1250GT

[kevrider]

 

[Rincewind]

Nice.  It's similar to the FZ1 Grand Tourer, and the V-strom Touring package.  Like those, this one probably won't be available here in the States as a package, but can be put together separately.

Love the V35 sidecases.

[GooseMan]

We are getting it in Canada   No topcase tho

[Dobieman]

Need some black cases on the motor, sticks out without.
Some who bought the 1250 early will be pissed  

[Spectreman]

See, that's what I've been talking about on all the Bandit web sites! Suzuki has been listening to me. That's the bike Suzuki needs to sell in the USA to have something to compete as a sport tourer. Relatively light weight- especially in contrast to the 700 lb. sport tourers out there- plenty of go-go juice, good handling and braking, plus it's gotta be tons cheaper than every other sport tourer out on the market. Ok, so it lacks some of the latest/greatest doo-dads and fandangles but call up Holeshot & for about $1000, it'll run w/the best of the sport tourers for probably still $3g's less. The only other true lightweight sport tourer that could compete w/it is a Triumph Sprint.
Lee

[JoBu]

Looks like a nice set-up.  I don't see why there wouldn't be a call for it here in the US.  I'm not suggesting that people would be breaking down the doors of their local Suzuki Dealership, but I think there would be decent market.  I kinda like the contrast between the black of the fairings and the silver of the motor.  

Cheers,

Joe

[DredheadV2.0]

Want.  

[sprintamx]

+ a whole bunch on the interest and potential market . . .

I realize there is a big desire to pick up the "perfect" machine as a whole package, and I realize there is a strong marketing angle to the packages the manufactures put out there.  But, how many folks actually don't tweak their bikes to some level?  See, you can make that GT and more all by your lonesome.  Just like Spectoman suggested, get on the horn with Holeshot (bless that Dale Walker for his time and research!), grab some bags and mounts from Givi, the factory, SW Motech, etc, grab an aftermarket lower fairing or belly pan (they are available for $450 or so), customize the seat or wait for Corbin/Sargent if you think the stock is that bad, and lots of other tweaks.  Twistedthrottle has added lots of goodies for the 1250 over the past year; there are several companies other than Holeshot that offer replacement pipes (Yoshimura for example).  You can easily tweak the fueling if you think its necessary, and on and on.

Seriously, I don't mean to take away from the appeal of a good head-to-head showroom battle with other manufacturers, but I think that with a stock 1250, provided you love the bike anyway, you can make it into a terrific sporting-standard / sport-tourer for less than $9K new.  In fact, its pretty much there from the get-go, except for a better windscreen, more comfy seat and a throttle lock.  And, I can attest, the seat improves after several hundred miles.

Well, I would still replace the stock muffler . . . damn that thing is big!

Signed, a shameless 1250 fan

[Spectreman]

You make some good points but for those of us that are lazy, I'd prefer for them to do the work for me!
When a manufacturer puts the overall package together, it seems to fit a little better- less seams, smaller gaps, nicer transition between surfaces & there's the manufacturer's warranty too.

I'm glad Suzuki is offering the options but I'd much prefer them to configure the package. Now as for the GT, I wish Suzuki would market it as a viable lightweight alternative to the other ST's out there. Sell it w/the the taller shield and go thru the rest of the goody bag to see what else could be put on it too w/out making it a bloated, overweight pig like the rest of Jap & German ST's.
Lee

[DredheadV2.0]

Does anyone know how to contact American Suzuki to have them bring this beauty into the US?

The website provides no email addresses

[Spectreman]

I tried to contact Suzuki a while back w/the suggestion of a 1250 GT. The closest I got was ph# to their corporate office in California & no return phone call. I'm thinking they didn't want to give me credit for the idea!!!
Lee

[Nodaclu]

I have to think they could price this just under $10K in the U.S. and move right into the spot that Kawi is finally abandoning with their move to the C14 platform - the affordable, capable, low cost, no-frills budget tourer.

It would be a lot better bike then the 1st Gen Connie was for the price too (no offense meant - but the Connie is 1986 tech - the Bandit can't help but be better.)

[Spectreman]

Amen to the low price. We had places down here in FLA that were selling the 1250's w/out ABS for $6999. I'm thinking Suzuki could sticker these suckers for less than a grand over the posted MSRP of the 1250 w/abs and still be undercutting every other ST's price, even the Sprint 1050.

[DredheadV2.0]

I have to think they could price this just under $10K in the U.S. and move right into the spot that Kawi is finally abandoning with their move to the C14 platform - the affordable, capable, low cost, no-frills budget tourer.

It would be a lot better bike then the 1st Gen Connie was for the price too (no offense meant - but the Connie is 1986 tech - the Bandit can't help but be better.)

I can't see it being over $10K either.

[gritsngravy]

That's a nice bike, really like the bandit price/value factor.   I have no problem with chains but it would be kinda cool if they would stick a shaft on that 1250 like the old school gs1000g's.  

[Fudge]

More Bandit GT Porn...(in case you haven't seen these yet).

[Dr. Zorko]

Nummers! Could be a contender for the next touring beauty in my garage.

[DredheadV2.0]

Awesome.  Canada's finally getting something I wanna gray-market, and the dollar's falling like a rock.

[rauchman]

Dear Santa,

Please oh, please, have Suzuki USA bring this baby here to the good ole U.S.  I promise to tour more and get many more miles per year riding this bike.

[sprintamx]

I guess I can agree that an integrated mfr package would be preferrable, if not prettier.  I'm just saying that a GT like Suzuki Canada seems be offering, plus extras like a better pipe, FI controller, etc., can be had for about $9-9.5K, 3-4 weeks and a little bit of bolting and loc-tite.  But I will not argue that a showroom floor package can keep the air from turning blue!

Looks like the GT has an MRA Vario touring windscreen (or similar).  $139 (I think) Twisted Throttle.

As for shaft drive, I say, please, please, please, give us belt drive!