Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S 2014 — Specifications

Who still remembers the old air and oil-cooled SACS engine, inherited from the 1986 GSX-R 1100? The Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S turned that page in 2007, when Euro 3 standards forced Hamamatsu to go back to the drawing board. Gone was the rustic charm of the old naturally aspirated four-cylinder. In came liquid cooling, electronic fuel injection, and a displacement bumped up to 1255 cc by lengthening the piston stroke. A shift in philosophy for a motorcycle that had built its reputation on mechanical simplicity and affordable pricing.

The inline four-cylinder produces 98 horsepower at 7500 rpm, a modest figure on paper compared to the sporty roadsters of the time. But the Bandit makes its case elsewhere. The 107.9 Nm of torque available from just 3700 rpm delivers strong mid-range pull, the kind that truly matters on the open road and in the city. The six-speed gearbox partners with this engine without fuss, with ratios well suited to touring. The top speed of the Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S levels off at around 230 km/h, a figure consistent with the machine's grand touring positioning. As for fuel consumption, the Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S proves reasonable for a big four-cylinder, with the fresh air injection system feeding the catalytic exhaust also helping to clean up emissions.

The tubular steel double-cradle frame carries over the familiar architecture, but with larger-diameter tubes for roughly 10% more rigidity. This reinforcement comes at a cost on the scales: 254 kg wet, about ten kilos heavier than the old GSF 1200. Let's be honest, the Bandit is no ballerina. Next to it, a Yamaha FZ1 Fazer or a Kawasaki Z1000 SX look considerably sharper. The 43 mm telescopic hydraulic fork with 130 mm of travel and the rear mono-shock do the job without particular distinction. Braking duties fall to twin 310 mm discs squeezed by four-piston calipers up front, which inspire confidence—especially since ABS comes standard. The adjustable seat height, ranging from 790 to 810 mm, accommodates a wide range of rider builds, a genuine strong point for a versatile machine.

What is the price of a new Suzuki GSF 1250 Bandit S? At 8,799 euros in 2014, it positions itself as one of the most affordable options in the full-faired large tourer segment. Its 19-liter tank allows decent range between fill-ups without spending your life at the pump. The direct competition, led by the Kawasaki Z1000 SX, admittedly offers superior refinement and more modern electronics. But none can match the Suzuki's performance-to-price ratio. The Bandit plays the common sense card, aimed at the pragmatic rider looking for a reliable tool to devour kilometers without breaking the bank on purchase price or maintenance.

The GSF 1250 Bandit S won't make anyone dream on a garage poster. It won't win any track-based group tests. Yet it fulfills its brief with a mechanical honesty that has become rare. Long-distance tourers, everyday riders seeking a comfortable and durable big-bore machine, freshly restricted A-license holders looking for reassuring displacement: that's its audience. A no-nonsense motorcycle, built to last, reminding us that you don't always need 150 horsepower and a cockpit-style dashboard to enjoy yourself on two wheels.