Thanks for the warm welcome :)
Well i currently ride a Bandit 6 and now looking for something with more torque and I can't decide whether I should go for Bandit 1200 or gsx 1400.
Now I know it's probably bias towards gsx on here but can anyone on here who's had both bikes give pro's and cons for both.I have read plenty about both and my head says one thing and heart says other.
Cheers. :hat:
Yup, absolutely. Just wait a mo, here they come . . .
Easy: Test ride both
I have both.
For me neither is a "better" bike, they are different and 1 may suit you more than the other.
The 14 has more torque, feels more planted / stable, has classic Old Skool looks, and less common. A great lazy bike / tourer but still useable day to day.
The 12 has a more basic feel, easier to find more horsepower being GSXR based, carbs, cams, big bores, "dot" heads, pipes etc performance upgrades are much more common.
The 12 used to be the stunt riders choice, heaps of spares, easy to wheelie etc. a brilliant bike to clown about on that gives a lot of feedback to the rider.
The 12 is just big boys Meccano. The oilcooled lump large and small is often interchangeable and has been used in a wide range of bikes worldwide.
The 14 suffers slightly from being a physically wider motor that is a stand alone model, not used in anything else, and not sold in the huge US market that often generates spares and knowledge.
Both suffer from Suzuki's standard build quality. No major fails, but overall build quality is avarage but not great.
Both are old but provent designs now, both are great bikes, just a little different.
IMO there isn't a better one, just one that's better for an individual.
What Tony said :onya: :onya:
Both have advantages and disadvantages as said best give them both a run and see.
My wife had a 1200 bandit and she said the weight on the 14 was much lower down so easier to manouver it.
Both ride great so good luck
:cheers:
If you have a missus that intends to ride on the back of the bike, the 1400 has plenty of room......and does'nt wheelie.
:onya:
Doesn't wheelie? I can if you want it to.
As usual our resident Suzuki collector
@Tony Nitrous is the voice of reason.
(Though he rides them, so perhaps accumulator is a better word than collector.)
A mate has a Bandit 1200 and he wishes he'd got the 1250 (being that it's fuel injected rather than carbs). He still enjoys it though.
For my own point of view, when I was looking for a bike there were a few things that swung me the way of the 1400.
- Looks great, classic muscle bike appeal
- LOTS of torque, 6 speed gearbox, oil cooled, fuel injected
- pretty comfortable, esp good for pillions.
- heaps of space under seat for gear.
The previous owner had spent some serious $ on an Akro system etc and stupidly decided to sell the bike, eh
@Bov :lol: (He bought a Honda, but it's OK he's better now and back on a 1400)
Quote from: zorba on Wednesday, 02 May 2018, 04:13 AM
I can't decide whether I should go for Bandit 1200 or gsx 1400.
my head says one thing and heart says other.
What does your HEART say?
@VladTepes Never wheelies with the bride on the back......Ever !!
Thanks for all the great replies especially form Tony N.Heart says GSX for looks alone great looking bike,then there's the better seat which is more comfortable and has better storage,also tank has a better range.Head says Bandit ,loads about to buy and cheaper,plenty of spares ,lighter bike although I aint a twig so shouldn't make much difference and carbs that can be fixed, haven't got a clue about injection.
I suppose as been said test ride both.
Thanks again :salute:
My current 12. Its was faired but I fixed that.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi67.tinypic.com%2Fx1byb9.jpg&hash=5778a7ebc9b65256298968a6b936ce6acdad8dee)
My 14. Was a crashed bike, now a work in progress.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2F2cwqz3b.jpg&hash=8c075278f3649e8af4166f16e28ab23d68c956bd)
I think I paid $2650 for the Bandit and $2500 for the 14.
The 14 now owes me $2625 all up.
I prefer to buy crashed bikes or projects.
A previous 12.
Renthals, jacked up foot pegs, carbon can, GSXR coil spring clutch, GSXR cams, it ad an ignition advancer but I pulled that out when I fitted the 60hp Holley / NOS kit (battery in the tail, solenoids and fuel pump in the battery box, 2.5lb bottle).
All the mods were done to a brand new bike. The dealer was a bit surprised when it went back for its first service.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi68.tinypic.com%2F2wqtuef.jpg&hash=5fe1d012be6030e79061dcd2a5235c4d038f15e6)
I ran it at the drags, but to be honest it was better for show-boating and wheelies all down the strip than actual times. Renthals, engine mods and nitrous didn't really suit the stock wheelbase. Was better on the street than the strip.
My Nitrous 12, big bore Kat and GSXR1100 at an Avon Park "Run what ya brung" (it was handy having a fiancé and a lodger who both rode)
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi68.tinypic.com%2Fb8wakg.jpg&hash=ae73c51d2c180e22253e819a974d1a995274432c)
I currently own both bikes
@zorba and have done for a good few years now.
My GSX1400 is my commuter bike/work horse and the Bandit is my sunny day, go out and play bike. I always thought the Bandit was a heavy bike until I rode the GSX1400..Not any longer. It feels like a lightweight sports bike up to the 1400. Both bikes do exactly what I want them to do though..And that is put a big smile on my face when I ride them.
If you want fuel economy then the Mk1 Bandit is a thirsty bike when ridden in anger..I get far better mileage from the 1400 even when I thrash it on the motorway!
Basically what Tony said in his post above sums both bikes up :onya:
That's a nice looking Bandit you got there Froudy, makes the Gsx look ugly. :whistling:
Quote from: zorba on Wednesday, 02 May 2018, 06:08 PM
That's a nice looking Bandit you got there Froudy, makes the Gsx look ugly. :whistling:
Thanks Zorba...But be careful saying that on here...You'll get shot :rofl2:
Busa's are getting cheaper.
A Busa with a top yoke conversion ticks a lot of box's.
I'm a B-King fan, they are a whole heap of fun, and the motor and running gear puts the 14's to shame, but they look a bit odd to most folk and aren't great for pillions, luggage or tank size. Depends if you want a naked bike to hunt GSXR's or to visit the other end of the country with your Doris.
Busa....noooo! No likey at all.
Quote from: froudy on Wednesday, 02 May 2018, 06:10 PM
Quote from: zorba on Wednesday, 02 May 2018, 06:08 PM
That's a nice looking Bandit you got there Froudy, makes the Gsx look ugly. :whistling:
Thanks Zorba...But be careful saying that on here...You'll get shot :rofl2:
I'm just loading the gun now Froudy :grin:
an ugly 14, not sure ive ever seen one. surely you write crap zorba. have you seen the specsavers adds?
Quote from: zorba on Wednesday, 02 May 2018, 06:36 PM
Busa....noooo! No likey at all.
Mine.
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2F35b8nqq.jpg&hash=cf1d92489b136598b741dfa44c43c4f7c73907ef)
Nothing wrong with Busa's, apart from Gen2's which have a very ugly seat unit.
This is a rather tasty one I know of in the UK. 260 RW BHP on low boost and 320 on high :boogie:
Not much padding on that seat Froudy! :rofl2:
Quote from: ARH on Wednesday, 02 May 2018, 09:46 PM
Not much padding on that seat Froudy! :rofl2:
From the looks of it it's one of those street fighter commode seats .so if you go fast and s☆☆t yourself you don't mess the seat up .
It might make a mess of the rear tyre tho
:stir:
:rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :clapping:
320 bhp some one's bum hole likely eaten the seat :rofl2:
Bloody hell Froudy that's a monstrosity,just not my type at all.
Quote from: Latty66 on Thursday, 03 May 2018, 01:33 AM
320 bhp some one's bum hole likely eaten the seat :rofl2:
Now that's funny!!! :rofl2: :rofl2:
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Wednesday, 02 May 2018, 09:01 AM
If you have a missus that intends to ride on the back of the bike, the 1400 has plenty of room......and does'nt wheelie.
:onya:
Hi all its Di
I beg to differ about the wheelie bit paul has generally done 3 before we have even got off our estate but they are done on purpose lol
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 03 May 2018, 02:45 AM
Quote from: Latty66 on Thursday, 03 May 2018, 01:33 AM
320 bhp some one's bum hole likely eaten the seat :rofl2:
Now that's funny!!! :rofl2: :rofl2:
320 bhp thats 1580bhp to the ton clambering off that after a red mist moment and ya leathers woulb a like arseless chaps :rofl2:
Am still laughing :rofl2:
Here's my take on it.
Usually it's best to go with the heart, and the reason is simple.
If you go with your head you'll always think "You know, I should have got that GSX when I had the chance..."
The Bandit certainly has more stuff available for it, but the GSX1400 can me modified quite heavily (or just a tad to make it a bit "yours" as there are various after-market bits out there.
The GSX is surprisingly capable on the twisties; but if pure speed in that environment is your only concern then neither GSX or Bandit is the best choice. That's sportsbike territory.
IMO I don't think you'll find a better all-rounder than the GSX1400. Which is why I ride one. :onya:
The current list for my "next bike" is... (Spending on my 2018 funds!)
Gen-2 Busa.
Gen-3 Busa.
H2.
H2-SX.
ZX14R.
I'd like some thing less than 10 years old, I have plenty of old ones already.
Shame there's no real replacement for the 14 but that's not a huge drama.
I did look at oddballs and some thing very different like a Rocket 111, Africa Twin, V-Max, the naked version of the GL1800 etc, but its not really me, and would probably be some thing I'd regret like my Harley was.
Tony, some good choices there. just keep the 14. not worth a lot but great value to have. i thought about a rocket, just too hard on tyres and too hard for me to push around. spent two weeks on one
Thanks Vlad for your thoughts,I'm not a speed merchant so the speeds of either bike will be ample for me.I'm after more torque so I can just blip the throttle to overtake as oppose to dropping down a gear on the B6 (pending situation ).
Quote from: zorba on Friday, 04 May 2018, 12:13 AM
Thanks Vlad for your thoughts,I'm not a speed merchant so the speeds of either bike will be ample for me.I'm after more torque so I can just blip the throttle to overtake as oppose to dropping down a gear on the B6 (pending situation ).
Gear changes for overtaking are optional on the 14. Put a 17 tooth front sprocket on one, (18 is std) pulls even harder & is even quicker accelerating.
I've owned both, a 99 bandit 12 and my current 06 GSX14.
1) The bandit felt way smaller and nimble compared to the bigger 14.
2) Parts are easier to find for the 12, although I've never had any real issues buying for the 14 having said that, just more choice for the 12.
3) 14 is alot better for 2 up , although the 12 is still capable, and my wife's alot comfier on it.
4) The bandit feels a bit more hooligan and probably made me ride a bit harder, the 14 I probably ride a bit more sedatly but that torque is still great.
5) For me the BIG difference is the looks......i think the 14 looks awesome. It's huge but for me that's the appeal, it's just a big naked muscle bike which from the first time I saw them I knew I wanted one. I remember pulling up at a big bike meet on my bandit and then some guy decided to make me feel very tiny when he parked next to me on his 14 :rolleyes:
Not sure if any of the above helps you but that's kinda my thoughts. Both are brilliant bikes, I would be happy with either, but for my situation which often includes having a pillion, the 14 wins.
Gaz
My 14 :smitten:
Great info there Gaz thanks :onya:
Quote from: zorba on Friday, 04 May 2018, 12:13 AM
so I can just blip the throttle to overtake
:twisted:
(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2F1zwjjw6.jpg&hash=271faa3f6123b3ef0e1931abe82465bfc49dc064)
Thought i'd throw this into the mix, I quite like the look of it........and yes I know its a Yamaha !!
Mate i like that too reckon that would fit me perfect be fun rideing that for a few hours a day dunno about the bike though
Definitely does NOT need a tail tidy !!
Perfect as it is !!
Amazing the extras available for Yamaha's! Mind you, that add on looks pretty expensive.
That is the best mod I have seen. :drool:
Best thing about MT09 is definately the arse end. Amazing.
Is that sprayed on in satin or matt paint :whatever:
Red is the authority on that aspect, although, must admit, I wouldn't mind studying a course in that, especially if it was hands on . . .
@Red Biker
No ohlons needed, hands on adjust on those shockers.
Apparently, if you look long and hard enough, you'll see a bike in that pic. Not convinced though. :drool:
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 10 May 2018, 07:32 PM
Red is the authority on that aspect, although, must admit, I wouldn't mind studying a course in that, especially if it was hands on . . .
@Red Biker
Yeah very nice col, jack up blocks do make the rear end look nice! you don't see many like that in Matlock! more like this !
Glad I saw that after lunch and not before :facepalm:
Quote from: mjgt on Friday, 11 May 2018, 10:40 PM
Glad I saw that after lunch and not before :facepalm:
Me too :lol: :rofl2: :rofl2:
I go to Weight Watchers every Wednesday - sure I have seen her there !! :)
Is weight watchers not just a room full of mirrors
:stir:
No no no no..... it's just not right! I can't 'unsee' that.... I'm going to need counselling! :rofl2:
What I want to know is, what the hell Red is doing with a pic like that! :rofl2:
Asking the same question Col........ l'm viewing on my phone and it blotted out the whole screen.
That poor motorcycle :facepalm:
Trust Red to come along and crush my spirits with that horrifying image (I'm sure she has a great personality though)
Is it a she Sweaty.....l didnt wanna look that close..... :facepalm:
Now you have made me go back & have another look :facepalm: & it is debatable KF.
Have another look at that MT09 Sweaty.....its a nice bike, make you feel better :drool:
Have to admit I have saved the Yamaha image to my phone for reference . . . .
Regular reference !!!
It's just for balance cols, this is my fav girl bike combo, certainly looks like it has some pulling power! :salute:
Definitely better than your last effort Red, - but, it's a Hardly FFS!
I thought it was a pedal bike........
Sadly Red Matlock is now on the list of places to avoid........at all costs !!
Right you lot you've had your fun with the pics ;) now back on track with thread.What's the reliability like for fuel injection? if i go with the GSX can't afford high repair bills as oppose to a carb which I could do myself.
The injectors don't often need attention, but a full set recondition isn't expensive & wouldn't need to be done again for many thousands of miles. Barmy knows who does the recon on them & how much it costs. Bit of injector clean through the fuel helps keep them good, as does the filter mods.
I find it simple to deal with the EFI and it is very reliable. All can be done by yourself.
The throttle valves need to be checked if synchronization is necessary (just like the carbs) about every 12000 km (according to maintenance schedule). I did it last year and plan to do it again soon. The throttle position sensors (TPS, STPS) need to be checked (with multimeter) if you feel like it. If I recall correctly, the injector guys that Barmy recommends advice to have them cleaned every 50000 km (cost about 60 pounds).
Depending on changes to engine and exhaust system you may need to adjust A/F ratios. That can get expensive as you need a Power Commander, Dyno-run and or Autotune. A bit cheaper but more coarse with a yoshi-box type thingy (about 300 € to own).
57,000kms on the 1400 with no issues, runs lovely. I just keep fresh oil in it and a bit of general maintainence.
Buy a nice GSX1400 and get on with enjoying it.
I'm sure you won't regret it.
:onya:
Cheers fellas for all the input so far :onya:
Long ago I was a bit cautious of injection, I had similar thoughts that I couldn't work on it or fix it like carbs.
Now I run 3 injected bikes and 2 with carbs. The injected bikes give me a lot less dramas and aren't a big deal to work on or get fixed.
Quote from: KiwiCol on Sunday, 13 May 2018, 05:09 AM
Definitely better than your last effort Red, - but, it's a Hardly FFS!
Hardly is right Col :rofl2: