Suzuki Bandit: model comparison

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Suzuki Bandit: model comparison
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Suzuki Bandit: the models

Comparison: which bandit for whom?

Fat big block or a more modest 650, with or without a fairing: Suzuki does not make it easy for potential bandit buyers. And with the GSX 650 F, there is even a bandit in sports dress on offer. With so much similarity the question arises: which one for whom? MOTORRAD gives tips.

W.hen Alex Esslinger, Suzuki salesman at Speed ​​Tec in Wangen, searches his customer file for Bandit 1250 buyers this year, the picture is largely uniform. ? A good 40 years, family man, they keep an eye on the money. And they only buy S models." One thing seems clear: if you have a wife, children and a single-family house, you love a lot of motorcycles for little money and the big Bandit S is the right choice. It is completely different with female novice drivers.

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Suzuki Bandit: model comparison

Suzuki Bandit: the models
Comparison: which bandit for whom?

Second-hand offers: Suzuki


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The new, flashing bandits in the store.

1250 to 650 cubic, but "just" measured 108 to 86 PS that shows quite clearly where the journey on the big Bandit is going. Namely, not into the realms of other undisguised PS monsters with the power development of a GP racer, but to relaxed gliding, to surfing on a torque wave that reaches its early and brilliant climax with 116 Newton meters at 3400 rpm, and already from 2000 revolutions With over 100 Newton meters it starts up powerfully and rolls out gently up to 6500 rpm. There is no question about it: the big bandit is the most serene among the displacement men. And is therefore suitable for a much larger clientele than for seasoned family fathers over 40. Less experienced drivers in particular benefit from the beefy pulling power, which makes the transmission almost superfluous, without catching a large and heavy chunk that they cannot lift. You could also put it another way: If you speculate with the little bandit, you can also take the big sister, because it is not significantly heavier.

Therefore, as mentioned, it is the only topic for seasoned drivers anyway. It comes as no surprise in this country that the majority of big bandit bikers opt for the imposing S version (like their Northern European colleagues, by the way, see interview on page 30). And if you drive both models in direct comparison, it is still not inevitable.

The basic version provides the more direct, more intense driving experience. At least if you prefer to take the country road at the usual speeds. The short, compact stem decouples less than the S half-shell; subjectively, the nude looks not only more delicate, but also more handy.

In addition, the wind pressure in no way bothers you at country road speed, while turbulence is definitely noticeable behind the S-disk. The tide turns only from around 160 km / h (until then, the naked woman is always slightly ahead, also in terms of performance). Then the S becomes not only a more comfortable, but also a faster motorcycle and, thanks to its aerodynamic advantages, pulls away up to a top speed of five km / h (230 compared to 225 km / h).

That might be an argument for those who drive on long-term vacations. Certainly not for everyone else. Those who prefer to drive on the country road and who want to save a few euros despite the already unrivaled big bike price should seriously consider the basic variant (9125 euros to 9325 euros including ancillary costs).


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The beautiful three.

Or think about one of the little sisters when you run out of money. Because in bandit circles it is of course a serious argument that they are around 2000 euros cheaper. Only: With almost identical dimensions, the appearance of the 650s is just as impressive, but they also forego the decisive weight advantage of the middle class. A noticeable handling plus remains, however, which is due to the rear tire width (160 instead of 180 millimeters) and the larger rotating masses in the 1250 engine. And something else speaks for the little ones. The vibrations that plague the big sisters in the upper speed range are much milder.

As far as the pure driving performance is concerned, they have to be right, of course. Accelerating from zero to 100 km / h is around a second missing, at 200 it is then around seven, at the top it is around 25 km / h and in pulling it does not matter what speed range a world is in. And that, although the 650 is working hard and sometimes makes the classmates of the other brands look old with its small displacement. Especially in the youngest offspring, the fully wired GSX version. It is another kilogram lighter than the standard Bandit because it not only lacks the main stand, but also because the manifold is much more delicate than the sisters’ mighty stainless steel pipes. But which ones for whom? Indeed, since the GSX 650 F is also equipped with ABS, the choice has not been easy.

As with the 1250s, the most direct and immediate driving experience is provided by the basic Bandit 650, which has also been significantly refreshed with a new headlight after the latest model upgrade. It is also characterized by a neutral driving behavior in common with her sisters, which makes it easy even for beginners despite the high weight. Just like the smooth, predictable throttle response and an exemplary, even power delivery (see performance diagram on page 31). Despite almost the same weight, the sporty GSX is not quite as handy in direct comparison, but runs more stable, which may also be due to the other identification of the front tires (Bridgestone BT 011 in "G"-, "N"- and "M."-Specification). Further advantages cannot be identified, so that the sportier appearance and a slightly sportier seating position should be the main reason for buying.



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The Sovereign Bandit 1250 S and the Wilde Bandit 1250.

And the Bandit 650 S? As with the big sisters, it speaks more to the traditional audience. And that is also the tradition with the bandit supporters so far in the majority. The agony of choice? Indeed, with the assembled Bandit family, Suzuki offers plenty of opportunities to acquire a lot of motorcycle for a small price. Whereby everyone who can afford the approximately 2000 euros extra price and who is not afraid of a 1250 engine should go for the big bandit. The experience value of this powerful, relaxed drive is clearly higher, while the 650s shine above all with their uncomplicated nature.

The lively one: Bandit 650


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Bandit 650

Bandit 650:

Even if you can hardly believe it: Despite its stately weight, the naked Bandit 650 scurries lively through the landscape, is easy to control and is a lot of fun. A good choice for adventure seekers with new headlights and a lively appearance.

Power: 86 hp

Vmax: 205 km / h

Acceleration: 0–100 km / h in 4.2 seconds, 0–200 km / h in 22.9 seconds

Draft: 60-100 km / h in 5.4 seconds

Weight: 246 kilograms,

Price: incl.nk 6825 euros

The serene: Bandit 650 S


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Bandit 650 S

Bandit 650 S:

If you want a bit of everything, Sister S is the best choice. Because of the plastic stem, it does not offer the direct driving experience of its naked sister, but it is the better choice for traveling and bad weather. In addition, she has a thoroughly adult, serious appearance.

Power: 86 hp

Vmax: 205 km / h

Acceleration: 0-100 km / h in 4.3 seconds, 0-200 km / h in 21.5 seconds

Draft: 60-100 km / h in 5.3 seconds

Weight: 250 kilograms

Price: incl. 7125 euros

The ambitious: GSX 650 F


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GSX 650 F

GSX 650 F:

Was that still missing? Apparently yes. The GSX 650 F offers a bandit-based athlete feeling, but essentially only visually. Technically everything is identical, and the differences in terms of driving experience are also marginal

Power: 86 hp

Vmax: 205 km / h

Acceleration: 0-100 km / h in 4.2 seconds, 0-200 km / h in 21.2 seconds

Draft: 60-100 km / h in 5.0 seconds

Weight: 245 kilograms

Price: incl. 7125 euros

The Wild: Bandit 1250


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Bandit 1250:

She has a wide repertoire from brilliant performances to
towards relaxed understatement. If you want, you can really let it fly and enjoy the full thrust in all positions. Everyone else cruises comfortably through the landscape

Power: 98 hp

Vmax: 225 km / h

Acceleration: 0-100 km / h in 3.3 seconds, 0-200 km / h in 14.7 seconds

Draft: 60-100 km / h in 3.9 seconds

Weight: 253 kilograms

Price: Including Nk 9125 euros

The sovereign: Bandit 1250 S


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Bandit 1250 S

Bandit 1250 S:

As a couple on a big tour or at high speed to work: the big sister
S is something for pragmatists and those who want to become one. And is therefore way ahead with German customers

Power: 98 hp

Vmax: 230 km / h

Acceleration: 0-100 km / h in 3.4 seconds, 0-200 km / h in 14.2 seconds

Draft: 60-100 km / h in 4.0 seconds

Weight: 255 kilograms

Price: including Nk 9325 euros

"An essential cornerstone"


Suzuki

Paul M. Rowney

Paul M. Rowney, Sales Manager at Suzuki Germany, on one of the most successful Suzuki models and the preferences of the Bandit drivers.

Mr. Rowney, how big is the population of bandits in Germany?

If we take the KBA figures as a basis, there are currently around 54,000 Bandit 600 and around 10,500 Bandit 650. In the case of the large Bandit, we come to around 47,000 of the 1200 and around 7,000 Bandit 1250. The GSX 650 F, which was only introduced in 2008 , stands at around 1400 units.

How has sales developed over the past few years? When were the highlights?
Overall, the Bandit is unquestionably one of our most successful models and we have always been happy with the sales. The highlights were undoubtedly 1996/1997, when we were able to sell more than 20,000 Bandits after the market launch of the big Bandit, and 2001 with over 10,000 units.

How high were the shares of naked bandits and the S version??
In the early years, the bare versions were preferred. For about ten years, however, the ratio has been around 75 percent S versions in the medium displacement class and even
at 90 percent for the large engines.

Where does the bandit rank in terms of numbers in the Suzuki program??

It is a cornerstone in our program.
Do the bandits play the same role in other European countries and the distribution between S versions and naked people is similar?
The Bandit series plays a similar role in almost every country in Europe
as in Germany, but the distribution shifts in favor of "S." in the north and the undisguised bandit in the south of Europe, which is mainly due to the climate. The exception is Great Britain, in which the share of "naked" Bandit is significantly higher. There, the undisguised variant is seen more as a puristic bike or even as a street fighter and modified accordingly.

Where is the new GSX 650 F in terms of quantity in relation to the bandits?
The ratio to the 650 bandit is still one to two, but we expect
a significant increase after
an anti-lock braking system has recently become available.

MOTORCYCLE measurements


BILLION

It couldn’t be clearer: the 1250 curves are worlds above those of the little sister, and over the entire speed range. It’s no wonder, given the almost double displacement, one might say.

But the early high torque and the comparatively low peak output of the 1250 are just as much a result of the successful everyday orientation as the exemplary performance of the 650 engine.

MOTORCYCLE scoring


BILLION

MOTORCYCLE conclusion


Artist

Three of the five badits.

The agony of choice? Indeed, with the assembled Bandit family, Suzuki offers plenty of opportunities to acquire a lot of motorcycle for a small price. Whereby everyone who can afford the approximately 2000 euros extra price and who is not afraid of a 1250 engine should go for the big bandit. The experience value of this powerful, relaxed drive is clearly higher, while the 650s shine above all with their uncomplicated nature.

One thought on “Suzuki Bandit: model comparison

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