1200S Vs 1250S Your thoughts

[gunz]

Im torn between buying a used 1200, or a new 1250S. besided the  6th gear and water cooled, stronger frame and fuel injection, Are there any good arguments to persuade to to go one way and not the other. Just trying to pick your brains. Thanks

[TRaGiK]

Im torn between buying a used 1200, or a new 1250S. besided the  6th gear and water cooled, stronger frame and fuel injection, Are there any good arguments to persuade to to go one way and not the other. Just trying to pick your brains. Thanks

You named enough things new that would make me rather get the new one.


Sorry I'm of no help.

[gunz]

No tnot really alot of help, but ,thanks for the reply though.

[Nodaclu]

2000-2001 models had an issue with the rings that allowed a lot of blow-by. Suzuki issued a recall for this, but it's still something to watch out for if you find a nice 2nd gen 1200S.

Depending on where you live and how you ride, the water-cooling could be a huge plus. I didn't give that a lot of thought when buying my Sporty here in Vegas, and it's been fine in 100+ temps, but it's something that weighs on my mind while riding through hot areas. I'd rather not have to think too much about my motor temps, and a water-cooled bike would help in that regard.

I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but I understand that torque has been both increased, and its peak brought down lower in the RPM band on the 1250S. The torque numbers are almost identical to a Sportster 1200R, which has the reputation of pulling like a tractor. If you like that sort of thing, then the new bike is an advantage.

Finally the subjective part, though it's not much different in looks, I think the new bike seems more cohesive and is better looking overall.

The only way I'd personally consider the older bike is if I were price sensitive, or had an aversion to the instant depreciation of a new bike.

Otherwise, Suzuki made some significant improvements to the 1250S - a 6th gear as you mentioned for more comfortable touring, and they took an already proven engine design and made changes that should make it even more bullet-proof for the long term.

The 1200S is a great bike. The 1250S is great bike made even better.

[VAX]

I test rode a last generation Bandit and liked everything about it except the buzz that's inherent to the in-line four layout.  The word on the new Bandit is that the balance shaft in the new motor has greatly reduced this buzz.  That's a big plus for the new model, in my opinion.

[denydog]

The motor in the new 1250 Bandit is not an improved version of the old one.  It's an entirely new design, starting from a fresh sheet.

I have to echo the previous posters.  With the stronger water cooled motor, stiffer frame tubes, fuel injection (done right), and better performing suspension, I don't see any possible reason except price, to not get the new one.  I wouldn't even consider the dated design of the earlier Bandits unless you're a nostalgia buff.  .  

[gunz]

I guess I am just being cheap. I can get a nice silver 02 with 15k miles for $3500, a 1997 with 10k miles for $3600. or a new 1250s For $8000. I have tassed it around for several days now, Just not sure. I liked my Conours untiul I mived from the oregon coast to the heat of southern alabama and decided the full fairing and windscreen had to go. I put over 13k miles on it in less than 9 months. Great bike up in the cold areas, but just toodarn hot down here. I havet made up my mind yet, the dealer isnt open again until tuesday so i have to make a decision before then. i will keep you posted.

[Heath3n]

Im torn between buying a used 1200, or a new 1250S. besided the  6th gear and water cooled, stronger frame and fuel injection, Are there any good arguments to persuade to to go one way and not the other. Just trying to pick your brains. Thanks

Those ARE all the good reasons to go with a new one. One thing you skipped is ABS. Those are about as good of reasons as you'll ever get. The only reason NOT to go new would be price. Sounds like the only decision you really have lays in your pocketbook. They're both great bikes.

[gunz]

i am not buying an ABS bike. I dont like the feel of the ABS on a bike, Not bashing it, just a personal preference thing.

[mwt]

 I had a 2001 Bandit 1200s that I bought new. I really loved it and was fortunate that it didn't have the oil burning issue......I HATED the buzzy engine at highway speeds. It was bearable if I kept the carbs sync'd and a slip-on helped too.....also, the rear brake never worked well. I put HH pads on and it stopped better, but there was no modulation - off or on, that was it.

 But, I was curious about the new one, and kinda fancied the black.....so, I sold the B12 and bought the 2007 Black one. Wow, the new engine is superb !! So, smooth....so much torque !!! Better handling, fuel injection response is perfect !! Even the new rear brake is better. No contest....the new bike is worth it. The engine casting is much better, the old mill had little bumps all over it, the build quality seems better.

[Baz]

I had a 2002 1200S and I would say that the 1250 is so much of a better bike, I would buy it. Mind you, one can pick up a 1200S for pretty cheap.

Now 1st off, people that tell you they have no use for ABS on motorcycles are probably the same people that have never rode a bike with ABS. It saved me from a spill on my new FJR. All future bikes of mine will have ABS.

The old Bandit was Buzzy (the new Bandit is not)

Old Bandit had headlights that did not work (The new Bandit does)

Power is the same on new & old Bandits but the new Bandit has a higher peak torque at lower RPM. Both bikes can be performance inhanced pretty easily which gains you 20 hp.

Both are good bikes, one can be had for thousands less. It's a tough call.

I did put 40,000 trouble free KM's on my 1200S, but I think the new 1250 will require less tinkering due to FI.

[wristwister]

Hey, I've got about 4500 miles on my Bandit 1250. All the reasons stated above are good ones: water cooled, fuel injection, smoother engine, stiffer frame ... but nobody mentioned what I consider the #1 attribute of the new B1250: low end torque. The B1250 and older B1200 both have similar max HP numbers, but the torque on the 1250 is a much flatter profile and usable engine power kicks in way early, like under 2000 RPM, and holds all the way to redline. A magazine road test said it best: "It's a 6 speed, but it doesn't need to be. That torquey engine would do just fine with only 2 or 3 gears". The biggest benefit of that low end torque is performance in the twisties. No more rattling up and down gears trying to find the right power as you enter and exit the curve, just twist & go!

Needless to say, I'm loving my B1250!

[ctfz1]

Buy an old bandit run it a year sell for no more than $500 less if disappointed.
Personally a ZRX1200 or Gen1 FZ1 would suit me better for $4000.

[Smoke]

I liked my Conours untiul I mived from the oregon coast to the heat of southern alabama and decided the full fairing and windscreen had to go.

I'm from Alabama.  I hate to break it to you, but no bike design is going to make riding cooler in southern Alabama.

S

[gunz]

I'm from Alabama.  I hate to break it to you, but no bike design is going to make riding cooler in southern Alabama.

S

I dont believe youve ever ridden 1000 miles in a day on a concours in the south. I have , I have also ridden several othe bikes when I lived down here before (nola for 5 years) Let me tell you the connie was a warm bike to ride. Its nothing compared to the new connie 14 (thats a hot bike, too hot to ride almost. But yes the bandit is alot cooler to ride than my connie was. I picked up a 07 black non abs bandit 1250S and so far i really like it. Gonna need some farkles to make it mine, But thats coming soon. I am getting info together and plan on posting my thoughts on the new ride after I have ridden it far enough to have some actual relevant input. But I can already tell you, its alot cooler.

[ctfz1]

1250 if you can afford it. No comparasion.

[1KPerDay]

If you do your own maintenance, the 1200. The 1250 forces you to mess with coolant, hoses, radiator, and taking the cams out for valve adjust.

The 1200 is a lot of fun, too, if a bit vibey.

[gunz]

If you do your own maintenance, the 1200. The 1250 forces you to mess with coolant, hoses, radiator, and taking the cams out for valve adjust.

The 1200 is a lot of fun, too, if a bit vibey.

I test rode a 1200 for about 40 miles before i went in and bought the 1250. Hands down the 1250 is alot more bike and alot better ride. No regrets . i have abou t1250 mniles on it. Going to biketoberfest on it  thursday.

[ctfz1]

Congratulations, very good choice.

[1KPerDay]

I test rode a 1200 for about 40 miles before i went in and bought the 1250. Hands down the 1250 is alot more bike and alot better ride. No regrets . i have abou t1250 mniles on it. Going to biketoberfest on it  thursday.

Congrats.

BTW you spelled 'amendment' incorrectly.