Suzuki Bandit 600 reviews

I love this bike. I've now had it about a month and a half and I'm getting used to the riding position and the seat, thus a higher rating for comfort. The bike performs beautifully, handles great, shifts smoothly and is a pleasure to ride. It accelerates quickly and effortlessly. I've only had it up to 126 mph; it gets there very quickly and is very smooth and stable. This bike is a keeper. Show less

My riding history - Have owned 8 different motorcycles in my 20 years of licensed riding. One of those 8 bikes was a 2003, Bandit 1200S. My best friend totalled that bike for me in Sept 06, I had approximately 13,000 miles on that Bandit. This review will be based on the '03 Bandit 1200S as compared to the '07 Bandit 1250S. As of the 3rd day of owning the new 1250S, the biggest difference I have noticed in the bikes is the weight distribution (the new bike is a little heavier to pick up off of the kickstand). I only have about 250 miles on the new bike so reliability is a topic that I cannot rate with an objective point of view as of yet (but, so far there are no problems of any kind). Performance, (New Bike) is equal to or better than the Old Bike. The fuel injection seems to be just noticably quicker than the carbed bike. The new bike has a six speed tranny, and 6th gear is just a touch taller than the older 5 speed. Old - 5 Speed - 5th gear, 4,000 RPM = 70 MPH New - 6 Speed - 6th gear, 4,000 RPM = 73-74 MPH Comfort - is about the same as the Old Bike. The seating position has not changed and feet position is still the same. Both bikes see more two up riding than solo. The wife says the New/Old Bandit passenger seat is adequately comfortable. Quality - Have not had the New Bike long enough to give a objective quality rating. Only miles and more miles will do that. But, seeing how this is an all new engine and chasis I did buy the extended warranty just to be on the safe side. On the Old bike I did not buy the extended warranty because the engine and chasis and the whole motorcyle had been in production for some time. So far, this is an awesome choice for some one who wants a commuter and a sport bike. I will do a Part 2 at about the 1,000 mile mark right after the initial servicing. Show less

My last road bike was a CB450 way back in 76..since then it's been all dirt, had only a few, XT600, TT600's, and a version of the venerable YZ490 we got in NZ called a WR500...onto a new KX500 in 97 and currently own a'04 KX500 mx'er and have locked away a still new CR500 from '01. Had my '04 Naked Bandit for a month now and I (we) love it. Taken some time to get used to the weight of the big Bandit (the KX weighs 100kg) and re-learning how to ride on the road but in the month I've owned the bike we've done 600 miles, and no complaints at all. I'm having to reprogram my brain to enter the corners at a sedate'ish speed then roll on the power and hang on. Even pulled the wheel off the ground coming up a mountain pass yeaterday in 2nd without trying. I love the looks of the naked Bandit (mine's an ex Canada K4 registered new in NZ in mid 05) but don't like the looks of the faired versions. The new 1250 faired machine ain't for me either. I'm not into the star-wars profile. Best thing is the bang for the buck. I was thinking of a Blackbird but, while I still haven't ridden one, am so glad I bought my Bandit instead. I'll be keeping it for a while yet... Show less

I enjoy riding this bike. Plenty of torque, always at your disposal. Valve adjustments recommended every 4K (drag). Vibration is a little excessive. Upgrade to 6 speed should make cruising more enjoyable (often looking for that extra gear). Did I say, I love riding this bike. Very easy to ride. Show less

Just purchased this new one, trading in my 98 1200 which I was very, very happy with. I had recently turned over 53,000 miles on it. I'm not overly fond of the fairing design on this new one, but I can live with it if the bike is as much fun as the 98 was. Certainly appears that it will be. Yep, that engine is real smooth and buzz free. My wife likes the back seat and lack of buzz in the footpegs. I haven't really twisted the throttle yet, as it's still in the break in stage, but it feels pretty responsive accelerating modestly. I like the feel of the bike, and the finish is real slick. I've been in contact with Dale Walker to see what he comes up with for the exhaust, as I fitted one of his to the 98, and was quite pleased with it. Currently I'm seeing 36, 37 mpg commuting to work. I saw a website where guys were claiming over 40 - and I think one guy said 50 (!) the 98 got up to 45 on the highway, even after fitting the aftermarket can and stage II jet kit, so this could be possible. I didn't mess with the rating numbers, but they aren't completely valid until after the break in period and I can really open it up and see what it does. It is plenty impressive so far. I just have to get used to that darth vadar fairing. Show less

I have been riding for 26 years on many sport bikes and can not believe the Bandit gets over looked. It is a very civilized motor bike for daily use. It is fast, smooth, steady and more bike than the average rider needs. My last ride was a V-Max. This Bandit is just as fast in a straight line but handles way better. My ride before the V-Max was a Honda VFR800. I think the Bandit is a close match with the VFR. I cannot believe the price. They are a match in handling but the Bandit has more useable power. Over all, I'm very impressed with the 1250s Bandit and think I will keep this one for a good while. Show less

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