I just bought the 1250 Bandit after having owned a 97 Bandit 1200 for many years. Not sure which the 2003 most closely resembles, all I know is the 2008 is awesome, they´ve fixed all that was ailing the previous model. There is just not very much that I would change to improve it. The 1200 had me frustrated with carb synching (now EFI), small fairing (better now), 5 speed not geared low or high enough (now 6), mirrors now mounted better, liquid vs oil cooled, etc. Get the new model!