1200 Bandit VS Gs1100/1150

[gs1150streetracer]

Hello,was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the difference in reliability and HP numbers?between the two engines,just trying to make myself feel good after putting 8 grand into an 1983 gs1100 street bike with gsxr goodies and mild manored street/drag engine built to last.Looking at a local bandit for $2500 with 3000 miles on it had me thinking,I might buy the bike just to grocery shop since it has saddle bags and all.I know the bikes are ugle but I would def mount one of my gs1150 headlights to it before I was ever seen on it.Any Input would be great.

 

[RacingJake]

Here's some stats on a friends 01 Bandit 1200S with the following mods and it's a no bar bike. They are a great bike, I almost bought one a few years ago and now I wish I did.

1340,
R&D tranny,
Murray Sidewinder,
41mm Keihin's,
Dyna2000,
Yosh StgII cams,
Trac arm with 63" WB,
Penske shock,
Busa rear wheel,
GSXR forks,
Tobin seat
Best 60' : 1.43 @ 63"
Best 1/8 5.84 @ 121mph
Best 1/4 9.10 @ 149mph

 

[Nessism]

Me thinks a 1200 Bandit is a superior tool but it's no GS so who cares.

 

[jwhelan65]

Bandit forum maybe?

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I read part of a road test on the Bandit a couple years ago and it's supposed to be a very "nice" bike. Reliable. Plenty of torque and a very usable powerband. Good ergo's. Not real quick but not a toad either.
Biggest knock seemed to be the styling was considered bland. Very "sensible" bike to own which of course dooms it with low sales (based on how many I see around here).

 

[tone]

Having owned both bikes mentioned in stock form i can tell you that the bandit 12 is a great bike, very usable power, comfy, reliable & no slouch, genuine 150mph

Between 95 & 100 rwbhp as stock & a nice usable torque curve, a decent exhaust system will push that bhp figure up to around 112-115 with no drama, more major mods can get you close to 140bhp & keep the reliability

In short if comparing a stock 1135 air cooled engined bike to a bandit 12 (1157) oil cooled the feel is very similar in torque & power but the bandit wins every time on handling, brakes etc with just a little more top end thrown in for good measure

Not at all bad for something that was originally intended to be a budget parts bin special

 

[gs1150streetracer]

Thanks for all the replys.So what about the reliability aspect of things?I know the frame and suspension are better than my rigged together gsxr parts Ive managed to fit onto my Gs1100E.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..

 

[UncleMike]

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

 

[rapidray]

Thanks for all the replys.So what about the reliability aspect of things?I know the frame and suspension are better than my rigged together gsxr parts Ive managed to fit onto my Gs1100E.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..

The GSXR & Bandits are a "plain" bearing design engine & don't have the strength of the "roller" bearing design cranks & rods in the GS 1100s & 1150s. You CAN make lots of reliable power with the plain bearing motors if you know what you are doing. I've been doing them for a long time & have no problem getting them to live with over 200 hp. Ray.

 

[jimb12]

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

Mike, don't base your entire opinion of how quick a Bandit is from Matt's. They usually run stronger than that, particularly with someone of that size. Matt, I'm not bustin' your balls, just pointing out that 113mph is not the last word on a B12. Perhaps something is wrong with your bike, I don't know.

To the question at hand, I too went from a hot-rod GS11 to a Bandit for the street. The suspension and brakes are superior for sure. The engines are capable of making alot of power, with mods of course; just like a GS11 engine. Reliability should be fine.

 

[UncleMike]

Mike, don't base your entire opinion of how quick a Bandit is from Matt's. They usually run stronger than that, particularly with someone of that size. Matt, I'm not bustin' your balls, just pointing out that 113mph is not the last word on a B12. Perhaps something is wrong with your bike, I don't know.

To the question at hand, I too went from a hot-rod GS11 to a Bandit for the street. The suspension and brakes are superior for sure. The engines are capable of making alot of power, with mods of course; just like a GS11 engine. Reliability should be fine.

Don't worry, I wasn't taking it as gospel. Just taking this opportunity to do a little ribbin'.

 

[reddirtrider]

I know this is a Suzuki site, but if you're looking for cheap modern power get a ZRX1200R. They're superior to a Bandit, look better (IMHO), and I'd bet they are priced in the same range - although I really haven't looked.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I know this is a Suzuki site, but if you're looking for cheap modern power get a ZRX1200R. They're superior to a Bandit, look better (IMHO), and I'd bet they are priced in the same range - although I really haven't looked.

One of the great mysterys I've seen in recent times. The ZRX is a great bike and a great value. So what did Kaw' do, discontinue it.
And just to end it's existence on an even dumber note, they stopped offering it in green for the last year. Around here, the green looked like it outsold the red, blue and silver models 10 to 1. So of course you stop selling it in green.

 

[Guest]

The ZRXs also had a nasty headshake habit too...not so with the Bandit.

"superior" is a very subjective term....

 

[TheCafeKid]

I know this is a Suzuki site, but if you're looking for cheap modern power get a ZRX1200R. They're superior to a Bandit, look better (IMHO), and I'd bet they are priced in the same range - although I really haven't looked.

Id take the pepsi challenge on THIS one.. For LESS money than a ZRX, I can get a Bandit, hop it up to 160BHP and I will bet you dimes to dollars it HANDLES better than the Rex... Now, Im not sayin I wouldnt love to have a ZRX, its a damn fine machine in many respects, but dollars to dollars, I think a Bandit would press a Rex to its limits pretty easily.

 

[TheCafeKid]

One of the great mysterys I've seen in recent times. The ZRX is a great bike and a great value. So what did Kaw' do, discontinue it.
And just to end it's existence on an even dumber note, they stopped offering it in green for the last year. Around here, the green looked like it outsold the red, blue and silver models 10 to 1. So of course you stop selling it in green.

Its been reborn Keith!! Ofcourse we'll likely not see it stateside, but maybe write a letter??

 

[Big_T112]

Z1000

Z1000

By far the Z1000 Kaw is a much better bike. nimble and it's fuel injected. I bought an 05 for $3800. It was a great bike and fun to ride. But take a stock Bandit swap in a 89-90 GSXR1100 intake cam, do the 2" inch hole mod in the airbox or do like I did put a Mr Turbo kit on it. I sold the bike but still have the turbo kit. I might get another one one day.

 

[reddirtrider]

The ZRXs also had a nasty headshake habit too...not so with the Bandit.

"superior" is a very subjective term....

Been riding one for years. Never had a head shake and I've had it well over 150 and into corners hard and deep. I'm not saying that problem doesn't/ wouldn't exist, just that neither myself, my brother (who also ownes one), have never experienced it and I've never read anything about it in one of the cycle mags.

 

[reddirtrider]

Id take the pepsi challenge on THIS one.. For LESS money than a ZRX, I can get a Bandit, hop it up to 160BHP and I will bet you dimes to dollars it HANDLES better than the Rex... Now, Im not sayin I wouldnt love to have a ZRX, its a damn fine machine in many respects, but dollars to dollars, I think a Bandit would press a Rex to its limits pretty easily.

Box stock the ZRX is faster and handles just as well. If you put money into your's, I'll put money into mine and I'll take that challenge. BTW, I already have pods and a Muzzy meg along with a jet kit. It's pretty fast as is.

Anyway, I like the looks of the Kwaker better. It's green.

 

[Bert Patterson]

I can?t remember the figures exactly, but my friend John had a ZRX12 a couple years ago that he got over 170hp from, plus over 100 on torque from about 4000 up, maybe even lower. He had about $11K in it and sold it for $6K+. Not a lot of miles, either, and very clean, but he was getting wimpy about wind protection and bought a Hayabusa. His ?busa looks okay ? I think it?s gray ? but he says they?re about the ugliest bike in the world, but they work.

I probably should?ve bought John?s bike (I think it was his third ZRX), but it wasn?t quite what I was after. Seems a lot like a GS1100E with superbike bars when you sit on it ? once it?s moving, it?s much more loaded on the front and the front end feels tiny by comparison. I didn?t like it as well, but I?m sure I could adjust.