Suzuki Bandit 1200 (GSF1200, 1996-2006) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki Bandit 1200, also known as the Suzuki GSF1200 or Bandit 1200S.
The Bandit 1200 is an upright standard or sport motorcycle with an 1157 cc engine that’s basically a bored-out version of the motor from the Suzuki GSX-R1100 of the day. It was also tuned for more mid-range torque.
The Suzuki Bandit 1200 came in two guises — one the naked/standard bike, and another with a bikini fairing. Maintenance for both is the same.
In 2001, the Suzuki Bandit 1200 was overhauled considerably. From a maintenance perspective, the important things that changed were that the 2001+ Suzuki Bandit 1200 received
- Tokico brake callipers (six pistons at the front).
- New carburettors.
- New intake with Suzuki “Pulsed Air Injection” feeding clean air into the exhaust outlet to help eliminate unburnt fuel from emissions
- Additional fuel filter.
- S model: New modern styled fairing, with twin headlights.
In 2006 the Bandit 1200 got a few updates again, which meant a new air filter design. After 2006, the Bandit 1200 was replaced by the Bandit 1250.
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Suzuki Bandit 1200 / 1200S Service Intervals
Overall, the Bandit 1200 has 3500 mile / 6000 km or annual service intervals. At every service, change the oil, and do a host of checks.
The major valve service interval is every 14500 miles or 24000 km.
The Bandit 1200 has a hydraulic clutch, so change the clutch fluid when you change the brake fluid. Also, be sure to regularly attend to the coolant.
Finally, keep the chain clean and lubricated.
Parts needed to maintain the Suzuki Bandit 1200/1200S
Apart from the motorcycle maintenance tools, you need the following parts to maintain your Suzuki Bandit 1200.
| Part | Suzuki Bandit 1200 spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | Suzuki requires engine oil with JASO MA spec, or at least API SF/SG or SH/SJ spec. Many oils fit this. Suzuki recommends SAE 10W-40 weight Suzuki motor oil, but I wouldn’t over-think this and use another popular high-grade oil like Motul 7100 or Mobil 1 Synthetic. |
| Oil filter | The OEM part number is 16510-03G00-X07. Use a Hiflofiltro HF138RC, which is a drop-in high-quality replacement, and has a nut on the end so you don’t need to use a special oil filter wrench. |
| Air filter | The air filter needed changed by year — see the table below for OEM and aftermarket part numbers. |
| Spark plugs | The standard spark plug is NGK JR9B. |
| Brake fluid and Clutch fluid | Suzuki (like most motorcycles) requires DOT 4 brake and clutch fluid. |
| Coolant | Suzuki only requires a coolant that’s “compatible with an aluminium radiator”. Most motorcycle coolants are, and so a Valvoline Zerex G05 is a fine option. |
| Chain maintenance | Use either Motul chain paste or a complete Motul chain care kit for frequent chain servicing. |
| Grease | Always handy to have some lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points, like the kickstand. |
| Cables | Keep cables lubed with a Protect all cable life which is very well liked. |
Air filter for the Bandit 1200/S
The air filter you need changed for different model years and types of the Bandit 1200/s. Here are the parts numbers.
| Model year | OEM part # | K&N part # |
|---|---|---|
| 1996-2000 | 13780-17E00-000 | SU-7953 |
| 2001-2005 | 13780-31F00-000 | SU-6000 |
| 2006 | 13780-38G00-000 | SU-6505 |
Brake pads for the Suzuki Bandit 1200/S
Suzuki also upgraded the brakes for the GSF1200 bandit over the years.
- The 1996-2000 Bandit had a four-piston caliper.
- The 2001-2005 bandit received upgraded a Tokico six-piston calipers on 310mm discs
- 2006 bandit had a Tokico 4-piston caliper, revised, kept on with the Bandit 1250
The brake pad part numbers for the Bandit 1200/S are below.
| Model year | EBC Brake pad part # |
|---|---|
| 1996-2000 | FA145HH |
| 2001-2005 | FA188HH |
| 2006 | FA158HH |
Suzuki Bandit 1200 Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki Bandit GSF1200 1200 and 1200S.
NOTES:
- Interval: This interval should be judged by odometer reading or number of months, whichever comes first.
- I= Inspect and clean, adjust, replace or lubricate as necessary, R= Replace, T= Tighten
- If you use the motorcycle under severe conditions, you may have to service it more frequently.
- The break-in service is omitted.
| km x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 4 | 7.5 | 11 | 14.5 | |
| months | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | Every |
| Air cleaner element (see table above for part numbers) | I | I | R | I | |
| Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts | – | T | – | T | |
| Valve clearances | – | I | – | I | |
| Spark plugs (NGK JR9B) | I | R | I | R | |
| Fuel line | I | I | I | I | |
| Engine oil (Motul 7100 10W-40 is a popular choice) | R | R | R | R | |
| Engine oil filter (HF138RC) | – | – | R | – | |
| Throttle cable play | I | I | I | I | |
| Engine idle speed | I | I | I | I | |
| Throttle valve synchronization | – | I | – | I | |
| PAIR (air supply) system | – | I | – | I | |
| Clutch hose | I | I | I | I | 4 years: R |
| Clutch fluid (DOT 4) | I | I | I | I | 2 years: R |
| Drive chain (Motul chain care kit) | I | I | I | I | 1000 km (600 mi): C/L |
| Brakes | I | I | I | I | |
| Brake hose | I | I | I | I | 4 years: R |
| Brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | I | I | I | I | 2 years: R |
| Tires | I | I | I | I | |
| Steering | – | I | – | I | |
| Front forks | – | I | – | I | |
| Rear suspension | – | I | – | I | |
| Chassis bolts and nuts | T | T | T | T |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Suzuki Bandit 1200
These are the tire size and pressure recommendations for the Bandit 1200.
Originally the Suzuki Bandit 1200 shipped with Dunlop D218 tyres.
| Tyre | Size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17 M/C 58W | 250 kPa (2.50 bar, 36 psi) |
| Rear | 180/55 ZR17 M/C 73V | 250 kPa (2.50 bar, 36 psi) (same) |
About the Suzuki Bandit 1200
The Bandit 1200 was generally released in January 1996, but a few were registered in 1995.
The Suzuki Bandit is an upright sport bike with an engine that’s borrowed from a superbike and re-tuned. It has kept this spirit in all its generations and engine sizes.
The heart of the Suzuki Bandit 1200 is a re-tuned version of the GSX-R1100 engine, bored out to 1,156cc. Some early production 1995 models have “1156 cc” cast into the engine block.
The engine is an air/oil-cooled carburetor-fed engine. It has dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. With its mild 9.5:1 compression ratio (in the final generation), it makes a modest 72 kW or 98 hp at 8500 rpm in base trim.
Some revisions happened to the GSF1200 along the way that contributed to changes in the maintenance parts needed, even though the overall schedule stays the same.
- 2000/2001: Suzuki changed the oil filter in 2000, and the air filter in 2001.
- 2006: New shape tank, side panels, and a height-adjustable seat.
Then in 2006, there was a last-hurrah change to the GSF1200, just before they switched it out for the Bandit 1250.
The 2006 models received a revamp with a new shape tank, side panels, a height-adjustable seat and a longer hexagonal-section swinging arm.
Mid-spec, the Bandit 1200 was offered with ABS as an option. This was very early for ABS on a Japanese motorcycle! Some markets also received height-adjustable handlebars. There were minor revisions to the transmission internal ratios as well.
Manual for the Suzuki Bandit 1200
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Suzuki Bandit 1200S
You can download Suzuki manuals from here.
