Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit (1996-2006)

Its a year since I last reviewed the bike. I was tempted to px for a sports bike & I tested a R1 & it cooled me down. This was an amazingly fast bike but it just felt clinical & the position killed me. Getting back on the bandit & it just felt it had more character - its that wallop load of torque @ 4k revs. So I've decided to keep it - @ the end of the day the riding position makes it great around town & it pulls fine on the open road - just wish it had the extra gear. The engine is strong & so far after 15 mths its been completely reliable - I use it everyday through the winter. Mods - fitted a blueflame pipe, fendaextenda & screen - not sure about the screen - The next is to get a decent seat as the stock it like stone after 100 miles. Aparently fitting a 14 teeth front sprocket releases 7% more torque with a slight loss @ the top end BUT post 2001 the speed is recorded from the front sprocket & so the electronic speedo will record extra miles than have actually been done. Strengths: Great bike - good around town & great on the open road - the torque is alot of fun. Weaknesses:
Wsh it had an extra gear.

Bought my 2003 1200s a year and a half ago, it had 1100 miles on the clock with over £1500 worth of accessories, scottoilier, absoloute protec alarm, corbin seat, panniers, etc etc, been ridden two since I had it, pulls great, breaks great, and the screen is good, especially when you get over 90mph as you enter a 'pocket of air flow'. can be a little to heavy with luggage, other half and me. have addes loads of 'nice' mods, belly pan from france, stainless bolts, wavey black front discs, goodridge hoses, k+n filter, Yoshi can and stage 3 kit, ignition advancer, deristrictor kit for the ignition, as there restricted for the eu market, 14 tooth front sprocket adding 7% more tourque, nearly there now!!! Strengths: Engine, ride position, breaks, loads of accessories, grunt!! Weaknesses: Bolts, weight, lean angle (grounds out to easily).

What a bike ! At this price , including 2 years free servicing !! There is no other choice. I was contemplating a vfr , but once I had a ride, I was convinced. all the write ups about monster wheelies filled me with trepidation , but there is no need to worry you can ride this bike and still enjoy oodles of performance without gunning it. the other good thing about this bike is that it looks like a real old fashioned proper bike. Strengths: Engine, torque, looks. Weaknesses: Haven´t found any.

As an older rider I find the bike comfortable to travel 100 miles + in one go, very impressed with the engine no matter what you do with it it wants more, the screen needs to be a little higher for my style of riding, but thats just my own opinion, on good advice I have fitted chrome engine protectors which fully protect the lower casing , this I think is a must. Strengths: Good riding position, mpg good if rode sensibly, good gear box nice and smooth. Weaknesses: Screen a bit low, foot pegs mounted on rubbers move a bit.

Ive had my bandit for over 3 years now, and I must say it is the best bike I have ever owned, and Ive had a few, I have never had a problem with it, it is very easy to maintain and is cheap to run I get 5500 miles out of the tyres no problem, it must be good if Ive kept it for over 3 years, I normally get bored after 12 months. Strengths: Very easy to ride, powerfull, reliable. Weaknesses: The finish is not as good as it should be, nuts and bolts and exhausts the main worry, but can be replaced quite cheaply.

I returned to bikes 3yrs ago with the 600 version and soon wanted the bigger brother. Have owned my Bandit now for 12mths, have used it for day trips and for touring in Europe to watch MotoGP. It passes each test admirably whether as a solo or with pillion and full luggage. Can be a bit lairy on the front end if abused equally is a pussycat around town. Ideal as an entry into large muscle biking. Strengths:
The engine is bomb proof, found it to be very torquey, just open the throttle and hang on. MPG not too bad at 40mpg whilst travelling to Assen fully loaded. Parts are easy to come by and custom parts make it an ideal bike to make to individual tastes. Weaknesses: Looking a bit dated now in relation to colour scheme. Can rip out rear tyre if not treated with respect.

Had it for a year now, as an old git it suits me. Power/torque all there, comfort up to about 100 miles. Screen to much wind blast at 80+fuel a lot better than you could wish for from a bike like this 45mpg+easy. Finish for winter is poor. BT 020's made a very big change to the way it handles. Strengths: A good alround bike for the real would. Weaknesses: Don,t try to ride it in winter!

Tank range 100 miles (35mpg). Handling reasonable, Tyre life good F8000 R6000 (macadams). Service every 4000 (doddle). Comfortable. Excellent gearbox. Far better looking than the latest bikes. Cheap insurance for old farts, £150 comp. Engine is unburstable with regular servicing. A difficult package to beat. This is the preffered tool of loony's and stunt riders the world over. To you and me that means in our hands its going to last a very very long time. Strengths: Strong, powerful, flexible(Torquey) engine. Simple cheap maintenance. long component life. Weaknesses:  Quality of finish, will deteriorate quickly if not looked after. Zillions of them so trade in prices ridiculous. (run it into the ground, should take about 20 years :-)

From the engine to the suspension this is a bitsa bike and this makes it really easy to source parts and improve on the basic concept where it is found lacking. Mine has the compulsory race can, extra 5bhp, white power rear shock, progressive wp front shocks and a dyno jet free flow filter and jet kit. I have owned the bike for 4 years and put 12000 miles on it, best mpg has been 86 at the mag economy run and worst is usually around 25. Its a good all rounder and can tour and scratch with the rest but it is limited by the size of its tank and by its lack of protection for the rider. Clutches are a major glitch on an otherwise clear horizon and replacement is getting to be a chore, I am on my third and that has started to slip again. I have had 6 rear tyres on this bike so this is one of the penalties of a heavy right hand. I am currently on my second front but this will need changing soon as it has become pointed, too many roundabouts? No major rust but lots of minor chips where the.. Strengths: Bandits are easy to work on there is nothing that you cant do yourself with a normal range of tools. Performance and usability are good. Weaknesses:
From my own experience the clutch has failed twice and rear tyres are a major ongoing expense. Finish is thin but ok if you use a winter bike to prevent the worst of the weather from attacking it.

This bike will do anything you ask of it. Spend a few quid on some stainless bolts and away you go. Potter around all day or scare your pants off, it'll do it all. Only 2 gripes are diving front end under braking (progressive springs imminent) and blurred mirrors (cured above 110 which it'll do all day at unbelievably low revs). And there's a zillion aftermarket bits to personalise it too. If it's economy you're after the Bandit will do over 200 miles to a tankful. Do you think I'm pleased with it? You bet I am. You just can't get this much fun anywhere else for under 5 grand :-) Strengths: Proven, simple torquey engine. Weaknesses: Front suspension, cheap nuts n bolts.