Never Hear Much About Suzuki 1250 Bandit

[Fun Dog]

When Suzuki revamped their Bandit from 1200 to 1250 and re-tuned the engine for more torque, I figured it would be a big hit.  It was said to have 80 ft./lbs. of torque down around 3000 rpm or something like that, and about 100 hp.  Perfect, I thought.

But I never hear anything about it.  Nobody ever writes in about the new Bandit (well 2 or 3 years old now).  Either people are buying them and not talking about them or Bandit sales have gone to hell.

Anybody out there got a newish Bandit 1250?  What's it like?

[Dans 650r]

I bought my new 08 1250AE back in August and love it. Took it to Deal's Gap with my wife. I have the Suzuki/Givi trunk and some fabric bags. It has a lot of power and handles great. It is very smooth at speed and quiet. I need to upgrade the seat, and maybe the windscreen. I have a little over 2k miles on it and the rear tire is just about gone. I am planning a trip to Asheville now, so I am shopping for a new tire. This is my second bike, and a huge jump from the Ninja 650r.

[Mr.Black]

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php?action=search2;params=c2VhcmNofCd8YmFuZGl0IDEyNTB8InxhZHZhbmNlZHwnfDB8InxtYXRjaF9tb2RlfCd8c21hcnR8InxicmR8J3w1MCwzNywyLDEyLDYyLDUsNCw1MiwzLDEzLDU1LDU4LDU0LDE2LDE3LDE4LDE5LDQzLDIwLDIyLDQxLDIzLDI0LDI1LDI2LDQ5LDgsOSwxMCwyMSwyNywyOCwyOSwzMCwzMSwzNCwzNSwzNiw2LDQ2LDQ3LDQ0LDMyfCJ8c2hvd19jb21wbGV0ZXwnfHwifHN1YmplY3Rfb25seXwnfHwifHNvcnR8J3xyZWxldmFuY2V8Inxzb3J0X2RpcnwnfGRlc2M=

[chornbe]

This "Let me google that for you" moment brought to you by the letter "A" and the number "4".  

[Mr.Black]

This "Let me google that for you" moment brought to you by the letter "A" and the number "4".  

What did you say your name was?


HAH!!

You dont even know anymore!!!

[fotomoto]

I had a 98 1200S and IIRC it made about 72 ft/lbs along with the same 100hp so the new one isn't much of change in the motor department except for getting more complex with water cooling and fuel infection.  It's a good all around bike, VERY comfy, and able to eat up long distances with aplomb but in the end for me it was a "soulless" character bike and wasn't confidence inspiring once the pace got seriously elevated (say at about 7-8 tenths).  I'm sure the latest 3rd gen is much better in the latter aspect.

[Fun Dog]

I bought my new 08 1250AE back in August and love it. Took it to Deal's Gap with my wife. I have the Suzuki/Givi trunk and some fabric bags. It has a lot of power and handles great. It is very smooth at speed and quiet. I need to upgrade the seat, and maybe the windscreen. I have a little over 2k miles on it and the rear tire is just about gone. I am planning a trip to Asheville now, so I am shopping for a new tire. This is my second bike, and a huge jump from the Ninja 650r.

I figured the seat was a little hard.  Seems nobody ever gets that right.  But the windscreen isn't good enough?

[Dans 650r]

It is ok, no buffeting at high speeds. The problem I have is the wind hits right about the the bottom of my helmet, and riding in 30-40deg weather is a little cold. I wouldn't mind a little higher for some longer rides. I need to get the seat to spencer to have him fix it for me.

[Zerosum]

When Suzuki revamped their Bandit from 1200 to 1250 and re-tuned the engine for more torque, I figured it would be a big hit.  It was said to have 80 ft./lbs. of torque down around 3000 rpm or something like that, and about 100 hp.  Perfect, I thought.

But I never hear anything about it.  Nobody ever writes in about the new Bandit (well 2 or 3 years old now).  Either people are buying them and not talking about them or Bandit sales have gone to hell.

Anybody out there got a newish Bandit 1250?  What's it like?

Suzuki offers test rides of it, if you can catch up with their corporate truck at a cycle show.  I test rode one at the Carlisle PA show this past July.  Man that bike was a hoot.  Power wheelies in every gear.  It felt very light and easy-to-ride, too.  I just hopped on and rode the thing, there wasn't much need to "get to know" the bike.  Gobs of torque, very linear power output.  The power band is so wide that shifting feels like it's optional.  In short, my kind of bike.  I plan to get one one day.

The only really downside is that there isn't much wind protection.  And it's a bit of a gas hog, I think it gets 31 mpg.

[Mr.Black]

OK I've had my fun. I ride an 08. Its incredible. The drawbacks are,

The seat is a bit rough, Im putting a bead seat cover for the ride to W.Va. we'll see how that works.

The wind screen is inadequete. The fix will be delivered soon;
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/1782/354/
Ive heard great things about it.

The bars could be opened up a bit. The angle inward is a bit awkward on my wrists. Easy fix. Different angle bars.

The only big add on was SW Motec crash bars with highway pegs, also from Twisted Throttle.



And the SW Motech Topcase mount for a Coocase topcase.



It is a great machine. I agree with all the positive feedback so far.

Oh and the mileage is steady at 40 mpg.

[Fun Dog]

The bars could be opened up a bit. The angle inward is a bit awkward on my wrists. Easy fix. Different angle bars.

It is a great machine. I agree with all the positive feedback so far.

Oh and the mileage is steady at 40 mpg.

That's the first time I've heard somebody complain about something that I actually have an issue with on my bike:  the handlebars are a little to far angled in.  It would be nice if they were opened up a bit.

40 mpg?  That's great.  Might be my next bike.

[markog]

i have an 09, wind protection could be better, mirrors are kind of narrow for a fat boy, but smooth is it's middle name. i love it

marko

[Mr.Black]

Dale Walker at Holeshot.com has extenders for the mirrors. They push them out an inch, making them useable.

[Big D]

I rode Dales Holeshot Stage 2 1250. It was making close to 120 hp, and 90 something ft-lbs(iirc) Very smooth, very comfortable, awesome low end torque, and steady turbine like thrust with OK top end. It felt more like my ZX than my first gen Bandits.

The major complaints from most people are, seat, bars, and wind protection. All fairly easily fixable. Great bike, either for sport touring, general use, or hooliganism. I was very interested, but got the ZX instead.

[Ves]

Lovin mine.  Replaced the bars with some dirt bars, have a taller shield for colder weather, did a bit of a recontour on the seat, and I also have the mirror extenders.  It's a great all around bike.  

[Dans 650r]

Ves, did you do your seat or did you have someone else do it? I like the way that it looks, I bet it is much more comfortable.
Here is a couple of mine loaded up and ready to go.

[MadMax96]

When Suzuki revamped their Bandit from 1200 to 1250 and re-tuned the engine for more torque, I figured it would be a big hit.  It was said to have 80 ft./lbs. of torque down around 3000 rpm or something like that, and about 100 hp.  Perfect, I thought.

But I never hear anything about it.  Nobody ever writes in about the new Bandit (well 2 or 3 years old now).  Either people are buying them and not talking about them or Bandit sales have gone to hell.

Anybody out there got a newish Bandit 1250?  What's it like?

The new Bandit is nothing special.  As a 1st gen Bandit owner, I was really hoping for something more than just water cooling and FI.  Those features are nice and I'd like to have them, but it's not enough for me to trade up - especially when the specs on the engine aren't much better.  Sure, the torque comes into play even sooner, but the air/oil-cooled plant was no slouch either.  I remember sitting on the 1250 at the bike show when it came out - "yup, feels like a Bandit alright!"  

As far as sales going to hell - well they were pretty much that way when the thing came out.  Again - not enough for people to take notice and buy the bike like crazy.  Before the bike came out in Spring 07 my dealer was willing to knock over a grand off the price if you had made the deal that winter.  He didn't even have his hands on one yet but he knew it would be a slow seller.  A majority of buyers want cruisers or sportbikes - so that's what they stock.

Bandit owners know how capable and versitile these bikes are - but for someone who isn't aware of how great this bike is doesn't really take notice.  It just kinda blends into the background unfortunately.   That being said - there are a lot of low mileage used ones for a great price!

I don't think you'd be disappointed with the Bandit 1250 in any way - just don't buy it to win any popularity contests!  

[Fun Dog]

Thanks for the summary Matt.  I figured you can't go wrong with a Bandit.

[zeakers]

I had an '07 Bandit. Bought it used in Dec 08 and sold it in Nov '09. It is a nice bike but wasn't the one for me. As others have stated, the seat is rock hard and the wind protection in minimal. I did upgrade the windscreen resolving the issue. Bike felt to cramped for my fat ass so I traded in for something bigger. Otherwise, it is very easy to mod and make it to your liking and a ton of fun. Just wasn't for me....

[rapuckett]

I got my 07 this past July with 2800 miles on it.  It is now approaching 11,000 miles.  I've ridden 4 days of 500+ miles (not in a row).  

For reference, I'm 6'5", 260lbs.  

The stock shield had nice clean air hit me in the chest.  I put on a ZG Sport Touring shield.  The wind now hits me in the helmet, with air that is not as clean, but not bad.  I had the seat in its taller position for most of the miles on it.  I recently lowered the rear portion and it made a major improvement.  Very comfy.  The seat flexes a little and may fatigue early.  I plan on shaving some of the rear seat stops (the hight postion) to help support it to keep it from flexing.

Man I love this bike.  Runs smooth, has plenty of power.  I don't have any experience on any of the super bikes, so I can't compare.  But it gets me around fine.

This thing power wheelies easily, but is very controllable.     Very easy to bring it down nice and soft.  

My biggest complaint is hitting bumps in corners.  Maybe I need to setup the suspension better.

Ralph