Suzuki Bandit 1200S reviews

Just traded in my 2002 1200 Bandit for the new 1250. So far I have done 380 miles in 2 days. The new Bandit is smoother on the road, faster accelerating (even short shifting below 4500 revs while running in), less engine vibration and significantly better handling. On the old one the front got a bit vague when pushed into bends briskly - safe but a bit unnerving 'til you got used to it. It would also wallow and weave a bit in bends even with suspension adjuted for my weight. The new one is better on standard setting probably due to firmer supension and stiffer frame. Steering is sharper dropping into corners and standing up on the way out. So far measured 140 (UK miles) for 13 (UK/Euro) litres. I think this is about 36 per UK gallon. Despite the 4500 rev limit I have taken it briefly up to 105 and up to 5000 in the higher gears. My only minor complaint is that low speeds on a near closed throttle the engine seems to hunt a bit, not like my old Bandit on carbs. Run in I think this will be a very rapid, very civilised missile. I do long tours in France and the UK and next year going down to Greece and Crete. This is going to be a brilliant all-rounder. Show less

After 100 miles, I can say that this bike is very responsive for real world use. Lots of torque down low (max torque at 3500 RPM verses 6800 RPM on older 1200 models). This bike is very smooth and roll on power is surprisingly good. The comfort level is up around 8 on a scale of 1-10. The adjustable seat helps a bit for short legged riders like myself. The bike weighs in at just under 500 lbs dry but does not feel like it at all. In fact it feels very nimble and light for its weight in the twisties. I would say that if two riders were of the same expertise (other than on a race track) that this Bandit could keep up with any sport bike (I kid you not). So far am very impressed at its handling abilities. I will update more once I really start pushing it. My last three bikes were the Suzuki Hayabusa (2001 ridden for two years), GSXR 1000(2005), and M109(2006). This bike for me gives the best of all worlds. At least until the long awaited B-KING shows up in show rooms in September. Mr Bandito is one heck of a hold over bike until then. In fact it is one heck of a bike with more punch, comfort and agility then anyone will ever need for the real world. To sum it all up in one line after being surprsingly impressed... This is a Really Nice Bike. Show less

I picked up a used 2002 1200S back in 2003 with only 145 miles on the odometer. I have since put 7400 aditional miles on it over the last 4 years. I am a 40+ year old rider who does no racing on the street or track, so performance wise, the Bandit exceeds all that I need. For someone who is an agressive and hopefully experienced rider, the Bandit would not be my first suggestion. Since the Bandit, I have purchased a couple of sport bikes -CBR 954RR and GSXR 1000- and the difference in handling and breaking is night and day. Then again so was the purchase price. For responsible street riding the Bandit has power-o-plenty with torque that requires less shifting than the other bikes. The riding position of the Bandit allows all day rides that would have my back aching on the other bikes. If you enjoy doing your own mechanical work, you will enjoy the easy access to the motor without plastics and radiator to deal with. Pros: Riding Comfort. Easy Engine to work on. Fewer downshifts because of high torque. Low Price. Tons of accessories avalible. Cons: Playing with choke on cold starts vs Fuel Injection that spoils you. Heavy and requires upgrading of suspension to make it more canyon carving friendly. Low Beam very poor. Engine / Mirror vibrations. Show less

I have owned many bikes in my 21 years of riding. My favorite is the 2005 Suzuki Bandit 1200S. Anytime I am seen on this power house I have a smile from ear to ear. I have done some mods but even when it was stock it was awesome. I have read the couple of bad reviews on here and it sounded to me like those who wrote them never had ridden one. I know they said they did but I can not see how this bike can get a bad review. As much as I like this bike I will be honest and tell you what I don't like. It does vibrate a little. After long times on the seat my hand will fall asleep due to the vibrations. There are some mods that will fix this however it does not bug me enough to fix the vibration. that's it, all the bad I have so now let's talk about the good. WOW, what a wheelie machine!!! I warn you if you buy one be careful till you get used to the power or you will become a flesh puddle on the road. I have no problems keeping up with the Hayabusa's or the ZX's. Good thing this bike weighs in at 500 lbs or it would not stay on the road. I bet you're thinking 500lbs is not going to corner well.....you would be wrong. I find this bike just as flickable in the corners as a GSXR600. You can not beat the price! Modifications are a dime a dozen and inexspensive. The engine is bullet proof as long as you do your oil changes. I can go on and on but if you try one you will buy one. This is the most under estimated and under respected motorcycle by other riders until you show them or they ride one. Makes heads turn on the street. A perfect sit up sportsbike if you do not like laying on the tank of other sportbikes. Pure power at your finger tips. Nuff said. Show less

I MUST AGREE W/MY COUNTERPART. MY 05 BANDIT IS AN INCREDIBLE MACHINE. IT'S FUN TO RIDE AND, VERY COMFORTABLE. I RIDE WITH GUYS LIKE ZX-14; HAYABUSA; AND CBR XX BLACKBIRD AND THEY ARE ALWAYS AMAZED BY THE HANDLING AND ROLL ON POWER OF MY SLEEPER BANDIT. I SUGGEST TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR A BIKE THAT DOES IT ALL YET, won't HURT YOUR WALLET, CHECK OUT THE BANDIT. IN 2 YEARS I've RACKED UP 40,000 MILES AND, I EXPECT ANOTHER 40,000 TO COME W/OUT INCIDENT. Show less

Bought a 2002 GSF1200S in 2002. Was pleased with the bike for the first month riding it up and down the coast and freeways. The Pros: Great bike for cruising, good mileage, low maintenance, and reliable. Can ride this baby for hours in comfort. The Cons: Suppressed carburetor's; could use a stage one, two or three with K&N filters and a matching exhaust system will definitely open it up. Poor suspension, not made for heavy riders like myself, needed to modify to a .95 rated spring by Progressive on the front forks, adjusted to heavier oil and a Progressive rear shock; these modifications made a difference in the canyons. Without them, the bike is hard to push through the corners; had to do a lot of trail braking, gear and weight shifting to make it do what I wanted it to do. So, if anyone wants this bike and they are less than 200 lbs, I would say go for it. It is a bike that can last a long time. Great sport tour. But if you want it to be a sport bike with comfort, expect to spend a few grand more, otherwise be happy with what it can do which it does very well. Show less

OK, I just read the reviews from Miguel, Dave, and Nick. I believe that they are riding a different bike than the Bandit 1200s. Vibration, nah. Hunk of junk, nah. I think it's just too much bike for them. Switch for a DL 650 - you've got to be kidding me! Do you want to race? Like any bike, try to ride one before buying. I am very happy with my Bandit. Show less

I got bike fever in the spring of '05. My 1980 Yamaha just wasn't doing it for me anymore. I made my way to the local dealer and after showing me several bikes including a r6 and a 919, he showed me a Bandit. I had been interested in one since '99 but got into a heavy and slow/limited funds funk for quite some time. I bought the Bandit two days later and have never regreted it. I have owned it for two seasons now (winter in Minnesota, though not like it used to be) and find it to be a great all around bike. Tons of power (added more this winter), great handling, and great mpg. My only complaint would be that the seat can get sore on the bottom after awile, but that might just be mine. A friend of mine bought his about a year after I got mine and likes it just as much. He was a big part of the reason I got mine. I have also had interested parties ask about the Bandit in parking lots and have highly recommended it to them as well. Show less

After researching this bike I bought it for its value, reliability, and race heritage. After break in, I installed the recommended carburetor kit and aftermarket exhaust because like so many super bikes they are severely restricted to meet EPA standards. If dummies like Miguel, Dave, and Nick really knew anything about this or the bikes potential they would have an explanation but can only dig down with ignorant comments. Anyway the B12 stock is awesome and unrestricted; it is a smooth mountain road carving T-rex, yet very controllable. Do yourself a favor and research what a great bike this is and don't listen to these dummies. Show less

Hi all, here is what I think of the Bandit 1200s. Well, what a bike for the money, a true all rounder, mine is fitted with full Givi luggage and wingrack and not only does it look the part with a full compliment, but it does not seem to bother the machine at all, even two up. It is in standard form and has more than enough power for me. If you can outride a Bandit 1200s, then buy something else like a Honda Blackbird Or Suzi Hyabusa. I have owned a good few bikes now and at the age of 49, I feel that this machine will suit me for a few more years before my reaction time slows up too much!!! Not the best build quality in the world but more than adequate for your outlay, plus it has a very good reliability record that some other manufacturers would possibly be a bit green eyed about!! If you like a smooth gear change, then you would be hard pressed to find better. Being a 5 speed rather than a 6 is not much of a hinderance either, if you know what you are about you could give a lot of sport bike owner/riders a shock with a Bandit 1200 and they will have paid almost double for their power!!! It is also a very comfortable bike to ride and has an excellent riding position that puts no pressure on you wrists on those long days in the saddle. Now I must mention the one bad problem I had with mine. It is as mentioned an 02 model and apparently some 01-02 models were plagued with an oil burning problem, mine was one of them. It stemmed from the build factory and was an issue which allowed the oil passed the oil control rings and into the combustion chambers where it was readilly burned with the fuel. I was horrified at the amount of blue smoke mine started to expell through the stock exhaust so I took it straight back to the dealer where I purchased it. After much hassle, they agreed to have it repaired at a Suzuki specialist and 2 weeks later I had it returned with new pistons, rings and sleeves. Please do not let this put you off as they are a fantastic bike, just don't buy it unless you can take it for a LONG, LONG run 1st and if you see any blue smoke walk away from it. Hope this helps anyone looking for this model and again I must stress, they are a stonking good bike/buy and a real pleasure to ride. Show less