Bandit Alley

MODEL SPECIFIC => SUZUKI BANDIT 600 thru 1200 - AIR/OIL COOLED TECHNICAL => Topic started by: StangMATA on November 01, 2006, 07:52:59 PM

Title: Help with purchasing an 01 1200
Post by: StangMATA on November 01, 2006, 07:52:59 PM

I currently own an 03 1200S and my good friend is currently looking to purchase an 01.

The bike has 6900 miles on it and is in MINT shape. Asking price right now is at $4000 (at a stealership)

Two questions:

-Price seam resonable? I definatley think so...but looking for your expertise.

-Any known issues for the 01? I searched and really didn't find anything.

Thanks  :motorsmile:

Ian

Title: Help with purchasing an 01 1200
Post by: PaulVS on November 01, 2006, 09:10:51 PM

The one BIG known issue is that most '01 (and some '02) Bandit 1200's had faulty pistons... and will burn a lot of oil.

The VIN numbers of the offending 1200's are listed somewhere here.  Do a search.

Title: Help with purchasing an 01 1200
Post by: StangMATA on November 02, 2006, 12:25:54 PM

If someone could dig up that thread, that would be great!

Title: Help with purchasing an 01 1200
Post by: PaulVS on November 02, 2006, 12:54:55 PM

The 2001-2002 GSF1200 with VIN #'s JS1GV77A*22102179 and lower most likely have the faulty pistons

Title: Help with purchasing an 01 1200
Post by: Red01 on November 04, 2006, 03:47:09 AM

While all the '01's and the '02's below the above listed VIN will have the pistons with the oil return hole problem, not all of these bikes are smokers or drink oil. Bikes with problems of oil consumption could have been fixed under warranty. Early owners had to really press Suzuki to get this done, but later on, Suzuki was pretty good about fixing bikes if owners complained. OTOH, there was no recall, so if the owner didn't complain, nothing would happen.

That said, there's still a large percentage of these bikes that never had any issue with oil consumption. (Mine never has.) I'd ask the owner when the spark plugs were last changed. If they haven't been changed in a while, remove them and take a look for signs of oil consumption. You could ask the owner if the bike uses any oil between changes, but you may not get an honest answer. It's not abnormal for the B12 (of any year) to use a slight amount between oil changes, but this should be measured in ounces, not quarts. (Mine will use 3-4 oz by the time it's time to change the oil.)

Title: Help with purchasing an 01 1200
Post by: terrebandit on November 05, 2006, 07:39:00 AM

Quote from: "PaulVS"

The one BIG known issue is that most '01 (and some '02) Bandit 1200's had faulty pistons... and will burn a lot of oil.

Thats an overstatement of the problem.  VERY few of these bikes burned substantial amounts of oil.  I would follow Pauls recommendations.

Dave