Suzuki gsf 1200 circa 2000-2005

[gavbriggs]

What are they like to ride? Are they a leant over type or are they fairly sat up?

I'm considering:

Fazer 1000
Cbf 1000
Gsf 1200

As a first bike after passing test. Used for some Long distance and also commuting daily. I know there's fuel consumption to consider but I do 12 miles a day commute! Lol!!

I want a big engine for long trips. And a sat up position because my back is fooked.

I'm 5'11 so a fairly tall seat is ok. But the bike needs to be capable in the winter months, all but ice and snow and I will be riding.

Low maintainence would be an advantage. As for budget I'm looking between 2k and 3.5k roughly. With a bit of haggling involved. I could do with being on the 2k end to allow a bit of room for some new clothing and helmet although my current equipment is adequate.

All opinion appreciated

Gav

[MarJay]

IMO, none of those bikes are suitable. If you want to ride through winter you need a fairing.

If you've just passed your test they are pretty much all too much bike for you.

If I were you I'd go with an ER6F or something like that, or maybe something like a CBR600F.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[gavbriggs]

[MarJay]

[P.]

I see MarJays point.

A litre bike, regardless of what you might think, is a stupidly powerful machine.

I didn't die going from 125>600>1000 in the space of a month, but I used about 1/4 of its power/potential most of the time.

Even when I had my R1 and took it to Spain, I only ever maxed it out once, the rest was again 1/4>1/2 its usable power.

This would be my weapon of choice if I needed a little fairing and was a new rider.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CBF-600-SA-5-CBF600SA-5-ABS-2007-57-PLATE-LIKE-HORNET-FAZER-/291057332806?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item43c45e7246

[Polarbear]

[P.]

I felt very intimidated by the GSXR1000, was in my first few years of riding.

The R1, I was more the one in control, so I see what he's on about.

[MarJay]

[DrDonnyBrago]

I felt like my face was going to peel off the first time I redlined my CBR600. Hornets have older model CBR engines in them, fazer 6 have thundercat engines.

Don't write off smaller capacity bikes, they are still blisteringly quick, you just need to work them harder. It also turns out that working a revvy and peaky engine is quite pleasurable.

[Moxey]

I'd say its more dependent on the nature of the machine than capacity, with reference to this thread and stinkwheels mention of riding a 1348 Harley as first ride of a litre bike.

A stock 1200 Bandit or CBF 1000 I would consider worth a punt, the weight and torque are going to be factors to consider over a 600 but they aren't really stupid choices in my opinion.

Similarly 1100/1150/1200 BMW twins, GS and R variants, relatively tame for their capacity.

Also to consider Diversion 900 (Semi-faired + shaft drive) and Varadero 1000.
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Current: 02 FZS 1000 & 91 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Some Bike Pics...
'I was too busy paying attention to pay attention'

[P.]

But what I think MarJay is pointing out (I am anyway...) is that the Fazer is an R1 engine, detuned a little, the CBF1000 is a Fireblade engine, again detuned. Those are both 2 potent engines.

[chickenstrip]

Gotta be a 2001-2005 FZS 1000 then hasn't it!

Got a fairing, great all-rounder, won't cost the earth to buy or run etc etc.
This thing about going to big bikes straight from passing your test - it can be done without killing yourself. I did it, and so have plenty of others. If you're responsible about it, careful to start with, there's no reason why you shouldn't.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/755/attachments/2001-2005%20Fazer%201000.pdf

Show me an article on this bike that slates it. I've never seen one. And no, I wouldn't compare it to a modern sports bike

[P.]

[chickenstrip]

[Robby]

Jumping on a bike that size after your test isn't a great idea.

Any of those bikes are going to be seriously powerful. You will end up riding like a massive pussy.

In time you will get used to it. That means that after riding for a couple of years, you are used to the power of a 1000cc bike. Not much to aim for after that.

For reference, I've been riding for a bit over a decade. I have never owned anything with more than 80 horsepower for a significant period of time. I like having a bike which feels quick and which I can be lazy on, I don't like having enough power to make a small mistake have big consequences.

[chickenstrip]

[BigDan1190]

A Bandit 12 is not to be considered a "litre bike" in terms of what the people above me are saying.

An R1 is a litre bike. A GSXR1000 is a litre bike. A bandit 1200 makes slightly less torque, and SIGNIFICANTLY less horsepower than those machines. A CBR 600F is more powerful, but has less torque.

A Bandit 1200 will be fine for what you are looking for, especially if you choose a Mk2 "S" model, because the fairing is actually quite good at keeping the weather off your chest.

Fairly upright seating position, is improved with a set of bar risers or high rise renthals.

EDIT: Have any of the above posters ever owned a Bandit 1200?? Thats the question.

I hopped on a B12 6 months after my test, and it really isn't that powerful. Its slightly heavy though.

[Moxey]

I agree with Robby with regards to the rider development on a smaller machine, I just elected to offer some relatively 'sensible' choices.

Also to mention the CBF 1000 makes somewhere in the region of 100 bhp whereas the Fazer makes mid 140's-150, they are both de-tuned sports engines but the CBF more so making it slightly less risky imo (would consider a Bandit 1200 to be comparable to a CBF 1000).

All produce a fair bit of torque though (at least 15 ft/ib more than my VFR) which though useful for OPs intentions is possibly going to be a hindrance with regards to his rider development IMO.

All if ridden cack handed can produce unexpected front wheel lift & fishtailing plus the weight can catch a new rider out, I would personally recommend a gradual progression through the CC's over even a softly tuned 750+. But if you must have something big capacity OP I'd recommend a Divvy 900 or a Boxer Twin Beemer

Also 1200cc =1.2L by Jove you're right! Its more than a litre bike , seriously though the distinction should not be based on capacity but on intention i.e. Supersports, Tourer, Commuter, Cruiser, though I appreciate that this is not reflective of power output or rider friendliness in any way.
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Current: 02 FZS 1000 & 91 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Some Bike Pics...
'I was too busy paying attention to pay attention'

[P.]

I still spin the rear of the ZXR up through being far too hamfisted with go go juice in the wet.

Something with a few oodles more torques would probably result in a bad day for a new rider.

I say ham fisted, seeing a gap and going for it.

[gavbriggs]

I think the fazer is going to be too much, I was keeping under 100bhp in the bikes I was looking at but the looks of the fazer seemed to jump out as similar to the cbf.

As said I do intend to ride most of the year and need a comfortable commuter and tourer but certainly not sports as it's painful on my glass back and the gsxr I road was silly fast. That had been tweaked and has updated stuff on it for track days etc. horrible ride and the only reason it needed to be fast is so you didn't stay on it for long and could get off ASAP.

Regarding spitting me off, and I bow to superior knowledge, but surely entering a corner at the correct speed in the correct position etc is the same no matter what engine size? That's assuming the cbf 600 and 1000 are exactly the same bike but different capacity for the example. Or maybe a 100 bhp restricted to 50bhp?

I am more worried about the slow speed stuff, obviously an icy patch on a 125 is gonna be as much a disaster as one on a 1000 if you slip at the same speed.

I do have a respect for my limitations as a new(hopefully) licence holder and certainly don't intend leathering a bike around like I do the 125, I just want to be a big boy and have a big bike before I'm to old and weak to cope! I'm sure that won't happen for quite a while yet and maybe it's a midlife crisis coming on but that's the way I'm feeling!

And I'm just shy of 16stone so not a complete fatty!

[1cyl]

[G]

[chickenstrip]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[1cyl]

Also OP, a 12 Mile a day commute (6/6) is barely enough for the bike to reach operating temp.
A smaller capacity tends to warm just that little bit quicker, so less engine wear daily in your scenario. As well as better MPG's.

Listen to the little voices. They know what's best for you!
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