Author Topic: Anyone know much about the Suzuki Bandit? (Read 8361 times)

DarkRider · « **on:** May 11, 2007, 04:26:16 PM »

Im considering the purchase of a Bandit to take the place that the CB left when i traded it off for the parts interceptor. I want to get something newer to be able to keep up with my friends on their crotch rockets. However i do wish to find another CB of some type as well for days i just want to enjoy the ride solo and dont want to ride the Interceptor or Bandit if i get one...Either way about all i really know about them is that the older ones have the same engine as the GSXR in detuned form...other then that dont know much about it. Anyone know anything about this bike?

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2007, 12:14:49 AM »

I've got a '98 600S (half fairing) with 28k miles on it in my garage.

The thing to remember about Bandits is that they were designed and built to a price and undercut anything else available from Japan at the time by miles. This means cheap materials and poor build standard. I very much doubt that many will still be around in 30 years time! Even one year old examples with low mileage show corrosion on the alloy parts (forks, engine) as well as the steel.

Having said that, they are cheap, fast, handle OK, brake, and comfy. I get lost in the 6 speed gearbox as I can never tell which gear I'm in - they all sound the same.

ofreen · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2007, 04:08:06 AM »

I've ridden a couple of 1200 Bandits. They are fun bikes. I think they have one of the all-time great motorcycle motors. The chassis is kind of basic, but there is plenty of aftermarket support if you want to improve things. My main complaint is they are a little soft, but you can fix that easily. If my 750 would ever wear out, I'd seriously consider buying one to commute on.

grumburg · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2007, 11:21:50 AM »

Co-worker has a 98 with 46K and never a minute's trouble except headlight bulbs last about a year. Cheap torque. Rode the new 08 1250 Bandit, said it was a big improvement.

KB02 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2007, 03:51:37 AM »

I've never ridden a 600, but I have ridden a 1200. I find them very comfortable, powerful, and extremely underrated.

crazypj · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2007, 09:34:50 AM »

I know quite a bit about the SACS motor Suzuki's.
The engine is a derivative or the original 1985 GSX-R 750.

You can get silly amounts of horse power out of them (mostly stock 1200 Bandits around 141BHP at wheel with only slight mods, (new exhaust, carbs and 750 or 1100 M camshaft, probably less than $1200 total )

The 600 is a de-bored 750 (uses same crankcase, crank, etc) so converting to 750 is pretty much a case of swapping cylinders and pistons (or switch an 1100 or 1200 motor straight in.)
Its a little more work to do the same with Katana's but personally I prefer Kat's as I think the frame is better and has better potential (perimeter style instead of conventional semi-cradle)
Probably the only one to avoid is the 1989 750 Katana, unless its had the second gear modification, in which case its probably the best one out there in terms of styling , handling, comfort ( styling changed from 'slabby' to 'bubble' in 91 or 92, forget which)
None are up to modern sport bike standards but they are a lot more comfortable to ride, particularly if you intend to do 300 miles a day or more
I bought a 95 GSX600F yesterday (600 Katana) not sure if its getting full treatment or just put back to stock, needs some work whichever I do ( but is running nice and ridable as is) I have a set of 1.00mm OS pistons for 750 so I may just look for a rusty 750 block and bore/fit that ( Katana 600's are best for 'sleepers' as 'everyone knows cannatuna's are slow'

)
PJ

DarkRider · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2007, 01:15:55 PM »

I have looked at Katanas off and on over the years and have liked them as well however the one reason im looking towards a Bandit is to keep the naked look that the VF has as well. For some odd reason i cant really see myself riding a fully faired sport bike. Another reason for the Bandit as a choice (this would apply to the Katana as well) is to be able to keep up with my buddies on their CBRS, Ninjas and GSXRs. Finally it seems like the Bandit has a more upright riding position then the Katana. The very same style riding position that led me to the VF and the CB in the first place.

sparty · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2007, 04:57:46 PM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on May 13, 2007, 01:15:55 PM

I have looked at Katanas off and on over the years and have liked them as well however the one reason im looking towards a Bandit is to keep the naked look that the VF has as well. For some odd reason i cant really see myself riding a fully faired sport bike. Another reason for the Bandit as a choice (this would apply to the Katana as well) is to be able to keep up with my buddies on their CBRS, Ninjas and GSXRs. Finally it seems like the Bandit has a more upright riding position then the Katana. The very same style riding position that led me to the VF and the CB in the first place.

I owned a 1200 Bandit for nearly two years. I "hotted" it up and it was a really fun bike. Very comfortable. Not a sport bike to be pushed into corners following your buddies on their CBRs. If you want to do that, you will need to upgrade the front and rear suspension. That is what I did, but it cost me just under $2K. Avoid the Katana.

Sparty

DarkRider · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2007, 07:46:45 PM »

I suspect the Bandit would be more capable of keeping up with the CBRs then my VF is..but then again i need to upgrade the suspension on it as well to do so. So i was planning on that anyways.

mlinder · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2007, 08:24:54 PM »

If you can't keep up with your friends on your VFR, they are riding too fast for being off the track.

I love pushing some limits, but in the twisties, a reasonably well handling old bike, with you riding at 80% of it's capacity, should be as fast as ANYONE goes on public roads, regardless of what they are riding. 80% of a CB750 is at least twice whatever speed limit may be posted in any given set of windy roads. I'd imagine 80% of a VFR is at least 3 times those.

In any case, why not pick up a 5 year old 'superbike' and strip it down so it's naked? It's bound to be a better handler than even a brand new 'budget muscle bike", and there are always tons of used go-fast parts for those.

DarkRider · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2007, 09:47:09 PM »

From what i understand the older bandits were just that...a GSXR engine in a naked bike frame.

crazypj · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2007, 09:53:33 PM »

Quote from: sparty on May 13, 2007, 04:57:46 PM

[. Avoid the Katana.

Sparty

Any reason why?
I've worked on them for years and they are pretty reliable and comfortable. (no worse than many Japanese bikes and a better cam chain tensioner than some Honda's, 400f for instance and a damn sight more reliable than the VF range, 400 through 1100, chain drive dohc)
The styling can be 'unfortunate' on some years but all in all its a pretty good bike.
As usual, Suzuki spent more on the engine so the finish isn't fantastic but its correctable.

PJ

sparty · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2007, 05:15:27 AM »

Quote from: crazypj on May 13, 2007, 09:53:33 PM

Quote from: sparty on May 13, 2007, 04:57:46 PM
[. Avoid the Katana.

Sparty

Any reason why?
I've worked on them for years and they are pretty reliable and comfortable. (no worse than many Japanese bikes and a better cam chain tensioner than some Honda's, 400f for instance and a damn sight more reliable than the VF range, 400 through 1100, chain drive dohc)
The styling can be 'unfortunate' on some years but all in all its a pretty good bike.
As usual, Suzuki spent more on the engine so the finish isn't fantastic but its correctable.

PJ

Why???

Under powered
Poor suspension
Poor braking
Heavy
Expensive for what you get
Will never keep up with the pack

I owned one for half a riding season and couldn't wait to sell it. I then bought the SV 650 and it was awesome and less expensive.

Sparty

mlinder · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2007, 06:55:35 AM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on May 13, 2007, 09:47:09 PM

From what i understand the older bandits were just that...a GSXR engine in a naked bike frame.

The engine isn't the only thing that will help you keep up with your friends. An Aprilia 250 will probably destroy your friends bikes in the areas that matter (the not-so-straight parts). For going fast, I'd rather have an under-engined, over-suspensioned bike than the opposite.

crazypj · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2007, 07:11:49 AM »

Hi outlaw, pretty close, a de-tuned Gixxer motor
SV about 55bhp, 750 Kat around 80+ at wheel (claim 71~72 and 106)
Katana isn't a racer and was never intended to be (thats why they make Gixxers

)
The 600 Kat feels underpowered as you have to keep it around 9,000 rpm +, doesn't have a lot of torque with only 149.75cc per pot and he power output is claimed to be 80BHP (you have to be doing 11,000rpm though

)
Japanese horses must be smaller than 'real' ones

Still has way more potential than the SV though, even if it is over 20 yr old design.
I think its one of the cheapest bikes on the market and usually better bet than used SV, they tend to eat cranks as everyone wheelies them cos is so easy (definitely better low end torque, but it should be, v-twin compared to inline 4)
1200 Bandit claims about 107bhp but I've never seen more than 95bhp on Dyno without some mods and a 'fully modded' one as detailed above at 141 bhp without spending a ton of cash ( best TL 1000S was 131bhp with a bore job, cams, and modded injection system)
A good exhaust is worth about 20bhp on 1200 Bandit motor, or 115~117bhp at wheel.
I know this is SOHC site, 400 & 500/550 need a good revving to get anywhere but they are inline fours which need a different riding style to any twin cylinder bike (I ride an XS650 with 800 kit for fun)
I think it depends on your riding style and how the bike fits you. SV doesn't fit me, Katana does.
SV feels unstable and top heavy( particularly with full tank of gas) even though it probably has lower CofG than Kat (and yes, I have ridden stock and modified SV's, even full power 72 bhp ones)
SV is 'twitchy' and not a sport tourer, closer to the old Yamaha RD350LC I guess
PJ
' He travels fastest who travels alone'

DarkRider · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2007, 12:37:20 PM »

So essentially i would be best off completely reworking the suspension of the VF to get the best handling i can out of it? If i go with a bandit it would be a 600 S not a 1200..mostly because i know my riding skill limits top out at around the 600-750 cc range of bikes...im pretty sure im in for a world of hurt with anything larger. Of course said Bandit would also have the suspension redone as well as my skills improve. The eventual goal would be to make the VF perform closer to its racing twin then to the new supersports. Im already in the process of locating the parts needed to dump the stock 16/18 inch wheel combo and convert the bike to 17" wheels from a CBR which allows me a wider range of nice sticky high performance tires.

mlinder · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2007, 12:51:06 PM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on May 14, 2007, 12:37:20 PM

So essentially i would be best off completely reworking the suspension of the VF to get the best handling i can out of it? If i go with a bandit it would be a 600 S not a 1200..mostly because i know my riding skill limits top out at around the 600-750 cc range of bikes...im pretty sure im in for a world of hurt with anything larger. Of course said Bandit would also have the suspension redone as well as my skills improve. The eventual goal would be to make the VF perform closer to its racing twin then to the new supersports. Im already in the process of locating the parts needed to dump the stock 16/18 inch wheel combo and convert the bike to 17" wheels from a CBR which allows me a wider range of nice sticky high performance tires.

In what way are you unable to keep up with your buddies?
A well set up VF should be able to keep up with modern bikes on public roads at twice what could be considered 'safe speeds'.

DarkRider · « **Reply #17 on:** May 14, 2007, 07:33:53 PM »

A lot of it is when they take off on me in the straights...now knowing what my roomate found out on saturday that the VF is capable of the same speeds as them in 5th but at the cost of it taking longer to accelerate to them. So some regearing is in order when i do the CBR wheel conversion.

Stormer · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2007, 06:14:38 AM »

Bandit's are GREAT bikes.
Had one 600 and two 1200 in past.
Had a Suzuki DL 1000 (Vstrom) and a Triumph Sprint ST also, and Bandit's are, for sure, way better bikes.
Go Bandit (big or small) and be happy.

oconnor · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:01:21 AM »

If you're going for a 600 bandit why not look at an SV650? same or better power, lighter, better frame, nicer looks, better sound, more aftermarket.

DarkRider · « **Reply #20 on:** May 16, 2007, 11:49:11 PM »

Theres a decent amount of aftermarket avalable for the Bandit as well..One would think that it should be possable to retune the engine to match a simular year gixxer performance wise.

crazypj · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:15:56 AM »

Its pretty easy and relatively cheap to get cartridge front end off a 1995/96 on GSX-R and fit that if you want to look stock or later USD forks if you like the look of them (lots out there with blown cranks) I forget when Gixxer first got cartridge forks, I'll look it up later
Rear shock is liable to be a bit more expensive but you can fit Gixxer one as well which isa major improvement over stock shock and has way more adjustability.
PJ

DarkRider · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:17:52 AM »

So essentially theres enough parts out there between the Bandit and the GSXR to allow me to make a Bandit perform just like the sport bike?

nickjtc · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2007, 10:01:13 AM »

A friend has a 1200 first iteration Bandit. It has 100,000+kms on it. He has had no problems. Just changes the oil and goes!

Rhonda750F · « **Reply #24 on:** May 17, 2007, 12:47:53 PM »

Bandits are pretty bulletproof, basicly a tuned down gixer. But there is a huge aftermarket for them and other standard bikes. I'm eventually going to get a standard bike and strip it down cafe/streetfighter style.
Check out this sites for some products for bandits.

http://www.whaccessories.com/Suzuki%20Bandit.htm

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Author Topic: Anyone know much about the Suzuki Bandit? (Read 8361 times)