bandit 1200?

[annndy]

Looking to get a new bike in the near future and as I have very fond memories of my first bike which was a bandit 250 I like the idea of getting another bandit only preferably with a bit more grunt.

Considering the 600 as a sensible option but am wondering as my last bike was an R6 if the 600 will feel a little bland in comparison.

Didn't really consider the 1200 bandit until I saw one in a dealership the other day and really liked the look of it.

I was just wondering if any of you own one and could tell me what they are like?

My main concern (que wimp mode) is that it will be too powerful as I've never ridden anything bigger than a 600 before. I found the R6 very manageble and was wondering what it would be like in comparison to it.

Cheers
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1991 Suzuki GSF 250 Bandit - 2001 Yamaha YZF R6 - 1998 Suzuki GSF 600 Bandit N

[doggone]

You should be OK with it.
There is ample power but the delivery is smooth and the bike feels remarkably small and lightweight for a 1200.
Loads of them about so very good to get parts for.
Suspension tends to be first thing to need cash.
Will use a lot of rubber if you're heavy handed.

[APNess]

I think they were 100hp until 2001, then 108 or thereabouts. They are all about tyre spinning torque - around 80 lb ft I think. Guy at work has one, and he never has any problem keeping up with 600s or even some of the faster stuff!

If 100hp isn't enough, www.justbandits.com ow www.banditmania.co.uk do ride in ride out tuning. If I recall, 140hp costs £599+vat, when your 100hp isn't enough.

Looked at getting the 1200s and adding a lower fairing/body pan, until I decided on the Thunderace. Insurance is cheap on the Bandit. Some companies quoted 13-18 (out of 20) so worth shopping round to get best quote (as always). If you want to add the fairing lowers you'll need the "K" model. Tank range not brilliant, fuel consumption not great, but depends on how you ride I guess. Usual stuff with tyres/chains/sprockets and a big torquey engine - use it a lot and they will wear out etc. Most owners seem to love them, loads of tuning/aftermarket bits for them.

[fredsredhat]

I've got the early model and if i remember the K models were softened on the power or so i was told. Tis true the standard suspension is crap but justbandits did me a shock, springs and jack up kit for £330 odd. if you're ever round the sheffield area annndy give us a shout and you can have a play on mine.

[Gazdaman]

A bandit 600 will feel sooo slow compared to an R6, a 1200 will feel about the same top end, but will rip your arms off getting there.

Don't be afraid of bandit 1200s, cool machines.

Gaz

[DucatiEVO]

The 1200 is an improvement over the 600 in that it has a better swingarm, wheels, stronger frame etc.

Not just the engine is different
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aKa: Ducky

[doggone]

[bish777]

Big, grunty. Proper mans bike.

Sooooo much tuning potential in that motor. Spend a bit of cash and give hyabusa riders a shock from the lights.

Ditch the standard pipe and invest in a dynojet kit. The stock is horribly restrictive.
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GSXR1100J

[greenmeanie]

[fredsredhat]

anytime green meanie send a pm. (BTW we have a gentlemans agreement when we swap bikes that in the event of.... you repair swiftly or replace, in our group we all swap round regular and no one's come off yet)

[Itchy]

why not get a Honda Hornet 600? those babies are 599CC but pull 98BHP ,
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Kickstart]

Hi

I have a 1200 Bandit, but mine has been played with a bit.

Stock front calipers on the early ones (4 pots) seem fairly good for avoiding seizing up, but the rears seize up, and the pins that hold the pads in place seize in place.

Frame paint is a bit shoddy. Suspension is fine for me, but then I am fairly light. Tank is a decent size and fuel consumption fine (marginally worse than my FZR600 in the same use). Performance is lazy.

Stock they are 100hp, give or take a gnats. Stock silencer on the Bandit is restrictive, and the stock down pipes are not great. Full decent exhaust system will (realistically) give you about 15hp more for a reasonable amount of money. Similarly the stock airbox is not great (check the size of the intake to the airbox, about 1" diameter). You can also play around fitting GSXR1100 cams.

Once you are beyond that it gets more expensive. Eg Big CC do a tune for ~150hp at £1299+vat, but that assumes you have already got a decent exhaust, and you need to budget for a Dynojet kit, filter, clutch upgrade and probably oil cooler upgrade in with that. Mine is around 150hp at the back wheel, but the tuning bill was almost £3k (and that is before the new carbs were fitted).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[bish777]

1200cc and 98 hp means alot of torque, good roll ons and relaxed cruising. The 600 will be buzzy and require the nuts revved off it by comparison. Stick them on a drag strip and watch the B12 molest the hornet.

And fitting an aftermarket pipe, jet kit and a K&N/pipercross whatever will add 20+ horsepower off the bat. Even a simple slip on can and raising the needles and upping the pilot a touch can add ten horsepower.
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GSXR1100J