Bandit 1200. Good first bike?

[time2ride]

Hello all. I've been thinking of getting my first bike for a few months and have been lurking on this forum for nearly as long trying to educate myself.

First, before I get any bike I will be taking the MSF class. I have never ridden a street bike and have just a little experience on a dirt bike.

I have an opportunity to purchase an '02 Bandit 1200 with very low miles from a friend. I know from reading on the forum that a much smaller engine size would be recommended and even a lighter bike perhaps. I am 6'2", 200lbs. and in good shape. Let's just say I'm middle-aged and very well restrained.

If I were to get this bike, or any other, I would practice at a vacant business center across from my neighborhood and build my skills for at least a month or two before even considering riding in residential traffic.

Given that I would approach this endeavor rationally and am in no hurry to get ahead of myself, would you please let me know your thoughts on acquiring this bike?

Any comments, feedback, suggestions are most welcomed. Again, I know getting a first bike this big is out of the norm. But if it were approached in a prudent, methodical manner, would you give it a thumbs up?

Thanks in advance for your help and candor.

[Clint]

No. It's capable of looping you on your butt in the blink, and you can roast the tire to goo by accident. No bike with that much power is suitable for a new rider. It's not about your intentions, but what happens when you make a small mistake with the controls.

Welcome to the forums, and congrats on asking the most important question first. Do some reading, search "beginner bike", and learn what you can in order to prevent a dangerous mistake. Then, have fun.

[Kodatech]

No way.....a bandit 600 would be a better choice.

[omegajim]

agree with the others; the price may be good, but it's way too much power.

I've been driving awhile, and I still wouldn't buy one. One dumb mistake with the throttle and you go from the frying pan in the fire.

[allan4169]

I have a 2001 1200 Bandit and I'm sorry but it's too much bike for a beginner. It's like letting a learner car driver in a V8 Mustang. Too much torque down low. Twist that throttle too quickly and you will be on your butt. It has the same brakes as a Hyabusa so you have to be carefull when road conditions are slipery. It also weighs close to 500 lbs. Once you have experience it is a great bike to ride. It's like driving a Viper. Lots of torque. Don't have to change down gears when you want to accelerate. Just twist that throttle. But at the same time, those abilities are great for experienced riders , but very dangerous for inexperienced riders. Do as advised by thousands of experienced riders. Start of with a smaller bike, EX500, GS500, Bandit 600. These bikes are great learners and will be fine for the freeway as well.

[inspiron]

Hi and

There is a wealth of information around here ... sometimes you need to blow away some cobwebs to find it.

Here's the Cliff's Notes version of our "newbie" advice:

1) Take the MSF course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation)

2) Look for a used bike to begin with - 35-40 horsepower is more than enough - and use the money you save on the bike to get the best gear (helmet, jacket, spine protector, gloves, pants and boots) along with the best insurance you can afford.

3) Start out riding (wearing full gear) in a parking lot, away from any traffic. Practice the slow-speed maneuvers and get comfortable with the controls (clutch, brakes, turn signals, gear shift, etc.) before you try to enter traffic.

4) Don't ride with others unless they are willing to accept your level of experience. Don't try to keep up with others - ride your own ride.

5) Learn how to maintain your bike, too. At least the basic stuff - tightening bolts to specification, changing the oil/filter or spark plugs, etc.

[themeatmanlandry]

Take it from a guy that's been there. You'll learn to be a better rider if you start out on a small bike. Things like wheel spin during cornering are MAJOR when you're learning to carve the curves. Having a first bike that'll let you pin the throttle in a corner without skidding out are very nice to have while you are concentrating on all of the other stuff that you have to learn to ride fast.

Personally, I'd suggest a smaller bike.

[87gsxrnut]

Yeah, wheelie monster.

I would get something smaller.

- Nut

[mtalicarox]

if youre gonna get a sports bike, i wouldnt go over a 750 for a first bike.. and i'd recommend a 600. but i wouldnt go over 750 for the firt bike.. wayyyyy to much hp/torque for someone who hasnt controlled a street bike.. all it takes is 1 time where youre in too low of a gear to mess you up real good

[Barbarian]

Originally Posted by Kodatech

No way.....a bandit 600 would be a better choice.

As a first bike? Only if you promise to keep it 6000 rpm away from the red line...

[Clint]

It would be better than a 1200 regardless of how it's ridden.

Where's our OP?

[Kodatech]

If you really are set on a bandit, go with the 600. But like barbarian said, be nice to it, because they do wake up a little in the upper RPM ranges.

The thing about big, naked bikes is they can be very deceiving. I have piloted a bandit 1200S (never been on the 650 or 600, wichever it is) and the riding position and smoothness of the engine is alot like the bike I currently ride and have put many miles on.(ZRX 1200R)

Extremely smooth, mostly upright seating, LOTS of torque so you will be scared of it at first and ride it like you are scared of it....Not good. But once you get up a bit of courage, maybe after the 1st 500-1000 miles, reguardless of how responsible you are (remember this next part) YOU WILL WANT TO RAIL ON IT!!!!

When you get to that point where your courage overpowers your riding ability and you REALLY twist the throttle, you WON'T be able to handle it.
I'm not saying you will instantly die or get hurt, you might get lucky and just need a change of pants.

Take it from me, a big bore naked, standard, hooligan, street fighter, or whatever you wanna call it is just a bad Idea to learn on.

If you dont trust me, and I dont blame you take it from the others who say the same thing.

Im sure Rowdy red has put many miles on his bike and will probably agree with me on this one. Even if you can handle the power of the bike(no new riders can)

Bikes like the Bandit 1200, ZRX 1200, VMAX, Bandit 1250 and the others in that category have amazing engines, transmissions, and brakes, but in STOCK form, it is my opinion that they have NO BUSINESS making that kind of power with the suspensions they are equipped with, and THAT is where you get into trouble with a hooligan bike.

Sorry about the long drawn out post.

[time2ride]

I truly appreciate everyone's candor and feedback. Based on it, I will choose something much more sensible.

Would an SV650 or GS500F be better? What else might you suggest? I'm not really into sportbikes or cruisers.


Thanks again for your time.

[Kodatech]

I like both the SV650 AND the GS500F The GS would probably be a bit more tame than the SV, as it makes a bit less power. But either is a much better choice than the Bandit 1200.

Plus I like the look of the new GS500F....its like a mini-me GSX-R.

[Clint]

Glad to see you've stopped back. Some great middleweight standards are the Bandit 600, SV650 DL650, Honda 599, Kawasaki Ninja 650, and the new Triumph Street Triple.

[palanon]

The Bandit isn't going anywhere. Like the guy's said, get a GS or the equivalent. Learn on on it, beat the snot out of it, sell it for close to what you bought it for...then get a Bandit.

Everyone has to learn, even if your older, enjoy it and take your time.

[omegajim]

IF he's older he may not have the time! By the Bandit! Pay your life insurance!

kidding. There are lots of bikes I would choose ahead of the Bandit. Most prolly because I know myself well enough that sooner or later, I would inevitably do something too stupid for my own good.

[themeatmanlandry]

FWIW, I'm an idiot (someone back me up here) and my first bike was a Bandit 600. I thought it was the perfect starter bike for a guy that wants to ride a full-on sportbike but has no business doing so.

What about a GSF650F? MSRP $7K.

[Kodatech]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

FWIW, I'm an idiot (someone back me up here) and my first bike was a Bandit 600. I thought it was the perfect starter bike for a guy that wants to ride a full-on sportbike but has no business doing so.

What about a GSF650F? MSRP $7K.

is it just me or does that new 650F look suspiciously like a baby bandit with plastics?

[Clint]

Well, since a Bandit is a GSF650...