Motorcycle "Suzuki-Bandit 1200": specifications, description and reviews

The legendary model "Suzuki Bandit 1200" was created about twenty years ago as opposed to competitors. The company "Suzuki" has released two motorcycles, which subsequently gained the status of unsurpassed. The line of new bikes was called "Bandit". First of all, the company wanted to draw the attention of the public to the cocky nature of its cars, which were really moving and dynamic. In addition, at that time there was already a tendency to give names to new motorcycles sonorous and characteristic. The name "Bandit" was just from such names.

A bit of history

At the end of the twentieth century, competition between the leading manufacturers of motorcycles increased: "Suzuki", "Yamaha" and "Honda". Each brand alternately came forward, and then again gave way to a competitor. "Yamaha" and "Honda" were too lazy to start developing new models, but "Suzuki", for a long time without hesitation, took up the creation of two powerful half-sport bikes. New motorcycles are not designed for ring races and even for racing competitions. However, in 1989, "Suzuki-Bandit" was released with two engines: GSF 250 - 250 cubes and GSF 400 - 400 cubes. Then the company's management decided that it would not be enough, and the model line was replenished with two more powerful bikes: the first at 600 cc / cm, and the second at 1200 cc / cm. The latter will be discussed in this article.

Suzuki-Bandit 1200: specifications

The model began to be produced in 1996. The architectural features of the machine in many ways echoed the contours and outlines of other "classmates." That is, in other words, the motorcycle differed only by the power of the engine, comparable to the thrust of the average car.

"Suzuki Bandit 1200" received a tubular frame, specially profiled, rigid and at the same time supple in certain limits. To the frame was attached a classic suspension of the telescopic design from the front and a pendulum with one shock absorber in the center - from the rear. Almost immediately, the rear suspension had to be strengthened, given the considerable weight of the motorcycle. The fork was extended by 60 mm to slightly relieve the weight load. The result was decent: the rear of the motorcycle "hung" almost perfectly, the balance did not leave much to be desired. A small inconvenience was created by the front telescopic fork, which was not sufficiently loaded and often stuck in the air.

Then the volumetric engine announced itself, a power plant of such power and volume required a special set of sensors, information displays and controllers. This entire group of electronics was to be located within the visual accessibility, that is, within the usual instrument panel, which can be expanded within reasonable limits.

"Suzuki Bandit 1200", the characteristics of which went beyond the usual parameters, set designers a difficult task: to maximally compactly place the main units and units. The balance of the frame also dictated its limitations, nothing should go beyond the conditional red lines, otherwise the balance necessary for entering corners will be disturbed.

Motorcycles "Suzuki-Bandit 1200" during the construction created a lot of problems. The heavy machine required the jewel-accurate placement of the weight layers, the unmistakable location of the center of gravity, from the correctly chosen height of which the stability of the machine depended on the course, not to mention the possibility of maneuvering.

Brakes

Also at the motorcycle 1200 have increased the size of tires and installed brake ventilated disks of the maximum diameter, which for such a motorcycle class is 320 mm.

Model GSF 1200 was produced in two versions, the difference between which was only external. One of the motorcycles was made in the form of a typical nikid, it looked "naked", with almost no plumage and plastic skirts.

Sport tourism

Simultaneously, the version of the "Suzuki-Bandit" GSF S with a massive front fairing was made, thanks to which the motorcycle passed to the class of sport tourism.

The same modification was the best in the line "Bandit" also due to the engine, four cylinders of which in the total gave a working volume of 1156 cc / cm. At the same time, the bike developed a speed of 200 km / h.

Advantages of air-oil cooling

Cooling the engine was a super efficient, air-oil system. And to achieve a quality balanced nutrition on each cylinder was installed a separate carburetor.

Unlike the smaller "Bandits", one thousand two hundred were equipped with a five-speed gearbox. In 1997, the motorcycle was equipped with an anti-lock braking system , which at that time was a rarity.

In 2001, "Suzuki-Bandit 1200", the reviews on which became increasingly positive, underwent a deep restyling consisting of the following improvements:

1. Four carburetors replaced by more modern, with an adjustable throttle. Now the motorcycle had no problems when starting the engine in cold weather.
2. Significantly increased oil cooler, increasing its efficiency by almost half. The timing has undergone a complete reconfiguration, which ensured a perfectly smooth operation of the engine. Strengthened the clutch and added an additional air filter.
3. Cut off excess weight of tubular structures, after which the bike became lower and shorter, which favorably affected its handling. Changed the distance from the seat to the steering wheel, which provided a softer comfortable fit. Decreased stiffness of shock absorbers.
4. At the same time, they made adjustments to the external parameters of the motorcycle. A new fairing was installed, with two fixed headlights. Substantial changes have undergone fuel tanks. Both containers were maximally unified and thus became completely interchangeable.
5. Another restyling "Suzuki-Bandit 1200" was held in 2006, but these changes were insignificant and did not affect the technical parameters. The panels of body kits were changed, it became possible to adjust the seats. The semi-fairing has become less angular, and the mirrors have assumed a rectangular shape.

Overall and weight parameters

• The length of the motorcycle is 2140 mm.
• The height is 1100 mm.
• The width is 765 mm.
• Height along the seat line is 835 mm.
• Weight - 214 kg.
• The capacity of the gas tank is 19 liters.
• The replacement of the oil "Suzuki Bandit-1200" - 3.7 liters in the crankcase, without taking into account the spraying.
• The maximum weight that the undercarriage can withstand is 285 kg.

Power point

The motorcycle has a four-cylinder gasoline engine with oil-air cooling:

• The working volume of the cylinders is 1157 cubic cm;
• Power - 100 hp;
• Food - carburettor, diffuser;
• Start - electric starter;
• Transmission - five-speed transmission;
• Drive to the rear wheel - chain.

This motor is the undisputed "trump" of the motorcycle, it has an unprecedented power reserve, which can be released from the harness at any second, and it's not everyone can drive the horsepower back. Act carefully!

Caste belonging

If we draw an analogy between business class cars and this category of bike, we will get an incorrect comparison, awkward and inappropriate. The motorcycle has its own life, it does not fit into the criteria of the business class, and more precisely, it is simply far ahead, gaining speed and does not even look back. Nevertheless, someone took it into their heads to classify the Suzuki Bandit 1200 as a business class motorcycle. Apparently, for the "red words". Do not argue, just assume that on the road, riding "Bandit", you can take a laptop with you. Logical norms are observed, the presence of a laptop is a sure sign of the business activities of the owner. Well, the word "class" itself will find a place.

Customer Reviews

For two decades hundreds of thousands of motorcycle owners "Suzuki-Bandit 1200" experienced an inexpressible feeling of contact with a magnificent car. Bike pleased motorcyclists with responsiveness, obedience and predictable character. Many owners noted the high degree of reliability that can only give a well-designed and assembled from particularly durable parts of the machine.

And today many well-known motorcycles arrange high-speed runs on the highway, surprising the fans of rarity motorcycle equipment.

The nature of the engine

When typing cruising speed (about 130 - 150 km / h), the motorcycle begins to show miracles of stability, it confidently goes in a straight line and reluctantly fits into turns. The same with the brakes, the process of stopping the "Bandit" is somehow inhibited, but only in the opposite sense. Disks spin and spin, brakes ineffective.

Lapping at low speed in the automotive "pull" allows you to appreciate the effectiveness of the oil clutch and gearbox. But in the work of the CP for some reason, many unnecessary noise, and the grip is difficult in its workflow. But here the motorcycle went out on the track, and where did gravity and switching with the creaking go? "Suzuki-Bandit" flew easily, like a swallow, the grumbling of the engine is somehow inconvenient to compare with the grumbling of a swallow, but with its chirping it is quite appropriate. The thrust of the motor at medium and low revs is music without a single false note.

The engine revision was continued partially on the assembly line, sometimes directly on the test run, but the results of the adjustments were always visible.

One of the key improvements is the installation of throttle sensors (TPS), the replacement of Mikini carburetors, the change in the shape of the exhaust cams.

The engine undoubtedly dominates the design, and it looks like the main element of the whole mechanism with an excellent power amplitude and increasing speed.

In the entire range of the motor, it is possible to distinguish a part of a particularly intense voltage between 4000 rpm and 7000 rpm. The tachometer gives a figure of 3600 rpm. On the speedometer at this time, only 100 km / h. This is the most productive moment for the whole engine.

Transmission and electrical equipment

Worn gearbox for a heavy motorcycle is completely unacceptable. The gearbox and clutch with which the motorcycle is equipped are the most frequently replaced parts. "Suzuki Bandit 1200" has its weak points. And it's not as a transmission, but, most likely, in the intensity of operation. The repair kit includes also candles.

"Suzuki-Bandit 1200" is distinguished by high operating voltage of the whole electrical circuitry. And since the ignition of the motorcycle is electronic, non-contact, the candle electrodes work under rather harsh conditions and often burn.