Looking at buying a Bandit

[phrogpilot73]

Greetings, I know this is my first post on the forum and that it's going to be a relatively long one.  I apologize in advance.  I also did read through every thread I could find, and still had some questions.  So, here it goes:

I was talking to a guy I work with (he's a Harley rider), and lamenting about the ability to find the sport-touring bike I wanted.  I had been looking at ST1300s, because the others out there (Councours, etc) seat height was unworkable for me.  I also mentioned that I had trouble justifying the price of a new ST1300 and finding a used one was a challenge.  He casually mentions that he has a 2002 Suzuki Bandit 1200s in his garage that he hasn't ridden since he bought his Harley (3 years ago).  My wife, a friend (who is more mechanically inclined that I am) and I went to look at it this weekend.

I really like the look of the bike, and am leaning towards buying it.  I've known the guy I work with for a long time (we deployed together when we were both on active duty in the Marine Corps in 2003), so he's been very honest about the condition of the bike, and on the flip-side I don't want to seem like I'm trying to screw him on price.  First, it's not running.  We were prepared for this because he told me that he knew it needed a new battery, tires, and likely the carbs reworked.  After looking at it, we did notice some corrosion on the tank (there's a small pit in the paint about the size of a pencil eraser that's rusting), on the pipes and there's a scratch on the valve cover.  The scratch on the valve cover came after he wrecked it.  It was a salvage title in North Carolina, has been rebuilt and has a title in Virginia with an accompanying letter that he has to disclose that it was originally a salvage title.  Looking into it, I can register it in Virginia with the title he has (and get a new title) as long as I have the letter.  The bike has 7500 total miles (we think, can only go on my co-worker's word, because the battery is dead), and he said that he rode it for 6500 miles post accident (after he rebuilt it).

The frame was bent slightly in the accident and was straightened (at the time he couldn't afford a new frame).  My buddy told me that the frame looked to be good (he graduated from General Motors Institute with a degree in Mechanical Engineering), and that he agrees about battery, carbs and tires.  He also mentioned that he thinks the throttle cable needs to be replaced.  My buddy is willing to do the work/help me do the work as long as I keep him supplied with my homebrew beer.  So no need to factor in labor!

The first question I have is what is a fair price to offer?  I know that he was hoping to get $2000.  I looked on KBB and saw that trade in is ~$1800, and average retail is $2800.  I figured private sale is somewhere between $2300 and $2500.  My wife wants to offer $1500, my buddy thinks between $1500 and $1700, and I was thinking about walking away at $1800.  The way my buddy explained it, take $2500 for the high of a private sale and take $200 away instantly for frame damage/not clear title.  He thinks it's going to take $600 to get the bike running and there's not telling what else needs to be repaired, and it could be higher miles.  That's why he's saying $1500-1700.  What do you guys think?

Second question, I'm looking at turning it in to a sport touring machine.  My wife wants a motorcycle, but if I buy this than we're going to be waiting a year before buying hers.  I've looked at the Givi V46 topcase (with backpad), and the E41 sidecases.  Will my wife fit in the passenger seat with all that installed?  Would the SW Motech mounts offer more space?  Should I plan on getting the E21 sidecases until she buys her bike, then upgrade to the E41 later?  Has anyone done 2up with the E41 on a Bandit?  I'm planning on getting a Corbin saddle and a new windscreen first, then luggage mounts (in case they get discontinued), then luggage.

Third question, I'm 5'7" and my wife is 5'3".  I want a windscreen that's going to come closest to the ST1300 for wind deflection.  The two I'm looking at are the Holeshot/Zero Gravity Sport touring windscreen and the MRA Vario Touring Screen from twisted throttle.  Does anyone have experience with either/both?

Thanks for the patience to get to this point.  You can imagine how many questions I had before, now they've been whittled down after searching...

[Cablebandit]

I'd walk away fast.  There are plenty of good bikes out there that run and have clean titles.

[phrogpilot73]

I'd walk away fast.  There are plenty of good bikes out there that run and have clean titles.

That was my first instinct as well.  However, after sitting on it (and after we left his house we went to a couple of dealerships and looked at Councors, ST1300s, and K1200RTs) my wife and I both realized that the Bandit is what we want.  We came home and googled the crap out of it, and can't find a Bandit in our area...  Hence the reason we're seriously considering this one.  

[Big D]

Keep looking! Lots of the '01s and some of the '02s got bad pistons from the factory, and ended up burning oil. Those are the only years that had any issues. With a little luck you should be able to find a newer, better condition bike, for $2,500 to $3k.

Get over to www.maximum-suzuki.com, sign up, and read-read-read. There is a list of vins for the affected bikes(you could check the one you're looking at), and a TON of very knowledgeable(and helpful) owners. Read the FAQ! The admin are serious about the rules, but there is almost no asshattery there.

Easily one of(if not THE) best-bank-for-the-buck bikes around.


Edit: Rust on the outside of the tank is one think, but if there is any evidence of corrosion on the inside of the tank, RUN(don't walk) away!!!

[Blunder]

Hence the reason we're seriously considering this one.  

Reconsider. Seriously.

Have you looked at http://www.maximum-suzuki.com/ ? Big knowledge on these bikes and a willingness to share it.

[Kool shades]

I have had 2 Bandits, both the 600 & 1200. They are one of the "Best Bang for the Buck" bikes around.

This bike that belongs to your friend definitly sounds like one you should leave right where it is...
Keep looking, there are a lot of them out there.

With regards to the windshield, at 5'7" i dont think you are going to need to change it. If I were you I would put that money into a better helmet.

Great bike, I'd buy another...

[Mr.Black]

Borrow some more money,

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,61520.0.html

I have the MRA Vario-Tour on my Bandit. It is the mod that made the biggest difference by making me part of the areo-equation.

john.

[moto2wheelin]

Yep, I would keep looking as well.  I personally prefer water cooled engines, so only the 1250 Bandit's would interest me.  I would give a hard look to the Kawasaki Concours, the 1986-2006 models now referred to as a C10 since the Concours14 came out a couple of years ago.  You can buy them very reasonable and they are great, very dependable machines that still have a big following and many aftermarket parts available to make it suit you!

[Jason F.]

Just got back from an 1100 mile weekend on my Bandit. Great bikes but they are far too plentiful and cheap to pay that kind of money for a bike that need work. I bought mine when it really did not need anything but have spent far too much taking care of age and mileage related issues you get with a slightly older bike. There is enough to deal with on an older used bike without having to start spending money just to get it on the road. I would keep looking.

[CLAY]

I too have a Bandit rigged for tour- (pics once I get out of the restricted access internet) but I wouldn't offer more than 800-1K for it.  I found my '03 with 12,000 miles in '07 for $3k- no problems, ready to ride.

You don't need the liquid cooled B12- there are loads of B12's out there that see over 100,000 miles with no problems- it's a phenomenal engine.  I'm at 40K with only regular maintenance on it.  I agree with the others- one of the best "bangs for the buck" out there.  A jack of all trades, master of none.

If you don't have any for sale near you keep watching and expand your range.  There are many members out there that would gladly help you with a "fly and ride" if you needed that option.  

[CLAY]

Here's a older pic of the Bandit in tour mode:

and from this summer up along the James Bay Road (yes, I tend to overpack):

...and a dash shot.  GPS, Video camera, Sirius Sat radio, temp/clock, Pro-oiler, etc etc.


She can go anywhere.  You'll love it.  

[Big D]

He bought it.     $1200. Sounds like he did OK actually. The bike had been prepped for storage(should help a bit), and he has a fried/trusted mechanic to do the work.... figures with tires, carb cleaning, etc., still should be under $2k ready to roll. Hope it works out for him...

[phrogpilot73]

Yep, I bought it.  And the funny thing is that I have NO buyer's remorse.  The same trusted mechanic/friend has owed me $300 for several months (for tickets to SAVOR Craft Beer Festival in DC + booking/pre-paying for a nice hotel room in Jacksonville, FL as he dealt with round 356 of his ex-wife)...  I haven't noticed it missing, so it really only feels like I'm going to pay ~$300 to get it on the road.  We're going to pick it up on Sunday, and I'm going to start a detailed thread about the fix-up on Maximum Suzuki.  That way I can lament in the fact that you guys were right, or I can rejoice in how happy I am with my purchase.

The question I still can't get answered is this - what mounts/size Givi saddlebags should I get if I plan to 2-up with my wife?  I really like the E41 sidecases, but I fear with Givi mounts, they'll leave no room for my wife.  If I can get those sidecases and have room for my wife with the SW-MOTECH mounts, then I'm happy.  If not, what cases should I get?

[phrogpilot73]

And to give a little more insight as to why I pulled the trigger, here's what I posted at Maximum Suzuki:

I'm pretty sure everyone here is going to hate me and/or say that I'm an idiot.  I really do appreciate the good advice, and one look at this thread and I was able to talk him down.  I don't know that I necessarily explained the bike that well, or the relationships involved so I'll use callsigns (we're all pilots).  Retch is the guy that I deployed with (selling the bike), and that I work with.  Master is the guy who has owned a crap ton of bikes, went to GMI and is the most qualified mechanically.

Master, after looking at the bike and the others he's seen here said it would be worth MAYBE $1500-1700.  The only reason he gave that number is because Retch actually did do the appropriate preventatives to store it for 3 years.  I've known Retch for 8 years, and knew him when the Bandit was his daily rider.  He babied the crap out of it, and I know this.  I pointed out that no one else would, and he'd get much less from a stranger.  Master is the one that did the detailed inspection (he's damn near an ASE certified mechanic), and said the frame was good, no rust in the gas tank, new battery/tires/and carbs reworked.  He said maybe a new throttle cable - but he'd do that last.

When we pointed out the smoking oil fear, we (Retch & I) looked up the VIN on here.  No issues there.  Minus the one small pit on the tank, and the scratch on the valve cover the bike looks brand new.  Also researched the title and insurance (Master's biggest fear), it can be titled in VA (already has a normal, non-salvage title in VA.  Only requirement is I present the letter he has saying I understand it was originally a salvage title), and checked with my insurance company (the same one that Retch had it insured through, and who he bought it back from with a salvage title).  They'll insure it for competitive rates (through Progressive), but only liability.

As it stands, my wife and I decided to go for it.  I haven't ridden in 18 years, and want to buy a sport tourer that will last me a while (aka not buy another bike in a decade at least).  The semi-docile nature (linear power, etc) is another reason we were attracted to a Bandit.  Throw in that we can't really travel that much (she is active duty Navy on sea orders) and that I have a full time job, I'm a reservist and I go to school, so we had to stay local.

Anyway, we agreed on $1200 (he wanted $2K, but after I showed him this thread, he realized that the only way he'd get what I was offering was because I know how he treated the bike).  Again, Master's going to do the work (as long as I feed him homebrew beer) and we expect to get the bike on the road in a couple of weeks for total investment of $1800.

What can I say, have you ever sat on a bike and felt that it just "felt right"?

[Big D]

  Wasn't sure you'd post up. Figured I'd let everyone know.

If there are no unexpected glitches, I think you did just fine.