G'day all! First bandit

Hi everyone. My name is Cameron and I am in qld. Had my bike learners for 5 years and never been on the road on a bike so thought it was about time. I have been lookin at a 1991 bandit 400 in Rockhampton and I have join date up here to ask what people's opinions are of this bandit? Pros and cons Thanks!

Hi Woodzy, welcome to the forum. Sorry, I can't help with the Bandit 400 - it's the sort of bike that probably featured, at some point in time, in the UK mags (Practical Sportsbikes or Classic Motorcycle Mechanics). 

Welcome Woodzy,

x2 to what Ewok said

Hi mate, and welcome.

I`m the same with first hand knowledge, but have always wanted one, and have read a little bit on them.
Popular consensus seems to be that they are/were a good thing, with a sweet little engine. The very first versions, were supposed to be pumping out 59hp, which is pretty good for an old 400, but the later versions were only 50hp, and 53hp. Still not bad though, for a relatively light bike.

There were a couple of variants in them, http://www.suzukicycles.org/Bandit-series/GSF400-Bandit.shtml ,
I`m not up on what came to Australia??
 
Availability of parts may be an issue. So maybe go to a Suzuki dealer, and see what`s available for them, before you take the plunge.  
There`s a wrecker around the corner from me, that was trying to sell an engine recently, and they were asking $2600...which I think is ludicrous!!!!!
In the UK, and the States, on other forums, some treat them like a cult thing.

So like I say, suss out what`s still out there for them.

Look carefully at it,
listen for noises,
what the gearbox is like,
cold start, not hot!...and then what it`s like when it does warm up.
electrics,

Best of luck.

Welcome to the forum ..................Type in     gsf 400 road test       in google search , & some of the articles may be able to help give you some more info . ( some of the posts are surprisingly recent )

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I have found a newer 1998 250 bandit closers to me then the 400 and given that the 250 appears easier to track down parts. The lack of info I can find on the 400 in australia and that most the parts appear to be overseas has me scared a little.

It needs an extra 1000cc

Agree reddog, unfortunately I am only on my L's so nothing over 600cc for most bikes and with a tight budget at the moment a 250 fits right in to it.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/motorcycles/learner-approved/

Id be looking for a Gladius. You can't beat ccs and torque

Welcome aboard.
My advice is to ride what you love and love what you ride.
There's enough bikes out there to suite everyone.

Woodzy wrote:Agree reddog, unfortunately I am only on my L's so nothing over 600cc for most bikes and with a tight budget at the moment a 250 fits right in to it.

Don't buy a 250, there isn't enough power and torque to get you out of trouble. You will struggle on some hills, and cars will be breathing down your neck.
You will also tire of the 250 early. What about a GSX650F? essentially a bandit. Get the lams version and you can full power it later.

Welcome aboard! Love the advice so far, especially Ride what you love and love what you ride. Buy a Bandit, I love mine.