Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S 2013 — Specifications

When Suzuki decided to shelve the venerable air- and oil-cooled SACS engine, inherited directly from the 1986 GSX-R 1100, a whole era came to an end. The Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S was born from this break, appearing in 2007 to meet Euro 3 requirements with an inline four-cylinder now liquid-cooled and fuel-injected. A necessary step, certainly, but one that profoundly changed the character of the machine. The engine gains in displacement over the former 1200, rising to 1255 cc thanks to a longer piston stroke (79 x 64 mm). The result: 98 horsepower available at 7500 rpm and, more importantly, 107.9 Nm of torque from just 3700 rpm. On paper, it's nothing to dream about next to a Kawasaki Z1000 or a Yamaha FZ1. But this engine's temperament can't be read in raw figures. It reveals itself on the road, in that ever-present availability that makes every burst of acceleration a mechanical non-event.

The tubular steel double-cradle frame saw its tubes enlarged for a 10% gain in rigidity — not something you turn down when dealing with 254 kg wet. Because yes, the Bandit 1250 is a heavy motorcycle. Ten kilos more than its predecessor, a direct consequence of the switch to liquid cooling and the reinforced chassis. The 43 mm telescopic hydraulic fork offers 130 mm of travel up front, while the rear monoshock provides 136 mm. Nothing sporty about that, but an honest compromise for a versatile tourer. Braking relies on two 310 mm discs clamped by four-piston calipers at the front, a single 240 mm disc at the rear, all backed by standard ABS. Enough to inspire confidence, a bit lacking for pushing hard through tight sequences of corners.

What is the price of a new Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S? At 8599 euros in 2013, the Bandit played the affordability card against competitors that were often pricier and more tech-laden. That was precisely its sales pitch. No color dashboard, no invasive electronics, no riding modes. Just a straightforward motorcycle, with its adjustable seat at 790 or 810 mm, its 19-liter tank, and its six-speed gearbox that clicks with precision. The announced top speed of 230 km/h confirms the Bandit has no intention of playing in the league of disguised hypersports. It targets the pragmatic rider — the one who wants to ride a lot without breaking the bank on maintenance or fuel. On the matter of the Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S's fuel consumption, expect between 5.5 and 7 liters per hundred kilometers depending on your throttle hand and riding conditions, with average consumption rising noticeably in city riding with repeated stop-and-go traffic.

The real criticism one can level at this 2013 model year is the stagnation. Since the switch to liquid cooling in 2007, the motorcycle has barely changed. Same design, same geometry, same philosophy. The decorative cooling fins of the air-cooled engine are gone, logically, and that's about all that catches the eye. Suzuki applied the "never change a winning team" recipe, except the competition didn't wait around. The Yamaha FZ1 Fazer and Kawasaki Z1000 SX were already offering more modern packages, with better-calibrated suspensions and sharper powertrains. The Bandit, for its part, banked on its proven reliability and rock-bottom price to win buyers over.

At its core, the GSF 1250 Bandit S is aimed at those looking for a no-frills tourer, capable of devouring miles with metronome-like consistency. Post-A2 license beginners with an appropriate restrictor kit will find a reassuring machine; long-distance touring riders will appreciate its mechanical robustness and the smoothness of its inline four. It's neither the most exciting nor the most modern in its class, but it's a motorcycle that gets the job done, day after day, without ever leaving you stranded by the roadside.