1200 Bandit VS Gs1100/1150

[TheCafeKid]

One of the great mysterys I've seen in recent times. The ZRX is a great bike and a great value. So what did Kaw' do, discontinue it.
And just to end it's existence on an even dumber note, they stopped offering it in green for the last year. Around here, the green looked like it outsold the red, blue and silver models 10 to 1. So of course you stop selling it in green.

Its been reborn Keith!! Ofcourse we'll likely not see it stateside, but maybe write a letter??

[Big_T112]

Z1000

By far the Z1000 Kaw is a much better bike. nimble and it's fuel injected. I bought an 05 for $3800. It was a great bike and fun to ride. But take a stock Bandit swap in a 89-90 GSXR1100 intake cam, do the 2" inch hole mod in the airbox or do like I did put a Mr Turbo kit on it. I sold the bike but still have the turbo kit. I might get another one one day.

[reddirtrider]

The ZRXs also had a nasty headshake habit too...not so with the Bandit.

"superior" is a very subjective term....

Been riding one for years. Never had a head shake and I've had it well over 150 and into corners hard and deep. I'm not saying that problem doesn't/ wouldn't exist, just that neither myself, my brother (who also ownes one), have never experienced it and I've never read anything about it in one of the cycle mags.

[reddirtrider]

Id take the pepsi challenge on THIS one.. For LESS money than a ZRX, I can get a Bandit, hop it up to 160BHP and I will bet you dimes to dollars it HANDLES better than the Rex... Now, Im not sayin I wouldnt love to have a ZRX, its a damn fine machine in many respects, but dollars to dollars, I think a Bandit would press a Rex to its limits pretty easily.

Box stock the ZRX is faster and handles just as well. If you put money into your's, I'll put money into mine and I'll take that challenge. BTW, I already have pods and a Muzzy meg along with a jet kit. It's pretty fast as is.

Anyway, I like the looks of the Kwaker better. It's green.

[Bert Patterson]

I can’t remember the figures exactly, but my friend John had a ZRX12 a couple years ago that he got over 170hp from, plus over 100 on torque from about 4000 up, maybe even lower. He had about $11K in it and sold it for $6K+. Not a lot of miles, either, and very clean, but he was getting wimpy about wind protection and bought a Hayabusa. His ‘busa looks okay – I think it’s gray – but he says they’re about the ugliest bike in the world, but they work.

I probably should’ve bought John’s bike (I think it was his third ZRX), but it wasn’t quite what I was after. Seems a lot like a GS1100E with superbike bars when you sit on it – once it’s moving, it’s much more loaded on the front and the front end feels tiny by comparison. I didn’t like it as well, but I’m sure I could adjust.

[Mysuzyq]

To bring this back on topic, the Bandit is simply a superior bike, in all measurable performance aspects (in comparison to a GS1100E, I've not had a chance to sample an 1150). That said, the older GS has more character, and better lines, (though that beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder ). A well tuned B-12 is much smoother, more responsive, and better handling (rider skill being equal) than the older Suzuki. The newer 1250S I rode, takes it to a whole new level....one has to ride it, to believe the level of smoothness and effortless acceleration available, regardless of gear (IIRC, it produces 70ish lbs/ft at 3000 rpm). The ABS allows you to simply grab a fistful of brake, and the bike stops on a dime, with no drama, and no wheel lock-up.

Speaking only for myself, I would find such a refined bike boring to ride....I found my mind wandering, about 20 mins into the ride, since the bike does everything in complete silence, with absolutely no vibes.... like a well designed appliance. Hopping back on the 1100E, I found it slightly industrial in comparison, but I wouldn't trade it straight up for a new 1250S....it requires more rider input, but is much more rewarding and satisfying to ride. Feeling the engine work, and hearing the Wolf pipe's bark at 5 grand is what its all about.... never mind that blue object that streaked by in complete silence....it was probably a 1250 Bandit.

Tony.

[Big Jay]

Another thing why do they use the gs1100 blocks in drag racing and mini sprint cars?Had a Local guy build my gs1150 drag bike engine,said that the bandit/gsxr engine wont handle the abuse and old GS engine can?Maybe he is just old school..

When subjected to excessive drag racing type power, the bandit / GSXR style cases flex and causes the cranks to crack. Billet cranks were made, and cracked too. The roller bearing style cranks in the GS models handle case flex much better.

With the busa, they made the crank shorter and stiffer and solved those problems.

Also the stroke in the GS motor is 7 mm longer than the bandit/gsxr, so it is much easier to build 1500cc+ motors with the gs.

[RJ]

Anyone have an input on how a GS with a GSXR USD front end and rear wheel handles compared to a stock B12? Old frame, more advanced front suspension vs. the opposite should make for an interesting comparison.

[tone]

Anyone have an input on how a GS with a GSXR USD front end and rear wheel handles compared to a stock B12? Old frame, more advanced front suspension vs. the opposite should make for an interesting comparison.

On par with a b12 if monoshocked or using high quality rear twin shocks & properly set up for the weight or like a pig on rollerskates if not

tone

[RJ]

I guess I was curious as to whether or not the GSXR mods would truly bring the old GS up to modern specs. I can say from my own experience that my '82 1100E with cheapo Progressive rear shocks and rebuilt-to-stock GSXR 1100 front end can easily keep up with a Hayabusa in the twisties, but maybe that's due to superior riding skills ;-).

[reddirtrider]

I guess I was curious as to whether or not the GSXR mods would truly bring the old GS up to modern specs. I can say from my own experience that my '82 1100E with cheapo Progressive rear shocks and rebuilt-to-stock GSXR 1100 front end can easily keep up with a Hayabusa in the twisties, but maybe that's due to superior riding skills ;-).

The rider makes most of the difference on any bike comparisons. That's why the bike rags comparisons between liter sportbikes always amuses me.

Putting a modern front and rear (with a mono conversion) on the GS will certainly update those areas, however, then you have the frame flex, particularly around the stearing head to deal with. Of course you can brace that area, as well as other places that need it and the documentation is out there.

In the end you'll have a pretty decent bike. My guess is that it will never be a Busa or GSXR1000 and given the same rider on all three bikes the GS will finish last. That's not the bottom line for me. I like modifiying these old bikes and the final product is something that is both unique (beautiful if you will with the exposed air cooled motors) and satisfying.

[isleoman]

My GS1100 with 95 GSXR front, Ohlin's Twin shocks and modern radials is light years ahead of stock and more than enough to make me happy but it still doesn't equal my 01 FZ1 from a total handling stand point.

In reality its very hard in the north east to exceed the capabilities of any bike on the street with out loosing your license or hurting yourself first. So if I catch a Busa or a modern 1000 on some stretch of twisties the question really becomes who's more willing to take the chances on what's around the next corner, sand, rocks, cops, car pulling out of driveway.

I switch with my buddy on his Ducati 748 and while his bike handles superbly the motor on the FZ1 will leave him ten bike lengths behind so are we only going to rate them on corner speed, corner stability, or who gets from point a to point b first, top speed, number of tickets?

I had a small BMW bike with the boxy aluminum luggage cases chasing me down the other day. The guy was a talented rider and while I could have taken him I just said "You go girl" in my mind, and let him go ahead. Just wasn't worth a ticket (on that day and that road).

Hell when I get on Rt 95, Hyundai Accents fly by me doing 90. I know they aren't faster than a bike. Conversely on Rt 90 or Rt 95 I almost never see a Corvette that isn't creeping along in the slow lane at exactly the speed limit. What's up with that.

Was on vacation in Yosemite last week and man I wished I had one of my bikes for Rt 41 going south into Oakhurst,CA. Gotta give CA a lot of credit for setting speed limits at proper levels, it was all I could do to keep my rental car at 50mph on those tight banked turns and the actual limit was 55. Also credit CA with the slower traffic pull offs and the signage suggesting people use them. Had about 70% of drivers pull over and let me through. In Mass they won't even get over on a multi-lane road.

[saffa]

I like modifiying these old bikes and the final product is something that is both unique (beautiful if you will with the exposed air cooled motors) and satisfying.

and there it is ....nuff said

[Bad Kaw]

...That's not the bottom line for me. I like modifiying these old bikes and the final product is something that is both unique (beautiful if you will with the exposed air cooled motors) and satisfying.

Yep. I'll second that!
-KR

[tkent02]

My buddy (Ducati at home) came out and spent a day riding my GS1000 up in the mountains.
He said it took a lot of work to learn how to ride this big old thing in the twisties but he couldn't keep from looking down to see that big ass engine sticking out both sides way past the gas tank.
Made my day.