Buying a Bandit 1200S

[jesseangell]

I used to post on this forum a few years ago but stopped.  Over the last two years I've still been very active on my 1985 Honda Nighthawk 700S.  A couple of weeks ago the engine locked up and I decided it was time for a new bike.  I still couldn't let my baby (the nighthawk) die,  so I found another bike and put a new engine in it.

The entire event though really convinced me I needed something newer.  I've tracked down a 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200S that seems to be in good condition.  The owner is going to deliver it to me on Friday and pending a careful lookover of the bike I'll buy it.  

Does the 2001 Bandit 1200S have any common problems I should be looking for?

[ol Rocket]

PM Dred v. whatever.  He's had a big Bandit for a while and has gotten his hands dirty a few times.  He should know as well as anyone.

[Kamzilla]

The 01 and 02 B12s had piston problems.  Don't recall the specifics though.  

Check one of the Bandit forums, banditalley was one I used to go to when I had my B6S.

[Aaron]

The piston problems on the early second gen B12's caused them to burn oil. They didn't all do it, but a lot of them did. If the bike had the problem, it should have been handled under warranty, but I understand that not all dealerships were very helpful with this issue. I think I'd want proof the pistons had been replaced before I'd buy an '01 or '02.

The problem was taken care of by the 2003 model year. As mentioned previously, more in-depth information about the subject can be found elsewhere online.

[yellowcarbon]

I had an early '01 with the piston problem.  I can't remember the exact issue, but basically they had a hole in the piston that was too big.  It caused the bike to use way too much oil and smoke.  In my bike, it was 1 quart in 500-1000miles.  At first Suzuki denied there was a problem and the dealership was horrible about it.  Suzuki later acknowledged the problem, but denied my claim since I had high mileage on the bike.  A separate dealership didn't give me much support.  I didn't chase Suzuki or the dealership about it since I already had a buyer for the bike whom was well aware of the issue (he wanted up do a big bore kit on the bike).  Other than that is was a decent bike.

Run it 500-1000 miles.  If you don't use too much oil, you are pretty good to go.  Unfortunately, if you do you will need to either always put oil or get new pistons put in.  It is a good excuse to high the high compression or big bore pistons.  It along with GSXR cams will give the Bandit a big horse power increase.

As a side note, I have sworn off all Suzuki products (new or used) because of the issue.  With bad support on their bikes with a known problem, I can't & won't support them.  I know it isn't a huge deal on my part, but over the course of my life that equals 4 or 5 bikes at least(based on 2 of my 5 bikes have been Suzuki's).  Not to mention if I ever fulfill my dreams of running a motorcycle tour company, it could potentially be quite a bit more.  On the flip side, Honda covered a leaking radiator on a '00 VFR that was out of warranty by 3 months.  So I will definitely buy another Honda product (2 of my 5 bikes were Honda's).  Thank God there are so many good bikes that I can actually hold to my principals and still get a nice bike.

[CLAY]

If you go to Maximum-Suzuki.com they have this oil burning issue detailed and "stickied" at the top, including the serial numbers of bikes that had it.  I have an '03 and couldn't be happier with it.  No oil burning at all.

Huge fan right here- but then I came off a Shadow (which I also loved)...

[atlantic]

I strongly considered a Bandit before buying an FZ1.  As others said, '01 & '02 were problems and supposedly owners had a difficult time getting the dealer to fix under warranty.  Problem was spotty across those years.  '03 & later are solid bikes.  The problem came from defective pistons.  I would stay away from '01 & '02.

[Athan]

I considered buying a 1250 but stumbled upon and 02 with low miles for the right price.  I couldn't justify twice the price I'm paying for a low miles 02 for a bike that hasn't been proven yet.   yes, it's possible the 02 may have an oil problem but as an mechanic it's not big deal to pull the pistons myself and that's a $200 fix.   IMHO  the 1200 is a lot of bike for just a little money compared to a lot of other options.

[DredheadV2.0]

He's already put a 2001 Bandit in his profile, so all yer advice has gone to naught.

Definitely check on maximum-suzuki.com to see if your bike's serial number is in the Oil Burner range.  If it is, but the seller can show via service records he's had the shoddy piston rings replaced, then the bike should be problem-free in that regard.  My '02 is over 50K miles and only now just starting to show signs of old age.  'course, that may just be that I haven't tuned it up in over a year.

For what it's worth, I had absolutely no issues getting my QC issues taken care of by my dealer, even though I didn't buy the Bandit there (but due to their stellar service, will be buying any future bikes there.  And Suzukis will be among them.

[Athan]

If it turns out my bike is a burner I might consider a road trip up to where you are just to have it fixed on the factories dime

[jesseangell]

I wish I wouldn't have asked you guys..Now I'm all worried.  It's a 2001 which means it has about a 50% chance of having the oil burn problem.  The bike is currently second owner and he was not aware of the oil problem and says it does not burn.

The price is right...and I think I'm going to take the risk.  How bad can a piston swap really be?