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Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit motorcycle review - Riding
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Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit (2007-current)

View all Suzuki GSF1250 BANDITs for sale (10)

Detail Value
New price £5,549
Engine size 1255cc
Power 97bhp
Top speed mph
Insurance group 13
  MCN ratings Owners' ratings
Overall rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Engine rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Ride & Handling rating is 4 rating is 4
Equipment rating is 4 rating is 4
Quality & Reliability rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Value rating is 5 rating is 4.5

MCN overall verdict rating is 4

Suzuki’s big-bore GSF1250 Bandit gets an all-new engine designed to meet latest Euro legislation. In doing so, Suzuki have created a 98cc bigger, 1255cc water-cooled, fuel-injected, tourque-laden peach of an engine. The GSF1250 Bandit's frame and suspension have also been upgraded to give a sumptuous, well-mannered mileage machine that can also run in the twisties.

Engine

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

With nigh-on 80ftlb of torque delivered to the rear wheel at 3700rpm, the Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit’s new six-speed gearbox needs little provocation. The GSF1250 will cheerfully pull from 3500rpm in top gear and run on to 140+mph. That gearbox is typical Suzuki: precise, perfectly spaced ratios. And, hoorah, no sign of any fuel-injection stutters or flatspots in its performance delivery.

Ride and Handling

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

It’s a Bandit, and as such it carries the tradition of upright seating, sumptuous seat and perfectly placed footpegs and one-piece handlebars. Suzuki haven’t changed the chassis too much from the old (k6) model, just beefed up the GSF1250 Bandit's frame rails and revised the suspension damping and springs. Big difference, though, the Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit now steers faultlessly, stable and hides its weight well.

Equipment

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

There are two versions of the Suzuki GSF1250S Bandit – non ABS and with ABS, but Suzuki GB is only importing the ABS kitted version. This isn’t a problem as the ABS is a refined set-up and leaves a lot of the braking up to the rider before cutting in. Suzuki GB will do its usual trick of releasing limited versions of the GSF1250 Bandit (touring, GT etc), but until then a ruck of accessories (topbox, panniers etc) will be available separately.

Quality and Reliability

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

The old defunct Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit has a reputation for extreme reliability and a genuine all-rounder. There’s no reason to believe the new GSF1250 Bandit will be any different; Suzuki is aiming for existing Bandit customers to upgrade while attracting new customers with its revised performance. As the redline has dropped 1000rpm and a sixth gear has been added, there’s no danger the new GSF1250's motor will be stressed.

Value

MCN rating rating is 5
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

A 1255cc machine that can be used for touring, scratching or as a genuine workhorse should be an expensive piece of kit as it’s many motorcycles in one wheelbase. But no. Suzuki have pegged the price to just £250 more than the old GSF1200 Bandit. For £5549 MCN considers the Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit to be a bargain – its even cheaper than its Honda competition the CBF1000F. Find Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit motorycles for sale.

Insurance

Insurance group: 13

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Model History

2007: Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit launched.

Other Versions

None.

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Specifications

Top speed mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Power 97bhp
Torque 79.6ftlb
Weight 229kg
Seat height 785mm
Fuel capacity 19 litres
Average fuel consumption 42mpg
Tank range 150 miles
Insurance group 13
Engine size 1255cc
Engine specification 16v liquid-cooled in-line four, 6 gears
Frame Tubular steel double cradle
Front suspension adjustment Pre-load only
Rear suspension adjustment Pre-load and rebound damping
Front brakes 2 x 310mm discs, 4-piston calipers
Rear brake 1 x 240mm disc, 1-piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 180/55 x 17

Examples for sale nowSee all current ads for this bike

classified image

Suzuki
GSF1250 BANDIT

3947 miles

£4,295

classified image

Suzuki
GSF1250 BANDIT

792 miles

£5,295

classified image

Suzuki
GSF1250 BANDIT

2543 miles

£5,199

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Suzuki
GSF1250 BANDIT

2500 miles

£4,995

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Suzuki
GSF1250 BANDIT

0 miles

£5,999

Owners' Overall Rating rating is 4.5(22 reviews)

  • vibration spoils???

    mikey1964

    Average rating rating is 4

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I've just read the review below, I think you must have a rogue bike. I've now put 4k on my K7 1250 and its a dream bike. it does everything i want from a bike, wether local or distance it never fails to make me smile. Hell of a bike for the money, fair play to Suzuki. Priced right and a great bit of kit.

    27 June 2009

  • vibration spoils

    tarmaclordy

    Average rating rating is 3.5

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    Engine

    euro 3 regs spoils a topbike vibration at 3500 revs numbs the body making 50 miles the maximum journey. seat needs gel pads and change grips to gel type or suffer old 1200 a lot better package k2 onwards..

    24 June 2009

  • pure comfort

    blade1000rr

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Engine

    had sports bikes since 2000. last bike gsxr k7 loads of extras what a tool but comfort wise for me agony after 50 miles. finally plucked up the courage to sell it and purchased bandit 1250 streetfighter. what can i say mistake no way.i can now do easily 150 miles in 1 go in pure comfort. engine is a peach and the weight is hardly noticable, and for a fairly hefty machine handles really well. i have been into sportsbikes all my life but this machine has bought me so much fun i couldnt imagine going back to a sportsbike. fantastic machine and for the price what a bargain. highly recommended

    04 May 2009

  • What a leap of faith!

    richardbamforth

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I had a 1999 sv650 which I was more than happy with. The bike was light and reliable and I had toured France with the machine. I needed a machine which was light, reliable and was able to take long journeys to work along with touring. I saw the bandit 1250 with full hard pannier in my local dealer, sat on it and was surprised at how much lighter it was than I actually thought it would be...even with the pannier on the machine. The sales man told be I should get 40 to 45 mpg which was OK. I took it for a ride and the bike is great. Having used it for daily trips from Market Drayton to Wigan, I am averaging about 50mpg however I have recorded an astounding 56MPG...14.3 litres over 170 miles. Incredible!! Performance is great as is the handling however I am no speed demon when it comes to the country roads. If you are looking for comfort, economy and just a bit of style, I think the bandit 1250 really fits well. When it comes to value for money, this one year old bike with 4K on the clock cost £4800 including everything and the suzuki warranty. Along with this, it can go as far as 15K miles between services. What more could I ask for. A great practical machine from suzuki.

    02 April 2009

  • mobileenoph

    mobileenoph

    UK

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I purchased my bike from new in May 2007 from Thunder Road, Bridgend in South Wales, It's turned out to be a good all rounder,I tend to use it for commuting mostly, There's plenty of power on tap when you need it, Seems to be very reliable and good on fuel, my only grumble is it tend's to eat rear tyres. This summer We shall be using it for touring,(I think it's up to the job). Very impressed with the bike but wish I'd waited and gone for the G.T. version. (Ah well, maybe next year)..

    31 March 2009

  • 1250 GSF K7

    mikey1964

    Average rating rating is 5

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
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    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I've just bought a 10month old 'streetfighter' K7 1250, its every thing i want from a bike and the torque is unbelieveable- 35 to 150 in 6th??? my previous bike was a 94 (n) triumph speed triple 900cc, i just wanted something newer and did not like the new speed triple- too stubby and don't like one sided swinging arm! 4 grand for a 1250 with 1500 miles, unreal.

    19 October 2008

  • New bike

    sallins

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    I have to be differnt than everybody else. I traded in my 6 year old GSX1400 for the 1250 complete with all the plastic. Is not near as good as teh 1400 and miss teh real oooomph of teh big Suzy. have to live with my mistake now as I lose too much money trying to get rid the new bike. I will look fior another 1400 sometijme in the future.

    06 October 2008

  • 1250 Bandit after a year

    reichmad

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    Well this is my second summer with the 2007-1250 GSF Bandit.Total kms clocked so far is 8000km. Honestly as the reviews stated..."it's a great bang for your buck!" The only complaint is the noisy engine at idle. A friend explained that it may be because of the thin engine walls. He figured if it had the air fins on the engine the noise probably wouldn't be so noticable. As for the power, it's got that! I have gone as high as 286km/hour then chickened out with a passenger. Could have went faster though. Wonderful bike for touring. Seat sucks after a long ride, but it can always be changed now that Corbin sells a aftermarket.

    05 October 2008

  • 1250SA Excellent value awesome ride

    Bandit racer

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    I took deliver on our summer day in July, I love riding it. It's responsive even keeping it below 5000rpm, although now I've had the first service I have opened it to 7000, it's smooth forgiving and fun to ride. I blast about the Welsh valleys and even in all this shit weather it's as sold as a rock. Buy this bike and you won't be sorry

    10 September 2008

  • Awesome bandit

    sawers01

    Average rating rating is 4

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    Only had bike for one month, torque is brilliant and smooth on long hauls on Australian roads and the engine is never working hard either. My wife enjoys the rear seat comfort which stops her slipping forward unlike our last bikes. Our kids are grown up now so look out we are on the road again and just looking at the bike beckons you to get on and just enjoy the ride.

    29 July 2008

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daryl6644

daryl6644 says

Stuttering and Flatspots

Test drove the 1250, loved it. Bought a 650, suffered from stuttering and flatspots, brand new bike, argued with dealer. They got a top man up from suzuki, several people rode it and couldn't find a problem with it, virtually said I didn't know how to ride the bike with over 25 years experience, bike still faulty. Bought a GSF 1250 on a K8, no problems whatsoever, beware of 650's on a K8. This is from what I've heard is a common problem.

07 September 2008 12:39

daytonayellow

User's Badge

daytonayellowsays

Near miss

Side stand trouble, I nearly had the bike topple off the side stand, you need to hook the handle bars round to the left when parked or the bike will roll forward.

30 January 2008 22:46

peppernelly

peppernelly says

Bandit GSF 1250 Side stand

Picked up new 08 model on Saturday,Wednesday picked up Bandit from the bloody gutter collapsed on side stand!!!!Anyone else had this misfortune?

17 October 2007 19:44

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