Suzuki Bandit

[keenerkeen]

Originally Posted by KEN PHENIX

I read about it on the Suzuki forums - not all that common though. At around 74k my bandit started puffing a tiny bit of smoke upon cold startup - most likely valve stem seals. I'm sure it would have been fine but I had a trip planned and rather than do the seals and timing chain tensioner I found a 2k-mile Katana motor for $500 and dropped it in. Problem solved.

Not sure on the years but i think the 2000/2001 BANDIT 12 had a change made in the piston rings in a misguided effort from Suzuki to aid in cooling ...Many burned some oil because of this ..the fix was going back to the original rings used in the previous bikes 98,99, which ran a little tighter..

[Utah Bones]

Originally Posted by KEN PHENIX

I read about it on the Suzuki forums - not all that common though. At around 74k my bandit started puffing a tiny bit of smoke upon cold startup - most likely valve stem seals. I'm sure it would have been fine but I had a trip planned and rather than do the seals and timing chain tensioner I found a 2k-mile Katana motor for $500 and dropped it in. Problem solved.

That's funny because my 01 has 11K on it and I started it last week and noticed a little blue smoke at cold idle then went away as it warmed up. For sure it's the seals....

[OldManSandman]

Originally Posted by CheesyRider

I'd definitely go with the one from your friend. It greatly reduces the risk that you'll end up with an oil burner.

Awesome feedback guys, thanks! EDIT: Think that I should have mentioned the '01 is $500. less than my pals. But an oil problem is probably not a good one to have when you are buying a bike. Gotta love shopping for bikes...

[Utah Bones]

IMO... I wouldn't buy a Bandit again, very uncomfortable on long rides, powerband is awful, it's built cheap. I should of bought the V-Strom instead. To own a Bandit and say it's a great bike is truly wrong, meaning it's great for what you pay for it which is low end.

[keenerkeen]

Originally Posted by Hobo1

IMO... I wouldn't buy a Bandit again, very uncomfortable on long rides, powerband is awful, it's built cheap. I should of bought the V-Strom instead. To own a Bandit and say it's a great bike is truly wrong, meaning it's great for what you pay for it which is low end.

you very funny man ....now GTFO

[judobiker]

I got a great deal on a low mileage '05 last year. I have really enjoyed it so far. I just got finished putting a Delkevic slip-on and Ivan's jet kit with modified airbox this week. Wow! It really woke it up and improved the throttle response.

I tried putting Daytona bars on, as many people have recommended here. I couldn't get the throttle cables to work. I already had 1" bar risers on and had no problem with them (after I put a different front brake line on). Any tricks to getting the controls to work with the bikemaster Daytona bars? I didn't try cutting any length off the bars yet.

[EastSideSM]

Originally Posted by Hobo1

IMO... I wouldn't buy a Bandit again, very uncomfortable on long rides, powerband is awful, it's built cheap. I should of bought the V-Strom instead. To own a Bandit and say it's a great bike is truly wrong, meaning it's great for what you pay for it which is low end.

Are you just joking? Which model Bandit are you talking about? My 1200N is one bike I wish I never sold. That bike was awesome as it had a Fox rear clicker shock and GSXR front end, so the suspension was well sorted, which was the only thing I thought was budget on the bike. I also had a beautiful Remus Carbon Fiber exhaust that sounded frigging great!!!!

You must be talking about the 600 as you reference the "powerband is awful". If you were talking about the 1200 it must have only been running on 2 cylinders. Mine was an awesome torque monster and could pull wheelies with ease. And I didn't burn a single drop of oil. So I'm not sure about another posted comment about them being known for oil issues. It was a 2001. Lots of bike for the money. Suspension is the weak point but can be sorted easily.

Just saw your sig line. Yeah the 600 is kind of a basket case. I had one. It was my first bike, a 600S. I immediately ditched the fairing and street-fightered it. It looked cool but was all show, no go. The power on that bike sucked. So, I agree there. I wouldn't bother upgrading the 600, kind of like lipstick on a pig, unless you are into that. The 1200 is a huge improvement in power. Very smooth controllable and torquey motor. It didn't care if you were solo or 2-up. The 600, well, not so much.

[Utah Bones]

Originally Posted by EastSideSM

Are you just joking? Which model Bandit are you talking about? My 1200N is one bike I wish I never sold. That bike was awesome as it had a Fox rear clicker shock and GSXR front end, so the suspension was well sorted, which was the only thing I thought was budget on the bike. I also had a beautiful Remus Carbon Fiber exhaust that sounded frigging great!!!!

You must be talking about the 600 as you reference the "powerband is awful". If you were talking about the 1200 it must have only been running on 2 cylinders. Mine was an awesome torque monster and could pull wheelies with ease. And I didn't burn a single drop of oil. So I'm not sure about another posted comment about them being known for oil issues. It was a 2001. Lots of bike for the money. Suspension is the weak point but can be sorted easily.

Just saw your sig line. Yeah the 600 is kind of a basket case. I had one. It was my first bike, a 600S. I immediately ditched the fairing and street-fightered it. It looked cool but was all show, no go. The power on that bike sucked. So, I agree there. I wouldn't bother upgrading the 600, kind of like lipstick on a pig, unless you are into that. The 1200 is a huge improvement in power. Very smooth controllable and torquey motor. It didn't care if you were solo or 2-up. The 600, well, not so much.

The 1200 Bandits rock! Yes I'am talking about the 600 S for shitty.... You nailed it, all show no go.

[EastSideSM]

Originally Posted by Hobo1

The 1200 Bandits rock! Yes I'am talking about the 600 S for shitty.... You nailed it, all show no go.

Ha! you got that right the "S" did stand for shitty!!!!!It was good for a first bike though. Couldn't really get yourself into too much trouble no matter how much you twisted the throttle, however you couldn't really get yourself OUT of trouble either...

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by Hobo1

The 1200 Bandits rock! Yes I'am talking about the 600 S for shitty.... You nailed it, all show no go.

Power is just a bolt-on swap away...

[sjsred323i]

I'll keep my 600. Thank you very much!

[Utah Bones]

Originally Posted by EastSideSM

Ha! you got that right the "S" did stand for shitty!!!!!It was good for a first bike though. Couldn't really get yourself into too much trouble no matter how much you twisted the throttle, however you couldn't really get yourself OUT of trouble either...

I've been trying to sell the piece of shit for over a year now, sad when you post it and you get "0" looks. This was a fucken joke from Suzuki to get back at us...

[2whl-hoop]

I looked at a '99 1200s today ~25k miles $2400. The paint and bodywork were in good shape (a small crack on the right side panel) with no obvious crash damage. New tires, chain and sprockets, and a new clutch. The clutch and the metal mulisha sticker on the swingarm makes me think the bike has probably been beat on a bit, but, as I said, it looks to be in good shape. Is there anything I should look for or be worried about on these? I want something cheap and simple that I can hot rod, and these look like pretty solid bikes with some good aftermarket stuff still available. It has a Yosh slip on and the air box is still on the bike.

Any thoughts/opinions???

[keenerkeen]

Originally Posted by 2whl-hoop

I looked at a '99 1200s today ~25k miles $2400. The paint and bodywork were in good shape (a small crack on the right side panel) with no obvious crash damage. New tires, chain and sprockets, and a new clutch. The clutch and the metal mulisha sticker on the swingarm makes me think the bike has probably been beat on a bit, but, as I said, it looks to be in good shape. Is there anything I should look for or be worried about on these? I want something cheap and simple that I can hot rod, and these look like pretty solid bikes with some good aftermarket stuff still available. It has a Yosh slip on and the air box is still on the bike.

Any thoughts/opinions???

Couple of things to check ,,cam chain can stretch enough that the stock tensioner is use less..not a big deal an APE manual tensioner has more adjustment capacity ..and will give you more cam chain life..easy fix IF needed the cam chain can go along way..depends on the PO and matinance..
If the shock is original its crap by now..the front forks should see some upgrading aswell at least an fork oil change.
the engine its self is one the best inline fours ever made.. so it was the reason i purchased one new in 98 ...strong reliable and it creats midrange power like no other..pretty too
IMO for 2400 its not bad... gone over with a good mecanic ..could make your day or lower the price ..either way they are a great bike and always will be...I love the thing and any upgrades you can do as to suspenstion makes it 5 times better and definately worth it..
cheers
Keener

[JesperP-H]

Next thing for my Bandit?

My bandit '02 Bandit 600S has been fitted quite nicely so far: Akra-exhaust, LED flush front and back, flip-up toned windscreen, but now I'm thinking the next thing to do is to get rid of the nasty plastic tail under the licence plate.

I'm thinking of getting this Fender eliminator but I don't know how well it'll work - anyone got any experience with it?

http://www.solomotoparts.com/product...9&cat=0&page=1

Second question is whether or not I should buy a hugger and which model looks and/or works best?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

/Jesper