1200 Bandit VS Gs1100/1150

[Guest]

To bring this back on topic, the Bandit is simply a superior bike, in all measurable performance aspects (in comparison to a GS1100E, I've not had a chance to sample an 1150). That said, the older GS has more character, and better lines, (though that beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder ). A well tuned B-12 is much smoother, more responsive, and better handling (rider skill being equal) than the older Suzuki. The newer 1250S I rode, takes it to a whole new level....one has to ride it, to believe the level of smoothness and effortless acceleration available, regardless of gear (IIRC, it produces 70ish lbs/ft at 3000 rpm). The ABS allows you to simply grab a fistful of brake, and the bike stops on a dime, with no drama, and no wheel lock-up.

Speaking only for myself, I would find such a refined bike boring to ride....I found my mind wandering, about 20 mins into the ride, since the bike does everything in complete silence, with absolutely no vibes.... like a well designed appliance. Hopping back on the 1100E, I found it slightly industrial in comparison, but I wouldn't trade it straight up for a new 1250S....it requires more rider input, but is much more rewarding and satisfying to ride. Feeling the engine work, and hearing the Wolf pipe's bark at 5 grand is what its all about.... never mind that blue object that streaked by in complete silence....it was probably a 1250 Bandit.

Tony.

 

[Guest]

Another thing why do they use the gs1100 blocks in drag racing and mini sprint cars?Had a Local guy build my gs1150 drag bike engine,said that the bandit/gsxr engine wont handle the abuse and old GS engine can?Maybe he is just old school..

When subjected to excessive drag racing type power, the bandit / GSXR style cases flex and causes the cranks to crack. Billet cranks were made, and cracked too. The roller bearing style cranks in the GS models handle case flex much better.

With the busa, they made the crank shorter and stiffer and solved those problems.

Also the stroke in the GS motor is 7 mm longer than the bandit/gsxr, so it is much easier to build 1500cc+ motors with the gs.

 

[RJ]

Anyone have an input on how a GS with a GSXR USD front end and rear wheel handles compared to a stock B12? Old frame, more advanced front suspension vs. the opposite should make for an interesting comparison.

 

[tone]

Anyone have an input on how a GS with a GSXR USD front end and rear wheel handles compared to a stock B12? Old frame, more advanced front suspension vs. the opposite should make for an interesting comparison.

On par with a b12 if monoshocked or using high quality rear twin shocks & properly set up for the weight or like a pig on rollerskates if not

tone

 

[RJ]

I guess I was curious as to whether or not the GSXR mods would truly bring the old GS up to modern specs. I can say from my own experience that my '82 1100E with cheapo Progressive rear shocks and rebuilt-to-stock GSXR 1100 front end can easily keep up with a Hayabusa in the twisties, but maybe that's due to superior riding skills ;-).

 

[reddirtrider]

I guess I was curious as to whether or not the GSXR mods would truly bring the old GS up to modern specs. I can say from my own experience that my '82 1100E with cheapo Progressive rear shocks and rebuilt-to-stock GSXR 1100 front end can easily keep up with a Hayabusa in the twisties, but maybe that's due to superior riding skills ;-).

The rider makes most of the difference on any bike comparisons. That's why the bike rags comparisons between liter sportbikes always amuses me.

Putting a modern front and rear (with a mono conversion) on the GS will certainly update those areas, however, then you have the frame flex, particularly around the stearing head to deal with. Of course you can brace that area, as well as other places that need it and the documentation is out there.

In the end you'll have a pretty decent bike. My guess is that it will never be a Busa or GSXR1000 and given the same rider on all three bikes the GS will finish last. That's not the bottom line for me. I like modifiying these old bikes and the final product is something that is both unique (beautiful if you will with the exposed air cooled motors) and satisfying.

 

[Guest]

My GS1100 with 95 GSXR front, Ohlin's Twin shocks and modern radials is light years ahead of stock and more than enough to make me happy but it still doesn't equal my 01 FZ1 from a total handling stand point.

In reality its very hard in the north east to exceed the capabilities of any bike on the street with out loosing your license or hurting yourself first. So if I catch a Busa or a modern 1000 on some stretch of twisties the question really becomes who's more willing to take the chances on what's around the next corner, sand, rocks, cops, car pulling out of driveway.

I switch with my buddy on his Ducati 748 and while his bike handles superbly the motor on the FZ1 will leave him ten bike lengths behind so are we only going to rate them on corner speed, corner stability, or who gets from point a to point b first, top speed, number of tickets?

I had a small BMW bike with the boxy aluminum luggage cases chasing me down the other day. The guy was a talented rider and while I could have taken him I just said "You go girl" in my mind, and let him go ahead. Just wasn't worth a ticket (on that day and that road).

Hell when I get on Rt 95, Hyundai Accents fly by me doing 90. I know they aren't faster than a bike. Conversely on Rt 90 or Rt 95 I almost never see a Corvette that isn't creeping along in the slow lane at exactly the speed limit. What's up with that.

Was on vacation in Yosemite last week and man I wished I had one of my bikes for Rt 41 going south into Oakhurst,CA. Gotta give CA a lot of credit for setting speed limits at proper levels, it was all I could do to keep my rental car at 50mph on those tight banked turns and the actual limit was 55. Also credit CA with the slower traffic pull offs and the signage suggesting people use them. Had about 70% of drivers pull over and let me through. In Mass they won't even get over on a multi-lane road.

 

[saffa]

I like modifiying these old bikes and the final product is something that is both unique (beautiful if you will with the exposed air cooled motors) and satisfying.

and there it is ....nuff said:dancing:

 

[Bad Kaw]

...That's not the bottom line for me. I like modifiying these old bikes and the final product is something that is both unique (beautiful if you will with the exposed air cooled motors) and satisfying.

Yep. I'll second that!
-KR

 

[tkent02]

My buddy (Ducati at home) came out and spent a day riding my GS1000 up in the mountains.
He said it took a lot of work to learn how to ride this big old thing in the twisties but he couldn't keep from looking down to see that big ass engine sticking out both sides way past the gas tank.
Made my day.

 

[posplayr]

My GS1100 with 95 GSXR front, Ohlin's Twin shocks and modern radials is light years ahead of stock and more than enough to make me happy but it still doesn't equal my 01 FZ1 from a total handling stand point.

In reality its very hard in the north east to exceed the capabilities of any bike on the street with out loosing your license or hurting yourself first. So if I catch a Busa or a modern 1000 on some stretch of twisties the question really becomes who's more willing to take the chances on what's around the next corner, sand, rocks, cops, car pulling out of driveway.

I switch with my buddy on his Ducati 748 and while his bike handles superbly the motor on the FZ1 will leave him ten bike lengths behind so are we only going to rate them on corner speed, corner stability, or who gets from point a to point b first, top speed, number of tickets?

I had a small BMW bike with the boxy aluminum luggage cases chasing me down the other day. The guy was a talented rider and while I could have taken him I just said "You go girl" in my mind, and let him go ahead. Just wasn't worth a ticket (on that day and that road).

Hell when I get on Rt 95, Hyundai Accents fly by me doing 90. I know they aren't faster than a bike. Conversely on Rt 90 or Rt 95 I almost never see a Corvette that isn't creeping along in the slow lane at exactly the speed limit. What's up with that.

Was on vacation in Yosemite last week and man I wished I had one of my bikes for Rt 41 going south into Oakhurst,CA. Gotta give CA a lot of credit for setting speed limits at proper levels, it was all I could do to keep my rental car at 50mph on those tight banked turns and the actual limit was 55. Also credit CA with the slower traffic pull offs and the signage suggesting people use them. Had about 70% of drivers pull over and let me through. In Mass they won't even get over on a multi-lane road.

Some great riding in that area. Bill and I We have zipped through the park a couple of time but some of the other back grounds running east west from NV to CA are awesome as well.

 

[posplayr]

The rider makes most of the difference on any bike comparisons. That's why the bike rags comparisons between liter sportbikes always amuses me.

Putting a modern front and rear (with a mono conversion) on the GS will certainly update those areas, however, then you have the frame flex, particularly around the stearing head to deal with. Of course you can brace that area, as well as other places that need it and the documentation is out there.

In the end you'll have a pretty decent bike. My guess is that it will never be a Busa or GSXR1000 and given the same rider on all three bikes the GS will finish last. That's not the bottom line for me. I like modifiying these old bikes and the final product is something that is both unique (beautiful if you will with the exposed air cooled motors) and satisfying.

Having just completed a 1st gen GSXR conversion, I can say there certainly is a big advantage over a stock GS. On the other hand I am not trying to beat a stock GS or even keep up with a newer GSXR. As Iseloman was saying much of your speed on the street is about how much risk you are willing to take and not so much skill. However there is the flip side of that; a more modern bike at the same speed is going to be safer because it is so much farther from it's limits.

My GS/GSXR keeps me well from the limits at "reasonable infractions of the law" :-\\\. For that the trouble was well worth it.

 

[pplassm]

In reality its very hard in the north east to exceed the capabilities of any bike on the street with out loosing your license or hurting yourself first. So if I catch a Busa or a modern 1000 on some stretch of twisties the question really becomes who's more willing to take the chances on what's around the next corner, sand, rocks, cops, car pulling out of driveway.

Hell when I get on Rt 95, Hyundai Accents fly by me doing 90. I know they aren't faster than a bike. Conversely on Rt 90 or Rt 95 I almost never see a Corvette that isn't creeping along in the slow lane at exactly the speed limit. What's up with that.

I went to HS in MA, and I make the same observation everytime I go back. The Hyundais and other econoboxes go like hell because they are ubiquitous, and nobody notices them. The 'Vettes, or a (non-cruiser)bike, for that matter, are big "arrest me" signs.

It's a tough transition, because, down here in VA, the median speed is 15 MPH over the posted limit on the Interstates, and 10 over on the backroads. And that's in my county, which is known for enforcement.

Route 9/116 from Ware to Shelburne Falls was hell. Everybody was going exactly the speed limit!

Now, back to your original discussion.

 

[Guest]

pplassm,

Nice to hear from a former mass hole. IMHO you can take Rt.9 and shove it, but Rt.116 is as close to Nirvana as it gets here in Ma. They just resurfaced it from Amherst to Rt.112.

My typical Sat. or Sun. ride takes me up Rt. 122 to Rt. 202 over the top of the Quabin to Leveritt Road onto Rt 116 to Rt 2 (Mohawk trail section) up to Greylock or the Hoosic tunnel and back.

I just did a track day on the FZ1 several weeks ago and like I told my buddy I'd rather do Rt 116 than NH speedway any day, far better corners. PS, they just resurfaced the access road on Mt. Greylock as well. Very tight and technical, Leveritt road is sweet as well.

You can occasionally get stuck behind traffic but I can usually get clear of them by just using the approved passing zones and superior acceleration, I try not to p*ss people off. Your lucky VA has backed off on some of its draconian speeding laws. They were the worst in the country for a while there.

Now back to the subject at hand.

 

[mighty13d]

I heard of a guy who recently beat a Bandit 1200 on a GS 1150 at New England Dragway...

for the record.. you only beat me in RT. Ok, now I can go off and stop sniffling now. lmao. We are totally getting a rematch next year!

Also, I LOVE how my Bandit feels. It took me a little while to get used to it, but I can spend several hours and when I get off it, I feel just as good as when I got on. The brakes work sooo much better and easier than my old ones. It just feels more secure on the road. I also am able to not have to spread my knees as much. I don't have an 1150 to compare it to, but it's my favorite thing that I have ridden.

 

[UncleMike]

for the record.. you only beat me in RT. Ok, now I can go off and stop sniffling now. lmao. We are totally getting a rematch next year!

Also, I LOVE how my Bandit feels. It took me a little while to get used to it, but I can spend several hours and when I get off it, I feel just as good as when I got on. The brakes work sooo much better and easier than my old ones. It just feels more secure on the road. I also am able to not have to spread my knees as much. I don't have an 1150 to compare it to, but it's my favorite thing that I have ridden.

Yup, just in RT. And barely, at that.

The Bandit is an awesome bike. What's not to like? It's got the power of the 1150 with a better position, better suspension, better brakes, better tires and a lot less weight.

I mean obviously my 1150 is a lot classier than your Bandit.

(And apparently faster...)

 

[mighty13d]

Yup, just in RT. And barely, at that.

The Bandit is an awesome bike. What's not to like? It's got the power of the 1150 with a better position, better suspension, better brakes, better tires and a lot less weight.

I mean obviously my 1150 is a lot classier than your Bandit.

(And apparently faster...)

LOL

Well about the styling... I prefer the looks of my bandit over an 1150. I think it looks mean. plus I got it for what 1150s are going for. can't complain.

 

[UncleMike]

LOL

Well about the styling... I prefer the looks of my bandit over an 1150. I think it looks mean. plus I got it for what 1150s are going for. can't complain.

No accounting for bad taste, I guess...*

And you got that Bandit for a hell of a lot less than what I've seen 1150's going for lately.

 

[saffa]

And you got that Bandit for a hell of a lot less than what I've seen 1150's going for lately.

quality usually costs more money

 

[UncleMike]

quality usually costs more money

Truer words were never spoken.

That said, he did get a hell of a deal.