Suzuki GSF1250 Bandit (2007-current)

Have owned giant trailee's for the past 12 years, Tigers, varadero, GS. You name it, I've had it. Tended to change Bike every few years. My other half retired from riding pillion and being a tad older wanted something a bit smaller, with some 'stonk' and also a capable long distance summer tourer for my yearly trips to the Alps and later Spain. The 1250Sa was at silly money, pre reg price. Had to be done. Pleased, to right. What have I been missing. For a solo long distance machine, and general 'fun' bike, this cannot be beaten at the money. Why pay £10K when this ticks all the boxes for half that amount, with ABS, 3 box panniers etc. Roll on spring/ summer 2013 Barnd 'new' pre reg 1250 Just done forst 1000 miles My only gripe is the seat will need surgery this winter ! Plenty of people out there for little money. Also addedd a wonderful 'Fuel' can to replace the cannon that was at the side !

After riding for 35 years I have a pretty good idea what bike I want, and after narrowing it down to 2 bikes, this one ticked all the boxes. My previous bike was a Kawasaki ZRX 1200S and the 1250 Bandit is a better bike in every way. Is is smoother, has more low down power,handles better and has clocks you can read and a centre stand. The real surprise was how well it handles, you can really throw it around, it changes direction quickly for a big bike and is as much fun on twisty back roads as fast A roads and motorways. You never really need more than 6000 rpm to make rapid progress and is so easy and ralaxing to ride fast. Comfort is fine but needs a higher screen if you are tall. The only niggles are the small storage area under the seat and lack of bungee hooks. Fuel consumption is about average for a big bike at 43 mpg with mixed fast riding and touring. It's main rival is the CBF 1000, which may arguably be a slightly better bike but just looks so dull.

Fantastic bike!! I have been riding bikes for 35 years and following a back neck and hip injury I traded in my SV1000S (lovely v twin) for a 5000 mile 1250 K7 in mint condition. What a bike, it is quick, comfortable, handles really well, it's fun, great two up, my wife and I are very comfortable on it. I used to own a 97 600s, the 1250 is light years away. It is a real world bike. I think the finish is quite good, I keep my bikes in good nick and use them all year round, as with any bike you just need to keep an eye on it over winter. you will NOT regret buying one!

I've owned my GSF1250 GT for 18 months and still can't get over what great value for money this bike was. I agree with most of the comments made in the MCN review, except how do they arrive at these MPG figures? At or slightly above legal limits you'll easily get 50+ MPG and at licence losing velocity it will still return mid 40s. The only complaints I initially had was slight surging on a steady throttle at low speed (cured by disconecting the O2 sensor) and slightly stiff front forks (cured with progressive springs £100). The bikes now brilliant and even the build quality is much better than Suzukis of the past. Highly recommended

After the inital thrill of acquiring such a lot of machine for comparitively little money, I found that I could never quite manage to fall in love with the thing. My 'S' model was such a good and efficient all-rounder that it actually had very little character, the stealth-mode standard exhaust not helping matters. Once you get used to the performance, it becomes almost boringly linear. Arriving at very high speeds often seemed to just happen with disappointingly little drama or sensation. As an inter-city commuter machine it would be hard to top for the money, but as a weekend fun machine I found it disappointingly bland.

what a superb motorcycle this is,super smooth power delivery,very flickable and loads of fun on a road runs,roll on overtakes are just the biz,no need for box prodding just wind n go its fantastic,just needs a proper screen and some sorting of the seat(too hard),shame.but still its a bostin bike,love it.

Just got to 50.000 miles on my 1250 K9 ABS - and everything is just fine!! Apart from normal servicing just 4 disc pads and three sets of Pirelli Angels. What a bike, never broken down and still as powerful as when new. Never going to get rid of this baby!!

Having had a K2 GSF1200S for just over a year, I've just traded up to a K8 1250 Grand Touring and have put a few hundred miles on the clock in just over a week. The new bike has the predictable handling of the old bike, but gives a much better feel for the road, and inspires more confidence. The bike is phsically heavier than the old one, but feels much lighter, better balanced, and is a lot more flickable. The engine is way smoother, thanks to the injection, and pulls like a train from just a couple of thousand RPM. All the GT kit makes the bike great for some mile munching, but there's just one drawback........the seat. My 1200 was like a sofa, I could sit on it all day. This thing is like sitting on a rock, it's so bloody hard! Once I've sorted that issue, I've got a great tourer for a bargain price. Buy one, you won't be dissapointed.

Bought my K7 (on an 08 plate) factory streetfighter model 2 years ago almost to the day for £4k. It had 500 miles on the clock then and now is nearing 25,000 miles. It would be more but I run a few bikes. What can I say. For the money you really cannot buy anything that comes close. It's got one of the nicest road bike engines I have ever come across - smooth and immense torque just where you want it. Bit of a buzz at just under 4000rpm on mine which can be annoying when cruising. 6000rpm seems to be a good spot for spirited riding. Away from the lights it'll stick with anything due to that torque. Ate the first D208 tyre in 1800 miles - BT023s are fairing much better (6k out of a rear now and more from the front). Eats chains and sprockets too (12000 miles out of the OEM set and I do look after then with a scottoiler, etc). It's taken me on the Iron Butt/RBLR 1000 and to Budapest and back for the weekend without a single issue. Decent fuel economy on the longer trips too - 38MPG seems to be my average but I was seeing 50+ MPG on the long hauls where motorway cruising at 80-85 was required. Suspension and brakes are adequate - I can reach the bikes limits before mine which makes for an involving ride. Some bikes can be too good for mere mortals like me - this is just right (for me!) Two winters and the bike has held up well - little bubbling on one section of the engine and the wheels are starting to look tired from road salt. Stainless headers can still be polished up to look new. Equipment is fine - it's got a clock, two trips and a dubious fuel gauge. The reserve starts flashing way to early but you get used to it. I can happily ride another 40 miles+ on reserve before the 1.5 litre warning rapid flash starts. All in all this is one of my favourite all round bikes in 20 years for commuting and fun and ease of use. Hell of a package for reasonable money in an age where bike prices seem to have gone insane! Cheers.

Bought this bike new in July 07 after trading an 05 GSF650SA. I always liked the 650 but do most of my miles 2up so needed the extra power. The difference was amazing in torque, suspension and smoothness. Now done 17000 miles including a couple of week long tours 2up with soft panniers, tank bag and the superb ventura luggage system (Highly recommended) on the back. The seat doesn`t get any softer and I really need to stop after about 150 miles then 75-100mls after that. Some paint is flaking off the rear wheel and I regularly have to tighten one mirror, but I can easily live with these little moans having such a fantastic bike for the cash. Last time I replaced the tyres I put on BT023`s and it handles even better. Fuel consumption is around the 50-55 mpg mark but I am a steady rider. I fitted a double bubble screen which makes high speed a bit more comfy, hugger, radiator cover, a fender extender (front of engine/downpipes used to get pretty mucky, but then all modern bikes are built like this now aren`t they?)and the best aftermarket gadget money can buy,a scottoiler (keep it filled up and forget). Had the bike Three and a half years and still luvin it. PS. My wife says theres nothing uncomfortable about the pillion seat!