses on a KTM duke.(they say he has race slicks,but thats coming from pepole who'd been passed up)But the best part is they say he does the same thing on his wifes scootter!He'll drag a knee on the corners w/ his wifes scootter! I love beating race bikes w/ my B12,its whatever put a smile on your face :wink:
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I still say riding skill makes up for the forty ponies no problemo! Put me and my 650 up against Sven or Desolation on their wimped out 1200's and I would smoke their a$$e$.
This is not a idle threat - it is simply a statement of fact.
Name the time and the place and I will be there with my pink
Shoei strapped on tight.
Gentlemen, start your engines....... :grin:
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I still say riding skill makes up for the forty ponies no problemo! Put me and my 650 up against Sven or Desolation on their wimped out 1200's and I would smoke their a$$e$.
I don't why you dragged me into this, but you've been smoking *something* if you think you can outrun me! Frist ya gotten get the bike out from underneath your son's car, then get out that gravel driveway, then make it through Customs...
It ain't gonna happen, bub!
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Excuses, excuses, excuses...............methinks thou doth protest too much, Svenootus!
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Excuses, excuses, excuses...............methinks thou doth protest too much, Svenootus!
My Latin name is Svenerius. (I *did* take four years of latin, y'know...)
OK, girl, we on. Meet me out back. You know what time.
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Don't sweat him, Jim. I'll just call his Mom and have him grounded.
You win by default! :grin:
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I got my $ on the chinook! Lets settle this @ the Bandit track day befor its too late! :motorsmile: :lol:
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The only thing that's gonna get grounded, is Ms. Brough's little sis'fitty... into Bandit Burgers. Any who sides with him has best be makin' theyselves scarce
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At least I don't have to ask my Mom if I can go out and play! :stickpoke:
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You best be careful, or after I kick yer @ss around the block, my Moms will kick it back the other way round!
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Man! I'm going to save a lot on gas!!
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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.
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A friend who has owned GSXR's for a dozen years says he is faster on the 600 than the 1000 on the street and tight tracks.
Handling a liter bike is bit different than handling a 600. About the two biggest thing that come to mind is weight and where your powerband is. Handling both the added weight and added power takes different techniques to get the most out of it. I remember when a friend of mine switched from a GSXR600 to a TL1000S. He told me that he had to change his whole riding style and throttle control. Some can handle the bigger bikes and others can't.
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well.. i guess i'll put my two cents in since ive had both..
hands down, my b6 did handle better. the b6 is very tossable and forgiving. the reason i got the 12 is the motor, you cant replace the raw brute pull that big old 1200 mill has. the 1200 likes to walk the back end around if your not careful with the throttle. the 12 take more effort to get it to turn in due to the increased weight and larger tires. they both have their advantages but i do like my 12. I like to ride long distances and go two up any chance I can get (never turn down a ride to a cute girl) and the 12 makes EASY work of the extra weight.
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I'm at an age now where it doesn't matter what she looks like....
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I'm at an age now where it doesn't matter what she looks like....
So you are either really young, or one of those old folks that shouldn't be on the road. :stickpoke:
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Somebody here posted a thread about motorbike training wheels. Jim, you may want to do a search for that. It could help you. :stickpoke: