Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128624
Granted , you won 't f i n d th es e b ikes b e ing p i l oted around m an y mo to cro s s trac ks or down man y desert trai l s , but th ey 're great c h oi ce s for e v ery t hi n g f r o m co mmu t ing , t o cas ual s po r t ri di ng, t o m oderate tou ring . O f c o u rse in o r d e r t o pre s er v e th eir sta t us a s affordab l e do -it- alls , su ch m a chin e s do n ' t often e n joy th e att e ntio n o f reg ular upd a t es , in st ea d r e m a i n ing re l a tively unch ang e d f or yea r s a n d ye a r s. Thu s , when a ma n uf ac t u re r sees fit to b e st ow a host of improvem ents on o ne of these " st a n d a rd s " ( a l a s, e ven th ese s imp le m o to rc y cl es have be en given a needless moniker) , it's newswor t hy - so ne ws wort hy th at Su zuki's ma keover of the B an d it 1200 S was hera lded with a p r e s s conference at the rece nt L a g un a Seca Su per bike w e e k e n d i n M on t ere y , Ca l ifo rn ia (a nd in E ur o pe wi t h a sim i la r unveiling at the Isle of Man) . (Above) Suzuki's updates to the Bandit give it a more un ified, racey look; an appearance that is mirrored by its performance. (Left) The Bandit's workhorse a ircooled 1157cc four-cylinder motor is stili an admirable perfonner, offering good torque and strong acceleration. releasing early t o sat i sfy its pro d u ct -hungry d eal ers . Th e n on -fa ired m odel ( ide n tic al exce pt fo r f o rk s pr i ngs a nd ap pe a r a nce) will b e availabl e in F eb ru ary , for $400 le ss. Ou r int r odu c ti on t o th e 1 2 0 0 t o o k place th e d ay afte r L a gun a S e c a' s Worl d Su perbike r a c e , a n d cons is te d of a b a c k ro ads ri de from Mon t ere y to th e L o s A n g el es a r ea . Sin c e th en , w e 'v e u s ed t he b ik e d ail y for co m m uting. (Above) The Ba ndit gets a new seat shape an d fo am f or next year, a long with easie r- to-use bung ee hooks. (Below) Th e gauges are now e lectric inst ead of ca ble-act uat e d. @J]J@@ (/D@fi]7]D@fJD0 D i2@@ f} &)mgmDIfJ fff3cffJ[jlJciJfJ71 f} i2@@U&) This is the k ind of limelight typi c a ll y reserved for sexier, more -spe - (forg ive me i f I don't apply the bland "standard " handle) to j u st if y a cialized models , but Suzu k i - aware periodic facelift and ceremony . The t hat t he re a re enough customers press con fer en c e was for t he faired m otorcy cl es S m od e l o n ly , wh i ch Su zu k i is ou t t h er e f o r r e g ul a r SUGGESTED RETAIL PRiCE $7399 ENGINE TYPE A -cylinder, in-line, DOHC, air-cooled 4-stroke wI SACS (2 exhaust valves, 2 intake valves per cylinder) DISPLACEMENT 1157cc COMPRESSIO RATIO N 9.5:1 BORE x STROKE _ 79.0 x 59.0mm CARBURETION Mik uni BSR36 A into 1 EXHAUST IGNmON Digital Electronic LUBRiCATION Wet sump FUEL CAPACITY .5.2 galions TRANSMISSION .5-speed CLUTCH Hydrauli c, wet multi-plate FINAL DRIVE Chain FRAME Steel, double-cradle RAKE/TRAIL 25.3°/l04mm WHEELBASE 56.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT .31.1 in. SUSPENSION A3m m telescopic wI 5.2 inches travel FRONT REAR Swingamn, progressive link wI 5.0 inches travel BRA KES FRONT 6- piston calipers, 310mm dual discs REAR _ 2-piston caliper , 240mm single disc TIRES FRONT 120/70-17 180/55-17 REAR GROUND CLEARANCE _ .5.2 in. CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT .484 lbs, cue I e n e _ S • A U G U ST 2 , 2 000 27