2000 Suzuki BANDIT 1200S

Pros: motor, PRICE, built for big people, easy maintenance, and motor...lots of it
Cons: not quite a sport bike (or is that a pro?), poor stock carbs

I have now owned my 97 bandit for about 3 months, and I have never been more satisfied with a purchase...ever. This bike is simply delightful to ride. I'll start with the negatives about it, however keep in mind that with about $300 and some e-bay ...

Pros: handling, appearance
Cons: seat height, paint

I bought the Bandit after learning that it was of very similar physical size and weight to the 600 - I thought more grunt, why not? I have taken the front fairing and headlight off and replaced it with a single round headlight as the un-faired model was...

Pros: Inexpensive, practical, comfortable and powerful.
Cons: It isn't a race bike.

You don't buy the Suzuki Bandit 1200S because you want
a sport bike. You don't buy one because you want a
touring bike. You don't buy one because you want an
inexpensive bike. You buy one because you want all
of that. You want...

Pros: Comfortable, Affordable, Decent Power, Sport Bike Appearance
Cons: Doesn't corner like a Sport Bike

Right now I could try to be a tough guy and make a snide remark about how my Yamaha R6 (600cc Rice Burner) can still out run this 1200cc, but I just can't. The truth is that this bike is really comfortable to ride, and although there is no knee-dragging...

Pros: engine, transmission, price, comfort
Cons: relatively thirsty for fuel

The Suzuki 1200S Bandit is one of those bikes which is far better than the sum of its parts. You look at any one component and do not find anything that makes you really jump out of your seat, but the overall package is one of the sweetest in all of...

Pros: A lot of bike for the money with good looks,handling,power and dependability.
Cons: Rough idle when cold. High RPM at highway speeds, causing lower fuel economy.

This is the third year with this bike, and it keeps getting better. Having owned and sold two of it's predesessors, (regretfully)I found the three bikes that followed were missing something. The test ride brought back familiar smiles, with some pleasant ...

Pros: It has the best, most reliable engine.
Cons: fuel mileage.

Suzuki has always made excellent motorcycles, but they have really outdone themselves with the Suzuki Gsf 1200 SK1 Bandit. This bike to me exemplifies the true example of what a naked sport bike should be. However, the Bandit is much more than just...

Pros: price, torque, power, ergos, reliability
Cons: suspension

I bought my 1200 after being out of motorcycles for 20+ years. I find it comfortable for trips, fun around town, and decent in the twisties!
The bike is very affordable, and can be usually purchased discounted. With the improved '01...

Pros: great all around bike
Cons: stock carburation and exhaust too restrictive

Just thought I'd drop a tip o' the derby to the GSF-1200S. I purchased mine in 1998 and have since put 25,000 miles on it.

The handling is adequate, and much improved after putting a Metzeler MEZ1 tire on the front and an MEZ2 on the rear...

Pros: Engine,price,comfort,reliability.
Cons: Needs stiffer springs,..a bit of vibration

I had a 97 Bandit for 2 years and even though I had to sell,if nothing really cool comes out to attack this catagory of bikes I'll probably buy another.
I love the upright riding position,and Wow, what a fun engine.
Buy one of these if you like...

Pros: Power everywhere
Cons: a little buzzy at certain RPM (nit pick)

Effortless acceleration! I am surprised at the torque of this thing! It is very forgiving of being in the wrong gear at the wrong time because of it's power. I'm 5'9" tall and it fits me pretty well. It is a little stretch to the bars and a...

Pros: everything.....
Cons: ummmmm.......uhhhhh...ohh....let's see...uhh..it doesn't get 50 mpg?

Mine is goldy, 2000 B12S.... the above reviews say it all. I have a Yosh can and stage 1 jet kit, bar risers, tall windscreen,corbin seat. What a fantastic machine!! I have rode it 3500 miles now, at 10,500 miles, I bought it with 7800 miles, I am still admiring of all it attributes. Cheap, easy to maintain, bullet proof engine, super frickin fast. I do all my own maint......easy....simple design, sounds awesome, can do and be anything you want it to be.....smooth shifting..phenomenal torque...parts galore available for your personal mods....out of the 15 or so motorcycles I've owned...but no crotch rockets........this is the Best!!!!

Pros: It's affordable, and it's got balls, and it's very tuneable.
Cons: It's easily dropped, and it's if not ugly certainly far less than beautiful.

I bought my 2000 Bandit 1200 because of its purported ability to deliver tough torque and because it was affordable. However, I just couldn't let it sail through my ownership without personalizing it just a little bit. When I bought it, I had the grips replaced and several months after I had the windshield replaced. Subsequently, I dropped it and and a tow truck driver dropped it once just for luck. Meanwhile, I started customizing it. First to go was the faux aluminum foil cover on the right side of the engine. Now it's powder coated gold and red. I also had numerous other parts powder coated,primarily gold,and I added a gold FMF slip on, which not only looks sharp but boosted my power down low to "Oh, my God, I'm in trouble." Now, I'm replacing the tires, and I'll keep on sprucing up the Bandit until it looks like I think it should have in the beginning.

Pros: Bullet proof engine, gorgeous no nonsense style, easy to insure.
Cons: Replace the stock saddle. Cold blooded on cold mornings.

I purchased the Bandit before I purchased a Ducati Supersport and after putting on many thousands of miles
on both, I eventually sold the Ducati but kept the 1200. The Bandit is
a no frills muscle bike. Comfortable, reliable, faster and better handling than most riders skills will allow
them to use to it's full potential.

The Ducati, while superior in speed, handling, braking,
and lets face it, sex appeal, was like a high maintenance
girlfriend. Ultimately more of a pain in the neck (literally) than it was worth.

However the Bandit is also a beautiful bike. Mine has the deep candy burgundy paint job which has held up well over the last eight years. Maintenance is easy and parts are
both plentiful and inexpensive.

I highly recommend this bike for riders seeking all day comfort and the ability to occasionally blast down the
road at what some would consider highly extralegal speeds.

Pros: Comfort,fun,and with some tuning fast and handles.
Cons: The only thing you can't tune out of a 1200 is the resale value...

I looked all winter on the net and I had my choice between some great bikes but if you want a do it all bike that has more after market support than 99 percent of bikes(only the Busa has more)and comfort and reliability there is no other choice than a 1200 Bandit.It's a bargain to boot.I ended up with a low milage 2000 built in late 99 Bandit 1200.