Advantages: Powerful, wasy to ride, cheap and FUN FUN FUN Disadvantages: Lots of second hands have been stunted and dropped!
...(or more likely third/fourth hand) Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit (Nekkid however, not the S version), I had previously owned a Suzuki GS500E commuter bike (500cc flat twin). I was 20 years old and had 'tricked up' the GS500E to look like the streetfightered (term for personalised/modified bikes) Bandits I had seen all over the place. I unfortunately crashed that but just found it as a good excuse to have it re-sprayed, twin spotlights added and renthal handlebars ... ...I came to move up to a new bike I decided, on seeing an already tricked up 1200 Bandit in a local dealer, to go for it!
I was pleased to see the bike was up fro Approx £4,000 which was just in my price range. I did worry about insurance as I was only 20 but was again pleased to find out that since the Bandit didn't have an 'R' in it's name and it was classed as a commuter it wasn't in a high Insurance band and was VERY affordable! At 21 years old ...
jpasurvey44 12.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
Advantages: Economical, Comfortable, Powerful, Predictable Disadvantages: Having to buy extras to make it acceptable to me.
...my way up to a Suzuki GS500 in 1998. Joined an advanced riders club and got through the advanced test. Then started looking round for a big bike to suit me. I like the sitting up position, I'm not a sports bike rider. I wanted 4 cylinders for smoothness, I wanted a fairly light bike as I am not a strong person, so I had to give thought to getting it on and off the centre stand and in and out of the garage. I wanted a large capacity bike 1000cc+. ... ...be reasonable. I must have looked at every bike on the market and read every road test and opinion on them all! I found "Essential Superbike" to be an excellent source of reference. Also useful were Ride magazine, and Used motorcycle guide. Eventually after seriously considering a Pan, FJ1200, Bandit 600, Honda Deauville etc etc, I found to satisfy all my requirements, at least on paper, the 1200 Bandit was the one that fitted all my requirements. ...
jimday 19.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
Advantages: Easy to ride, comfortable, effortless Disadvantages: cant think of one
An accident in 1993 turned me away from bikes but the bug started biting again and the urge to get back onto two wheels started to get stronger.
A very cold winter on an old CB 250 RS.........my Dog!........and seeing friends and family on bigger bikes spelled the end of the old Dog, although I still do have it.
I have always lusted after a maroon 1200S ever since they came out in 96 but thought of them as big heavy and cumbersome things and was ... ...What finally clinched it was a ride on my cousins CB 1300 where all the weight and expected cumbersomness disappeared as soon as I let the clutch out and put my feet on the pegs.
That was it.........a search on E bay turned up a very nice looking maroon 1200S with less than 10,000 on the clock and the deal was done!
On the day of driving down to London it was a case of "What if it's not as good as the picture?"
I needn't have worried........it ...
suzban12 06.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
I bought this bike from a dealer in the fall of 03. The "S" bikes come with a 1/2 fairing on the front, rather than the naked look of the 1200. I got the bike for about 6K US dollars. I don't know how many pounds or pence that is for your Brits.
If you're looking for an old man cruiser, then get a cruiser, man.
If you're looking for an all out crotch rocket, then get a full fairing sport bike, but be ready to pay 10 grand or so for those suckers.
... ...that is VERY inexpensive for what you get, but that can be ridden comfortably as well, then get out your purse M8 and buy the Bandit 1200S.
This bike rocks. If you haven't been on a big bike, be EXTREMELY cautious with the throttle. I drove an old Honda and a 750 Honda Nighthawk, but neither was even close to the torque on this puppy. I almost threw myself off this beast at least twice whilst (like that English usage?) I was starting from a stopped ...
BanditMan 23.03.2004
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Advantages: Torque Power Comfort Grin Factor Price Disadvantages: Rear Shock
The 1200 Suzuki Bandit has always been the choice of stunt riders and for good reason! The nature of this motorcycle is, well, a little skitz! One minute your gently crusing along country roads with your gal comfortable as it can get, sitting in fifth gear without a murmur. Then, when your ready, lift up that front wheel hold it through the gears and finish with a stoppie! What? the same bike? oh yes! The rear shock lasts about two years befor going ... ...shocks could do with multi rate springs, again thats quite cheap so not a problem! The engine, which has been around for over 11 years, was first found in the GSXR1100. It's bomb proof! Very strong torque peaks at 6,500 rpm according to my dyno tests. My own standard bike recorded 110 BHP and 79 lbs/ft Torque. AT THE BACK WHEEL!!!
Want one?
Best Regards John ...
bandit_pav 13.08.2004
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...Can't figure out how Suzuki manages to put this bike out at the very resonable price it does. There are no glaring omissions that account for it being in the price range it is in. Sure it has less fairing than some but the 1/2 job it has is quite adequate (mostly to keep riders like myself from being blown off). If you're someone who likes fast powerful bikes but don't need crippling riding positions to enjoy yourself and if you're still too young ...
LeducBandit 30.04.2004 (01.05.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
Advantages: reliable, great power ,very nimble ,durable Disadvantages: suspension a little soft, fairings buzzy
...I've owned this series of Suzuki since the old 1985 gs750es and it is by far one of the most dependable motorcycles on the market. With all the years this motor combo has bean around up grading it is cheap and proven results are easy to get. As a great all round sport cruiser there is really isn't any thing close in it's price range and for me any price range. The only improvement I would request from Suzuki would be a slightly firmer suspension ... ...is corrected by put a Busa rear shock in it and replacing the springs in the front with the progressive style. If you purchase the 1200s you might find the fairing a little buzzy but this is easily fixed if it bugs you. The 1200 is too much for beginners but start on the 650 and then move up to the 1200 and you won't look back. I've owned Honda, Yamaha, and Kawi's and although they were o.k. this bike really is the best across the board. So if you ...
iceangels 30.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
I bought a parallel imported 1997 Bandit 1200s a few months ago. The bike is still in 100% standard nick. With 5000Km on the clock I paid R37000 (3300 Pounds) here in South Africa. A new Bandit's price is R74000 here. For the DIY biker it is one of the best. Easy to maintain. Get yourself a workshop manual and you can do most things yourself. The engine is as basic as you can get in an inline four cylinder.
With my suspension setup the B12's handling ... ...rails.
Power and torque is ample and even with a passenger perform excellent. Fuel economy is not so good, but then again, how do measure it at 200Km/h. I recently clocked my B12 to 250Km/h which is good enough for me. Practicality and comfort is one of the strong aspects. A rider and passenger can ride all day on this bike. I would recommend the S model for its mini fairing. It is very effective at high speed on long distances and will save you ...
Bandito 24.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
Advantages: Trick parts and spares easy to find & cheaply. Disadvantages: Need a neck brace for high speed on naked version
...had one for sale.
In conclusion the Suzuki Bandit GSF1200 is what I call a 'keeper', i.e once you get yourself one you'll hang on to it. If you're fortunate enough to have a few grand spare, take this strong advice, go out and get one you WON'T be disappointed. ...
DODGYbutwhy 13.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
Advantages: Engine is unbreakable, cheap Disadvantages: Cheaper finish
The Bandit 1200s is my first bike and what a bike, I've owned this bike for 2 years from new and it hasn't let me down. The power through the mid-range is brilliant and the bike almost always wheelies in any gear! The screen provides adequate protection and the bike is also good for pillions due to the extremely comfortable seat. The dials are basic but what do you expect from a £5k bike with nearly 100bhp, the finish is basic as you would expect ...
Nickthegolf 04.09.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
Advantages: Buying abroad Much cheaper Disadvantages: You dont see the goods till they get here
Thought you'd like to know that after years of wishing he had a bike, and driving me nuts with his constant signs when a bike whizzed past us. I booked my ever loving on a full motor bike course CBT and beyond for his 47th birthday.
He loved it and passed with flying colours. Next step was to buy a bike. Well there are dozens of the things around. Street bikes, sports bikes, rep-racers, cruisers etc., after scouring the web and endless magazines ... ...fairly painless, now to buy one. He decided that he would again search the Web, magazines. He was told one of the best ways was to buy from Holland, this meant it was cheaper. All he needed was a company to import it for home and to change the clocks and register it. Finally he was put on to Sliders Uk. They found him a machine in quick time and within a couple of weeks he was on the open road. Am I a Biker Chick? Only time will tell.... ...
Alikerry 12.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
Advantages: Great comfort Disadvantages: Pillions wont thank u for their riding position however
I bought a 1999 suzuki GSF1200s Bandit last year and since then have been touring in france and spain on it.I bought it abroad in order to save a bit of money which proved to be a great deal less as it turned out.The company i went through was based in the uk and directly searched for the bike in france and holland. It took two weeks to find what i was looking for i then had to pay the import fee to the company and i was away.A good benefit of the ... ...of a pillion slouched on the back of it. It has stylish and sophisticated dials and of course you can accelerate in and out of any road with great ease and comfort.It is suited to touring thanks to its comfortable riding position.I reccomend this to any serious rider who is able to handle a bike of its caliber. ...
happytan 31.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 1200S
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