1200 Bandit VS Gs1100/1150

[TheCafeKid]

Ray, I know you won't believe me but my '07 ZX14 got 46 to 47 mpg when I went on the GSR '08 Yosemite trip. It's stock except for some Area P cans that are said to add only 6 HP and the AP owner himself told me the cans still keep the fuel/air ratio close enough that a Power Commander/re-map isn't needed. My plugs look fine too and there's no signs of being too lean anywhere.
Me and Hap came home about as fast as we dared. He was on a ZRX1200 that looked stock to me. We didn't do a constant 90 mph but probably averaged very close to that. We rarely went under 80 for short stretches and I hit 150 a few times and spent quite awhile at 100 or so. Hap was always just behind. My point is we were moving and I was very surprised at my mileage, almost worried it was too good. The trip meter is accurate and I kept track of the actual amount of fuel pumped in.
So you can get some very impressive mileage sometimes.

I believe you Keith. I get better mileage on my ZRX going fast and corner carving than I do putting around town. In town frankly it gets crap mileage. 33 plus or minus mpg. At highway speed/constant throttle position I get 47-50mpg. And in the twisties, banging throu the gear box ive usually done about 40-45mpg. It does better when it's in motion. Getting my large ass and it's large ass moving with any urgency from light to light seems to eat fuel..

[graybags]

Holeshot Performance

Hey Elrico,

Big Bandit fans enjoy:SportRider magazine Jan.2012 issue.Holeshot Bandit 1250FA,super standard mods article.

Interesting you should refer to Holeshot Performance - I did Mr. Walker's Stage 2 to my Bandit 1250 a month or so back (Dobeck TFI box, modded airbox, secondary butterfly removal, K&N filter to go with the Ixil L3X slip on I had already changed to) for a (claimed and seat-of-the-pants AT LEAST) 17 HP boost and it has transformed the bike!!! And for not much more than beer money!!! For all you Bandito's google Maximum Suzuki for everything Bandit..., and the respect he has there is immense.

Should be remembered he was the first to crack 7 secs on a gas powered bike...

Would highly recommend his services to anyone here in need of them - great prices and THE best service, even though I live on the opposite side of the planet!!! Swing by his website (holeshot.com) and check out his latest drag bike - all that said there is still no substitute for the 'ol GS!!!

[lurch12_2000]

Since this thread was resurrected....the Bandit 1200 is a better bike than any stock 1100E, but doesn't have the charm of the old GSes. My '98 Bandit is lighter, faster, handles better and has more grunt than any of the 4 GS1100E's I've owned...and more comfortable after h-bar change and seat mod done.

[Ecklund]

Since this thread was resurrected....the Bandit 1200 is a better bike than any stock 1100E, but doesn't have the charm of the old GSes. My '98 Bandit is lighter, faster, handles better and has more grunt than any of the 4 GS1100E's I've owned...and more comfortable after h-bar change and seat mod done.

And would be a quite a bit more expensive as a used bike but for its less than inspired looks.

Seems like the euro and Japanese markets get the standards we don't.

I think that is one of the reasons members of this forum spend what they do to improve the performance of these older bikes.

[BlackandBlue]

Since this thread was resurrected....the Bandit 1200 is a better bike than any stock 1100E, but doesn't have the charm of the old GSes. My '98 Bandit is lighter, faster, handles better and has more grunt than any of the 4 GS1100E's I've owned...and more comfortable after h-bar change and seat mod done.

What kind of bars did you change to? When I test rode an 05 Bandit I noticed the riding position to me was in between my GS1100E and a crotch rocket. I much prefer the GS position, more up right.

[lurch12_2000]

What kind of bars did you change to? When I test rode an 05 Bandit I noticed the riding position to me was in between my GS1100E and a crotch rocket. I much prefer the GS position, more up right.

I used the GP Touring bars, recommended by another forum member here on both my old '00 Bandit 1200S and now on my '98 Bandit 1200S. The bigger factor to change is the seat. A combination of dishing(scooping) out the seat (started by the PO but had to clean up rough edges and adding foam where it was cut too much exposing the seat pan) and building up the seat nose by adding more foam and then recovering with new seat cover. My wife and I did this as a team effort and it now keeps me from pitching forward on my nuts and sliding into the tank causing pain and fatigue. Before, you leaned too far forward and because the seat was sloped, also causing you to slide and always trying to use your legs to maintain position. Before 40 mile trips would be tough, but I can do 200+ mile days now. I've used an aftermarket Suzuki gel seat but that still wasn't as good of a sitting pocket as this custom made seat has.

Note: the stock bars have a hole on each side for the control tab thingy, so when changing out you would have to carefully snip the plastic tabs off and tighten the screws a little more or take electrical tape and wrap the h-bar surface once around where the controls clamp on, to keep them from moving or spinning...especially on the choke lever side.