What about the Suzuki GSX1250FA ABS Bandit?

[Humbucker]

I've done a lot of reading on the ST1300, FJR1300, C14, R1200RT, K1300GT, etc....  but what about the Suzuki GSX1250FA ABS Bandit?

It seems like a decent sport-touring bike at a very affordable price.  Is it overlooked because it isn't a land-rocket, or super decked out high-tech bike with tons of fancy gizmos?

I just saw a used 2008 on Kijiji with super low milage, luggage and truck, etc....for quite a bit less then any of the above mentioned used sport-tourers.  I know that the 1250 ABS Bandit doesn't have an electric windshield and might not have a high-tech aluminum frame, etc... but is it still a fine ride just the same.

The price sure looks tempting.  

[Kneescrubber]

If you're in the market for a new/different ride, I say go for it. The Bandit is definitely a worthy platform.

[shawn and gwyn]

Gwyn rides a 1250 bandit. she has the hard bags and trunk..  it does need a couple upgrades to be a good sport touring bike. first the windshield. and then get rid of the torture device known as the stock seat.. we went with zero gravity for the windshield.. and the holeshot corbin seat.. worlds of difference for comfort.   our next upgrade will probably be the exhaust.. cant hardly hear it run. but the engine is fantastically smooth.. and has tons of torque... and you can get ABS .  i don't think you can go wrong with one.

Shawn

found a pic of gwyns setup...

[mellow_gold]

The Bandit is a great bike especially if you spend some of the cash you save purchasing it on some new suspenders and other farkles!  My Sprint has ~20 more HP than my old Bandit but I still miss the neck snapping  torque of the Bandit  

The one thing that I really missed having on the Bandit is the weather protection of a full fairing.  It's really a great bike though, with lots of aftermarket options to make it your own.


edit: Other bikes like the Sprint ST, Concours etc come ready for sport-touring, but like Shawn, I think the Bandit makes a great "platform" for building the sport touring bike you want.

[bonerjlati]

I've done a lot of reading on the ST1300, FJR1300, C14, R1200RT, K1300GT, etc....  but what about the Suzuki GSX1250FA ABS Bandit?

It seems like a decent sport-touring bike at a very affordable price.  Is it overlooked because it isn't a land-rocket, or super decked out high-tech bike with tons of fancy gizmos?

I just saw a used 2008 on Kijiji with super low milage, luggage and truck, etc....for quite a bit less then any of the above mentioned used sport-tourers.  I know that the 1250 ABS Bandit doesn't have an electric windshield and might not have a high-tech aluminum frame, etc... but is it still a fine ride just the same.

The price sure looks tempting.  

If you are in the market for the gsx1250, every other model has a lot of positive features and farkles, the bandit has 1 that will trump the crowd...  0% interest!!!

I purchased one and have put about 4k miles on it, and love the bike in every way shape and form.  the stock seat is a bit rough, but i raised it and now is super comfortable.  give it a shot and you will not look back..

[Baz]

A Bandit is a great bike. Rode one for a few years. No where near as comfortable as the others on your list, but never the less a good budget S.T.

[Mr.Black]

A good seat, highway pegs/crash bars and windshield make 600+ mile days no problem. I also put an inexpensive set of 1" risers on mine for shoulder/back issues.

[chesthing]

The Bandit isn't in the same class as the bikes you are comparing it to, it falls into the chain-driven comfortable sportbike group like the Sprint, Ninja 1000, VFR etc. Apples and oranges. My neighbor has one and says he couldn't give it away, resale value is horrific - doesn't make sense to me as it's a great all around bike with a fantastic engine.

[Oxblood]

I have had a GSX1250FA with the luggage kit since December 10. No mods made to it except for the exhaust. Love it. Fun bike to ride, more than enough power to haul my fat a$$ around, and was inexpensive. I do plan on some mods, but not a whole lot needs to be done to this bike.

[Carbonero]

The Bandit isn't in the same class as the bikes you are comparing it to, it falls into the chain-driven comfortable sportbike group like the Sprint, Ninja 1000, VFR etc. Apples and oranges. My neighbor has one and says he couldn't give it away, resale value is horrific - doesn't make sense to me as it's a great all around bike with a fantastic engine.

It's because of where it fits in the market place, I'd guess.

The water-cooled engine is kinda part-way done, it's an old frame design and it's heavier than sport bikes, chain drive (as you noted), and it's not exactly new in any way.

People think they need the bleeding edge in all things, and those who overlook the Bandit are doing themselves a bit of a disservice.

You really can't beat the feature set for the money. And that 1250 mill is all 100%  

[ConPilot1]

It's because of where it fits in the market place, I'd guess.

The water-cooled engine is kinda part-way done, it's an old frame design and it's heavier than sport bikes, chain drive (as you noted), and it's not exactly new in any way.

People think they need the bleeding edge in all things, and those who overlook the Bandit are doing themselves a bit of a disservice.

You really can't beat the feature set for the money. And that 1250 mill is all 100%  

You mean kinda like the Gen 1 Connies???   (minus the chain drive)  

[Carbonero]

Bingo.

[SactoPat]

Purchased my 1250FA a couple months ago and is loving every moment of it. Bought it with the luggage set special however,  it came with no topcase and I'm still wondering if that was also suppose to be included. But overall it's a great bike.

[Trekker]

Having ridden a Honda ST1100 for eight years and sorta worn it out (at least for me)... I'm looking to replace it with a much lighter "sport touring" bike.... I really need to consider this bike. Anything less than 600 lbs would be perfect in for my needs.

I test rode a '11 Sprint GT and loved everything about it (especially the motor) except the riding ergos. Would take too much to make it an LD machine for my 52yo body Also been looking at the Tiger 1050 (bags too small, seat kinda high), Tiger 800 (no fairing but sweet all the same). Not even considering ST1300, FJR1300, Connie, BMW. Not turned on by V-Strom Vtwins at the moment. Guzzi Norge is out as the dealer is too far away to be convenient.

Now this "Bandit".... and a local dealer has one on the floor.... hmmmmm
Wish they were still offering the zero % financing.

[GRN]

I bought this bike in late May after a healthy test ride, and 8500 miles later I'm quite pleased. I also rode the Sprint GT, and F800ST. Having owned a '91 ST11 for 7 years/76K miles, '04 ST13 for 6 years/58K miles, and a '06 Sprint ST1050 for 4 years 38K miles I wasn't sure how this experience would pan out... forgive the pun. It has turned out to be a nice blend of the things I liked about the previous ST's in a great block & tackle, low maint package. Luggage capacity two up moto camping gets a bit tight, it just forces me to leave the shit I never use anyway, behind :-)

I bought the bike new from a dealer I have a professional relationship with. The test ride was unusual... the dealer had bought the bike on some kind of demo program from the factory, and they had to put at least 250 miles on it before they could sell it. I was handed the keys to a bike that had 1 mile on the odo and told I had to ride it at least 250 miles to get the rather attractive price we had discussed. Bummer. Brought it back 283 miles later, signed the already completed paperwork and rode home. Bottom line: New 2011 GSX1250 with pans, trunk and slightly extended warranty, 0 down, 0% and a killer OTD price of $11,700 (in a state w/ 9.5% tax) = $195 month for five years. Who could say no to that?

Mods:
- MRA Vario Touring screen
- Mirror extenders
- Saeng Quickscans
- Oxford heated grips
- Zumo 660
- Stomp Grip
- Tank Slapper
- Hyperlites
- A healthy dose of DOT 3M/prysmatic tape in the most obvious places
- Hopnel nets in pans and trunk lid
- Pazzo levers

Only thing left that I NEED to do is the seat... the stocker isn't bad until I get into long, consecutive days. I kind of have a thing for long, consecutive days. I may do something with the can, but for now I'm actually enjoying how strangely quiet this beast is, more performance will just get me in more trouble. I will probably add some PIAA 1100's on the forks as well.

[Nodaclu]

Only thing left that I NEED to do is the seat... the stocker isn't bad until I get into long, consecutive days. I kind of have a thing for long, consecutive days.

I can tell you from personal experience that the Sargent seat for the Bandit is   .

I had it on my GSX650F (same frame and subframe, so same seat. In fact, I was the one that confirmed for Sargent that the Bandit seat also fit the GSX650F) and it transformed the bike for me.

Probably not quite in the Russell class I'm guessing, but it's a quality, great looking seat at a fair price.  

[Mr.Black]

I can tell you from personal experience that the Sargent seat for the Bandit is   .

 

[cyjo]

Thus may not compare but I have an '02 1200 bandit which I absolutely love. As long as you don't mind the chain the torque is great, I added luggage and 10 years later I still don't regret it. I had one of the oil burners and after it was fixed, almost no problems. Carbs stick on me and I discovered at the same time that my petcock was leaking into the crankcase but a little work and it's been right as rain. Valves always are in spec. The 1250 would be a no brainer. Better motor, more torque. Although I'm thinking more about a second bike dual sport and hanging onto the bandito for the sport side of it or perhaps a pure 600. Although a vstrom is very high on the list too

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Oxblood]

I picked up my GSX 1250 in Dec 2010. My local dealer, from whom I had bought a V Strom had one in blue, with the SEA luggage/touring kit on sale at year's end. Nicely specced with Suzuki branded Kappa luggage, the Vario windscreen spoiler, and I had them throw in OEM heated grips.

I like the bike. It handles well, is more than powerful enough, and the ergos are pretty decent. I have been able to pull some very long days without too many complaints, and I am riding the stock seat. It is no where near the torture devoce the Wee Strom's stock seat was.

Like the Wee, maintnenance has been inexpensive. Fuel mileage is decent, with me averaging 38 mpg city riding. On long distance trips I see that climb to an average of about 45 mpg.

The side cases and top case are a bit small, and I compliment them with a Watershed 98 litre dry duffle. Yhe load out allows for extended trips nicely.

The bike has been to Custer, SD and back, throughout BC, Washington, Oregon and Northern California to date.

My on,ly complaint is the stock Battleaxe tires kind of suck. The Michelin Pilot Road 2 C T's are much better, and have lasted a LOT longer.

I am sureyou will love this bike.