I had an '05 Bandit 1200 that I bought new. That bike was a lot of fun! I never noticed any vibration issues, it was as smooth as an electric motor, no matter what speed you were riding it. The power was a LOT more than what I was used to, so it took me a while to become accustomed to the power, especially when accelerating to get on the freeway. Just a small twist to get on the freeway, and you're doing 100mph already without realizing it. The torque was very impressive, no matter what gear you were in, it would just pull, and pull hard. Great bike!
I had one (MK1) for 13 years till it got written off. I had no issues with vibration. I changed the fork springs and rear shock which improved the handling. Replaced most nuts and bolts to stainless. I have a link pipe if you want to buy it cheap.
I have had the 05 1200R for 7 months now 16,000 mile beautiful , fast , reliable , comfortable i could go on & on..GREAT BIKE i also owned many other kawasaki 1200 zrx is like this.one.
I have a MK 1 1200 bandit , ive had an RD500, a FJ 1200 and a FZR 1000 , the bandit is quicker steering than all of them , It feels lighter too , the bandit accelerates like the FZR and the torque of the FJ , and the pose value of the RD , its all the bike i need , plus you can personalise it the way like , it's just FUN , and that is what biking is all about
Just bought a 2005 Bandit with 21000k on it It's a great bike and the first one I have had in 8 years and it was so simple to get back on and ride At this point I do not have a issue of anything with it Great bike for the price and more power than most need
I had an '05 too, but sold it a few years ago. I wish I still had it, the bike was great fun to ride. The power is actually a LOT more than what is necessary. But that makes it fun!
K6 1200s ,2006 is my favorite bike great video.....nice bike..keep the bandit....carburetors are a little harder to balance than the earlier gsx engines...the vacumm lines are in a silly place..as for vibration..every suzuki I've owned vibrated somewhere in the rev range.. I've owned them for 40 years
It's called character 👍 Every ride on a big bore Bandit is an event Love their raw simplicity, unlike today's computerised contraptions. The original hooligan street bike.😎✌
Hello, I am sniffing around a 2006 model, but what can you get out of a tank of fuel, and does it eat tyres? I will be riding it all year round so my sums need to be fairly accurate.
Can't, I don't think, WRAP my head round, how special being in control of a Bandit 1200, my. 650 BANDIT, is magical. And in '84, my GPZ750turbo, first production bike any size to do standing quarter mile 10 seconds, got 161 mph, compared to my 650 Bandit, 750 turbo?, more like a 400 SUPER, acceleration wise. A 1200 BANDIT, WOW, Professor Bandit B.T.E. OUT., BANDIT. TORQUE. ENJOYMENT. .
i swapped my sprint for a bandit 1250 too.... I miss the sprint... smoother torque, better wind protection.... the only thing the sprint doesn't have is a good turning circle.
They didnt "raid the parts bin". There were a major redesign in 2000, the rear was updated in 2005 (and the PAIR system appeared) with fuel injected 50s appearing the '07 (because Euro 3 could no longer abide le carbs).
Greeting! I have a Bandit 12 S (00) and a Bandit 12 N (2003). Unfortunately, they both have problems with vibration around 4000 RPM and more. Top quality motorcycles, but those vibrations. Did you manage to solve the vibration problem? Thank you, and greetings from Croatia
To get rid of the vibs...get the newer version 1250s model it's much smoother & great for zipping along 75mph. I own both, a 97 1200 and an 07 1250. the 1200 is a beast if tuned properly and the 1250 is a gentleman right out of the crate. 2 very different versions of the bandit theme.
Yeah the grips were absolutely awful. The fly screen was put on as I used to do a lot of long distance touring and it helped with buffeting. The renthels are ultra low street, I have the mediums here and they are really bad and made the handling terrible. Most of the stuff on there was on there before I got it. Wasn't a split in the pipe though, that's annoying
I guess it depends on your riding style, and experience, The GSX is Iconic as a bike, but the Bandit will most likely be easier to sell in the future, as a 750 is kinda stuck in the middle, if anyone want's to upgrade from a 600cc bike, they will generally for go for a 1000cc, not a 750cc, I personally always think of such things when I consider a bike. I feel the GSX would also be the kind of bike that tempts you to race it all over the place, which can quickly get you into trouble :)
Had a K6 600 n version as a daily commuter 'til couple of years ago, always wondered if the 1200 feels much bigger and heavier? (And have you decided to keep it or have you got shut now?)
I imagine it would feel heavier, I did test a 600 Years ago, and they are not exactly lightweight, but the jump from 600 to 1200 might come as a shock, with power and weight! but a lot of fun. Sold this One now :)
@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes Well I've got a VTR Firestorm now (have seen your review) as well as an old R6 5EB (which I've also had since the Bandit days) so shouldn't be too much of a shock. Yep - even that 600 Bandit seemed to weigh around the same as a medium sized bungalow when I dropped it.😆👍
I'm picking the exact same bike up tomorrow with presumably same handlebar fairing which is coming straight off 🤣 I had the k1 a few years ago and now the k6 so I'll see if anything changed. I know the clock and seat is different and my lad wants me to paint the wheels dayglow yellow or orange. I might let him as I'd like him to get into bikes with me, all he does is music and Xbox usually although music is his job to be fair 🤣🤣 Love the review cheers. Ooh my mates bandit has cracked the link pipe there too 👍👍👍
I'm willing to bet if he puts the stock exhaust back on the vibration will go away. Of course, I'm not sure but I'd look there first :) Love my 2002 Bandit! It's a little faster than the gen 3 ;)
@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes I do own a Bandit 1200s but your Bandit’s rear tire look like a 190...I thought buying one for my bike but maybe too wide for the stock swing arm?
@@tonyramirez2731 To be honest Tony, it may have been a 190 but I just can't remember now, if it was indeed a 190, then it certainly didn't rub on anything :)
I did do all the usual checks because of these little odd issue's, but it all came back clean, and the bike rode beautifully, but I agree that there may be a somewhat unrecorded history on this One.
They are 1200 clocks hence saying Bandit 1200 on the facia, maybe not clear in the video. I got a 1200 K6 and appart from Having the abs light in between the clocks as mine has the ABS as standard on S model K6's the displays are identical.
It really depends on your experience? what you're coming from size wize, coming from a 125cc and jumping onto One of these is not a good idea! but from a 600cc you should be fine. I would always suggest doubling up, if you have a 125cc then try a 250cc next, then a 500cc etc etc
This will kill you for a first bike. Start with a 600cc if you have dirt bike scooter experience, but other than that even a 600 can kill you. It’s ALL about throttle control and experience/speed Speed kills!!!
I have the exact same bike and year only thing wrong is the absolute shit suspension and brakes are very average so i put better front springs and a heavier oil weight and a gsxr rear shock in it handles so much better now i also put more expensive brake pads with new light weight disks and she stops better as i like riding the absolute arse off it , its a much bettet bike now with these mods , happy riding they are a good old beast
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
I had an '05 Bandit 1200 that I bought new. That bike was a lot of fun! I never noticed any vibration issues, it was as smooth as an electric motor, no matter what speed you were riding it. The power was a LOT more than what I was used to, so it took me a while to become accustomed to the power, especially when accelerating to get on the freeway. Just a small twist to get on the freeway, and you're doing 100mph already without realizing it. The torque was very impressive, no matter what gear you were in, it would just pull, and pull hard. Great bike!
I had one (MK1) for 13 years till it got written off. I had no issues with vibration. I changed the fork springs and rear shock which improved the handling. Replaced most nuts and bolts to stainless. I have a link pipe if you want to buy it cheap.
I have had the 05 1200R for 7 months now 16,000 mile beautiful , fast , reliable , comfortable i could go on & on..GREAT BIKE i also owned many other kawasaki 1200 zrx is like this.one.
There a fab bike. Just started mine yesterday after a year out. Gave the battery 6hrs and she started first time.
I have a MK 1 1200 bandit , ive had an RD500, a FJ 1200 and a FZR 1000 , the bandit is quicker steering than all of them ,
It feels lighter too , the bandit accelerates like the FZR and the torque of the FJ , and the pose value of the RD , its all the bike i need , plus you can personalise it the way like , it's just FUN , and that is what biking is all about
Totally agree with your comments :)
Not a biker but your videos are always entertaining. Keep 'em coming!
Just bought a 2005 Bandit with 21000k on it
It's a great bike and the first one I have had in 8 years and it was so simple to get back on and ride
At this point I do not have a issue of anything with it
Great bike for the price and more power than most need
I had an '05 too, but sold it a few years ago. I wish I still had it, the bike was great fun to ride. The power is actually a LOT more than what is necessary. But that makes it fun!
It would be my first bike in 10 years
K6 1200s ,2006 is my favorite bike great video.....nice bike..keep the bandit....carburetors are a little harder to balance than the earlier gsx engines...the vacumm lines are in a silly place..as for vibration..every suzuki I've owned vibrated somewhere in the rev range.. I've owned them for 40 years
It's called character 👍
Every ride on a big bore Bandit is an event Love their raw simplicity, unlike today's computerised contraptions.
The original hooligan street bike.😎✌
Hello, I am sniffing around a 2006 model, but what can you get out of a tank of fuel, and does it eat tyres? I will be riding it all year round so my sums need to be fairly accurate.
First video I've watched of yours, nice delivery. Very organic, ill definitely subscribe.
I have that identical bike. Same color too
2004 Bandit 1200. 1 owner 10,000 miles
I put the front fairing on it.
Great bikes in my opinion :)
Can't, I don't think, WRAP my head round, how special being in control of a Bandit 1200, my. 650 BANDIT, is magical. And in '84, my GPZ750turbo, first production bike any size to do standing quarter mile 10 seconds, got 161 mph, compared to my 650 Bandit, 750 turbo?, more like a 400 SUPER, acceleration wise. A 1200 BANDIT, WOW, Professor Bandit B.T.E. OUT., BANDIT. TORQUE. ENJOYMENT. .
You know it's an honest review when there's casual swearing 😂. Enjoyed the video. Picking up this same bike in a week or so. Thanks for the info.
Glad it helped and you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the comment :)
I like them were can you get the decals
eBay 😁
I bought a 2006 1200s a few months ago and love it
Do you mind telling me what you paid for it and the mileage? I'm selling mine. I'm 64 and and it's too much for me now, I'm gutted to say.
@@mariodemarco9749 I'll buy it from you if you still have it..
@@trevorjameson3213 Yes Trev, I was about to put it on eBay. I'm in South Wales, where are you?
@@trevorjameson3213 Well, c'mon Trev, are you just a wind-up merchant?
My fave model/year of all the gsf 12's. How much better it looked too once you pointed the wheels in the same direction
i swapped my sprint for a bandit 1250 too.... I miss the sprint... smoother torque, better wind protection.... the only thing the sprint doesn't have is a good turning circle.
They didnt "raid the parts bin". There were a major redesign in 2000, the rear was updated in 2005 (and the PAIR system appeared) with fuel injected 50s appearing the '07 (because Euro 3 could no longer abide le carbs).
Thanks for the info :)
Greeting! I have a Bandit 12 S (00) and a Bandit 12 N (2003). Unfortunately, they both have problems with vibration around 4000 RPM and more. Top quality motorcycles, but those vibrations. Did you manage to solve the vibration problem? Thank you, and greetings from Croatia
No I never did solve the issue, but a set of Grip Puppies does help :)
Ok, thanks
To get rid of the vibs...get the newer version 1250s model it's much smoother & great for zipping along 75mph. I own both, a 97 1200 and an 07 1250. the 1200 is a beast if tuned properly and the 1250 is a gentleman right out of the crate. 2 very different versions of the bandit theme.
Hoping to get a 1250 at some point, so I will have had the old girl, this newer One, and then the 1250 as a good comparison :)
Yayyy that's my old bike dude. I miss her
Yeah the grips were absolutely awful. The fly screen was put on as I used to do a lot of long distance touring and it helped with buffeting. The renthels are ultra low street, I have the mediums here and they are really bad and made the handling terrible. Most of the stuff on there was on there before I got it.
Wasn't a split in the pipe though, that's annoying
Also that rear seat has had some hot pussy on it lol. Must be the vibrations
Nice when you see your old bike again isn't it :)
@@Subhumanjose999 I did get asked about a few of the extras, but couldn't answer as was on there when I got the bike.
@@Subhumanjose999 haha, not in my ownership lol
i have a 2001 1200s 97k still going strong,,,solid bike..does what says on the tin...260kph +
Great Bikes 😁
Your bike looks nice. I want to get one just like yours
i just purchased the 1250 lol got the mk1 600 too
What a lovely pair you have there 😀
@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes yes certainly is. :)
I just saw one up. For sale
Thinking about getting this one or a 750 gsx
Any advise?
I guess it depends on your riding style, and experience, The GSX is Iconic as a bike, but the Bandit will most likely be easier to sell in the future, as a 750 is kinda stuck in the middle, if anyone want's to upgrade from a 600cc bike, they will generally for go for a 1000cc, not a 750cc, I personally always think of such things when I consider a bike. I feel the GSX would also be the kind of bike that tempts you to race it all over the place, which can quickly get you into trouble :)
Had a K6 600 n version as a daily commuter 'til couple of years ago, always wondered if the 1200 feels much bigger and heavier? (And have you decided to keep it or have you got shut now?)
I imagine it would feel heavier, I did test a 600 Years ago, and they are not exactly lightweight, but the jump from 600 to 1200 might come as a shock, with power and weight! but a lot of fun. Sold this One now :)
@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes Well I've got a VTR Firestorm now (have seen your review) as well as an old R6 5EB (which I've also had since the Bandit days) so shouldn't be too much of a shock. Yep - even that 600 Bandit seemed to weigh around the same as a medium sized bungalow when I dropped it.😆👍
I'm guessing after the solid reliability of the Bandit, the Multistrada was something of a money bleeding horror story 🤣🤣
HaHa 🤣 yeah your not wrong! but the Multi is still pretty amazing 😁
I'm picking the exact same bike up tomorrow with presumably same handlebar fairing which is coming straight off 🤣 I had the k1 a few years ago and now the k6 so I'll see if anything changed. I know the clock and seat is different and my lad wants me to paint the wheels dayglow yellow or orange. I might let him as I'd like him to get into bikes with me, all he does is music and Xbox usually although music is his job to be fair 🤣🤣
Love the review cheers. Ooh my mates bandit has cracked the link pipe there too 👍👍👍
Must be a common issue on the link pipe then :) ride safe
Where did you but those wheel stickers?
eBay :)
What is the benefit of flip up levers dude?
They don't snap if you drop the bike ;)
Budget Bucket List Cars And Bikes ahh of course!! Makes sense when you know 🤣 cheers mate
I've got the same model bike and no vibes through the seat. Your bike has / had a problem.
I'm willing to bet if he puts the stock exhaust back on the vibration will go away. Of course, I'm not sure but I'd look there first :) Love my 2002 Bandit! It's a little faster than the gen 3 ;)
@@davidmadison5582 mines got a full system on it and no vibes through seat.
@@kwak1k is it the same one? :) is he missing a bushing? who knows, noises and vibrations are the weirdest things lol
I own one, I would like to paint all silver parts to black...
I have the 600, that has a bit of vibration at 4500 rpm.
Good to know, cheers Charles :)
is it ULEZ compliant?
Sorry I haven't a clue about that 🤔
@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes How to check what month in 2007 it was first registered?
WN07YXY
Dads got this bike in silver
What size is the rear tire?
180/55 R17 if I remember correctly
@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes thank you mate!
@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes I do own a Bandit 1200s but your Bandit’s rear tire look like a 190...I thought buying one for my bike but maybe too wide for the stock swing arm?
@@tonyramirez2731 To be honest Tony, it may have been a 190 but I just can't remember now, if it was indeed a 190, then it certainly didn't rub on anything :)
What with the billboard license plate ahaha. That’s the only thing I hate about it
Yeah that certainly is a Big One! needs a 7x5 plate for sure :)
No alarm bells ringing 1250 clocks and front fender different bars led indicators ar too small
I did do all the usual checks because of these little odd issue's, but it all came back clean, and the bike rode beautifully, but I agree that there may be a somewhat unrecorded history on this One.
They are 1200 clocks hence saying Bandit 1200 on the facia, maybe not clear in the video. I got a 1200 K6 and appart from Having the abs light in between the clocks as mine has the ABS as standard on S model K6's the displays are identical.
Is this to big of a bike for a newbie
It really depends on your experience? what you're coming from size wize, coming from a 125cc and jumping onto One of these is not a good idea! but from a 600cc you should be fine. I would always suggest doubling up, if you have a 125cc then try a 250cc next, then a 500cc etc etc
@@Budget-Cars-And-Bikes I am doing my ibt , course in two week A license, I was going for a V Strom 650
@@Tec2Nut decent bike the V-Strom 👍
This will kill you for a first bike. Start with a 600cc if you have dirt bike scooter experience, but other than that even a 600 can kill you. It’s ALL about throttle control and experience/speed
Speed kills!!!
I have the exact same bike and year only thing wrong is the absolute shit suspension and brakes are very average so i put better front springs and a heavier oil weight and a gsxr rear shock in it handles so much better now i also put more expensive brake pads with new light weight disks and she stops better as i like riding the absolute arse off it , its a much bettet bike now with these mods , happy riding they are a good old beast
Some great ideas for making a great bike... even BETTER! 😁