Suzuki Bandit GSF1250S
Nowhere else can you get this level of mind-bending power and performance for a lowly £5,500. Just look round Fowlers and see what else you can get for the money. And while it has a few price-related downsides, they are more than outweighed by the bike’s all-round abilities.
To fit in with new-fangled Euro regulations, the Bandit has gained an all-new engine with capacity increased to 1250cc. It is also liquid cooled rather than oil and air cooled, and carburettors are dispensed with in favour of a glitch-free fuel injection system. The gearbox now includes the sixth gear you were always looking for on the old model and the chassis, too, is entirely new. Despite being a bigger lump, the new engine is actually shorter than before, leading to a longer swingarm, which in turn helps the rigidity of the frame. Given its budget nature, the Bandit’s suspension could hardly be called plush, but it behaves very well and only gets upset under extreme provocation. I commuted through Bristol on a regular basis, and took it up the M4 and across the Severn Bridge to sample some of the finest roads Wales has to offer and it never once shook its head or drifted off line.
But back to what really makes the new Bandit such a flier -- its creamy smooth engine. While power output remains unchanged at 96bhp, it peaks at 7,500rpm rather than 8,500. But its all-important torque levels have risen by a thumping 18 per cent. And here’s the best bit: peak torque is produced at 3,700rpm rather than 6,500, which means copious quantities of drive out of corners, up hills and on fast straights no matter what gear you’re in or where you are in the rev range. Absolute bliss! While it’s not as outright strong as its bigger brother, the GSX1400, the half fairing on the S model allows for huge mileage at high speeds, relatively unaffected by wind blast.
Despite a sizeable mass of 226kg, it hides its weight well and is still pretty handy on the back roads, tipping in beautifully and carving super-smooth lines through the corners with none of the front wheel vagueness of its predecessor. Fitted with Dunlop Sportmax tyres, the recent monsoon season also failed to give any undue concern.
The steering is neutral and light and the dash layout is very clean. The easy-to-read LCD speedo is the most eye-catching item, as it always should be, but sadly I have to report that the fuel gauge on my test bike was wildly inaccurate, flashing just one bar when you still have easily another 60 miles to go. The fuel pump is now located inside the tank which has led to reduced capacity, but an improvement in fuel consumption means range is still the same as it was before at around 140 miles.
Apart from an unnecessarily uncomfortable seat, my only argument against the Bandit 1250 is that it wants to go faster than it comfortably should. It picks up speed alarmingly quickly, but the suspension and brakes are not really up to sports bike standard, even with ABS. An enormous amount of self-control is required for the majority of the time. But load it up and take it touring and you’ll be the proud owner of one of the quickest continent-crossers out there.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you that Suzuki’s big Bandit has become old and boring. Far from it. It‘s improved with age and become enormous fun again. Pound for pound it’s got to be the most affordable high-powered road bike on the market.
Article written: May 3, 2007
The Suzuki Bandit GSF1250S was kindly loaned by Fowlers Motorcycles of Bath Road, Bristol. For more information about test rides, call Fowlers on 0117 977 0466.
OUR STEER ON THE BANDIT 1250S
Price: £5,499 (@ Jan 09)
Engine: 1,255cc, in-line four-cylinder
Power: 96bhp at 7,500rpm
Torque: 79ft lb at 3,700rpm
Transmission: six-speed
Weight: 226 kg
Fuel capacity: 19 litres
Top speed: 145mph
Seat height: 790/810mm
by Jon Bennett
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