2011 GSX1250FA coming to America

[Jetpilot5]

The local dealer now has one of these in stock so I could check it out in person.  Overall, I like it.  Not the most high tech machine available but it has everything you would need to do some sporty touring.  It fits me well (I'm 6'2" with a 34 in inseam) and is a little more relaxed than the new Ninja 1000 but it's close.  It is physically bigger than the Ninja, but not nearly as big as an FJR or C-14.  Fairing and windscreen follow the same pattern with more than the Ninja but less than the FJR or C-14.  It seems to fit more in the middle, with the Ninja looking more like a hooligan bike in comparison and the Yamaha and C-14 being much more touring oriented.

Looks are subjective but I thought it looked good in solid black.  Sporty but not racy and I really liked the Suzuki better than the Ninja 1000 in that regard.  The abbreviated tail section on many of the newer bikes looks out of place to me.  Why have a real short rear seat and tail section just to have to add a huge plastic mud flap/rear plate bracket.  I also liked the round, but rather large, exhaust can compared to a lot of what I'm seeing on new bikes. The VFR1200 exhaust comes to mind.

The updated instruments look nice, an improvement from what the Bandit 1250 had.  Fit and finish was typical Suzuki, OK but not fantastic.  I guess you get what you pay for in that respect.  

Not much else really.  Proven powerplant, standard ABS, decent chassis and suspension.  I guess it's up to the buyer to determine if it's worth the money, especially with new leftover Bandits still available, but I was more impressed than I thought I would be.

[mountainmotor]

I was hoping Suzuki would bring the new silver over " i forget the actual color name "

Good looking bike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YXGkure5Q4

[Oxblood]

One of the complaints noted throughout this thread was price. So I decided to cobble together the prices for Canada for 2011 models mentioned here as alternatives to the GSX:

Honda St 1300 19,999.00
Yamaha Super Tenere 16,499.00
Kawai ZX 14 16,099.00
Kawi C14 20,199.00
Kawi Ninja 1000 13,699.00

2010 GSX 1250 in Canada (latest prices I could find on line, Suzuki Ca does not publish the MSRP anymore)
GSX1250FA : MSRP. $11,799
GSX1250SEA : MSRP. $13,299

Please not the Suzi prics are 2010, as Suzuki CA for some reason stopped displaying MSRP (prolly cause the dealers in bumphoque nowhere complained about MSRP being shown, making it hard for them to jack the price even higher).

Typically, I hvae noticed Suzzuki CA likes to add about 500 bucks a year to bike prices. That still puts the GSX in under 1000 less than the Kawi Ninja 1000. The other bikes are significantly more expensive. think of all the mods and farkles that could be thrown on tthe GSX with that extra money.

I have had mine since December. Git a good deal on the SEA (10,299 + tax, no PID). I ride it daily. I like it. Its predecessor was the DL650, which I really loved to ride, except for the top heaviness. Rapid braking could be hell on that bike. But it was still a nice ride. I like the GSX a lot more. It turns in faster, brakes a lot better (and I don't think that is solely due ti ABS), is easier to balance at low speeds, and overall feels more comfortable.

Given its price point, and its reliability (everyone knows the Bandit is bone reliable), and the fun you can have with it, I think Suzuki could sell a lot of these. Put some marketing behind it like they did with the V-Strom 650, and I am sure sales would be  healthy.

Now, for some eye candy. Here is my ride:

[schmedly]

Very Nice!

[Oxblood]

Very Nice!

Thank you. I quite like it. When I am done with it, it will be a slightly different beast. I plan on replacing the collectors and header to eliminate the cat converter, slap on a new exhaust, bypass the PAIR valve and O2 sensor, and drop in a Dobeck TFI box. Over on Holeshot performance's website, Dale has dyno charts of a similarly modified Bandit 1250S that averages 134bhp at the wheel, and 90+ ft lb for torque. Total cost of the mods are about 1500 bucks.

[zrx4me]

I got to ride the GSX1250,ninja 1000 and the triumph sprint Gt over at bikeweek.The ninja 1000 has an awsome engine,but the bike feels like a full on sportbike with higher bars.My knees were really cramped and the seat slopes you foward into the tank.THis bike would not be good for longer rides and the passenger accomodations are not good at all.The suzuki was a really nice,smooth and comfortable bike,plenty of power(not like the kawi though)smooth and really comfortable.I like how it offers ABS and I like the gear indicator also.The only negative I had was the color black is just too dark and there's no contrasting frame or cover color.The black paint does look good out in the sun though because it has tiny blue metalflake in it.The sprint Gt was also a nice bike.Growly motor was very powerful and the seat is the most comfortable.The riding position is more agressive but,I was very comfortable on it.The bike handles better than the others and is extremely confidence inspiring in the corners and big sweepers.It is almost $2000 more than the suzuki,but it does come with big hard bags.the triumph also had a amazing paint finish and a real quality look to it.Depending on my finances,I would pick either the suzuki or the triumph.I just wasn't at all thrilled with the kawi.and for passengers,the suzuki or triumph look like they would be pretty good.