Suzuki GSF 1250 bandit S Edition Limitee 2009 — Specifications

Fifty units, not one more. That's what Suzuki deemed fit to produce for this 2009 vintage GSF 1250 Bandit S Limited Edition. One might expect reworked mechanicals, a refined chassis, or at least a specific exhaust. None of that. The Hamamatsu manufacturer simply played the aesthetic card, with an all-white livery on the fairing, the 19-liter tank, the seat cowl, and the front fender, while the tubular steel frame, swingarm, and fork legs remain in black. The wheels, meanwhile, sport a titanium tint that adds a hint of character. It's clean, it's understated, but let's not kid ourselves: the cosmetic effort remains modest to justify the "limited edition" label.

Beneath this monochrome livery, we find the Bandit recipe without a single modification. The 1255 cc inline four-cylinder develops its 98 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and, more importantly, a generous 107.9 Nm of torque from just 3,700 rpm. That's where this Suzuki shows its personality: at mid-range, the engine pulls hard and consistently, never demanding that you chase the rev counter. On main roads and highways alike, the Bandit devours miles with disconcerting ease. The 254 kg wet weight is quickly forgotten once on the move, even if low-speed maneuvers serve as a reminder that this lady is no ballerina. The seat, perched at 790 mm, nonetheless remains accessible to most body types — a genuine asset for a roadster of this caliber.

On the chassis side, Suzuki plays the efficiency card without any frills. The 43 mm telehydraulic fork and rear mono-shock get the job done without any particular brilliance, offering decent comfort on long hauls but showing their limits when the pace picks up through a string of corners. Braking, handled by twin 310 mm discs gripped by four-piston calipers up front and a 240 mm disc at the rear, proves sufficient for road use. Standard ABS is a genuine selling point in this segment, especially at a time when many competitors charged extra for it. Against a sportier Yamaha FZ1 Fazer or a more aggressive Kawasaki Z1000, the Bandit doesn't seek confrontation on the grounds of dynamism. It prefers the grounds of pragmatism.

And that is precisely where the GSF 1250 Bandit S plays its trump card. At 8,999 euros, ABS included, it positioned itself in 2009 as the most affordable large touring roadster on the market. Hard to find better value for money for the rider seeking a versatile machine, capable of carrying a passenger and luggage without complaint. This limited edition revolutionizes nothing, transforms nothing about the bike, and offers no mechanical gains whatsoever. It simply dresses in a white suit a motorcycle whose core qualities remain low-end torque, seat comfort, and a tight price tag. Collectors will pass. Pragmatic touring riders, however, know exactly why this Bandit continues to seduce.