[63628]

Who knows how to get Suzuki Motorcycle Corporation to repair a motorcycle that was intentionally built with a mechanical flaw i.e. over sized oil ports in piston causing excessive oil burning and usage? The story is that I have a 2002 Suzuki Bandit GSF1200K which has the notorious oil burning problem; it has less then 4000 miles on it and is not covered under any warranty. So, how do I convince Suzuki to fix a problem that exists in 50% of the Suzuki Bandit motorcycles built in 2001 and 2002? Any ideas?

 

[longride]

After reading lots on this subject after buying an 01 Bandit, you will never get it fixed from Suzuki at this point. They never recalled the bike on that problem, so they will never fix it under warranty. The only thing to do is have the pistons replaced yourself.

 

[seruzawa]

After reading lots on this subject after buying an 01 Bandit, you will never get it fixed from Suzuki at this point. They never recalled the bike on that problem, so they will never fix it under warranty. The only thing to do is have the pistons replaced yourself.

Another advantage of not buying a bike from that eeeevvil Harley corporation. There are no problems with Japanese bikes. They are sure to tell you so.

This Bandit problem is just another in a long line of "Eff yous" from the Big4.

 

[mscuddy]

Funny how that works. Yamaha mixed-up the oil lines on a few 1981 Virago 750's and EVERY '81 Virago that came in for a tune up, oil change, new tire, etc. got a new top end. How Suzuki can deny they screwed up and produced smoking polluting oil burners in beyond me. Maybe someone with lots of $$$ can start a class-action suit. I never liked Suzukis anyway, ever since the Cyclone, Duster 125 and the water buffalo. Always left me unimpressed.

 

[longride]

Don't get me started on the problems I had with my TL1000. My Busa was great, and I think this Bandit will be a winner, but the TL1000 was the shame of Suzuki. I'll stop short of calling it a lemon, but when it bucked like a bronco at crusing speed(horrible lean mapping), clutch slipped from day one(back torque limiter didn't work correctly), gas tank leaked twice(recalled), frame broke twice(fixed under warranty, but fixed on a case by case basis), I have to say things were not well with that bike. The Bandit problem Suzuki did address in a service bulletin, and would only fix it if a 'dealer test' was performed. The problem was never recalled, even though by some estimates, a full 75% of those in the VIN range smoked and burned and excessive amount of oil. I don't condemn Suzuki, because I don't believe any of the other OEM's are any better.

 

[seruzawa]

Could be worse. Could own a Magna, LOL!

 

[longride]

Here is the 'official' Suzuki bulletin on the matter:

 

[sarnali2]

I know from being on Maximum Suzuki that a lot of people got new pistons, I think as ever the biggest factor was the dealership. If the dealer went to bat for you Suzuki would eat it, if not you had to play f'n games with them. I was lucky with both my Bandits, the first one was in the VIN range but was an early production model and apparently still had the older version pistons and my '02 is outside of the range and is oil tight. Your Bandit was probably a smoker Longride, that's why it has the JE pistons in it.

The hot set up if you had to go it alone is to go JE 11:1 pistons, GSXR cams, a Holeshot ignition advancer, drill a 2 in. hole in the the airbox, add a K&N and re-jet and a Holeshot or Yoshi can. That's good for at least 120 ponies at the rear wheel for about a grand or so. Not a bad investment..........

 

[sarnali2]

Who knows how to get Suzuki Motorcycle Corporation to repair a motorcycle that was intentionally built with a mechanical flaw i.e. over sized oil ports in piston causing excessive oil burning and usage? The story is that I have a 2002 Suzuki Bandit GSF1200K which has the notorious oil burning problem; it has less then 4000 miles on it and is not covered under any warranty. So, how do I convince Suzuki to fix a problem that exists in 50% of the Suzuki Bandit motorcycles built in 2001 and 2002? Any ideas?

What you're asking is for Suzuki to give you a set of pistons and rings plus labor for free on a 5 year old bike you bought used..........I'm afraid it ain't gonna' happen there pod'ner. The original owner should have addressed the issue when the bike was new, as a general rule Suzuki would repair the bike if you complained about it and could prove it was a smoker. This problem started from day one with these bikes so there's no excuse for it not to have been fixed. In your case I'm afraid it looks like you're going to have to eat it yourself or pass the bike on to some other poor soul.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Here is the 'official' Suzuki bulletin on the matter:

Suzuki thinks if your engine only burns .99 quarts of oil in 500 miles that fine. "Excessive oil consumption" is a quart or more. I think HD has an equally absurd standard for that.

 

[longride]

I know from being on Maximum Suzuki that a lot of people got new pistons, I think as ever the biggest factor was the dealership. If the dealer went to bat for you Suzuki would eat it, if not you had to play f'n games with them. I was lucky with both my Bandits, the first one was in the VIN range but was an early production model and apparently still had the older version pistons and my '02 is outside of the range and is oil tight. Your Bandit was probably a smoker Longride, that's why it has the JE pistons in it.

The hot set up if you had to go it alone is to go JE 11:1 pistons, GSXR cams, a Holeshot ignition advancer, drill a 2 in. hole in the the airbox, add a K&N and re-jet and a Holeshot or Yoshi can. That's good for at least 120 ponies at the rear wheel for about a grand or so. Not a bad investment..........

The guy I bought it from told me it was a smoker, which is why the new 11:1's were installed. He has the work order from the shop that did it. Mine has almost the same mods as above without the advancer, and it right at 120 at the rear wheel.

 

[bbtowns]

I'm super happy to hear that Harley warrantees 5 year old bikes bought used. Wish they would have for me.

 

[sarnali2]

The guy I bought it from told me it was a smoker, which is why the new 11:1's were installed. He has the work order from the shop that did it. Mine has almost the same mods as above without the advancer, and it right at 120 at the rear wheel.

They're screamers alright, even my stocker with the Holeshot can on it runs like a raped ape

 

[longride]

I'm super happy to hear that Harley warrantees 5 year old bikes bought used. Wish they would have for me.

Not picking at you much here, but what does your post have to do with Suzuki customer service, and specifically, the Bandit oil problem?

 

[seruzawa]

Now wait.

Suzuki thinks if your engine only burns .99 quarts of oil in 500 miles that fine. "Excessive oil consumption" is a quart or more. I think HD has an equally absurd standard for that.

There's a logical reason for this. If your bike burns a quart of oil every 500 miles then you never have to change it! Suzuki should have just renamed the Bandit "The Suzuki Shovelhead". Then everyone would have thought that 500 miles per quart was an excellent oil consumption rate rather than a serious flaw.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

There's a logical reason for this. If your bike burns a quart of oil every 500 miles then you never have to change it! Suzuki should have just renamed the Bandit "The Suzuki Shovelhead". Then everyone would have thought that 500 miles per quart was an excellent oil consumption rate rather than a serious flaw.

My Shovel leaked it...burning wasn't an issue!

 

[seruzawa]

Even better.

My Shovel leaked it...burning wasn't an issue!

Saves a lot of time and trouble, never having to change the oil. I'm surprised the Japanese didn't think of it.

 

[Fenton]

They're screamers alright, even my stocker with the Holeshot can on it runs like a raped ape

Go to the Holeshot/Dale Walker website and watch his 1250 Bandit high speed video. If you correct for speedo error it comes in at really fast.

 

[pplassm]

Soooooooo, banditrider. How much you want for that bike?

I've done a couple of oil-cooled Suzuki top ends. Not hard at all.

 

[63628]

At Present

At present, my Suzuki has been painted or marked, the oil leveled and checked, recorded by the Suzuki dealership who has been authorized to investigate my oil burning problem. Now, I have to ride it for 600 miles, bring it back and they will check the oil level according to Service Bulletin: GS/GSX/GSX-R NO.#127. According to this Bulletin, if it burns more than 1 quart of oil within 600 miles, they owe me new pistons. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa See guys, I got this far, wish me luck.