Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S 2009 — Specifications

Who still remembers the old air and oil-cooled SACS engine, inherited from the 1986 GSX-R 1100? For over a decade, that engine powered the Bandit without ever missing a beat. But Euro 3 regulations eventually got the better of that antiquated powerplant. The Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S therefore marks a clean break in the lineage: liquid cooling, electronic fuel injection, and 1255 cc beneath the tank. It's a shift from the analog world to the digital one, with everything that entails.

The inline four-cylinder gains 98 cc over the former 1200, primarily through a longer piston stroke. The result: 98 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and, more importantly, 107.9 Nm of torque available from just 3,700 rpm. It's precisely this generous low-end torque that defines this machine's character. There's no need to thrash the engine to make progress. The 6-speed gearbox complements this philosophy well, with positive shifts and a sixth gear tall enough to cruise at highway speeds without strain. The top speed of the Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S sits around 230 km/h, placing it squarely in the average for the large-displacement roadster segment. On the emissions front, fresh air injection into the exhaust paired with a catalytic converter takes care of the pollution question. You can ride with a clear conscience. For those wondering about the fuel consumption of the Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S, expect around 6 liters per hundred kilometers in mixed riding, a bit more in the city where the four-cylinder is predictably thirstier. The 19-liter tank provides decent range without being overly generous.

Chassis-wise, Suzuki hasn't reinvented the wheel. The tubular steel double-cradle frame carries over the familiar architecture, but the tubes have grown in diameter to deliver 10% more rigidity. The 43 mm hydraulic telescopic fork up front and the rear monoshock get the job done without pretending to compete with sportbikes. Braking relies on twin 310 mm discs gripped by four-piston calipers at the front, and a 240 mm disc at the rear. Effective and progressive, but ABS remains optional. A questionable choice in 2009 for a motorcycle of this size. Speaking of size, the weight climbs to 250 kg wet. It's no featherweight, and you feel it during low-speed maneuvers or in the city. The adjustable seat at 790 mm does, however, allow most riders to plant their feet properly.

Against the competition, the Bandit 1250 S plays a very specific card: value for money. With a price tag of 7,999 euros new, the price of a new Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S remained particularly competitive against a more radical Kawasaki Z1000 or a sportier Yamaha FZ1 Fazer. The Suzuki isn't trying to impress with outright performance. It targets the pragmatic rider, the one who wants a reliable, comfortable large-displacement bike with its half-fairing, capable of devouring miles without mechanical worry. The everyday tourer, the rider who rides in all weather and would rather spend money on tires and fuel than on monthly payments.

The GSF 1250 Bandit S isn't a motorcycle that inspires dreams on paper. It won't win any beauty contests, and its chassis shows its limits when you pick up the pace on twisty back roads. But it belongs to that breed of honest machines that deliver on their promises over the long haul. A daily workhorse for the experienced rider, with a rock-solid engine and a controlled budget. That's exactly what's asked of it.