Alright, so let’s talk about this 2002 Suzuki Bandit 1200 I messed around with a while back. This thing was a beast, but man, it needed some love. It’s one of those older models, a K2 I think they called it, and these things aren’t exactly all over the forums anymore. It’s like a forgotten legend or something.
First off, I got this bike because I heard it was a solid commuter, but still fun. 98 horsepower? Yeah, that’s a lot for just going to work, but who’s complaining? This thing looked kinda like the SV650, but it was totally different once you really got into it.
So, here’s what I did:
- Checked it out: First thing was just looking it over. I mean, it’s an old bike, so you gotta expect some wear and tear. Made sure the engine was running smooth.
- Took it for a spin: Had to feel how it rode, right? It felt heavy but powerful. The power was definitely there.
- Looked at the forums: It’s discontinued, so there aren’t many places to find information, but I found that people said they are “good for 100K miles if serviced and looked after”.
- Basic maintenance: Changed the oil, checked the brakes, you know, the usual stuff. You gotta keep these old bikes in good shape.
- Rode it some more: This is the fun part. I just enjoyed riding it around, getting a feel for how it handled and how much power it really had.
This Bandit, it’s not like those newer bikes with all the fancy tech. It’s raw and it’s got character. I heard these things can last a long time if you take care of them, like 100,000 miles or something crazy like that.
It is interesting to find that Suzuki dropped the GSF650S Bandit from its UK line-up to ‘streamline’ its mid-capacity range. The four-cylinder Bandit 650 has been on sale since 2005, I guess 1200 is just too much for people nowadays.
Anyway, working on this Bandit was a cool experience. It’s like stepping back in time a bit, but still getting that thrill of a powerful machine. If you ever get a chance to ride one of these, do it. Just make sure it’s been taken care of!
