The Bandit vs the Ninja vs the Trumpet

[scottzilla]

There is a LOT of hype/positive feedback regarding the new fully faired Ninja 1000.  
There seems to be MUCH LESS hype regarding the Suzuki GSX fully faired bike (And this one comes with standard hard luggage).
Both are straightforward, standard designs (No traction control, variable length flux capacitors and other crap) why so much love for the Ninja and not so much for the Kat?  
And the New Sprint....
According to the articles, is a fantastic bike, yet seems totally ignored by the fickle stn populace that embraced it so wholeheartedly over the years.
What gives?
3 new/revised sport touring models intended for the budget minded consumer...let's get in to this a bit more detailed, shall we?  

Revised thread title.  Katana no, Bandit yes.

[Rincewind]

The Katana and the Bandit are/were two different bikes.  

I am also puzzled why the Ninja gets most of the air-time as well.  Good question.

[TBone]

The Ninja looks sportier ( to me) and it's called Ninja - how cool is that? "Bandit" always makes me think of that '70s porn mustache on Burt Reynolds.

Personally I'd have to ride each to make a conclusion.  

[pcrdude]

This Suzuki?

GSX1250FA

[Jetpilot5]

Suzuki GSX fully faired bike (And this one comes with standard hard luggage).
Both are straightforward, standard designs (No traction control, variable length flux capacitors and other crap) why so much love for the Ninja and not so much for the Kat?  
And the New Sprint....
According to the articles, is a fantastic bike, yet seems totally ignored by the fickle stn populace that embraced it so wholeheartedly over the years.
What gives?
3 new/revised sport touring models intended for the budget minded consumer...let's get in to this a bit more detailed, shall we?  

Bags are available on the GSX1250FA but are not standard.  Of the three listed only the Triumph has the bags as standard equipment.

[Dan K]

Interesting questions.  I see the Ninja vs. Sprint, but isn't the Bandit basically a good old Bandit with plastic strapped on?  I don't think that makes it a fully faired bike.  You can do that to the FZ1 too (have to order parts from Canada).

There's a bunch of Sprint love on this forum.  James of the Pace Podcast looks to be buying one soon.

Who knows.  But I'm definitiely curious about deeper comparisons between these bikes.  Many love the Bandit.  It's cheaper than the other two, right?

- Dan

[garry]

Sat on a Sprint GT last weekend. What a pig. The days of the Sprint being a SPORT-touring bike are long gone...

Sat on a Ninja 1000 a few weeks back. Peg-to-seat is a bit tight, but otherwise seems like a fine package. That really didn't excite me to see it in the flesh.

[Jetpilot5]

Sounds like part of the problem is Suzuki hasn't done a very good job of marketing the bike.  The GSX1250FA is basically a Bandit with new bodywork but it isn't the old Bandit 1250 with lowers added.  ABS is standard and bags are available at extra cost.  Base MSRP on the GXF1250FA is $11,599 which is more than the higher spec Ninja 1000 which lists at $10,999 (ABS not available in the US).

I've recently had the chance to compare the Ninja and the Suzuki side by side and I was surprised to find out that I think the Suzuki would be a better bike for me.  Seems a bit bigger with better weather protection, a lot more fairing compared to the Ninja.  Whether it's worth the money is up to the buyer.

Suzuki GSX1250FA

[county]

Well, none of those bikes are really heavy enough to qualify as real sport tourers....I don't think any of them come in over 600 pounds dry...

[scottzilla]

Sounds like part of the problem is Suzuki hasn't done a very good job of marketing the bike.  The GSX1250FA is basically a Bandit with new bodywork but it isn't the old Bandit 1250 with lowers added.  ABS is standard and bags are available at extra cost.  Base MSRP on the GXF1250FA is $11,599 which is more than the higher spec Ninja 1000 which lists at $10,999 (ABS not available in the US).

I've recently had the chance to compare the Ninja and the Suzuki side by side and I was surprised to find out that I think the Suzuki would be a better bike for me.  Seems a bit bigger with better weather protection, a lot more fairing compared to the Ninja.  Whether it's worth the money is up to the buyer.

Suzuki GSX1250FA

This is why I'm asking.  The Bandit is a crowd favorite, its logical a failed version would therefore be a hit.

[scottzilla]

Sat on a Sprint GT last weekend. What a pig. The days of the Sprint being a SPORT-touring bike are long gone...

Sat on a Ninja 1000 a few weeks back. Peg-to-seat is a bit tight, but otherwise seems like a fine package. That really didn't excite me to see it in the flesh.

All of the reviews indicate triumph failed at taking the sport out of the bike.  It's a great handling bike.

[swimmer]

The suzuki looks old, cheap and outdated.  Not much more complicated than that as to why the kawasaki seems more popular.

[Bryan217]

Marketing probably does have a lot to do with it. I've seen ads galore forth Ninja, but none for the Suzuki. Another point, as mentioned, is sexiness. With all new bodywork and nice bold colors, the Kawi looks great. The Suzuki on the other hand looks plain and dated. I looked for the Suzy at the NYC show, but they didn't have it. Again with the lack of marketing. None of this is to say it's a bad bike, but it's too low key. I'd love to see it and read more reviews on it.

As for the Sprint, IMO it's not in the same class. It's closer to the Connie and FJR. Again, not to say it's a bad bike, but I don't think it's comparable to the the other two.

[vulcanbill]

This is why I'm asking.  The Bandit is a crowd favorite, its logical a failed version would therefore be a hit.

Best spelling error ever.

[rgbeard]

The Ninja looks sportier ( to me) and it's called Ninja - how cool is that? "Bandit" always makes me think of that '70s porn mustache on Burt Reynolds.

Personally I'd have to ride each to make a conclusion.  

How do you do a ride-report about a moustache-ride??  Do you include photos??

[JSharp]

The suzuki looks old, cheap and outdated.  Not much more complicated than that as to why the kawasaki seems more popular.

The Kawasaki makes about 30 more HP and weighs 60+ lbs less. Those are numbers that people notice.

[JSharp]

Well, none of those bikes are really heavy enough to qualify as real sport tourers....I don't think any of them come in over 600 pounds dry...

 

[nomagnashn]

I really want to love the new Suzuki but only 96hp out of a 1250cc motor is really disappointing.  I would expect a motor that size to easily put out around 120hp.  I'm no power junky (I moved from a ZZR1200 to a Sprint ST) but it just sounds like this motor MUST be detuned to put out that little horsepower for its size.

[BrookR1]

I can't believe a Bandit retails for over $11k. Wasn't it designed to be cheap but fun?

[TBone]

How do you do a ride-report about a moustache-ride??  Do you include photos??

That would have to posted in Off Topic.