Topic: Wanting Comments About a 2002 Suzuki 1200 Bandit UPDATE!!!!!!!!

[bill440cars]

      Not that I'm going to get one, but one has caught my eye.

      Best I know of, the Suzukis are pretty good runners and pretty dependable. So, what say YOU?

[KB02]

I have a friend who is a rider coach with the MSF. She bought one and loved it. Put on many thousands of miles. She just replaced it with a new Bandit.

The bandit is one of those bikes that is just an all around good bike that doesn't get a whole lot of press.

[bill440cars]

I have a friend who is a rider coach with the MSF. She bought one and loved it. Put on many thousands of miles. She just replaced it with a new Bandit.

The bandit is one of those bikes that is just an all around good bike that doesn't get a whole lot of press.

          That's about what my thoughts were on what I had previously heard, I didn't know if anything had changed or not. I had never heard anything against them, so I asked.

                           Thanks for the reply,  Bill

[Grizzly]

Bill, there simply isn't anything bad to say about them.

[Leino]

That's still with the air/oil cooled motor?
I personally think 1996-1997 Bandit's look a lot better but that motor is great.

[Bodain]

A few years back. I was buying a bike. The choice was narrowed down to 2 bikes. The Suzuki Bandit 1200 or the Kawasaki ZRX 1200 r.... I bought the Kawasaki ZRX. Not to say the Bandit is not a good bike, but the ZRX is much more refined and the Bandit is incredibly BUZZY.... to the point of extremey irritation.

[bill440cars]

      I appreciate the input about this. I've seen them before and kinda like the look and all. Not completely thrilled by the style of muffler that seems to be on alot of them nowdays.

    
      Now, for the rest of the story about THIS bike. Here is what was with the listing (reserve is $750)


      Flood damaged motorcycle (fell over in a storm, not crashed) selling for parts with pink Texas salvage title that could be put back on the street if fixed up and safety inspected. Parts are always cheaper if you buy a whole bike.The seat, tires, wheels, gas tank,controls, handle bars and frame etc. are straight and in good condition. The motor turns over and the fluids have been flushed.The ignition along with the keys have been replaced and match the gas cap and seat lock. We started buying parts for it but have not tried to start it. Now we must liquidate inventory.The bike rolls freely and the brakes work. Carburetors need to be cleaned and the battery needs to be replaced. This bike might need some other repairs. Selling as is. The buyer is responsible for pickup. Texas residents are required to pay 8.25% tax & title transfer.

        Think it would be too much of a risk? I don't know about the electrics, if that could have caused a problem that could be costly.

                            I'm all ears!

      I;m guessing that I probably should stay away from this particular one.

[climbingaz]

A few years back. I was buying a bike. The choice was narrowed down to 2 bikes. The Suzuki Bandit 1200 or the Kawasaki ZRX 1200 r.... I bought the Kawasaki ZRX. Not to say the Bandit is not a good bike, but the ZRX is much more refined and the Bandit is incredibly BUZZY.... to the point of extremey irritation.

Heck ya!  I gotta '04 ZRX.  When I was shopping it came down the Bandit, ZRX and 1st generation FZ1.  The FZ1 is actually the best performing stock bike out of the three, but doesn't have the look and "soul" of the ZRX.  But the Bandit isn't a bad bike at all...very reliable, very comfortable and probably the best wind protection out of the three.

[HavocTurbo]

I tend to agree with you Bill... stay away from this one.

But all buzzing aside the Bandit seems to be the bike of choice for that particular segment of riding.

And while I'm a Kawasaki man myself (I have a Muzzy ignition unit for a ZRX12 that I cannot seem to find a bike for  ) I will look long and hard at the ZRX.

But the Bandit is so tempting. To the point of being scary for a true green guy.

[bill440cars]

I tend to agree with you Bill... stay away from this one.

But all buzzing aside the Bandit seems to be the bike of choice for that particular segment of riding.

And while I'm a Kawasaki man myself (I have a Muzzy ignition unit for a ZRX12 that I cannot seem to find a bike for  ) I will look long and hard at the ZRX.

But the Bandit is so tempting. To the point of being scary for a true green guy.

          The thing that got me thinking was the price vs what it was and what might need to be done to it. If I could actually SEE the bike and check it out myself, if might be a different story. Even if everything else seemed okay, I'd be nervous about the electrics because I don't know what all it has in that department. Just a thought.

[gane]

my 2 cents, My '98 B12 is by far the most competent stock bike in the stable. The only mods being a bolt on 2 Bros can , mirrors, and corbin seat. w/ over 17k miles on the clock. no mechanical failures. Bike is a pleasure to ride, power to spare, smooth delivery, excellent brakes/handling, and  asside from the stock seat trying to slide my 5'10" frame up to tank comfortable for extended rides. I do go thru tires at  an alarming rate, 3 fronts and 5 rears so far, but then i live in the Rocky's.  Period Mag articles usually  include the ZRX, and rightfully so,  and yes, I'll admit the Big Kaw has better cosmetic appeal, the swingarm and res, shocks look GREAT, the radiator not so much. For the money the B12 is hard to beat. and looking at the #'s are seldom in the shop for repair, to be fair, neither are the ZRX"s. again my 2 cents.G

[crazypj]

Bill, bit late getting into this, best way to look at it, the SACS motor is the small block Chevy of the motorcycle world.
 Been around in one form or another since 1985 (GSXR750)
 Keep it 'stock' for reliability (change exhaust, its very restrictive)
 Decent exhaust gives between 12~15bhp extra, more when jetted properly, (up to 22bhp)
 Fit 1992 GSXR750 intake cam , bigger carbs and K&N filters with proper jetting, its guaranteed 140+bhp at the rear wheel (best I've done is 143bhp on stock carbs, but, that took a bunch of dyno time to get ride of flat spot @4,500rpm)

PJ

[HavocTurbo]

It's funny you mention that PJ...

My 94 has the same flat spot. What did you do to rid yourself of that?

Sorry for the Hijack Bill.

[crazypj]

It's funny you mention that PJ...

My 94 has the same flat spot. What did you do to rid yourself of that?

Sorry for the Hijack Bill.

It never goes completely away because of port design and cam timing but you can tune it out to be almost  unnoticeable (except by dyno).
 It was done with air jets and needles, had to lengthen intakes slightly with some alloy tubes (about 1.5"~2", forget exactly)
Unfortunately, I don't have details as notes got tossed (one Saturday, manager 'cleaned up shop' lost a bunch of engine parts as well), computer got wiped out and guy who was doing it with me quit several years ago.

PJ

PJ

[bill440cars]

It's funny you mention that PJ...

My 94 has the same flat spot. What did you do to rid yourself of that?

Sorry for the Hijack Bill.

   

           No problem here, HT!

[crazypj]

Hi Bill, got up on time for work then ended up doing a double shift, afternoon guy called in sick.
I got home about 6.20pm.
 time for bed again now so I can do it again at 5:00am tomorrow 

PJ

[bill440cars]

Hi Bill, got up on time for work then ended up doing a double shift, afternoon guy called in sick.
I got home about 6.20pm.
 time for bed again now so I can do it again at 5:00am tomorrow 

PJ

               I'll catch you when you've rested.