Suzuki Bandit 1200 cc engines are DOHC inline four with 16 valves models employ SACS (Suzuki Advanced Cooling System) cooling that is combined air-cooled and oil-cooled. The 1,200 cc model's engine is a bored out GSXR 1100 item.
The 'S' models come with a factory half-fairing, and starting from model year 2000, dual headlights. The base model 'N' is an unfaired naked bike with a single headlight. Not all market areas received both the naked and the half-faired models in any given model year.
The Suzuki Bandit 1200 cc series originally had a reputation as "hooligan bikes".With more recent revisions, however, the bike has taken on a more streamlined and modern feel, taking it more towards sports tourer territory. The 1200 remains popular with stunt riders, and is a bike of choice for various wheelie schools.
The first Suzuki Bandit 1200 cc models were generally released in January 1996, featuring a retuned and enlarged version of the engine featured in the GSX-R1100. Other differences from the 600 cc models included a fuel gauge, higher specification suspension and larger diameter front brake discs. Also the 1200 Bandit featured a hydraulic clutch. There are some examples of 1995 registered 1200 Bandits. A lot of Suzuki models have the engine size cast into side of the cylinder block, 1200 Bandits (1,157 cc) do not have this but there are examples of some having 1,156 cc cast into the block. These were 1995 bikes, apparently early production models.
2001 The Suzuki Bandit 1200 cc received a similar revamp to the one the 600 Bandits received the previous year:
* New rear bodywork.
* Fully electronic instrumentation.
* New carburettors.
* Suzuki PAIR (Pulsed Air Injection), feeding clean air into the exhaust outlet to help eliminate unburnt fuel from emissions.
* Additional fuel filter.
* Tokico brake callipers (six pistons at the front).
* 20 litre fuel tank (up from 19).
* Improvements to frame and steering geometry.
* Seat height lowered.
* S model: New modern styled fairing, with twin headlights.
2006 (K6 and SK6) models received a revamp with a new shape tank, side panels, a height adjustable seat and a longer hexagonal-section swinging arm. The faired "S" versions also have a new shape fairing and mirrors along with a totally redesigned headlight system with over and under beams rather than the previous side by side system. These new models were offered with ABS brakes as an option. ABS brakes were fitted as standard on the UK specification SA model. Some markets also received height-adjustable handlebars. There were minor revisions to the transmission internal ratios as well. The 2006 Suzuki Bandit 1200s were not sold in the USA but continued to be sold elsewhere around the world. The SK6 version is in generation 3 of the Bandit 1200S line and thus is the sole generation 3 model of the Suzuki Bandit 1200 cc. This was the last of the SACS-engined Bandits with a motor design and technology that first saw the light of day in 1985 in the GSX-R 750.