SUZUKI GSF1200S BANDIT

by Septic

Septic's 2006 Suzuki GSF1200S Bandit

Time had come to upgrade from my beloved 1985 GS850G Suzuki which had given me at least 180,000 Km of fun out of its 250,000 Km age.

The old girl - the venerable Suzuki GS850G

So with approximately $15K cash in hand I started to look at a replacement.

I wanted a "new" Bike.

As there were no modern versions of the old Suzuki, I rode many different types and styles to see if any of them "clicked", to no avail.

After test riding just about everything I had a short list (laugh if you want):

Suzuki 1200 Bandit
Honda Deauville
Suzuki Vstrom 1000
Suzuki C50 Boulevard.

I settled on the Bandit after the bike shop gave me a trade in offer I could not refuse. From the bikes in my $$$ range it also gave me the biggest grin.

Happy as Larry I handed over $10K and the keys and rego to my old Suzuki and rode away with a brand spanking new bike. 12 Months Rego, rack and bag Included.

This was a Friday Afternoon in Oct 2007.

That weekend I rode her from Nowra to Nundle for the Ducati Owners Rally at Sheeba dam.

I gave her back to the shop Monday Morning for its first service with 1500 Km.

Since then the Bandit has surprised me with its capabilities. It goes much better than I can ride.

I ride her to work each day. She takes me for my Sunday multi-pub run. I have done a fair bit of touring and lots of rallies and she has carried me far and wide around NSW with no mechanical problems.

The Bandit gets dirty

She has surprised me with how she handles wet dirt, clay and gravel roads.

Considering the difference in tyres, and the responsiveness of her I have yet to have a sphincter-tightening moment on the many gravel or dirt roads I have taken her on.

Yes some purists might call it a UJM, but I don't give a stuff. I ride her rain, hail or shine.

Apart from the seat, which is as hard as a plank (an Airhawk has fixed that) I have no complaints.

So far she has given me 26,000 trouble free kilometres.

I wish that Suzuki would put a shaft on the Bandit. If they did, they would sell a boatload of them even in the current financial situation.