SUZUKI BANDIT FIRST RIDE & REVIEW
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- čas přidán 14. 03. 2021
- This is Michael's first time riding and reviewing a Suzuki Bandit GSF1250S ABS. Michael is a professional motorcycle instructor who has a lot of riding experience on a variety of different bikes. He's never tried a Bandit, so I thought it would be fun if he tried out mine! Enjoy!
- Auta a dopravní prostředky
Still have my 07 with 110k, I sometimes kick tires and daydream on new bikes. Reality kicks in and I reaffirm that I already have all that I need in a motorcycle. Bandits are just what motorcycling was meant to be about.
Astoundingly great Motorcycles they are. And you sir may have found your 'forever' bike !! If it continues to make you happy - then just enjoy EVERY ride. Continued safe riding to you!
Sold my '09 1250 in 2016 and buying it back today for my birthday. Its an awesome bike!
Enjoy your new / old bike glad to hear you are getting it back ! Ride safely !
Have owned a 1200 and currently have been on a 1250 for the last two now three years and I dont even think about getting a different bike, it is the absolute perfect bike for me
Perfect is a great description! Thanx for watching , ride safely.
I bought my Bandit 1250 new in 2018, I put on a Sergent Saddle and have never looked back. What can I say.... The engine, the engine the engine! I put on a set of Pirelli Angel GTs and the bike turned into friggin Spiderman! (the Bandit was used by Pirelli to develop & test the tires). Love my Bandit, a very under-appreciated motorcycle. and for the cost of the bike new.., show me a better bike for the $$.
Peace.
Welcome to the channel, I agree wholeheartedly, they are just fantastic motorcycles. I have Lots more Bandit content and videos coming soon ! Stay safe out there, ride safely and come home alive.
@@thebritonabike Absolutely-(a new subscriber I am) Keep the shinny-side-up! :-)
yep- love my bandit- sargeant seat also- but i prefer the pilot 5 michelins!
S. Lochans, na Professor Bandit 650 B.T.E, Bandit Torque ENJOYMENT only, nothing technical. One careful, cautious owner, who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles, and it pulled, flew up steep, steep hills, like it was falling off a cliff GREETINGS, what I'm guessing is a fellow BANDITTEER. Always thought it was just my Bandit, that an ex biker wizard produced the ENGINE, so I get the 1250 engine thing, must be BIKING Bliss. Had several take care, said to me, only answer, take care, can't it's a Bandit. Just stay in control.
Any other recommended tires? I’m considering the Pilot GT’s
Love it. This reminds me how it felt when i drove my Bandit for the first time
I bought a 2008 1250 Bandit new in 2008....no plans to replace it! It's my 9th motorcycle but gosh I love it.
They are such awesome bikes ! Enjoy yours and continued safe riding 2U.
So, so TRUE, it is, in fact, the best bike ever March 19, chance to get a bike, not had a bike, Kawasaki for 27 years, turned down a 07 CBR600RR,sight unseen, saw it wanted it, just sold, BUMMER. Dancer got a 2005 GSF 650 inj. BANDIT, one very careful, cautious owner, who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles, and it pulled, flew up steep steep hills like it was falling off a cliff. First night ride, first, feeling it out ride, am., came across a PERFECT STORM in 4th gear, felt like an industrial catapult, got it going, in control?, not really, had to sit it out, upright, propelled forward, left right chicane to deal with, could only twitch bars, could not lean an iota, sat it out.Could have slowed down, but thousands of miles on fairly quick Kawasakis, one of which was, the first production bike, any size, to do standing quarter mile 10 seconds, GPZ750TURBO, did at least 161mph. So over top end speeds, fuel injected 650 Bandit's acceleration, over 80mph, before the red-line, 2nd gear, what a joy knowing it's there, at your fingertips. Alas semi retired fuel injected 650 BANDIT, Banditeer, Banditaholic, Professor Bandit 650 inj B.T.E.out., Bandit Torque ENJOYMENT only, nothing technical.
Wow I agree they are great bikes - you know A LOT about the Bandit ! Thanx for the comment and for watching - ride safely !
@@thebritonabike Bandits??, I'm from Barcelona?, I know NOTHING, NO bike, Kawasaki, for 27 years, March 19, chance to get a bike, thinking maybe good used RD 250,350,500 LC's, turned down chance to get a 07 CBR600RR, sight unseen, saw it wanted it, just sold, BUMMER. Don't know why but I opted for a 05 fuel injected 650 BANDIT, could have maybe got a GSX 750 BANDIT, no red-line, too plastic looking,, if i knew ANYTHING ABOUT BANDITS, I'd have been all for the GSX 750 Bandit, Too Plastic, AERO, FLIPPEN, DYNAMIC, 750 Bandit engine, oh the joy to be had. But the fuel injected 650 Bandit, acceleration, exquisite. Professor Bandit 650 B.T.E.out., Bandit Torque ENJOYMENT only, nothing technical. Semi retired, hope, 19 months Blessed Bandit Torque Enjoyment.
Re. Fuel injected 650 Bandit, no bike just now, ride safely, take care, when I had my late beloved 650 Bandit, TAKE CARE, nonsense words to a Banditeer, Bandit sees gap, Bandit finds gap. The joy is almost always being in CONTROL, almost, because when BANDIT gets propelled forward, if you know how to ride, you can go with it, sit it out, NOT have to stop accelerating. All at the back wheel, feels like it's in a track, upright, middle of lane, chicane to deal with, could o ly twitch bars, staying in middle of lane, must have looked FANCY, for the brand new Focus ST, that undertook me at speed, then tried to lord it over me and the Bandit. Nearly 2 miles into first ride 27 years in ernest, trying it out. St driver catches up at lights, window down, WHAT you've got there is very, very SPECIAL, I said big story is it red lines at 12,000 RPM, driver laughed, we parted. Hindsight, should have said, red-lines at 12,000, and when I left them Focus ST for PARKED, never went above 6,500rpm, 4th gear, just over 90mph, in no time, something I thought of as a PERFECT STORM. What a joy. Blessed Banditholics meetings, they say it's best to recount Bandit times, gey6it out your system, like that could ever happen, only cure???, a HEALTHY FUEL INJECTED 650 BANDIT.. And I ain't even lying. Professor Bandit 650 B.T.E.out. Torque ENJOYMENT only, nothing technical.
I bought mine in 2008 & put a 2" bar riser on it right away & minor upgrades, as I was 58 years old at the time & didn't want to be leaning on my wrists. At 72 now, it has been a champ for me for sport touring. I've owned several new bikes over the years including a 2001 GL18800 Gold Wing & a 2007 Triumph Rocket III 2300cc longitudinal 3 cylinder "torque monster" engine that could be quite harsh on acceleration if you wanted it to be. I had six bikes registered & on the road at the same time, but now I'm down to the Bandit & a 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber 1200 high torque parallel twin, which is my hot, sticky weather "hooligan" ride. So far I haven't found anything wrong with a pair of 1200's in the garage.
Thanx for the reply. Your bike(s) sound great. Keep practicing! Thank you for watching and please ride safely - come home alive!
Hi Barry.
Did you need longer cables for the bar risers?
Thanks
@@jameswaterhouse-brown6646 Sorry for the delay in answering. No, I didn't need longer cables. I could have used another inch of riser, but that would have necessitated replacement cables. It didn't take long to acclimate to the 2" risers & I haven't had any issues with long distance riding with them either. I've done some bike vacations that lasted 11 days & 3,000 miles with no problem. The Bandit & Bobber will be my last bikes, as I'm already 72 & love each of them equally, although they serve different purposes.
Top review. I felt like i was riding mine thinking the same stuff. Every time i get off mine a have a smile from ear to ear.
Thank you for watching and please ride safely - come home alive!
Just picked up a ‘97 B12 with relatively high mileage (58K)...Runs like a rabbit even still!
Plan to heal previous owner’s neglect and bring to near showroom shape but man, I cannot stop riding it! Really a fun bike!
They are all very awesome …. This 1250 was particularly special. Thanx for watching , ride safely.
Finally a video with smooth calming background score and not jarring noise😊
I 2 am not a fan of music that distracts from the video or commentary either ....I typically try to choose royalty free music that compliments the mood ! I wish you continued safe riding !
Great bike! I have 2000/600s that I love for short rides. Want to add a 1200 to my stable soon.. thanks for video!
Glad you enjoyed the video - lots more to come ... out here in the USA The Bandit rides under the radar a bit - not many know what they are or how awesome they are. IMOP they are Genuinely GREAT motorcycles! Ride safe and come home alive - thank you for watching.
I'm retired, bought a Spyder RT Ltd last year as a reentry bike. It keeps my wife calm because of the extra stability and because I have sporadic vertigo. Took about 6000 miles of pushing it through the twisties to become one with the vehicle. They're odd in that the inside tire wants to lift so it feels like it wants to throw me off at every maneuver and it takes whatever it takes to remedy that, especially when pushing 30 MPH curves at 60+. I have spent months, all day researching the Two Wheelers for the right match. One that I'm not likey to outgrow or fall out of love with. I'm now convinced this is the one. Maybe even an earlier, non-ABS model. Thanks for allowing us to experience the excitement with you!
The 3 wheeled motorcycles often get a bad rap -unfairly so IMOP - but they are enormous fun to ride and very stable in the turns. BUT you still have to learn to properly ride and control them as they are not cars. Total control training offers 3 wheeled courses at many of their motorcycle training ranges. Thank you for watching and please ride safely - come home alive! www.totalcontroltraining.net/riding-courses/3-wheel-riding-clinic
@@thebritonabike Once I stopped trying to ride it like a motorcycle and start driving it like a Go-Kart everything began to fall into place. The two wheels up front configuration is very much like a street legal Go-Kart with motorcycle like controls.
Hope you're still riding happy whatever you are on, but definitely try one of the 1200's or 1250's! I've long had a soft spot for big-bore Suzuki bikes, from my past GS850 and GSX1100ef days, but the 1250...man what a bike! Handles well, comfortable, modern aids like ABS and great power just everywhere.
Do yourself a favour if you haven't already, take one for a spin.
Great video,love bandits
Glad you enjoyed it - Thanx for watching - stay safe out there on 2 wheels.
I have a 1200 and my wife has a 1250. Both bikes are awesome. The 1250 is smoother. You can ride them like they are automatics. So much torque it they will drop down to 20 mph in high gear and take right off when you roll on the gas.
More low end torque than you need …. But oh so fun ! Thanx for watching , ride safely.
I've got a tall touring windscreen and matching Givi side cases on my '09. It looks a bit dated but it's alright. Looks a lot less like a hooligan bike that way, too. I think the main downside is the weight - which you really only feel moving it around in the garage or backing it up. I'm 5'10" and I lift but it's legitimately hard to back up without getting off of the bike if you're on gravel or a slight decline or both.
I've been shopping around for other bikes but I keep thinking, "My bike already does that pretty well." It makes it hard to justify getting something else. The only thing it doesn't do is off-roading. I bomb around on dirt roads and it's stable-ish, but I'm not trying to drop the thing.
They are one of the BEST ‘do it all really well’ motorcycles! Thank you for watching, please ride safely and come home alive!
Mine is a 09 naked , looks great 👍
I have one in the same color. It’s just heavy, the rest is wonderful!! I enjoy it a lot always I ride it!!
Totally agree! It is a wonderful bike ! I wish you continued safe riding!
@@thebritonabike Will do!
Top review mate
Thank you for watching and please ride safely - come home alive!
It great that you like the B12 -200 Bandit and everting you said about the bike is so true. A well looked after bandit is all the bike you ever need. I love all the Suzuki Bandits and my 2001 1200s is my favourite to ride. Also have an 09 1250s and I love that bike too. Only problem I have with it is the seat is very uncomfortable after half an hour on the bike. There are hundreds of bikes out there but for general road use none will do any more the the 1200 or 1250 Bandit do. I could afford any new bike but I prefer my Bandits.
I completely agree about the uncomfortable stock seat .. that's why I got the CORBIN seat ..a huge improvement at least for my rear ! Ride safely!
Love my bandit ,,,, awesome bike
The best! Just wonderful bikes ! Thanx for watching - ride safely and come home alive!
@@thebritonabike thanks man ,,, you stay safe
strong engine,I have a beautiful memories with the bandit 1250s
They are very underrated and awesome motorcycles, thanks for watching. Please ride safely.
@@thebritonabike thanks
I had 1250 for 6 years. Great bike, i just got bored with it.
I upgraded it to Suzuki GSX 1400. More torque, more hp, more impudence.
It is a tuned up individual so the power is really there (133 nm).
I don't ride it so often though. I sm focusing on track with my GSX-R 750 but man needs to have his streetbike😁
Thanks for sharing - that's a lot of HP ! and TORQUE !! ride safely - please don't become a statistic !
Best buy in that price range 👍
I agree they are a fantastic value for money motorcycle ... pretty much a do it all ride and it does it well ! Ride safely !
On my second one , love em
They are the most awesome machines !! Enjoy - please ride safely and come home alive!
I have a naked version with full widow Makwr exhaust, sounds great
Gotta love the Bandit - great bikes! Ride safely !
I have the X version (with bar raisers) and I think the real strength of the bike becomes obvious on long tours. 9 or 10 hours overland (or autobahn for the GSX FA) ride in germany with only refueling or short drinking breaks? No problem. Butt pain is low, back pain not occurring, vibrations are very smooth, suspension suitable for bad roads, engine power from "decent" to "more than enough" in every situation.
In comparison to other bikes (I had the Honda CB 1300 before, roughly same weight but once rolling feels like a bicycle) I feel like you need a bit more "work" to convince it of cornering, but that's not bad in any way, it's just fun to steer that monster through the mountains. I just would not agree to Michael in that point, but maybe he has experience with a wider variety of motorcycles and im comparison to the whole world it's better than I think.
Just fantastic bikes ! Enjoy yours and Stay safe out there on 2 wheels!
Good review
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanx for watching and continued safe riding!
@@thebritonabike I’m looking at buying a 2008 Bandit. I’m excited. Any tips?
Buying ANY used Bike is risky unless you know what to look for - my best advice is to test ride it throughly, Clutch, gears, brakes ALL should be smooth and operate properly. Does it have a service history ? Any repairs . mods or accident damage ? How many miles on the clock ? So many questions and things to consider .... this used bike buying checklist might help ? www.revzilla.com/common-tread/the-used-bike-buying-checklist @@kalstewart1971 Ride safely and let us know how it goes ! Good Luck !
U gotta full throttle that thang man!!
Thank you for watching and please ride safely - come home alive!
Currently on a Honda CBR250r had it for about 3 months. I'm ready for an upgrade I believe and there's a good deal on two of these near me, 2003 and a 2007; 2007 onwards they were fuel injected. If I have to commute I think I'm going to end up doing 35 miles each way so I want something with some touring capability.
As much as I love big bikes - small and lightweight machines are SO much easier to handle. Thanks for the sub! Thank you for watching. Ride safely and come home alive!
What is the screen you have on it?
Welcome to the channel - It's a Zero Gravity screen in Dark Smoke - lot's more Bandit content on it's way ! Here is a link to the screen. zerogravity-racing.com/products/suzuki-bandit-1250s-abs-07-10-2016?variant=30369951633
Suzuki Bandit is one of the best bikes, looks low on production. Awesome review 👍 subscribed to your channel too 😊
They are indeed awesome machines! Thanks for the sub! Thank you for watching. Ride safely and come home alive!
@@thebritonabike I wanted to have one Bandit, the engine roar is excellent 👌 👍
Front fork saves some money as it's non inverted
Which helmet model is this?
I have one of these bikes. Great engine.
I wear a Bell Star Torsion Helmet with MIPS - absolutely fantastic helmet. I highly recommend them. I'l be doing some helmet reviews soon. Ride safely.
@@thebritonabike thanks. And sorry to see the bandit is going. I keep thinking of getting rid of mine but somehow it stays thoroughly where it is....
@@jayflash2035 It will be a sad day when I let her go - but I promise I will find her a great new owner! I've enjoyed every moment of owning the Big Bandit and will likely miss her a lot when she's gone. But the Mrs's says there is only room for one in the garage and for now my big BMW ticks all the boxes for me ...... thank you for watching !
how would a bandit 1200 be for a 1st bike? im 6'2" about 260lb, found a well-kept 2001 locally for a good, affordable price, just don't know how I feel about a liter bike as a starter bike, older brother has a gsxr 750 as his 2nd bike and tells me a 600cc sport bike would be around equal to a 1200cc harley style bike. a buddy just got a 900cc full dress cruiser and even sitting on it, it just seems to big for me. just dont know were to start...
Hi Chris , I don’t think you’ll like my reply but I have to be honest. These Bandits are absolutely NOT beginners motorcycles. For your first motorcycle I highly recommend to all new riders to start on a low powered light weight bike. Something that is easy to ride and that you can gain confidence and street riding experience on. I would also not recommend a 600cc sport bike as a starter bike. Take a look at the Honda CB500’s something with ABS is also recommended. I ALSO LIKE THE Honda Rebel 500 ABS. A more upright seated position with straight handle bars will give you better control as your riding skills increase. With great power comes great responsibility! So if you don’t want to become an organ donor - your mission is to practice, practice practice on a manageable beginners bike until you have absolutely mastered it and have total control. Only then can you have situational awareness as a rider out in traffic. This alone will keep you alive out there on 2 wheels. Good luck - stay safe- come home alive. All the best. JB
@@thebritonabike perfect reply, wanted the input from somebody that has ridden the bandit 1200 so that i would know. i thought about a 500cc, just don't want to buy a bike and end up being/feeling too small for me. My Seach continues lol thank you for the reply
@@chriswright9083 If your feet are flat on the floor when you are sitting on a bike comfortably then it fits you. A Honda GROM will likely be 2 small 4U .. could you ride it YES, but would it be uncomfortable for you YES.... see my point? A 600cc Bandit would be a much better choice for you because of your physical size and weight. It has the same frame and style / design but smaller engine with less power and thus lighter = easier to handle. I agree that a bike needs to physically fit you - but most importantly for new rider is to go lighter weight and less power for the first year or 2 of riding. Stay safe and all the best.
You’re on vineyard in Oxnard ca
You are obviously a local !
How many bikes have you ridden?
Great question - I've personally owned over 40 motorcycles and I currently have 4 in my garage. I think I've ridden probably about 150 (ish) different motorcycles over my 40+ years of riding - because I am a CHP / CMSP instructor I have to be able to ride and demonstrate correct riding techniques on every kind of bike - it helps that I teach at multiple different locations and ranges which all have large fleets of different bikes. Continued safe riding to you.
Hiw much gears does this bike havw
Like most modern 4 cylinder motorcycles it has 6 gears , 1 down and 5 up. Continued safe riding to you.
@@thebritonabike thanks ive just gor my hands on a 2007 suzuki bandit 1200cc but it only has 5 gears 1 down 4 up so muat be a missing gear im thinking
@@nz420maorigrowguy6 the older models were all 5 speed. Mine is a newer 2016 model.
@@nz420maorigrowguy6 2007 was the last year of the 5 speed Bandits.
Will never sell my 1250 bandit it does everything you want and you can spend as much as you want making it your own style loads of aftermarket goodies 😊
GOTTA LOVE the BANDIT !! Glad you enjoyed it - Thanx for watching - stay safe out there on 2 wheels.
had a 650 for a year, I could go on 6 gear all day from 25kmp/h to 200+ loved the bike. But having a 4 cilinder in brazil is either a death sentence or asking to get robbed. 1 year of Insurance cost 1/3 of the cots of the bike.
Have to say, I miss the bike, verry confortable.
Enjoy your 650! Plenty of bike, still a great ride! Thank you for watching, please ride safely and come home alive!
1250s is 550 lbs? that is 100 more than the 1200 Bandits which make way more power. Way more!! The Mk I Mk II Bandits are the ones to get.
Most manufacturers specs on these bikes agree that both the 1200 and 1250 are very similar in dry weight , HP and BHP. A stock 1200cc is listed as having 220 Kg or 485lbs of dry weight and 95 HP / 67 BHP. Where as, a 1250cc bike is listed as having 225Kg or 490lbs of dry weight. And 97HP / 68 BHP. My Bandit has a little more power from the power commander, custom exhaust and K&N air filter. It is also a bit heavier due to the addition of the rear side panniers. A gallon of fuel weighs 6 lbs hence why I say the bike is closer the 550lbs wet. Either way they are all amazing machines - which ever you decide to ride. Continued safe riding to you.
On the 1250, full exhaust replacement with a race header and silencer drop ~ 20 lbs from stock. Removing the heavy @ss center stand drops an additional ~ 10 lbs. So a quick ~ 30 lb drop. After doing a full exhaust, an additional 30 hp can be added by removing the secondary throttle blades, adding a tune or fuel module and opening up the air filter lid. See Dale Walker ( Bandit Guru) Holeshot Performance for more information. 30 lb drop and an additional 30 hp make a 1250 an exciting ride.
@@joflewbyu2377 Hang on!!
Shouldn't need to ride at higher revs. These are detuned and high torque at low revs, probably the highest torque at 3700 than most other bikes. Just keep changing gear and roll on..
Yes indeed ALL that low end torque and HP is around the 4k marker. SO MUCH FUN ! This was Michaels first time on a bike like this so he had no idea what to expect.Continued safe riding to you.
So would you say that the Bandit has a “cult like” following?
Absolutely ! Most of us Bikers are passionate about our bikes .. especially Bandit owners ! Thanx for watching and continued safe riding!
Bandit 1200 more fun 120 hp with a slip on and 50 pounds lighter( more whheilie🤪)
Indeed yes lighter will = more power and torque. Have fun on your bike I wish you continued safe riding !