2016 Suzuki GSX1250FA ' Bandit ' Review & Test Ride By Joe Average

Test Ride & Review of the ever popular Suzuki GSX 1250 FA

[@BruceBrown1952]

Nice review! I have a 2009 Bandit 1250 as well as a 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere, and I really enjoy riding the Suzuki. As the reviewer says, it is an excellent all-round performer, very reliable, with plenty of power and excellent handling manners. The price point is a major attraction as well.

[@meuk1183]

My 2014 GSX1250 FA is wonderful. It does everything well and for mile munching on the motorway the engine is an absolute peach. The tree stump pulling torque has to be seen to be believed, it pulls strongly where it's needed and takes off between 3,500 and 4,500 revs. Just keep it in top gear from 30 MPH onwards without need to keep changing down. Bulletproof reliable engine. Average fuel consumption is 42 MPG average but 50 MPG must be possible on long slow run. Push the bike hard and consumption will reduce to 38 MPG. It's the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycling for sure. Top speed (track day) was an indicated 155 MPH which in real world is probably 145 MPH. If your looking for a Do It All big bike, you can't go wrong with one of these. My only criticism is the standard screen which is improved by fitting a Powerbronze Double Bubble and the stock seat which after 60 miles feels like a wooden plank, it's a very odd shape and angle which pushes you into the tank. The stock OEM seat really is too narrow where it tapers down to tank. A Gel comfort seat is a great upgrade for about £300. Also if you like a clean bike, fit a front Fender Extender (£16) to protect manifold area. I also fitted a stainless steel radiator guard (£60) and a rear hugger (£160). To do all that is about £550. Once done you have a superbly capable long distance tourer. It'll outperform a BMW 1200 GS on the motorway.

[@DenisRichardJr]

Thank !! 😊👍

[@InsanityHere]

I just got my Bandit today! And you're right . It is a 'lovely bike'.

[@clanmac66]

After passing my test I got the GSX650F a much better starter bike and then upgraded to my current GSX1250FA. The other good thing is insurance costs, which are very reasonable for price/performance compared to other bikes in the same genre. They are heavy to push around, but the extra weight makes the bike very secure on our crap roads. The review is spot-on!

[@kawasakiman8965]

Excellent review and a sensible driver on a fantastic bike

[@kagolko]

I'm saving money, planning on buying the naked version next year spring. Can't wait man.

[@scottlochans4180]

Most exciting bike, I think I've ever seen, certainly right up there with ZX10 NINJA, Z1400 shaft drive, I am a Banditaholic. Totally enamoured at the thought of a nearly new 1250 Bandit, that was not a Bandit S, LOVED the idea of a 1250 Bandit GT, but hopefully my '05 GSF 650 BANDIT, not a Bandit S, way, way more torque, one very careful, cautious owner who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles and it pulls, fly's up steep, steep hills, like it's falling off a cliff hopefully see me OUT, thinking 20,25 maybe 30 years, might have to think about another one, someday. Professor B.T.E OUT. professor in Bandit torque ENJOYMENT, only nothing technical.

[@kd6854]

Great review. Bought a 2016 model 1250S new about a year ago and have more than miles 4000 miles on it. Great all rounder and very predictable once you recognize it's limits. Great mile muncher if you invest in a bluetooth headset and runs on regular gas if you live in the USA. Super value over the HALOED brands.

[@powersmurf4016]

I have a 2011 one (approaching 90000km) which I've ridden in every possible environment - city, long trips, racetrack, one-up, two-up, sidecases..... It's a very good bike, as mentioned in the review, you can do anything with it. Even fuel consumption at sensible speeds is good, just this year I did some touring with a friend who rides a Yamaha Tracer 900, and when we stopped to refuel there was a 0.1 liter difference between the 2 bikes, riding at speeds ranging between 80 and 120 km/h. As a friend of mine put it, it's like a German Shepherd dog - it's not best at anything, but it's 2nd best at everything. This being said, I do wish Suzuki would put some effort into it and upgraded some components, mainly suspension and brakes.

[@Lonewolf-kw8gg]

Hi I too have a 2011 mine has 26000km's now, with your 90000km's have you had to do any suspension work also have you had your valve clearances adjusted?

[@joaosorreluz]

Power Smurf i

[@powersmurf4016]

hi Neil, concerning the suspension, only oil change. No valve clearance adjustment done yet.

[@Kumarthanki]

Very nice review Loved it

[@ziondanny7081]

Nice helpful review.

[@djbgatekeeper]

bought a brand new one 4 weeks ago, £7300 on the road.... absolute bargain, came with paniers, top box, 3 years warranty and taxed for a year... I felt like id robbed them 😝

[@meuk1183]

Pineapple Soup Clever boy. Yes it was a steal at £8,000 let alone £7,300. Well done

[@djbgatekeeper]

NEIL UK I found out they are not making the 1250 FA in 2017 hence the lower price. Thats fine by me as the used price will improve... not that I will sell mine for a good few years 👍

[@djbgatekeeper]

Great review thank you ...

[@MrREDBARCHETTA]

Hi Jaynewto N Yes I totally agree with Louis Miller, It's a bit of a handful for a new rider, give yourself a bit more experience on a lesser bike then go for one of these. I have had one now for a couple of years and they are a good allrounder. Don't go to big to soon It can prove a mistake. Whatever you choose ride safely and enjoy.

[@Wabbit1961]

That is a beautiful paint scheme. But There is no factory warranty on a demo or used bike as far as I know, at least not here in the states (Florida). Suspension is an easy fix. Progressive fork springs, heavier weight fork oil, better tires (Pirelli Angels make a world of difference in the front as far as steering quickness and feel - and they get great mileage too).

[@johnofypres]

Nice review thank you. Got my new one a few weeks ago and it's excellent. The seat is a plank though.!

[@meuk1183]

johnofypres I agree the standard stock OEM seat is CRAP. After 60 miles my bum hurts so much I have to pull over to recover. A £300 gel comfort seat increased my arse mileage to 160 miles without stopping.

[@johnofypres]

Thanks Neil. I'd best get saving.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Thanks enjoyable and your right they are a bargain,

[@dieholdendie]

good review, having owned one for a few years I wouldn't recommend it for a inexperienced rider. Just to heavy I think, although when stock they are a easy ride but still accelerate very quickly 0-60 mph (100kph) in the mid 3 sec zone. With a few mods like Holeshot sells it is very easy to get 30+ hp extra and at the same time drop quite a bit of weight if you want a few thrills, just be sure to upgrade the suspension to suit.

[@meuk1183]

dieholdendie Agreed.

[@Torqueix]

@ 0:58 "Probably not the most exciting bike in the world...but - hey - who needs that much excitement?!" -- Great comment. And who says that this bike isn't exciting at all? I find your statements you made right before very exciting, because who needs a bike that's said to be freaking exciting but you can't in no way rely on it? For me this is where the excitement ends before it has even started. I'm still amazed by the performance the Suzuki GSX1250FA offers especially for that kind of money. Seems to me that the written 98 PS/72 kW are a whole lot more in reality. Not talking about the torque of 108 Nm from deep down below...

[@pj-1888]

Nice review and video. Just past my test was considering a 650 now thinking of this would you recommend the 650 or will I enjoy the 1250 more.

[@cynic150]

Good. How strong should you be to handle this? Thanks.

[@glennmcc64]

Never seen a white one before, mine is Suzuki blue.

[@markjackson7650]

I've got this bikes baby brother the 650. It's fault are cheaply rectified. Get a set of stainless braided brake lines, sharpens the brakes right up. And get the hyperpro streetbox kit makes it handle like a dream without loosing the comfort.

[@rothmenmoto7962]

what you mean faulty cheaply rectified...are you mean the rectifier who control the battery power

[@markjackson7650]

@@rothmenmoto7962 no I mean you can fix its short comings cheaply. There nothing wrong with the rectifier or any other part of the charging system.

[@rothmenmoto7962]

@@markjackson7650 ok thank you....sorry for misunderstanding with what you wrote before this

[@cynic150]

What is the. clutch weight, roughly ?

[@clanmac66]

This my bike but with blue stripes. Unfortunately Suzuki had to drop both the 650 and 1250 inc Bandit, from their model range (2017) Because they don't meet Euro4 emissions. :-(

[@filthymcnastyazz]

clanmac66 been revived apparently

[@garycheavin8768]

I'm going to be buying a bike again after 20 years out of the saddle, I need something that my wife and I (56 now...bloody hell) can enjoy country rides on. My last bike was a Honda CBR 1000 F and I'm thinking of getting a GSX 1250 FA second hand, probably a 2011 or 2012 model, I'm wondering if you'd have any advice for me about buying one after such a break from riding ? I no longer consider myself bullet proof and want a bike thats going to be comfortable, easy to manage and isn't going to terrify me or my wife (long gone are the days of scraping pegs, I'd say i'm about your build at 178 cm's tall. I just don't want to do anything stupid if you know what i mean.

[@Carlos-qk2vi]

As someone older than yourself, and having spent longer out of the saddle, I can thoroughly recommend this machine - it's not got a screaming top end but what it has got is BAGS of torque, give it a handful and you're flying past legal speeds in not many seconds, it's plenty quick enough for real-world riding. It's a comfortable, usable all-rounder ... at the money, it's brilliant VFM.

[@Neutronb0mb]

Thinking of getting one of these as my first bike after passing my direct access. People are trying to outside me to go for the 650, saying it's too big for a first bike: too much power and too heavy. You think it's ok for a first bike though? Insurance is the same for this as the 650 and the same price to buy, seems more bike for the money.

[@louislopez55]

Yes, it is too big, too heavy and too fast for a first bike! Don't even consider it! Try to choose something that is well under 500lbs wet and has less than 70 hp. It will actually be more fun too! Good luck!

[@jirodriguesjirodrigues1642]

My first bike was a cbr blackbird 1100. Buy what you like, if you re responsible there will be no issues

[@BillyBigBalls770]

Do you still have your bandit?

[@CosgroveNotts]

Only really grumble I had was the weight. Pain getting in and out of the garage. I had a love hate relationship with it

[@Davidlouis3]

It’s not a bandit, 10 times smoother for starters

[@akumpi]

how old do you have to be to wear the grandpa helmet and the jacket?

[@Infoseek777]

What.....he should be wearing all black? Low viz, from head to toe?

[@akumpi]

@@Infoseek777 not at all. just haven't seen a young guy wearing this kind of gear in my life.

[@geminiman7069]

Lidl biking. Lower your expectations and enjoy it.