| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
|---|---|
| Also called | Bandit |
| Production | since 1991 |
| Predecessor | Suzuki GS series |
| Class | Standard |
| Engine | Transverse inline four |
The Suzuki Bandit is a series of standard (sometimes called "sport-standard") street motorcycles produced by Suzuki.
The following different models of the bike have been manufactured:
All engines are DOHC inline four with 16 valves. 600, 650, 750 and 1200 models employ SACS (Suzuki Advanced Cooling System) cooling that is combined air-cooled and oil-cooled; the 600 cc model's engine is taken from the GSX-F 600 and retuned for more midrange. The 1,200 cc model's engine is a bored out GSXR 1100 item. The 250 and 400 cc models are water-cooled.
For model year 2007, Suzuki abandoned the GSX-R derived engine in favor of new fuel-injected, liquid-cooled engines. Both 650 and 1250 models now meet Euro3 emission standards.
The 'S' models come with a factory half-fairing, and starting from model year 2000, dual headlights. The base model 'N' is an unfaired naked bike with a single headlight. Not all market areas received both the naked and the half-faired models in any given model year.
The Bandit series originally had a reputation as "hooligan bikes".[1] With more recent revisions, however, the bike has taken on a more streamlined and modern feel, taking it more towards sports tourer territory.[2] The 1200 remains popular with stunt riders, and is a bike of choice for various wheelie schools.[3]
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Launched in 1989, the GSF250 and GSF400 had a liquid-cooled inline-four engine, mounted on a trellis steel frame. The engines were based on those of the GSX-R250 and GSX-R400. The Bandit 250 had about 45 bhp (34 kW), the 400 cc version about 59 bhp (44 kW) (reduced to 53 from 1992). Both models had disc brakes, single and double at the front respectively. Both versions were later available with a top fairing (carrying the name "Limited" on the model name), and later "V" variations had an optional variable inlet timing.
The naked GSF600 N Bandit was released in February. It was based on the styling of the pre-existing GSF400 Bandit, with a retuned engine from the GSX600.
The faired Bandit S model was introduced, where the bikini half-fairing had its debut.
Minor changes: A clutch switch (requiring the clutch to be pulled in when starting the motorcycle, for safety reasons) and carburettor heaters.
The N model had passenger grab rails added. However, the S model had no changes.
Debut of a new rear shock absorber, providing rebound as well as preload adjustment.
The first major changes were made this year.
No significant changes.
Fuel gauge now as standard.
No significant changes.
The all new Suzuki Bandit 650 and half faired Bandit 650S launch took place at Tarragona, Spain.
No significant changes.
A completely new, water-cooled motor was designed specifically for the 2007 Bandit 650, unlike earlier models which used engines re-worked from other models.[6] Most of chassis and the bodywork kept unchanged from the 2005 model, though.
The 2007 Bandit 650 was reviewed by Bike magazine as being "de-criminalised" compared to its early brethren, but a good bike for beginners.[7]
Bandit 650 no longer offered in the United States for the 2007 model-year.
Bandit 650 no longer offered in Canada for the 2008 model-year. Replaced by new Bandit-derived fully faired GSX650F in North-America.
In November 2008, it was announced that there would be certain changes to the 2009 GSF650.[8] Changes to both models (naked and half-faired) versions are :
In addition to this, the 650S has a newly styled cowling with stacked high and low beam multi-reflector headlights. The fairing has storage, and newly designed mirrors and indicators.
The 650N has more angular headlights.
The GSX650F, produced from 2008, is essentially a variation on the Bandit 650, with much the same specification and components.[9] Although built on a Bandit chassis, the additional lower fairing gives it a sportier look similar to that of the Suzuki GSX-R Series. The engine has also had a small amount of remapping to encourage revs, and the suspension is tweaked. It also has a different, one-piece seat.
The Bandit 750 was a Japan only model that used parts from both the 600 and 1200 models; the front frame cradle was identical to the 600, the rear subframe was identical to the 1200 with bolt on pillion footpeg handers, the clocks were 1200 items (with the speedo in km/h), including a fuel gauge which was absent from the 600 models of the time. The running gear and suspension were also the same as the 600. The engine, although visually identical to the 600, had a capacity of 748 cc, The carburettors were similar to the 600 apart from jetting, whereas the exhaust was identical to the 1200. Power was a claimed 85 bhp (63 kW). All machines were restricted to 180 km/h (110 mph) to comply with Japanese regulations, but are easily de-restricted to a true maximum speed of 220 km/h (140 mph).
The first 1200 Bandit models were generally released in January 1996, featuring a retuned and enlarged version of the engine featured in the GSX-R1100. Other differences from the 600 cc models included a fuel gauge, higher specification suspension and larger diameter front brake discs. Also the 1200 Bandit featured a hydraulic clutch. There are some examples of 1995 registered 1200 Bandits. A lot of Suzuki models have the engine size cast into side of the cylinder block, 1200 Bandits (1,157 cc) do not have this but there are examples of some having 1,156 cc cast into the block. These were 1995 bikes, apparently early production models.
No changes were made. A version of the S Bandit with anti-lock braking was introduced for certain world markets. The 1997 ABS (anti-lock braking system) 1200 Bandit used a 114 link chain as opposed to the standard 110 link chain.
No changes.
No changes.
No changes.
The 1200 Bandits received a similar revamp to the one the 600 Bandits received the previous year:
2004 models added a 2-way catalytic converter (for some markets) to the exhaust system, and minor modifications to the exhaust metalwork.
2005 models (K5 and SK5) were the last of the 2nd Generation 1200 Bandits.
2006 (K6 and SK6) models received a revamp with a new shape tank, side panels, a height adjustable seat and a longer hexagonal-section swinging arm. The faired "S" versions also have a new shape fairing and mirrors along with a totally redesigned headlight system with over and under beams rather than the previous side by side system. These new models were offered with ABS brakes as an option. ABS brakes were fitted as standard on the UK specification SA model. Some markets also received height-adjustable handlebars. There were minor revisions to the transmission internal ratios as well. The 2006 Bandit 1200s were not sold in the USA but continued to be sold elsewhere around the world. The SK6 version is in generation 3 of the Bandit 1200S line and thus is the sole generation 3 model of the 1200 Bandit. This was the last of the SACS-engined Bandits with a motor design and technology that first saw the light of day in 1985 in the GSX-R 750.
Much like the 650 model, the Bandit 1250S has a water-cooled motor specially designed for the Bandit. The previous 1,157 cc air/oil-cooled motor did not meet Euro 3 emissions regulations.[10] While the new 1,255 cc engine produces almost identical horse power and torque figures as the old air-cooled engine, the big difference is in where in the RPM band peak torque is produced. This 1,255 cc engine produces its torque (108 N·m/80 ft·lbf) at 3,750 RPM.[11] That power is sent to the driveline via a new for 2007 six-speed constant mesh transmission.[12] It was also available as the 1250SA, this version fitted with ABS.
The autumn saw the introduction of a limited edition Street Fighter, featuring Renthal handlebars, a Yoshimura silencer and a single seat cowling.
No changes from the 2007 model.[13]
The 1250GT is a Grand Touring version. It carries a three-box hard luggage system, has fairing lowers and comes fitted with sat-nav.
2009 models carry over the same engines. The cylinders are once again plated with Suzuki’s "Composite Electrochemical Material", and also carried over is the Secondary Balancer Shaft further smoothens the rides.[14]
In May 2009, it was announced that there will be a limited edition Bandit 1250SA 'Z'.[15] It has a pearl mirage white paint scheme, with revised graphics and metallic silver wheels. Only 100 examples came to the UK.
In September 2009 it was announced [16] that 2010 will see the release of the GSX1250FA. It has the same engine and chassis as before, but a full fairing will make it similar in style to the smaller GSX650F.
The standard 1250A and 1250SA models for 2010 will feature a black engine.[17]