Motorcycle specifications SuzukiGSF 1200 BANDIT 1996 A real daredevil!

given the success of the 600 Bandit, it didn't take long for Suzuki to arrange the sauce for a greedier, more generous version. Take the same bike and stick a big engine in it; and what's more, a derivative of the 1100 GSX-R. Here comes the Bandit for the big boys.

look for the differences. If you're not one of the gang, you won't be able to tell them apart. Whether in N or S version, the B12 is a near-perfect copy of the B6. Same face, same frame design, same fuel tank, same silhouette, it's only the pot and the engine size that change - well, as far as you can see. Rest assured, the chassis has been adapted to the big mill that Suz' has housed in the 1200's steel rib cage. Hey, is that boiler really the GSX-R block?
Yes, with a few modifications. Originally rated at 1,127 cm3 on the former 1,100 sports bike, the big air/oil-cooled mill has been upgraded to 1,157 cm3 thanks to an extra 1 mm of bore. But Hammamatsu's engineers didn't go for maximum power for this roadster; they focused on torque. To achieve this, the camshafts have a more streamlined profile and the carburetors have been reduced from 40 to 36 mm. As a result, the big GSF boasts 93 hp for everyone (it's unbridled). Not huge for such a big engine, but it's the torque that's really interesting. 12 mkg from mid-range - plenty of torque, and you don't even have to hit the revs to get the most out of this muscle. It's going to give!
OK, a big heart like that needs to be held. The chassis has evolved accordingly, with an appropriately sized frame, a swingarm with a nice cross-section in aluminum rather than steel as on the 600, a 2 mm larger fork, 310 mm disc brakes with 4-piston calipers, and a rear shock absorber with more adjustments. And for a touch of class, the B12 comes with a small additional dial between the speedometer and rev counter, which doubles as a fuel gauge, a striking aluminum chain guard, and the personal touch of a gold anodized chain. The Bandit is beautiful, especially in its N version, well finished and a little provocative.

The first few laps impress on several occasions. Previously astonished that the B12 is only 12 kg heavier than the B6, we're even more amazed that the bike handles so well and is so well balanced. It may well be a large-displacement bike, but it seems to be in the mid-range category. The turning radius is good, and the engine, like the drivetrain, is very smooth, making this machine at home in town. The rider will have no other feeling than to appreciate it. The seat and suspension are comfortable, the seating position is natural, the controls pleasant, and the bike needs only a few meters to put its owner at ease.
And if you still think that big cubes mean anvils, just wind up with this 1200. You can send it around the bend with a call on the footpegs, without even insisting on the handlebars. Then, simply open up the throttle at any rpm for plenty of power, and increase your riding pace as much as you like. By the time it reaches 4,000 rpm, the engine already has almost 50 hp at its disposal, and its torque rating is close to maximum. Not villainous and rather well-behaved, the mill isn't as thuggish as the machine's name suggests. We'd have liked it to be a little more "raw", although the potato at its disposal is enough to satisfy many a big-bore rider. Use and abuse the fat torque and you can ride fast and hard, or even more... Above 6,000 rpm, there's still a hefty dose of nagging to come, though not in the form of a herd of raging mammoths. Be careful, though - the B12 holds the road well, but it's a big bike. It won't be as easy to catch up with it as the B6 if you get carried away by optimism. On the other hand, the big GSF handles much better on rough roads than the little one. The brakes offer good power, provided you insist on the lever. This is reflected in the feel.

The S version's fork head holds a 150/160 cruising speed, but the protection isn't enough to qualify the Bandit S as a road bike.
Of course, if you've got a heavy hand, the big 1200 will slap you in the gourd copiously. In absolute terms, the 4-cylinder is just right: not particularly sober, but not too greedy either. It's possible to swallow 180 kms before refueling. After filling up, check that the mirrors haven't loosened a little - it happens sometimes.

the 600 Bandit is a hit, and the 1200 is sure to follow suit. It's got plenty of trunk space, watts, great handling and comfort, and above all, it's priced at a tempting 5 grand. For a bike of this calibre, it's well worth the money.

M.B
(inspired by Moto-journal - manufacturer's photos)