2005 Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit

Summary:

Great bike for the money

Faults:

Carbs are balky when cold.

General Comments:

Bargain priced bruiser. Bought new in '05.

Found the bike to be a little top heavy (6'0", 30" inseam). Semi comfortable riding position, still too much forward weight on wrists.

Plenty of power through the entire RPM range. Should have waited for the FI version, cold blooded carbs, sometimes take several miles before engine runs smoothly.

Overall, a bargain for $6500.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2007

2001 Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit

Summary:

Buy it for the cruise, not the canyons

Faults:

First, the suspension was too soft; example, I had the 1200S with the.75 gauge springs, way too soft for a rider over 210lbs. The front end would dive coming into turns and would pogo-stick. The rear shocks were just okay. I installed Race Tech springs (.95) and gold valves, then installed a Fox Shock twin clicker. All in all, it cost me around $1200.

Secondly, the bike burned one quart of oil per three hundred miles, due to poor quality control in relation to the pistons having too large oil ring holes that caused blow by; the bike was under warranty, Suzuki repaired it.

Acceleration, great for someone who is into cruising, but not canyon carving. I was not pleased with the power, so I installed a stage 2 carburetor kit, and hole shot muffler and K&N Air filter pods. My bike from 101hp to 115hp. To get more kick, I changed the front sprocket, so now the bike can pull wheelies in most every gear.

General Comments:

After spending close to $2000.00 to improve the performance and handling of this bike, I was happy with its performance, but for all the money I spent, I could have bought a GSXR1000 or 600, or a CBR954 or 600, and all the performance and handling would have been included. The only thing I did have was the best of both worlds: a good handling/performance motorcycle with the comfort of a cruiser.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2006

14th Mar 2012, 11:17

I have a 2001 GSF 1200 Bandit. I love it. I hit a deer last October, and am looking for gauges. Any help would be great.

wmccarthy14@roadrunner.com

2001 Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit

Summary:

Fast, fun, reliable, affordable

Faults:

Gas gauge reads a little low sometimes..

General Comments:

She is amazingly quick and full of torque. I would never have guessed at the performance in this bike.

While she corners well, she is a tad heavy when compared to 600 sportbikes or even some other similar sized bikes, but it's worth it.

Well fast enough for me, she is also comfortable and pretty.

This is not a beginners bike.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd January, 2006