High Mileage on Bandit: To Buy or Not To Buy

Forum Members,

Here is my dilema: A 2007 Suzuki Bandit with over 39,000 miles for sale. I've heard the bike run, but I notice some slight rattling on th right side of its engine. Of course that could be normal...or not. So I'd like to know what sort of maintenance problems should I expect in a bike of this age and use? Do you all think it would be worth buying?

Bandit engins will do 100000 before a major problem. I would go for that bike in a heart beat.

Well its not the mileage that matter its how the machine was being maintained and used.

I have a 2003 bandit 1200 with 62,000 miles up on the clock. I'm the sole owner. Bike still runs like a dream. I service it religiously and do the valves as per manual. The only problem I had with the bike/engine, was recently she was getting a slight bit of a rattle from the camchain so I replaced it. So is quite as a mouse again and sounds as sweet as when I bought it 11 years ago.

As someone said already, its the servicing history I would be more interested in rather than the mileage. If the noises are coming from the top of your motor, it might be just valves. If its more lower down, I might be concerned.

Go for it, my 2007 has 65000 on it, it gets serviced every 6k and runs fine in all weathers.

The cam chain needs replacing on GSXR/Bandit motors from 30-40k miles, that is probably what the rattle is, try and buy a lower mileage bike and you wont have to do any work on it for a lot of miles, except valve clearance adjustment every 6k miles...bandit/gsxr motors are bulletproof, but they must be serviced regularly...I'm fortunate, I just bought a '97 1200s with only 1500 miles on the clock, so no service needed for 4,500 miles...though I do have to get the carbs balanced, and the suspension needs upgrading, but is all in hand..love 1200 bandits...had a 2000 600 bandit that had been stood for 15 years, ruined by the previous owner and turned out to be a money pit, glad to be rid of that...the only reason I got my 12 was because I had a '98 1200s,17 years ago and it was a great machine to ride, easy to wheelie, good on long distance, comfortable, and quick enough when you pull the throttle back...mine is maroon, lovely colour, later bandits are heavier and slower and more complicated..so aim for an early one, and I think the early bandits look nicer too. want to meet bandit owners in Dorset area in UK for chat and rides....Paul...Poole Dorset