Interested in a Bandit 1250S - thoughts? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

KenBandit · 08-08-2007, 07:21 AM

So glad I found this forum -- thanks to a PM over on another Bandit forum! So thanks in advance for any help and allowing me to join and post here. I'm from western New York and my previous rides include a Magna, VN1500, FZ1, ST1300, and (currently) a Honda 919. Apologies for the long intro ahead!

For the last couple of months I've been eyeballing other bikes to complement (probably replace) the 919. A couple years ago my wife decided she was going to take the MSF BRC, get her motorcycle endorsement and start riding. She did all that and bought a bike, but was never real comfortable as the pilot and prefers to be the passenger. While she was doing this, I had a midlife impulse buy with the 919 -- fun little bike but not terribly practical all of the sudden. So now I find myself lured by the looks, utility, torque, and ergo's of the new Bandit.

My riding is a mix of commuting, day rides, and (soon) some 2-up weekend rides and I generally clock about 10K miles a year (hey, I'm in the northeast )

I've done a lot of research and this bike seems to have a very loyal following. The whole package looks to be bulletproof (except for the oil buners) and dripping with Suzuki quality. The 6-speed, torque, and even powerband is very appealing. At 5'9" (and not comfortable with the sport riding posture) I'm drawn to a standard with a shorter seat height and this one (with the adjustment) seems reasonable for my inseam.

I'm interested from hearing from anyone/everyone with experience on the new Bandit. I've read the MCN review countless times and am just amazed at how much bike you get for less than $8000. I've done a lot of searching here and elsewhere but would love to hear first hand accounts on pillion comfort, handling (slow and high speed), brakes, build quality, the good, the bad, and any ugly.

Thanks!

palanon · 08-08-2007, 07:28 AM

Hehe. I read your thread on the other board. DO IT !! Maybe look at a sport rack and back rest for the passenger or maybe some Givi cases with built in back rest.

KenBandit · 08-08-2007, 07:59 AM

LoL! Haven't even bought the bike yet and I'm being pushed into mods! Love it!

**intimid8er** · 08-08-2007, 08:00 AM

Best I can say Ken. Is I agree with your choice. It was on my short list to buy this year, but wasn't out on the showroom floors when I was looking.

EasyE · 08-08-2007, 08:12 AM

While I currently ride an M, cruiser attitude with a little bit sporty feel thrown in, I too am finding myself drawn to the likes of the Bandit, Norge, 1200RT, ST1300. That said, as I get up in years, I'll be 40, someday, I like the attitude I feel with the cruiser but yearn for some sport. I told the wifey I need three bikes, the M, the street triple and the RT! She said as long as she can ride and we can trade off that's cool!!! Woohooo!!!! Now I just need to find the coin and the garage space!

Good luck man and just do it, do it. (Nike/Starsky & Hutch)

robertc729 · 08-08-2007, 08:33 AM

**Clint** · 08-08-2007, 09:12 AM

Hey, Ken! Which forum was it? I'm curious how you ended up at Bandit after the Fizzy and the ST. I'm a big Bandit fan, especially now that they've cleared up the headlight issue (or so it seems). I do wonder what the others were lacking, though.

**intimid8er** · 08-08-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyE

I like the attitude I feel with the cruiser but yearn for some sport.

Dare I temp you to the Dark side? (Buell.)

palanon · 08-08-2007, 09:34 AM

I saw him on MS.

**inspiron** · 08-08-2007, 09:41 AM

Bandit 1250? No question. It's an all around solid bike. Just my personal opinion - Get the ABS option! Doing one panic stop with ABS will convince you that this is a seriously good thing to have.

EasyE · 08-08-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Dare I temp you to the Dark side? (Buell.)

I've got an HD/Buell dealer nearby...hmmmm

KenBandit · 08-08-2007, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Hey, Ken! Which forum was it? I'm curious how you ended up at Bandit after the Fizzy and the ST. I'm a big Bandit fan, especially now that they've cleared up the headlight issue (or so it seems). I do wonder what the others were lacking, though.

Someone over on maximum-suzuki PM'd me this link and one other. Nice to have lots of resources to turn to!

My migration through bikes - long story but I'll condense

I got rid of the FZ1 just because of insurance. No other reason. I never checked the premium before I bought it. Didn't think I needed to. Middle aged guy, 40, with a completely clean license. My other bike premiums ran in the $200-300 (annual range). They wanted $1600 for the FZ1. And that was the best I could get. No way. Next!

I bought an ST1300 and loved it. At the time my wife didn't have a bike and we toured a lot. Kids rode with me to the lake house frequently too. But kids grew up fast, life was preventing any touring, wife got her own bike, and Ken decided the big ST was too much bike and used that as justification for a mid-life impulse buy on a sport bike disgiused as a standard called the 919.

And there you have it. Now my wife has decided she'd rather be a pillion than a rider and Ken started to feel guilty about buying a bike that is really built for one. So today I called the dealer and told him to write it up. Trading in two bikes with clean titles and walking out the door with a 1250S (yes, the ABS model inspiron) for $1000 OTD. That works. Should be getting it Monday I hope!

[EDIT] BTW - the quote on insurance from Allstate for the Bandit is $300/ annually, full coverge (incl. collision) with a $500 deductible, PIP, 1K accessory coverage, and 300/100.

**Clint** · 08-08-2007, 11:16 AM

Sweet! You'll have to give us a full review. With your varied background, I'm quite interested in comparisons.

EasyE · 08-08-2007, 01:21 PM

That rocks!! congrats!

out of curiosity, what kind of bike did the wife ride?

KenBandit · 08-08-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyE

That rocks!! congrats!

out of curiosity, what kind of bike did the wife ride?

Thanks! I'm psyched!

She was riding a 1994 Honda Nighthawk.

**Clint** · 08-08-2007, 01:49 PM

Hey, I had a '92 750!

GSF650S · 08-09-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I'm a big Bandit fan, especially now that they've cleared up the headlight issue (or so it seems).

Yes, the headlights on the '05+ Bandits are much improved. I have no problem with night time riding.

I rode with a group of guys about a month ago and one person did have a new Bandit 1250. He did not own an older 1200 so he couldn't compare the two directly but he said he really enjoyed his new bike. The '07's only changed the powertrain and exhaust. The rest of the bike ( as far as I could tell by comparing his '07 and my '05 Bandit 650 ) is the same, except that the frame is no longer painted to match the rest of the bike.

Smurf · 08-09-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote: "Interested in a Bandit 1250S - thoughts?"

My thought is:

I can't reach the ground !!!!!!!!!!

Lucky Dog, Congrats.

Justin Link · 08-09-2007, 11:13 PM

Check out the buell citycross.

Or any of the lightningbolt bikes. They're sport bikes with a much more upright ride.

However, they're HD and they'll cost you. A brand new lightningbolt will run you about $10k.

NVM i just saw that you bought a bike. Congrats.

JmalB · 08-10-2007, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf

Quote: "Interested in a Bandit 1250S - thoughts?"

My thought is:

I can't reach the ground !!!!!!!!!!

Lucky Dog, Congrats.

Use your fish bowl platforms.

08-08-2007, 07:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
KenBandit Where Am I ? Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250SA Location: New York Posts: 27	Interested in a Bandit 1250S - thoughts? So glad I found this forum -- thanks to a PM over on another Bandit forum! So thanks in advance for any help and allowing me to join and post here. I'm from western New York and my previous rides include a Magna, VN1500, FZ1, ST1300, and (currently) a Honda 919. Apologies for the long intro ahead! For the last couple of months I've been eyeballing other bikes to complement (probably replace) the 919. A couple years ago my wife decided she was going to take the MSF BRC, get her motorcycle endorsement and start riding. She did all that and bought a bike, but was never real comfortable as the pilot and prefers to be the passenger. While she was doing this, I had a midlife impulse buy with the 919 -- fun little bike but not terribly practical all of the sudden. So now I find myself lured by the looks, utility, torque, and ergo's of the new Bandit. My riding is a mix of commuting, day rides, and (soon) some 2-up weekend rides and I generally clock about 10K miles a year (hey, I'm in the northeast ) I've done a lot of research and this bike seems to have a very loyal following. The whole package looks to be bulletproof (except for the oil buners) and dripping with Suzuki quality. The 6-speed, torque, and even powerband is very appealing. At 5'9" (and not comfortable with the sport riding posture) I'm drawn to a standard with a shorter seat height and this one (with the adjustment) seems reasonable for my inseam. I'm interested from hearing from anyone/everyone with experience on the new Bandit. I've read the MCN review countless times and am just amazed at how much bike you get for less than $8000. I've done a lot of searching here and elsewhere but would love to hear first hand accounts on pillion comfort, handling (slow and high speed), brakes, build quality, the good, the bad, and any ugly. Thanks!

08-08-2007, 07:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
palanon No Significant Other Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2003 Bandit 1200S Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 2,308	Hehe. I read your thread on the other board. DO IT !! Maybe look at a sport rack and back rest for the passenger or maybe some Givi cases with built in back rest. __________________ " In the name of the Speedo, the Tach and the Holy Throttle, amen. "

08-08-2007, 08:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 9,568	Best I can say Ken. Is I agree with your choice. It was on my short list to buy this year, but wasn't out on the showroom floors when I was looking. __________________ Song Pick of the Week 09/03 Buckcherry - Too Drunk To F..... (NSFW) <Insert nothing original in this space>

08-08-2007, 08:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
EasyE Ditch Magnet Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: 2006 M50 Blue Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 184	While I currently ride an M, cruiser attitude with a little bit sporty feel thrown in, I too am finding myself drawn to the likes of the Bandit, Norge, 1200RT, ST1300. That said, as I get up in years, I'll be 40, someday, I like the attitude I feel with the cruiser but yearn for some sport. I told the wifey I need three bikes, the M, the street triple and the RT! She said as long as she can ride and we can trade off that's cool!!! Woohooo!!!! Now I just need to find the coin and the garage space! Good luck man and just do it, do it. (Nike/Starsky & Hutch) __________________ Mine - '06 Blue M50, Cobra Streetrods Slashdowns, Kuryakan Hypercharger blue butterflys and inset, Cobra FI2000, OEM Billet backrest Hers - '06 C50c - Pearl white with ghost flames , Cobra Short backrest

08-08-2007, 09:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
palanon No Significant Other Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2003 Bandit 1200S Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 2,308	I saw him on MS. __________________ " In the name of the Speedo, the Tach and the Holy Throttle, amen. "

08-08-2007, 07:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
KenBandit Where Am I ? Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250SA Location: New York Posts: 27	LoL! Haven't even bought the bike yet and I'm being pushed into mods! Love it!

08-08-2007, 08:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
robertc729 M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,969

08-08-2007, 09:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,779	Bandit 1250? No question. It's an all around solid bike. Just my personal opinion - Get the ABS option! Doing one panic stop with ABS will convince you that this is a seriously good thing to have. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

08-08-2007, 01:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
EasyE Ditch Magnet Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: 2006 M50 Blue Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 184	That rocks!! congrats! out of curiosity, what kind of bike did the wife ride? __________________ Mine - '06 Blue M50, Cobra Streetrods Slashdowns, Kuryakan Hypercharger blue butterflys and inset, Cobra FI2000, OEM Billet backrest Hers - '06 C50c - Pearl white with ghost flames , Cobra Short backrest

08-09-2007, 12:10 PM	#18 (permalink)
Smurf Quiche' King Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Red Flamed M-50 Location: McDonough Georgia Posts: 4,267	Quote: "Interested in a Bandit 1250S - thoughts?" My thought is: I can't reach the ground !!!!!!!!!! Lucky Dog, Congrats. __________________ "I would rather be lucky than good!"

08-09-2007, 11:13 PM	#19 (permalink)
Justin Link Clunked into first gear Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: Honda vf700c Magna Location: Central NJ Posts: 234	Check out the buell citycross. Or any of the lightningbolt bikes. They're sport bikes with a much more upright ride. However, they're HD and they'll cost you. A brand new lightningbolt will run you about $10k. NVM i just saw that you bought a bike. Congrats. __________________ I work at a H-D dealer and ride a Honda bobber.

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