Suzuki GSX1250FA Oil Change

[@cruisinnc]

I have the GSF1250....the oil filter is a little difficult there too, but I can manage by using a K&N filter with the nut built in. I still have to move the radiator hose to get the filters in and out. What I do to keep the mess to a minimum is to lay aluminum foil on top of the pipes with a raised ridge all around and angled down towards the drain pan. Works like a charm. BTW - I've never lost a drop of oil and have never changed the crush washer on either Suzuki I've had. I hand tighten.

[@gingetaylor4489]

I have this bike. I ride in all weathers in the UK and I commute 140 miles per day. I think I'm on 70000 miles on it. It's an awesome bike. Completely reliable. The biggest cost I've had to cover is a replacement fuel injection part. From Suzuki, new, its 1200 pound Stirling. I found a replacement for 150 pound. The original gave out at 60000 miles. Something to bear in mind. Two sets of chains and sprocket. With a scottoiler I get around 40000 miles out of a chain.I had a good reliable mechanic but I'm now having to carry out the servicing myself. One key issue with this type of bike is that it has a tendency to overheat. I've replaced one thermostat. What I do find is that if the outside air temperature is high it effects the bike and it loses coolant through the overflow pipe. In colder weather it runs perfectly. Other owners have had the same issue.

[@markserainidis1058]

Thanks Ginge, i have just bought a 2010 model 1250 bandit , yes warm weather brings on the fan, but i haven't checked the coolant, i will try to locate it, but helpful post...

[@gingetaylor4489]

To add and update. The bike started playing up again. The radiator cap had a build up of crap on the piston.This prevented the system from pressuring. Cleaned it with white vinegar. Worked. My thermostat is also intermittent. Sometimes works sometimes it overheats. Before buying a new one try clean the thermostat with vinegar. Then wash it out. It may be scale stopping the thermostat from opening fully.

[@paulburden3172]

Hi just one question , my 1250 fa is the same when it's really hot weather out. I thought I had a leak but must be out an overflow. I wondered if those radiator guards do more harm than good as regards cooling the rad.

[@gingetaylor4489]

@@paulburden3172 Keep the radiator guard on. If a stone hits the rad, it'll cause mayhem. When cleaning the radiator, use a radiator comb to remove any particles between the fins. Use a soft brush to remove any loose crap. Using the comb also allows you to see if any of the fins have collapsed on themselves. This reduces the airflow to the radiator. Try and stay out of 'Stop, start traffic' filter past it all. If the F1 Red light with the temperature comes on, pull over ASAP. Switch off the ignition but let the fans run. It'll cool the bike down and you'll be on your way quicker.

[@gregagnello7828]

Thanks for the ino. Changed my oil yesterday for the first time and found that if you remove the shiny metal hose retainer that is held on with a 10mm screw, you can slide the oul filter through much easier. I also used a K&N filter with a nut head on it and all you need is an open end wrench or the correct size open end wrench you can remove/replace easier. You still have to twist your wrist around bacwards to get it out though. Thx Greg in NJ.

[@redonKiLaus]

Thanks for the awesome information. They didn't sell a lot of these in the state, and it's really too bad, because it is one of the best motorcycles ever made IMO.

[@redonKiLaus]

Best machine ever. At low speeds the front end feels kind of heavy compared to my BMW, but normally it handles like a dream. Be very careful not to throttle it up in first gear unless you plan to do a wheelie.

[@shamalanon-time4209]

Hi from Malaysia, I watched my mechanic do the first service and want to share this info so it might help others reading. 1) you have to use a straight long ring spanner for the filter. the manual refers to a suzuki special tool for filter removal which comes with mark on it. if using an after market you can also put or paint or scratch or punch a mark on it. There was also no mention of torque setting in my 2014 manual but it says, tighten as much as your hand can then make2 full turns by referring to the mark. Then you add 3.5 ltrs of oil. otherwise only 3 ltrs of oil when not changing the filter. Personally, i would refer to the window and never top it up to the full. Hope this helps

[@Mike-cx2xs]

09915-40611 with this part the filter comes off with a simple 17 mm spanner wrench No big deal! The obstruction wrenches do not provide enough torque (length). Good idea to replace with K&N 138, which has built in 17 mm nut. This job is not very difficult, and the filter is good for 18000 km. It is a bigger challenge to remove the fairing, this video does not talk about that. I was intimated with this task because it was presented like a big deal! It is no big deal! I enjoyed the job, and the cold beer afterwards.

[@redonKiLaus]

Thanks for watching!

[@samboles8796]

Made me chuckle

[@pt23220c]

The filter was destroyed in the process but who cares. The filter was on TIGHT from the factory! I tightened the new genuine Suzuki filter on as tight as I could by hand which is what I've always done with spin-on filters and have never had a problem. A K&N filter with an integral hex nut would be better, I will get one of those for the next change. I put the original drain plug and washer back in, I've re-used drain plug washers many, many times without a problem, no worries.

[@paulburden3172]

I dont see the necessity to replace the sump washer every time ya change the oil personally. Dont think I've ever replaced one on my car either.

[@pt23220c]

Did my first oil and filter change at 750mi. The dealer sold me the wrong filter tool, it didn't have a hex nut but a 3/8 socket wrench hole instead. It fit way to tight on the filter and there was no clearance for a socket wrench anyway. I removed the left side panel, the hose clamp stay and took a bungee and pulled the radiator hose out of my way. I took a BIG water pump pliers with gnarly serrated jaws and crushed the end of the filter and turned it off with the pliers.

[@redonKiLaus]

Update: I just changed the oil on my second Suzuki. It took less than an hour. Thanks for the helpful hint someone gave for removing the bracket that attaches to the radiator hose (also, that same hint is in the manual). The drain plug gasket is ridiculously hard to remove. I am going to start using copper gaskets made by Suzuki for their automobiles. Also, another helpful hint in the manual is to tighten the filter until it just touches, and then give it 2 full clockwise turns.

[@geoffgreenhalgh3553]

Oil filter does NOT need 2 full turns-that's way too much. It only needs 1/4 to 1/2 after it touches. (with oiled rubber seal) I have owned a 1200 for 13 years and a 1250 for 4 years. Done many oil and filter changes on them in that time.

[@ralphdajuice965]

All the important parts that would actually "show" what to do you skipped and said "I'm going to do that and be right back". So you made a video of you talking beside a bike and cut out all the part where you actually do the oil change. So I didn't see where the filter is. How to take off the side molding. You didn't even show where to put the oil in! LOL. Good try and thanks for trying to help but I had to find another video that actually showed what to do.

[@wevsky]

not very helpful is he, sure he mentioned using something to bond the sump bolt in what we call in the UK thread lock, thats just not needed

[@comcastjohn]

Just found your channel and started watching your videos which I have found informative by the way and thank you. The reason that filter was on so frickin tight, is that the so called mechanics at the dealership torqued it down when they built it out of the shipping crate.

[@redonKiLaus]

I am a HUGE Triumph fan. My best friend from high school runs the RAT group for Texas, and still has his 67 Bonneville.

[@rhithyn]

This is probably way too late, but you don't keep that crush washer. Where ever you purchased those crush washers, they screwed up and gave you the small crush washers instead of the larger ones the bandit uses. Crush washers are intended to distort while being installed and will have to be "wrenched" off the drain plug on any bike it was correctly sized for.

[@redonKiLaus]

Because we were learning it took us about 4 hours, but I believe a dealer would have to spend at least 2 hours of dedicated time to do this correctly. I think most mechanics would skip steps, like not changing the oil filter at all. Every time I have gotten a bike of mine worked on by a dealer, I have checked their quality and it has never met my expectations.

[@wevsky]

the drain plug gasket or washer is where its flattened out under pressure of being tightened up mate,the replacement ones are always smaller,the bolt crushes it,its how it works

[@redonKiLaus]

Thanks! I have two of these bikes now because in the US Suzuki is selling them for about $9K plus freight and TTL. UNBEATABLE!

[@pt23220c]

Thanks for the good video, I was warned that the job would be tough and it was. This part of the bike was not designed well to be easily serviced. I could do an oil and filter change on my SV-650N in 20 minutes.....that was really nice.

[@johnhoopes9944]

I have the same bike and mine only holds 3 quarts. I also noticed that little gizmo towards the front of the rotor cover, my bike doesn't have that. Weird, mine is a 2011 or so it states on the title. I agree with you 100%, changing the filter is a major PITA! Other than that, it's a wonderful bike!

[@redonKiLaus]

Thanks for the info. When I put my filter on I turned it 2 full turns, and it was not even close to being overtightened. If you are not comfortable with this, turn it until snug. I would normally torque it on, but you cannot get a torque wrench into that location.

[@pt23220c]

All in all the best replacement I could find for my 1996 Triumph Trophy 900......that was a great bike, great bags, great motor, great windshield. I wish Triumph still made that bike with FI and some other updates :( The new Trophy is beautiful but too big and too expensive for me.

[@pt23220c]

As we have discussed here my pet peeve is the lack of a high quality, tall touring windshield. If Suzuki wants to market this as a sport-touring bike they need to improve the options available to get the bike fitted out correctly. It's not intended to be a luxury machine and that's actually what I wanted but a good windshield, heated grips, a top -box large enough to be useful and a way to remove the side bags easily without messing up the looks of the bike with racks would be nice.

[@Twincam61]

Very good done my first oil change today used strap to remove filter., Do you do the plug change or a link to change it thanks

[@redonKiLaus]

Are you using a K&N 164 filter? Thanks for the other helpful hint, I am getting ready to change the oil on my second one this week.

[@Youmayamuseme]

Thanks for this as am doing some research on this bike before possibly buying one. This is the kind of information that really helps decision making. Very good presentation btw nice job :)

[@BlackcatmotorcyclesCoUk]

The drain plug washer is a crush washer, probably expanded when crushed during tightening, causing it to be difficult to remove off the bolt. You dont have to buy a genuine suzuki washer.. Go to a car store and pick up a banjo bolt washer the same dia as the bolt head shoulder.. Will be fine. 3/8 socket set will get the oil change and filter done, get an adaptor kit if you want to use a 1/2 inch kit /torque wrench with a 3/8 kit. Sometimes i use an old screwdriver to drive it through the filter so i can use it as leverage to free off the the filter in worse case situations.

[@Mike-cx2xs]

A 17 mm ratchet wrench on Amazon $15. Crush washers are available at Suzuki dealer, mechanics use them everday, cost $1.50. To get the old washer off, hold the bolt with vice grips, and turn the washer off the threads with a pair of pliers. No reason to torque wrench, just crush the washer, good to go.

[@pt23220c]

I really like the bike for the most part, it's a good value for the money, you can get some items from Twisted Throttle to make it better. I have the SW Mototech removable side bag mounts for the Suzuki bags and the SW Mototech aluminum top box mount for the good Monolock top cases. I am going to put heated grips on and maybe change the seat. I am looking at pipes as well, I don't want obnoxious noise levels but I want to be able to HEAR the motor.

[@bootyloowho]

Enjoy your videos. I just purchased a 2010 1250fa touring model with less than 3500 mms on it. Noticed in one of your other vids that installed a Suzuki tank protector. Would you recommend it?

[@redonKiLaus]

I definitely recommend it; I have the genuine Suzuki tank protectors on both of my GSX1250FAs, and they prevent any major scratches on the tank, particularly if you wear a jacket with a zipper on the front. It looks good for what it is, too; it has a bit of a "carbon fiber" pattern to it.

[@bootyloowho]

redonKiLaus thanks for the reply.

[@Tema2K]

i had the same problems with oil filter on suzuki gsx650f, it's a pain changing it.

[@docbrown303]

Oil filter is easy as fuck, when you get the trick just changed mine like 2 hours ago took less than 2 min

[@Серж-ы9п]

Thanks! Very useful video .

[@kenjohnson1280]

2011 GSX1150FA Service Manual says 23 N-m (16.5 lbf-ft) is correct. Oil drain plug has a separate gasket #09168-14004 (replaces 09168-14002).

[@francescosola7833]

The last bandit!

[@wevsky]

loctite on a sump plug? why?

[@650GSF]

The filter is a bit tricky to change, just one of those annoying little jobs.

[@redonKiLaus]

Thanks.

[@daviddavis6231]

I have never in all of my 72 years seen anyone make such an ordeal of changing the oil in a motorcycle.

[@polla2256]

Thought it was just me and I've been at it for a significantly less time ! Suppose as long as it's a Suzuki filter, Suzuki tool and Suzuki washer and Suzuki.......it's all good

[@Mike-cx2xs]

I totally agree with you! This job is actually very straight forward. Then again, there are you tube videos on how to fry an egg. God help us!

[@carlgriffith4660]

Would have been much better showing the removal of the plastic as well as the actual other wrench turning instead of talking about it and coming back after he did it. Adults learn better by seeing things done not reading or listening how to do it. Food for thought.

[@lucedeyrigoyen1]

I hope I speak for most mechanics here and say there’s no way you would “blow it off” when it comes to changing the oil filter.

[@bturne]

specify the oil used please

[@patrey6797]

Use Mobil 1 4T 10-40

[@gregagnello7828]

The dealership sold me a k&N 138

[@pby1987]

absolute nightmare changing the oil filter

[@455Transam]

I have a 2009 and it's one of the easiest bikes I've ever had to change the oil, what's wrong with yours???

[@pby1987]

455Transam The exhaust is right in the way. Practice makes perfect.