Any Bandit 1200 experts out there?

[wraith0078]

So in my searches for a B1200 shock for the Katana, I've decided that along with the shock, I think I want the rest of the bike too. Anybody know what kind of gotchas I might want to watch out for on a 1997 B1200?

[steves]

Early B12's were oil burners. You can find out more including the VIN ranges at maximum-suzuki.

[Waltari]

Early B12's were oil burners. You can find out more including the VIN ranges at maximum-suzuki.

According to the official technical bulletin from Suzuki there were a range of Bandit 1200s from 2001 and the beginning of 2002 that had defective pistons sometimes resulting in excessive oil consumption. In late 2002 and with the 2003 model year on, pistons were replaced with the same parts used in 1997-2000 Bandit 1200s to correct the problem.

[steves]

Early ^Gen 2 B12's were oil burners then.

[tmk7c9]

I used to have a '97, and it was basically bulletproof until I went mod crazy.

The only issue's I ever had with mine-
1.) the suspension sucked. Swapping fork fluid, and later swapping the rear shock for a Busa shock was the best thing I ever did....which is why I never quite understood the advantage of replacing the kat shock with a bandit shock.

2.) the overall build quality of the bandits is typically a little cheap. nothing major really, it's a good solid bike, but the cosmetics can be a little sketchy. Mine had badly faded (and thin) burgundy paint, and the plastic was pretty thin.

mechically though, she's solid.

[mdoe8]

I just picked up my 05 b12s and am learning a great deal about them. As mentioned above, early gen II's were the oil burners. If you want a naked bike, you can get an older one very cheap and you won't have to worry about any reliability issues unless it's been beat on. If you want the half fairing version, the pre 2001 bandits fairings are......"old" looking. I'm not a fan personally but you can still pick them up very cheaply, just won't look near as good imo. If looking at 2001-2003, makes sure you ask them abuot the oil burning issue and see what they have to say. Other than that, it truly is a bullet proof bike. take a peak at www.maximum-suzuki.com, there is a tremendous amount of knowledge over there!

["K"]

I have had three Bandits.. I picked up a 2001 Bandit 1200S with oil-burner VIN in Oct 2009.
Put 3600 miles on the bike since I bought it, just drained the oil that I put in the bike when I first bought it, less than 1/8 qt. missing.. more than likely still in the engine since I didn't let it drain for hours.

Yes, www.maximum-suzuki.com is a great resource, but you have to be a member of that site in order to read or post in their forum.

[O.T.]

Not an expert but I been around and inside the Bandit. I love my Bandit and I use it for drag only. It would make a great daily rider but I have more fun at the track.

The Gen 1's are great I have a black 98. The stock suspension does suck but you can upgrade to late model gsxr stuff pretty easy. There are tons of used engine parts all over the place for big hp mods. Only thing going to be better is the wild *** Kat that I'm building.

My mods and bike.
1998 Suzuki Bandit 1200s

Engine
ported 30/27 head w/arms,retainers and springs
V/H cams
38mm flatslides
GSXR intake boots
600 airbox/busa boots
80mm n2o pistons
hayabusa rods
.100 base gasket
balanced crank
Akprovic header/can
msd coils
Msd mc-4
Msd shift light

Clutch
zx14 master
Gsxr clutch


Suspension
Front
Rf900 forks strapped
8lbs fender
hayabusa calipers/ebc
gsxr master cyl.
dragbars

Rear
complete hayabusa
swingarm
wheel
brakes/ebc
03 GSXR 600 shock

05 gsxr 600 rearsets
07 gsxr pass sets

Vortex 15/50
Non o-ring chain
80-90-17 front 200-55-17 rear

All stock body work except the hayabusa turn signals and cut down seat.

[loudnlow7484]

SO..... eh..... what does it run?

[O.T.]

Best pass was 10.62 @ 134 on a cold track with me at 230# bike 490#. Still working the bugs out. Should get into the 9's. It could go a lot faster but I use it a practice bike short wheel base and foot shift. It's a lot of fun trying to put a lot of power down on short bike. The first 330' can be real interesting.

I'm running in Houston Feb 20 I'm sure I can get 10.2 would like to see a nine. I usually end up over driving and spinning or standing it up. Only have about 20 passes on it.