Suzuki GSF 1250S Bandit

Suzuki brought back the Big Bandit with a revised half-fairing which manages to mix the best of both worlds. It offers the good view of the engine and makes everything look light and nimble, just any naked bike would. At the same time, the radiator shrouds and the front cowl provide extra wind protection for the rider. Add in the new windscreen and get ready to take the Bandit 1250S ABS for longer trips, countryside roads and highways, alike.

Big engine, smooth gearbox, plenty of fun

The Bandit arrives with an 1,255cc in-line liquid-cooled four, tuned for a wide spread of power across the rev range. The 6-speed transmission keeps things on the sporty side, while making city runs pleasant and reassuring, as well. It is expected to deliver around 100 horsies.

New coating technologies were used for cylinder coating to reduce friction and minimize power loss, while a new 32-bit ECU takes care of updated mappings and better fuel economy. And with the glossy back engine paint matching the frame, swingarm and fork legs, the heart of the Bandit 1250S ABS looks really trick.
ABS, adjustable-height seats are on the house.

Stopping power comes from a dual 310mm rotor setup in the front and a 240mm rear disc, with 4-pot front calipers. Anti-locking brakes are standard for the 2015 Suzuki Bandit 1250S ABS, and this will definitely please safety-focused riders. The rider’s seat is height-adjustable and has 20mm of play (0.8”), and this should again, make a lot of people happy.

Overview: Motorcycle News

Suzuki are right to re-release the Bandit 1250S after dropping it from their range in 2012. It’s a good, honest, big-bore, do-anything, go-anywhere and above all, affordable motorcycle. Plus it’s much smoother and gruntier than the modern ride-by-wire bikes. The 1250S Bandit is reliable, fun, practical and affordable.

There’s decent wind and rain protection around the knees and upper body, and although the mid-height screen isn’t adjustable, buffeting is kept to a minimum at motorway speeds. The seat is comfy on long stints and the neutral riding position is friendly for tall and short riders alike.
Despite not having fully adjustable suspension and weighing as much as the moon (254kg), the 1250S boasts decent handling and is surprisingly agile on the move. The steering is light, there’s ample ground clearance for fast road riding and it feels unflappable at speed.
One concession to the 21st century is the addition of ABS. This is a basic system though, not the advanced cornering ABS seen on many new bikes.

Propelling the Bandit’s mass is a 1255cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected DOHC engine knocking out 97bhp and 80ftlb of torque. A secondary balancer shaft keeps things smooth. Suzuki’s Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) digital closed-loop fuel injection gives superb throttle response, improved mileage and reduced emissions.

The previous Bandit 1250 had a solid reputation for reliability and considering this model is based around the same engine mostly with just a few cosmetic changes, as a whole there should be no reason to believe that this one should be any different.

The ethos of Suzuki with the Bandit has always been to provide a great value, straightforward bike. This model is no different, undercutting its big-bore touring rivals by a considerable margin; it’s a lot of bike for the money.

Compared to the latest, greatest, sports touring rivals, the Bandit now seems decidedly low-tech. You won’t find electronic riding modes, traction control, quickshifters or wheelie control here – just two wheels, an engine and somewhere to sit. It does however feature ABS as standard.