Hi all, heres my dilemma. i got a 98 vfr 800 since 5 years now that have brought me around central Europe 3 times solo from Ireland where i live. Of course considering the type of bike especially the fearings, i was sticking on roads that were not too rough...I got this year the option to take to Norway and Sweden a Suzuki Bandit 1200 year 2000, a bike i am not very familiar with yet, but that had been suggested to me by a friend on the reason that the carburators + less sensors and computer dependant board would make my life easier on the road, in bad weather and ever changing temperatures , as well as easier maintenance and cheeper/more available parts if needed. The other great point was to be able to explore less mainstream roads with a naked bike . Now heres the deal: should i swap or stick to the one i know? my travel is due end of july, any suggestion or comment would be greatly appreciated, may be some of you are touring on a Bandit 1200 and could tell me their pros and cons? Thank you very much for your time!
Helene, from Galway, Ireland

How tall are you? The big Bandit is quite a heavy machine, and although easy to handle considering its size, if it starts to tip over in very slow speeds, like in a parking lot, you may have trouble to keep it upright.

Carbs > < EFI is not a valid point here in my view, as both of these bikes are known to be just about as bulletproof as they get. It´s the quality of maintenance, that makes the difference. And EFI is nothing to be afraid of, people go around the world on EFI bikes these days and they work just fine (my experience is, that they are actually more trouble-free than carbs ever were). Just don´t forget the importance of maintenance, on any bike.

Me, even though I´m a Suzuki man, I think I´d stick to the VFR, because it could be more fun on the (fantastic!) Norwegian mountain roads. I used to work at a mc-dealership, and then I rode quite a bit with the VFR800-00, and it is one of the most brilliantly balanced sporttourers I´ve ever ridden. The Bandit is fun, but it´s not really in the same league, if you rode them back-to-back, the Bandit´s handling feels just old. And some fairing is also good to have on a touring bike, the weather in Scandinavia in the summer can be just about anything. End of July you just MIGHT get some warm weather, though.

Agreed on sticking with the VFR - it's a better bike than the bandit (generally higher specification and probably lighter) and for me the fuel injection is a benefit not a downside. People like carbs because they think they can be fixed, fact is injection systems usually just don't need fixing - and they adapt to changing conditions, whilst carbs just struggle on! Plus the fact that you're familiar with the bike also makes it an easier option. A bandit is really no more suitable for bad roads than the viffer.

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Hi I have the Bandit 1250, yes it is a wee bit heaver then the VFR, like already said depends how tall you are as well, epending on which Bandit 1200 will depend on Carb or FI (you can look it up at Banditmania run a Google for Banditmania),
The Lump is well know for being solid and lasting & road handling is well known read the MCN report if interested.

The Bandit is a well know bike as is the VFR, I would suggest you take the bandit for a ride see what you think, ask your self do you need the bandit? why change from VFR when happy?

The simple answer as stated already take her for a ride, to decide.

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We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

Im very grateful you gave me some answers to think of.
i actually tried the Bandit saturday morning for just about an hour, and though i liked it for its rough side, the balance is quite confusing after the vfr, as well as the breaks!! - duals breaks are REALLY a no brainer on the honda...-Its true im not the tall type -1,7m- neither built and i like the comfort of my vfr very much, i thought it could be a bit risky to change without lot of practice, but my first idea was to get a bit of a challenge there to play with when i got the option of changing bike. Your opinion about the Carburator dilemma is worth thinking of , thank you. also, I had to change the ECU that just "burned" 3 years ago due to a faulty regulator, and im now dreading any problem due to too much computerisation , electronics, sensors and such, it got me freaking out i guess... altogether, i think since i read your answers and testdrove the suz, i made up my mind : unless i discover a big trouble during the pre-travel maintenance - that is Now! - i will not spend part of my budget to buy a new horse this year. A big thank you for your inspiration!