Not that long ago I penned an article that reflected on how motorcycling fashions change. It seems that they are changing even more rapidly these days, and also more radically. While you’re riding, you get plenty of time to ponder on the vagaries of life and this is doubly so when you are touring as you have more time to do so. And, while I was on the road last weekend, I noted a Suzuki Bandit heading in the opposite direction. The rider nodded and I nodded back but it wasn’t until he had passed by that the thought suddenly hit me that I haven’t seen a Bandit on the road for a long time. As soon as I started thinking about it, the thought became more crystallised in my head, when WAS the last time I’d seen a Bandit out on the road, or anywhere else for that matter?
A quick potted history. The big Bandit (for Suzuki used the name across a model range starting with 250’s), was introduced in 1996 and continued through several iterations until it was discontinued in 2016, a very impressive 20 year run. During that time it didn’t change very much, a slight capacity increase in 2007, a fairing along the way and a slight shift in focus from hooligan bike to big bore sports tourer.
Time was when any group ride would feature at least one of them and they were like bugs on a bumper when you got out on the highway. A big, beefy engine delivering bags of torque, effortless overtaking power, plenty of room for luggage and enviable handling from such a big bike made it a “no brainer” for the weekend tourer as well as the canyon scratcher; a true “Swiss Army” bike.
The Bandit enjoyed an equally enviable reputation for longevity and, despite the fact that it was sold by the shipload, it kept its value pretty well. There wasn’t much you could do to modify it or make it better; an after-market pipe was almost mandatory but that was usually just to add to the noise rather than increase the power.
But, almost suddenly it seems, the sightings of Bandits on the road has dropped to nearly zero. Last weekend, for example, I saw just the one I mentioned though I saw hundreds of other bikes.
Now I have to say that my reading of the situation is purely anecdotal; I do not have access to the relevant stats. But I ride (and drive) regularly around the Illawarra and my open road touring has been pretty extensive of late. For example, there was a monster crowd at Grey Gum cafe on Sunday (and a slightly smaller one on the preceding Friday) but I didn’t see one Bandit there either day.
So, can someone please tell me? Where have all the Bandits gone?
Martino says
Where have all the Bandits gone, long time passin’ ?
Gone to flowers, every one…….
Phil Hall says
Oh, dear….
craigmiller says
Hi Phil
I know yr 2 bandits are …….I owned a 2006 & 2013 models ……both were bloody brilliant …..best thing you could take the missus on the back with comfort…….also great mono,s at the flick of the wrist…..short story 1 is on the sunshine coast ( 2006 ) & my 2nd ( 2013 ) one well i decided to export it to my house in NZ …..one of my least brilliant ideas drrrrrr…..I still spend most of my time in Oz …..haha : )
Cheers
Craig Miller
PS …..update…..ive just bought a 2008 CBR100RR track bike : ) ……shit this going to be fun ahhhhhh : )
Phil Hall says
Not a bad idea, have a bike wherever you go. I like it.