I'm considering the next bike...only mandates are that it be chaindriven or have realistic gearing and that it have decent touoring ability.

First we have a 2003+ VFR800 Interceptor:

My pros-

Looks like a sport bike, carries like a tourer.
V4's are pimp.
LOTS of touring and cushy add-ons.
Plenty of power.
No messing with PC's and mapping nonsense for simple bolt on modifications.
Over-engineered motor.
V-Tec yo!
Single side swinger.
Bright as day headlights.
I won't be interested in modding the thing too much.
RC51 front ends bolt right up in case I change my mind.

My cons-

Looks like a sport bike (nice gixxer!).
Cost...$5500 range.
Touring add-ons are costly (good bags = $1100+).

2002+ Bandit 1200

My pros-

Naked, uninteresting to look at.
1200cc motor.
More of a standard position.
Putting down 100+ lbs of torque is easy.
Bigger seat (don't know about better).
Cheap ($3000 range)

Cons-

Not the most reliable motor.
Carbureted.
Rarity in my area.

That's really all I've got here.  I've not had enough to do with either model to really compare them.  I've never been on either with a pillion and really that's the big thing here...I need a bike that will carry a pillion comfortably.  This is the biggest reason why I'm condidering the B12...it seems a bit more of a standard.  However, if the VFR can carry a pillion comfortably then it's my first choice.

Anyone have direct experience with both?

What's a pillion?

Based on looks alone (because I don't have experiance with either) I'd go for the Bandit but that's only because I more of a naked bike fan than one with full fairings.  I don't think you can go wrong with either though.

Quote from: max_boost on September 06, 2007, 06:23:30 AM
What's a pillion?

Based on looks alone (because I don't have experiance with either) I'd go for the Bandit but that's only because I more of a naked bike fan than one with full fairings.  I don't think you can go wrong with either though.

Pillion is a passenger.

Have you looked at the new Bandit 1250? I hear they solved all the problems they had with the 1200's.

Tough, tough call. 

For the money, dollar for dollar,  I'd go B12.  But there is nothing better than getting on a bike you know will start and run forever (ie., it's a Honda). 

QuoteNot the most reliable motor

What?! 
Bandit 1200 has one of the most reliable motors ever , at least that's what I was lead to believe so far ,correct me if I'm wrong of course .
Like the venerable GS the Bandit's motor is carried over from older design the GSX-R1100

The worst thing I've heard about that motor is that it burns a sh*t ton of oil. 

I've heard that too about the bandit motor, but past that I've never heard anything bad.
In my opinion,  The VFR is way sexier.

the B12 is prone to oiling issues that lead to spun bearings, cam problems, and scored cylinders.  The biggest problem in my opinion is that it's not something consistent to each bike...some have it, some don't.  The 1250 isn't an option...I won't spend more than $5000 on a bike.

I'd also like to say, about the 1250, that it's a new engine and it's potential is yet to be explored.  My bigest attraction to the 1200 is that it's proven...the old gsxr stuff bolts up and minor bolt ons yield results you can really feel.  Bolt ons plus gsxr cams is a completely different bike.  None of that old stuff really works for the 1250.

VFR gets my vote all the way. SSSA= The Sexy
If not for looks alone, then for the powerband, EFI V4 Motor, and Honda Bulletproof building.
The B12 is probably much easier with the DIY repairs, though.

I bet it would be a nightmare to change the spark plugs on a VFR.  B12 would be easy to work on. 

My stepdads got the b12 , its such a powerful bike , his is running 131 bhp at the rear wheel , fastest thing up to 100 hes had he recons ,

Hes compairing the r1 , Gsxr 1100 ,. And A Cbr Fireblade 900 . all of which he owned before , and he said changing the plugs was a nighmare

VFR.

b600! lol sorry, its all I could afford. who needs 100 hp, thats what honda civics are for.

-ash

Quote from: makenzie71 on September 06, 2007, 09:54:34 AM
the B12 is prone to oiling issues that lead to spun bearings, cam problems, and scored cylinders.  The biggest problem in my opinion is that it's not something consistent to each bike...some have it, some don't.  The 1250 isn't an option...I won't spend more than $5000 on a bike.

not completely accurate on the oil issue. there is a small, documented run of 2001 (maybe 2002 instead) bikes that have this issue. If you get a 'burner' its a quart every 500 miles. most of the bikes are not burners and are dead reliable. I run with a bunch of bandit riders and installing a slip on gives you 10-13 hp automatically. they're not the best of anything but do everything well, including track. a good rider can haul ass on a bandit embarassing most in the race group. only drawback is ground clearance.

check out maximum-suzuki.com for info on the burners-they have the VIN run of the documented burners and a special forum dedicated to them. oen guy I know has a burner and its fine. doesn't bother him at all, he just keeps adding oil. it doesnt make the bike any slower.

takes mods really well and there are LOADS of them. Dale Walker at Holeshot will be your friend, lol.

the vfr is good too but anyone that rides them more 'sport' than 'tourer' hates the vtec. honda never admitted a mistake but they finally changed the rpm at which it kicks in for the 2007 model, addressing the biggest complaint of the bike.

holy crap....pablo posted!  I know of the oil-burner bit but I've seen a lot of issues with a few others...enough of them to make me a bit leery.  Not leery enough to say I wouldn't own one, though, hah.

I'm not too concerned with the vtec bit...the only time I'll ever really get into a spirited ride is if i can ever get her to the mountains and i don't think it'll be hard to keep her above 6800rpm...there's still another 5000 rpm to play with.  She'll be doing mainly straight-line stuff all the rest of the time.

I'm really mostly interested in finding out how pillion friendly both of these bikes are.  The perches ono both look pretty level, and a lot of the sesat manufacturers offer setups with back-rests for both bikes.  Just don't know how well it all works.  I'd really love to find ouot that the vFR is particularly pillion friendly as it's my #1 choice (EFI trumps).

I hate having my particular guidelines...I want something that'll be nice for Kalee to ride with me, but I don't want a cruiser because it won't suit my riding style or what I want.  I don't want an all-ouot sport/supersport because Kalee's not comfortable on them and I really don't have anywhere to use onoe properly.  There's just not a lot of interesting standards out there in my budget.  I don't really know what other bikes to consider, either...the B12 and VFR have been long-time "want to haves".

Speaking on Pillion ,. Me , My Mum , and my two brothers 11/18 have been on the back ,and its lovely , i dont like being pillion with just any1 but it felt comfy and if my little bro who is a proper nancy boy would go on it then its all good , he changed the rear grab rail on it ,the ones before , was like two placed on almost the sides of the tail right at the back , he bought one like the gs in chrome and it was perfect , because it was geared for accelration it topped at around 140 but it was like warp speed , when he opened it up , it was like slow motion was amazing , he could Knee down with my mum on the back and pop the odd wheelies with her on it ,

The bandit 1200 is the one Mak , You know it makes sense!

Why not put the sv1000 in the mix.  Its a liter bike, touring would be a piece of cake.  Lots of mods, v-twin purr, upright but sporty position, able to be thrown on a track, and just a sweet ride to look at.  Also, you can do most of your work and not have to pay someone else.  Better yet, only takes two spark plugs.

Quote from: bombadillo on September 07, 2007, 10:14:16 PM
Why not put the sv1000 in the mix.  Its a liter bike, touring would be a piece of cake.  Lots of mods, v-twin purr, upright but sporty position, able to be thrown on a track, and just a sweet ride to look at.  Also, you can do most of your work and not have to pay someone else.  Better yet, only takes two spark plugs.

+1 on the SV1000, though I prefer the S model myself.  I'm seriously considering one as my next serious vehicle purchase.

SV is of the question.  I come from a TL1000S...SV1k's are just boring in comparison.  On top of that, it is not pillion friendly...it's more aggressive than my TL was.

The viffer people tell me the VFR is actually not pillion friendly at all...it's noot horrible but the bikes was designed to be more of a solo-tourer.  They say it's great solo.  So I'm stuck looking at the Bandit.  I haven't had too many people tell me it's bad for the missus so maybe it'll worok.  Just have to find one.  At least it'll be cheaper...but no efi...