1200 Bandit's

[vt6]

Alright lads, anyone had experience with these? Things to look out for or needing extra care etc? Should have done the homework before buying but couldn't help myself! The only thing i've noticed so far is the obvious weight of the thing!!

[Flip]

I'm sure Keith (kickstart) has one. I'm sure he'll be along to help.

[27cows]

I have one...also an impulse buy (£650 - didn't take much persuading ). Cracking bike, if a little portly. Not had to replace anything yet, and nothing has broken. Have only done about 1500 miles on the Bandido, though, so plenty of time for things to do wrong. I know someone who has done 75,000 miles on one with nay bother, so that's reassuring.

[ClaireBear]

I ride my other half's bandit 1250 grand touring- its a lovely bike, enjoy every second but its so heavy when trying to park it etc.

[mr.kris]

first of all u shud have bought mine but no there mega bikes not meny problems clutches can be a bit week
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TS50X---CM125---MZ150---Z250---RS125---ZXR250---BANDIT600---TRX850---TL1000S---CBF600---ZX6R---BANDIT1200S---CG125---VFR800---CBR1000F---CG125---CG125---CB900F---CB900F---CG125---TUONO1000R---KLR600---GSX1300R HAYABUSA---VFR400NC30---BANDIT1200---CG125

HAYABUSA now in use!

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Kickstart]

Hi

I have one. Bought new in 1997.

They are basically reliable. If you want more power then they are one of the few bikes that will give a decent amount extra just from changing the silencer. More power than that is easy to get as you can just stick on GSXR11 bits (although the clutch is up to too much more power).

Finish is not good. Frame on mine was badly corroded underneath, so I had it power coated.

Fuel gauges packing up seems to be a common problem.

Stock exhaust rots where the down pipe joins the link pipe. Almost all the system is stainless except a 2" section there.

Steering head bearings can suffer from previous owners doing wheelies.

Seats split.

Oil coolers cost a fortune from Suzuki if they get damaged.

Rear linkage needs stripping and greasing occasionally.

Above might sound harsh, but mine has been used in most weathers, and the engine isn't standard anymore (the clutch doesn't appreciate 50% more power).

All the best

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

[ClaireBear]

[vt6]

BH - You half guessed it lol, renthals, no mirrors, belly pan, braided hoses and after market seat. Never owned this sort of bike before so it'll be interesting

Kickstart - Yep that sections slightly corroded so i'm on the lookout for a full system on ebay. What have you done to yours tuning wise?

[Kickstart]

Hi

Have a good poke around the bottom of the frame, near where the centre stand mounts, when you do the exhaust.

You can get the section repaired. Think Bandit Mania will do it fairly quickly. Take you old one, stick it in a jig and weld in a replacement section. Cheaper than a full system.

Mine is bored to 1216cc, skimmed and ported head, reprofiled cams, 40mm flat slide carbs and a full Akrapovic system. Also has a Barnett clutch kit, larger oil cooler and some Harris rear sets. Think when set up it was about 157hp, but lost a bit now.

https://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/TempPicture/Bandit1200dsmall.jpg

All the best

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

[Keir]

Ive had two, still own one.

first was a black 99 model. had about 25k on the clock and cost me £1600. had a small issue with rust around the rear peg mounts and headstock - a bit of smooth hammerite later and all was fine. also made a strange popping noise on idle and overrun but i never investigated it as i quite liked it. sold for £1850 after 6 months.

then about a month ago i got a 97 maroon model. got 23k on the clock and cost me £1450. very good condition and pretty much standard bar brake lines and exhaust. Fuel gauge didnt work but i found a brand new one on ebay for £10 and its fine now.

Both have been totally reliable and very enjoyable even though they are old and lardy.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/keir_compact/bandito002.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/keir_compact/bandit001.jpg
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[Darth]

These are definately on my list of bikes i want to own at some point. These pics are making me want to go an scour ebay!! Black one just above looks very nice
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Harold_Shand wrote: I suppose it's like anything, you get your fingers burned when you start out, you learn from it and eventually become a complete arsehole about the whole thing.

[the grim reaper]

I had the 1200s with full Givi luggage. It was a bit wallowy in the corners but I found that fun and a warning that the limit wasn't far away. I bought mine in 2005 with 5k miles on it, some old boy had owned it and had left the intercom and all associated gubbins on it. I think I paid £2700 and then did 12k miles in about six months. I only sold it as I needed a car to transport my son around. Good bike, although I think there are better bikes out there for similar money.

https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/paul3011/0612gsf121.jpg

Cheers

Grim
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Adverts don't always work: Remember that advert, where the army are running across the desert and they have a wounded man on a stretcher. They get to a ravine, the bridge is down and a caption pops up that says, 'What are you thinking?'. I don't know about you but I was thinking, 'Christ, I'm glad I'm not in the f***ing army'.

[Bishbash]

Bandit 1200's are cracking bikes, so much enjoyment to be had out of them, my mum has one as a spare bike.

Loads of power, but a bit bouncy on the bends and also they are heavy bikes. So don't expect to be flying round corners.

Great straight line bikes and awesome wheelie bikes too
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My current bikes are - YZF-R1 & GS 500 E

Trackday videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/bishbash13

[SlimRick]

Mine - 1200cc's of awesome.

https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/2914990096_0974832fc7_o.jpg

[vt6]

And still no decent weather to have a good blast on it!!

[Smooth]

A 1200 is certainly on my wish-list.

I might be able to sneak a silver one in if I make my TDM into a 'naked' and show the missus, then swap it .

I really like the look of that one of Keir_K3's:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/keir_compact/bandit001.jpg
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TDM850

[vt6]

Just a quick update. Managed to get 30 mile in this afternoon just to make sure it's all good and well. Roads fairly slippy but ok to ride. All I can say is F**K ME. Only gave it a little in 2nd and it just took off like something possessed. Just needing a dry day now