Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S 2017 — Specifications

Who remembers the earthquake caused by the first Bandit in 1996? A fierce four-cylinder, a rock-bottom price, and a formula so effective it redefined the affordable large roadster segment. Twenty years later, the Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S comes full circle with this 2017 model year, the final act before the Euro4 guillotine. A quiet exit from the stage for a machine that long served as the pragmatic rider's Swiss army knife.

Under the fairing, there's virtually nothing new. The 1255 cc inline four-cylinder produces 98 hp at 7,500 rpm and, more importantly, 107.9 Nm of torque from just 3,700 rpm. This short-stroke engine (79 x 64 mm) favors low-end flexibility over high-rev heroics. The result is a motor that pulls cleanly in sixth gear and hauls its 254 kg wet weight with metronomic consistency. The top speed of the Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S caps out at 230 km/h, placing it behind a Kawasaki Z1000SX or a Yamaha FZ1 Fazer, but outright performance was never the point. On the fuel budget front, the fuel consumption of the Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S remains restrained for such a displacement, an argument that carries real weight in daily use. In the city, expect a slightly heartier appetite though — the engine prefers to breathe on the open road.

The tubular steel double-cradle frame is unapologetically classic. The 43 mm telescopic hydraulic fork and rear mono-shock offer adequate travel (130 and 136 mm) with no sporting pretensions. Braking relies on twin 310 mm front discs gripped by four-piston calipers, backed up by a single 240 mm rear disc. ABS comes standard. Nothing earth-shattering by today's standards, but the package remains coherent and free of hidden flaws. The seat, adjustable across two heights around 805 mm, and the factory-fitted center stand reflect a utilitarian philosophy Suzuki has cultivated since day one.

The 2015 facelift amounted to a redesigned nose fairing, vaguely inspired by the GSX-R lineage with its faux air intake scoops. The gain in wind protection is real without being spectacular. Suzuki also reworked the injection mapping to smooth the mid-range response, an appreciable detail. Beyond that, the Bandit 1250 S hasn't changed by a single millimeter. That's both its strength and its limitation: reliable as a well-worn tool, yet technologically outpaced by competitors now offering riding modes, traction control, and TFT dashboards.

What is the price of a new Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S? Listed at 9,299 euros, it remains hard to find a better displacement-to-equipment-to-price ratio. This machine is aimed at the rider seeking a versatile tool for the daily commute and weekend rides, without breaking the bank on purchase or maintenance. Six-speed gearbox, chain drive, tire sizes of 120/70 and 180/55 — everything exudes rationality. The Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S turns no heads at a motor show, but it has served thousands of riders faithfully for two decades. This final model year closes a chapter — one from an era when a large-displacement motorcycle could remain simple, honest, and affordable.