When the 400 Bandit was offered to the US for the first time, Cycle World said “as a styling exercise…it may be the most exciting bike of 1991.” A couple of decades later, and it still looks interesting. Suzuki first created the model in 1989, but the US wouldn’t get it for another couple of years – by that point it offered variable valve timing which helped produce up to 60 horsepower, depending on the export market.
Though it revs up to 14k, the motor still makes usable power down low so it’s not as much of a chore around town as you might expect. Still, reviewers enjoyed this bike most when they had some open space to wind the engine out. For more information, check out this review from the January 1991 issue of Cycle World.
This example (VIN: JS1GK75A9N2100798) has 4,479 miles and is said to be completely original (including the tires). The seller used to own a powersports dealership and was a Suzuki and Kawasaki dealer. A few years ago he got the opportunity to buy this bike and did so. In the process he replaced the electronic ignition module, cleaned/adjusted the carbs, installed a new battery, rebuilt the brakes, and took care of a few other small things. It’s now said to start and run well. Find this little Bandit for sale in Lubbock, Texas with a BIN of $2,600