Suzuki GSX1400 Owners Club: Bandit 1250a - Suzuki GSX1400 Owners Club

Hey guys

As some of you would know my 1400 was damaged recently. If the bike gets written off I would like to consider other bikes, especially as I have always said "never holiday in the same place twice".

As such I'd love some honest opinions on the 1250 Bandit, by all reports it is a great motorcycle and popular for the same reasons as the GSX1400, in that it is economical to run and very good at most things (but not cutting edge in any particular area) and overall a very good motorcycling package for the real world.

I can get a naked Bandit 1250A for $10,990 ride away. Aside from the fact that this is a full $2k cheaper than another GSX1400, it is a generation newer, is ABS-equipped, and also fulfils my 'never holiday in the same place twice' mantra.

Look forward to comments and hoping we can keep the '1400s are the best fuck the rest' mentality out of this one for an objective discussion.

Hey Shifty - you might think life is too short to "marry the same girl twice" but you'll find there's a reason many orgsters have. She's one damn fine motorcycle! Although, each to their own.
Personally, I reckon the S model with the fairing looks much better than the naked variety which has too many useless plastic pieces around the steering head. Never ridden one so don't know how they go.
Do you think ABS would have saved your bingle?
Cheers, R

Nah the ABS wouldn't have avoided it at all, I'm pretty good with my braking but I simply realised what was happening too late. Although I think I'm pretty alright with my braking it would be nice to have for 'one day' as most people think they're better than they really are and I'm sure that I'm no exception!

I actually rode a DL650 V-Strom about 18 months ago with the ABS it doesn't impact at all on normal riding so it certainly can't hurt to have it on board.

Regarding the plastic bits you mentioned, I would definitely be removing them for the 'proper' naked look... I agree they look terrible. I have a great distaste for the pretend nakeds like GSR and the Butt-King that are nekkid with a few random bits stuck on here and there.

I have an '06 1200S in Canada - a bit more buzzy than my 14s but a good long distance bike - I believe the watercooled ones are even better and they can come with all the luggage if your need that!
Great fun bike for the money! and looks of grunt! Honda is supposed to be coming out with a 1200 VFR if you what to wait and see!

wouldnt have thought you'd had the 14 , or tinkered with it long enough to seriously consider 'holidaying elsewhere' Leigh......

considering you never got her to where you wanted her re cams etc, etc..........have to say I tend to agree with Retro here in that many have shopped the 14 only to return as she's too good at what she does.......
Only comment I can make on the bandit is that I'd rather the 'S' myself if I was going that way but.........
I sat on one - felt too narrow, I felt too high...like I was stuck on it not part of it
and from reviews it seems an alright bike but nothing outta the box...........bland is the word that comes to mind

Agree by the way re ABS .............. I dunno, if I was looking I'd be considering ZX12RR's or ST Sprints..........at least they've got something to talk about.....

JMO
R

Yeah I've already had a ZX12R, I'm more after practical/real world but interesting in a way at the same time.

Bandit is interesting to me, I've never had or considered one before and ABS is a nifty idea and/or claim to fame. I would definitely tinker with a Bandit, or whatever I buy, regardless.... will probably end up turbo anyway!

I think the best thing to do is have a ride on one.

Re: the 14 although I didn't go as far as I'd have liked and only had it 7 months, I've done over 10,000km including a track day, trip to the drags, long highway trip, few runs in the twisties, commuting, fully loaded camping trip and some pillioning as well... so it's fair to say that I've had a great time with it and many fond memories. I'd hate to buy another one and be underwhelmed by it... this one is great as it's my first 14 etc and it has that warm fuzzy feeling.. I'd hate to get another and not love it as much.

I might also consider buying an older B&W 14 if there is one at an economical price that isn't shooting myself in the foot (I find that a lot of second hand bikes are false economy... only four months rego left... 30% of the way through the tyres, 50% of the way to the next service already, nearly due for brake pads, half way through a set of brake rotors, etc) but yeah as they're so cheap new, and owners tend to love them 'more than anything else in the whole wide world' I find that the second hand market is a bit funny qwith guys asking $10k for a 5 year old bike with 30ks on it etc.... shit for the extra $2500 to buy a brand new one with 0kms and new discs, new tyres, warranty, full year rego, etc etc etc you'd be nuts to spend that kinda money on an 'old' one. Not so say they won't run forever, but I'm sure you get my point.

If I bought a second hand 14 I'd hang out for one with a full system etc.

Mate, I can't believe you're asking the GSX1400.org if a Bandit would be a better bike

Buy another, or just postpone the inevitable. Even if you do try another ride, you'll be back.

Hey Shifty

I had a Bandit for 5 years before I bought BLACK BEAUTY

Really did enjoy the bike, but that was a 2000 model, I think there is a lot more carbon fibre in the new ones, I think its tooooo light now.....

Mine had some weight to it and you knew it was there, thats one of the things I love about the 14, its nimble yet solid as a rock under you.... personal...

Anyways, I have to tell you I loved it, did near 100,000ks on it, went to Phillip Island, The Barrossa, Rockhampton... all big rides, always good.

With regular servicing, apart from a couple of chains, NEVER had to replace anything major, and was told by one mechanic 'this thing will just go and go and go' probably the only problem I had was that the damn thing always wanted to be on the back wheel..... especially away from the lights...... and I'm an old lady who doesnt really want to hoon around much...

Loved the Bandit...................Love the 1400 more...................

Hi Shifty
After selling my K2-14 that I had since new, last year. I was in the same frame of mind wondering if I could love another bike like I had my K2. Anyway after trying out most bikes on the market including a dressed up bandit with touring bags and ABS. I bought a new Special edition of the summer-fest deal Suzuki had going at the time. And I love it as much as or even more than the K2 I sold.
Value for money they are right up their with the best of them. Fun factor 99-100 and it's hard to wipe the smile of my face whenever I get my leg over her. So I have done the rounds and the 14 is a very hard bike to replace. But hey good luck to you should you buy a bandit they are an ok bike and have stood the test of time..

PS The K9 Special Edition 14, was "$3.000 cheaper" than a dressed up Bandit at the time. Big difference aye?
My opinion
Dan

Hi Leigh, I haven't owned a 1250 but did have a 1200 recently, one of the main things I noticed was the difference in power, the 14 pulls so much better down low than the Bandit but the Bandit did handle well, there are also a lot of different mods you can do a Bandit, much like the 14. A good person to ask this question would be Alan (beagle), as he used to own my 14 and he also had a 1250 Bandit at the same time, Steve.

There is a large number of org. 1400 owners that used tobe bandit owners the 14 being the upgrade - therefore why do you want to downgrade ?

I owned a previous gen Bandit S before purchasing the 14. The Bandit was definitely faster, better looking, more comfortable with its half fairing, more sporty and much more stable in corners - didn't wallow like the 14 did.

The chief negative was the Bandit's habit of standing up in corners when you hit the anchors - and believe me this was a big enough negative for me to want to get rid of it - having said that when I did sell it I had seller's remorse and almost cancelled the deal as I didn't want to let it go. The new Bandits have quite different front end setups and have definitely resolved the stand up under brakes in corners issue. If I was going to buy another big sports tourer then I wouldn't go past the 1250SA, especially with the optional fairing lowers.

To give you an idea of their touring potential, I rode 13,000kms in 15 days - Melbourne - Broken Hill - Alice - Darwin - Broome - Perth - Adelaide - Melbourne - 10 years ago on my Bandit.

Hi Shifty,
I have not owned a Bandit but I did test ride an '09 one earlier this year before buying the 14. Springwood Suzuki gave me the keys and said see you in 20 mins.

I felt it was nice, tipped in easily to the corners, small turning circle in u-turns (smaller than a 14), accelerated well once the revs got up (did not pull like the 14 from idle), fairly comfortable seat, but I disliked the feeling of falling over the handle bars each time I braked heavily (more sports riding position than a 14 and the nose seemed to dive).
The ABS was a drawcard for thinking about a Bandit.

However, later the same day I test rode the 14 I now have and I knew I wanted the 14 as soon as I sat on it, started it and felt the torque, and heard the growl.

a few of my mates have or have had bandits,no issues on reliability,bit lightweight for touring two up but nothing serious,great bike round town,general finish "suspect as with any suzuki" overall a good reliable bike,..... like someone mentioned wrong place to be asking about bandits .....who,s biased lol

does this sugest that there will be a set going if your bike is a write off leigh?!?

cheers, Jay.

Blimey. She's quick off the mark for a skinny lass!

Numbers, you slim young thing, you'll need to gain about 8 stone before you need a cam upgrade.

got the same problem with the 14 had a rather modified bandit dam fine tool

I rode one a faired version with abs when looking for a new bike about 2 years ago handled well enough solo not so good 2 up. Typical inline 4 needed revving to get it to go, tipped into corners quite well, overall quite a good package not excelling in any one area but competent .A bit like a 14 a good all rounder but master of none(wait for flaming ).Then the bandit is a budget bike.A mate of mine has the naked one and he is really pleased with it for what he wants it for.All depends on what you want to use the bike for or your expectations of it.

when i stuffed my triumph last year, the insurers lent me a 1250s bandit and i nearly got one off the back of it. feels light for a big big, goes like hell, handles well and was good on fuel. but the 14 is much better built and every part feels more robust , and it pulls a lot lot lot harder. i'd replace the 14 with a 14. mind you, i go to the same place in majorca every year!!