SUZUKI GSX1250F (2010 - 2016) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £280 |
Power: | 96 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (31.7 in / 805 mm) |
Weight: | High (600 lbs / 272 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesWhile the rest of the motorcycle industry struggles with inflated pricing, Suzuki is offering the 1250cc, full-faired all-rounder GSX1250F for less than £7k. That’s partly because mechanically it’s almost entirely a Bandit 1250SA – but the fairing and accessories list make it more useful and sportier looking.
This bike also makes a fantastic used buy, which is why it appears in our expert guide to cheap sports tourers for £3000.
It also appears in our selection of top secondhand bikes for winter.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe GSX1250F might pack a 257kg fully-fuelled weight, but it hides it well. The seat is low and the bars raised, putting you in a good position for low-speed traffic-splitting or hustling along an open road. Bumps expose the limits of the cheap suspension – using the rebound damping adjusters might help. Smooth roads are no problem, the GSX steering sweetly but stably with no excess pitching back and forth – the uprated springs/damping in the forks over the Bandit help. The ABS is good too – there’s pulsing through the lever, but it’s not harsh and it rarely cuts in even on greasy roads.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe 1255cc engine is as effortlessly grunty as it was in the Bandit 1250 – power is concentrated in the low and midrange with a seamless delivery. It tails off in the top half of the rev range – most of the time you’ll get the best by short shifting and making use of the poke around 4000rpm.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueBandits are traditionally mechanically tough, but with poor build quality. The GSX1250FA’s steel frame is smartly powdercoated, but fasteners and fittings will suffer if you don’t stay on top of cleaning it in bad weather. It’s neatly designed – the fairing is smart, the metallic paint looks good and the dash trim looks smarter than bare sportsbike cockpits. Learn to use a bucket and sponge.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe GSX1250FA does give a little away to more expensive rivals, but it’s stupendously cheap as bike prices rise across the board. It’s barely more expensive than 600 all rounders, and the same money as three or four year old premium all-rounders. If you’re after a motorcycle as a workhorse, the GSX1250F fits the bill – there’s nothing else for the money that’s as happy to tour, commute and scratch on backroads. Find a Suzuki GSR600 for sale.
Equipment
As a £7000 big-bore machine there’s not a lot of goodies as standard, but what the GSX1250F has is useful. A centrestand is standard, the seat height adjusts between 805mm and 825mm, there’s fuel gauge, gear indicator, twin trip meters plus a trip that starts counting when you hit reserve. Incidentally, ‘reserve’ is 5.5 litres of the 19 litre tank, so the first warning comes on early, and a final warning comes on with just a litre to go. It doesn’t help form a realistic picture of when you should fill up. The mirrors are effective too. Compare and buy parts for the Suzuki GSX1250F.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1255cc |
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Engine type | 16v lc inline four, fuel-injected. Six gears, chain drive |
Frame type | Tubular steel double cradle |
Fuel capacity | 19 litres |
Seat height | 805mm |
Bike weight | 272kg |
Front suspension | Preload, rebound damping |
Rear suspension | Preload, rebound damping |
Front brake | 2x 310mm discs, four-piston Tokico calipers, ABS |
Rear brake | 240mm disc, single-piston sliding Nissin caliper, ABS |
Front tyre size | 120/70-17 |
Rear tyre size | 180/55-17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 41 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | £280 |
New price | - |
Used price | £2,200 - £5,000 |
Insurance group |
14 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 96 bhp |
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Max torque | 79 ft-lb |
Top speed | 145 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 150 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2010: New model
Other versions
Suzuki GSX650F 2007-current: The same concept, but smaller. A Bandit 650SA with a GSX-R alike full fairing, offering sportsbike fans a more comfortable and less expensive alternative.
2011: Renamed GSX1250FA, also available is GSX1250FA ST (incl. 2x 33l side panniers, 1x 37l top box) [£8,375]
Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI GSX1250F (2010 - 2016)
23 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI GSX1250F (2010 - 2016) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your SUZUKI GSX1250F (2010 - 2016)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £280 |
Version: GSX1250FA 2014
Year: 2014
Annual servicing cost: £400
Superb all rounder....
Excellent all rounder, compliant suspension for the roads but I found Michelin Pilot Road 4's to work well...tried Pirellis and they were not so good. Heard good things about a shock upgrade and front fork upgrade but never got round to it. It was comfortable and cornered quickly enough. Standard brakes were spot on nice and progressive and could handle the weight of the bike though I got HEL braided lines fitted, which I recommend to any biker. The only let down is the standard seat..get a gel seat if you plan to do big miles in one go.
Absolutely stinking engine. Power in any gear and effortless acceleration. Not a revvy engine but more turbine like power which put a lot of other bikes to shame. The standard exhaust was far too quiet. I had ordered a Beowulf end can which sounded superb and fitted perfectly.
Bought used in 2017 and sold in 2021, no signs of corrosion...swapped a battery in 2019 to replace the original and that was it. Keep on top of cleaning, garaging it, and not riding in any salt no doubt helped.
From memory this was a major service, a minor service with Suzuki and an MOT each year.
Clocks and instruments were easy to read, no fancy features such as rider modes though. The standard screen gives poor wind protection, I recommend an MRA touring screen not overly tall but has an adjustable wind deflector. I had Oxford hot grips fitted as part of buying it from Bolton Kawasaki, excellent on the standard bar. Tyres, Michelin Pilot Road 4's at the time were superb. It came with Bridgestones which though good tyres were just past their best. One year I tried some Pirellis and they did not suit it at all.
Buying experience: Superb, Bolton Kawasaki were awesome to deal with.
Year: 2011
Annual servicing cost: £300
Great bike does everything from long days in the saddle to scratching along on a Sunday
Very good bike, a tank of fuel will disappear just as you need a rest, pillion is comfy all day long
All good no real complaints
No corrosion and never broken down
I have a very good mechanic who looks after my bikes. Always a bonus
Instrument cluster is good. Screen needed to be a little bigger, i would recommend a touring screen and upgrade the head light, add a decent satnav and your away
Buying experience: I brought her in 2018 from a dealer, great experiance. Paid just short of £3000 for her but as a modern classic i think they are appreciating in value.
Year: 2011
Annual servicing cost: £120
good all round bike. quite pokey for a mill that only churns out 98bhp. Windscreen too short for my 6'2" frame. Good view of my right side of my body in the right hand mirror!! Mirror extenders sorted that. Can easily put both feet flat on the ground with my knees bent
good seating position. Similar to the 1200 bandit I own. Seat quite comfortable but need a break after about 120 miles, more from the wind buffeting from the screen
surprisingly quick for its size and engine power. Torquey motor means gear changing not required that often.
Build quality appears OK. engine appears to be tough. Clunky first gear but rest of gearbox relatively smooth
running costs quite reasonable, with service interval of 4k miles
could do with engine temp indicator, heated grips and possibly cruise control. Pannier and top box good size without being intrusive
Version: 1250fa
Year: 2015
Annual servicing cost: £240
As a motorcycle instructor I found this bike to be a perfect machine for me
Buying experience: Bought it from a dealer 2015 model £4,000 with only 14500 miles
Year: 2013
Annual servicing cost: £150
Best feature is low end torque, worst is the seat.
A better seat would have helped lol
It's a suzuki, lots of washing and acf50.
Like most bikes, look after them and you'll enjoy mile after mile of open road.
Year: 2015
Annual servicing cost: £450
The Suzuki GSX1250F is basic, but excels at what it does. Long ride comfort, absolutely faultless reliability over 62000 miles in three years so far. Would recommend to anyone who needs a guaranteed all round great bike. I do about 21000 miles per year, so the miles pile on quickly.
This bike suits smooth riding. Push it hard and you'll get bounced around. Ride as a normal road user and there's no issue. Ride like a clown and you'll soon want to slow down.
Awesome grunt. Super smooth, ultra reliable and very relaxing over long distances. I rode from Hampshire to Yorkshire recently and had no issues with motorway power. A very calm and competent motor.
62000 all weather miles, the bike has never failed me. It starts first press of the button, even on the coldest winter days. A small amount of corrosion formed but was easily dealt with once I saw it and it now looks new again. I am gobsmacked with its reliability.
Overall this is a cheap bike to run, despite the stupid 4k service intervals. Fuel consumption is a massive surprise. Driven smoothly I manage about 60mpg (yes, 60). I managed 252 miles on a tank after a long business trip, but I was praying for a fuel stop by then as this is one heavy bike to push.
Cheap bike equals low kit. But accept that and it's fine. I've added a Givi touring screen, bar risers and a Soundbomb horn.
Version: FAL6
Year: 2016
Annual servicing cost: £250
It will do anything touring two up or scratching with sports bikes and general all round bike for any age group biker.
It is best between 70 and 120 mph ouzes grunt and pulls in any gear. Its easy to ride a full tank 160 miles without stopping.
Tried and tested and is the best engine around in the 1000cc to 1400cc class.
This is my 2nd GSX1250 fa and I have had no issue with poor build or corrosion on either of them. Look after the bike and it will look after you.
Easy to maintain and do minor services yourself once a year a major garage service cost about £250
Basic but has enough equipment for most people.
Buying experience: Dealer £6200 for a 2016 model with 2000 miles fully loaded with luggage cases.
Version: GSX FAST
Year: 2011
Annual servicing cost: £100
Best features are the fantastic value for money. I know it's 'old school' and low tech, but when you are riding this lovely piece of kit you would never know it. Delightfully smooth and effortless, the four cylinder is a pleasure and never gives cause for concern with bags and bags of torque. Difficult to be negative really other than to say the wind protection is poor, then it's not really built as a tourer, added an MRA screen to reduce some of the wind effect! I would recommend this bike to anyone, will give miles of good cheap fun.
Ride quality is good apart from already mentioned wind intrusion, Hourly breaks required to relieve numb bum syndrome! Brakes more than adequate, even when fully laden.
Best feature, smooth, torquey and absolutely effortless, to date no issue with reliability.
Consider the price! fantastic quality for the money, never had a reliability issue.
Easy to 'home service' to keep cost's down. Faired version a little more awkward to disassemble but that's all.
Strangely the gear selector indicator, a novelty as never had one before! The must have accessory to make life more comfortable is a larger aftermarket screen.
Buying experience: Purchased via a dealer, paid asking price of £5,800 with a p/x deal
Version: Fal2
Year: 2013
Annual servicing cost: £200
Best value for money motorcycle for sale in U.K. today by far
Suspension is fine some road surfaces can show up limitations but at the price easily fit Hagon shock and springs
Turbine smooth just ride the huge wave of torque
No issues in 18 months of ownership it's not a Honda so you need to keep it clean but that's not an issue really. Look after the bike and it will look after you
Pretty good on fuel mid 40's in all types of riding including some brisk thrashing
Everything I need switch on handle bar to scroll through trip meters etc would be nice
Buying experience: Bought privately at two years old 4000 miles £4600 brilliant value
Year: 2011
Annual servicing cost: £200
For the price, almost perfect. Useable power, more than enough money spare to buy the extra accessories you'll want & with TLC should age well.
Hard riding does expose the chassis & suspensions flaws, still not bad by any measure. Normal, day to day you're comfortable & feel stable on the road.
For useable power, 10/10! More low down torque than you'll ever need. Think of it like a diesel, massive amounts of grunt low down, then you feel the drop off once you reach the top RPM.
Brought preowned, slight rust on some fixings, just basic TLC will prevent. Keep it clean & relube what fittings you take off.
Self serviced, oil filter can be a pain to access & plugs aren't too easy either. All in all, not the worst bike I've worked on.
You can't expect everything for the price! Centre stand is always useful & it won't cost much to put on the few accessories you'll want. Even with those additions, you'll still be saving money.
Version: FA
Year: 2013
Annual servicing cost: £400
This is my second Bandit. Owned a 1200 about 12 years ago and recently returned to biking, and so glad I did. Bought second hand (3yrs old) for 5k, with only 2.5k on clock. Had about 6 months now and use everyday, mostly with top box occasionally full luggage. Just done a long weekend from UK through Holland, Belgium and France with no issues. I use the bike for commuting, touring and a bit of fun, well lots really as if I don't need to go out on is I do anyway. Relatively heavy bike and needs a little practice at v slow speed at first, good on corners, recovers well when slipping. Wife often comes out as pillion and hardly know she is there except when breaking hard. Good all rounder. Need to raise seat a bit, but If I get another bike I will still keep this one.
ABS is good, breaking could be a bit firmer, but it's on original discs and current service is replacing fluid so may be better
Good range of power. V responsive. Sounds nice, but may upgrade exhaust for a bit better experience
No problems so far touch-wood.
In for my first service
ABS is good. Screen not bad, Display easy to work. Could do with a better fuel indicator as flashes when got 50 miles left in tank and counter for when on receiver. Would be better to know how many miles are left. But you learn to live with it. Tinny horn as usual, but replacing that with something louder.
Buying experience: Dealer, second hand, 5k for a 3 year old bike with low mileage, all luggage inc removable holdalls that fit in the luggage, Excellent condition too.
Version: FA
Year: 2012
Annual servicing cost: £500
Engine is nearly as good as the 1200 Bandit.
Marginal. Can't imagine needing the ABS to kick in as the brakes are so weak. Unless you are very positive entering corners this bike will understeer and drift outwards. Extremely sensitive to tyres - Road Angels are the best at handling the very heavy front end. Fuel consumption is excellent on long high speed trips (dual carriageway/motorway) at around 57-59 mpg which drops to 46 mpg town and country.
Throw away idiotic EU regulations and this engine would be brilliant. Very gentle and relaxing with great low down grunt, I usually change gear twice each time ie 1,3,5 but also because the gearbox is so clunky it belongs in a vintage tractor.
I ride all year and the bike is rusting badly, just been hit by the starter motor problem (27000 miles) and expecting a £400 - 500 bill. Service intervals are rubbish. In four years I reckon this bike has cost more than £10,000 but I'll probably end up buying another new one this year because I love the engine. Brakes and handling are marginal, tuning would just show weaknesses everywhere else. Note to Suzuki - boost the bhp to 130 and improve the overall quality and I'll pay £10,000 happily.
4500 miles between services - you do the maths
Big Givi box belongs on this bike and bigger (and cheaper) than the Suzuki version. Centre stand is a big plus - how do you grease or adjust a chain on a sidestand? After trying other choices with disastrous/expensive results Pirelli Road Angels really work well on this bike.
Buying experience: Bought from Alpha because of 0% loan but they ripped me off fitting a top box sized for a moped despite knowing that I intended to tour. Discovered Orwell Motorcycles in Ipswich, excellent shop with excellent staff and an excellent workshop.
Version: FAZ
Year: 2014
Best features are; Real world accessible performance in the lower rev band. The weight of the bike makes it very stable in it's touring role. It's a comfortable bike for taller riders, I'm 6'2" and don't like the pretend adventure bikes with their over inflated prices. The weight is also it's negative. I wouldn't say it's top heavy but there are better balanced bikes out there, it's no sports bike! Care needs to be taken when man handling around the garage etc...
Does the job required. The issue I have is I'm sliding forward on the seat, fitting EAZI-Grip tank pads has helped but I'm looking into replacement.
one word "Smooth"
I had no problems or corrosion with my GSX650F even using in winter. So with this upgrade that's now one year old, I have no and don't expect any problems.
I don't know why, but even though it's in a highish insurance group it's very reasonable to insure not much more than it's 650 predecessor. MT-09 I was looking at was going to cost me 3x more to insure. Fuel economy for me is on par with the 650 (high 40's mpg), which is down to not needing to rev the engine as much to get the same performance
Best Stock bits: ABS, gear change indicator, centre stand, seat height adjustment, both lever span adjustment. Accessories; Heated grips, rear hugger, Sliders a must! (lesson learned from dropping the 650 on my sloped drive when pushing it around) Bad bits: Stock tyres are borderline dangerous in cool damp conditions (BT021 Sport Touring) I think the compound is just too hard for our bad roads. I'm changing to Pilot 4's. Stock screen looks great but is useless in it's touring role.
Buying experience: Best deals are to be had with pre reg bikes. I think list price of 8k is far too much even if it does include luggage. This is not a bike to buy from a dealer and sell a year on.
Year: 2012
Get rid of the stupid NUMBERS, ETC FOR A NAME and just call it a MASKED BANDIT.......
With a small amount of tuning and a better exhaust system the bikes pulling power through the low range speeds can be greatly improved.
Never ever had any issues from new....
Apart from a clock to tell the time the key items are covered
Buying experience: Great end of year deal from the dealers
Bought 4 weeks, 1,000 miles approaching. Replaced a ZX10 I'd had from new for 4 years. Currently I need to do c.250 miles per week and thought I was just buying efficient transport. It's much more than that. Stunningly quick low down and perfectly good handling. Significantly better than a Bandit 1250 I had about 6 years ago; I think there's been a little bit of evolution and tweaking in there, not just the announced changes when 'Bandit' became 'GSX1250'.
Bought a brand new model last week and its great. Engine pulls from 20mph in 6th with ease, sweeps through bends at speed with great stability and the mileage per tank is easily 160miles + reserve. Compared to my old ZZR1400 it is just as quick at real world duties and has much better town / traffic ability. Now wish i'd bought this last year instead of the ZZR.....all in all a good affordable mile muncher that can do so many jobs for a very wide group of riders. However, Brakes take a lot of time to bed in, poor underseat storage, so so OEM tyres, suspension doesn't suit all roads and lacks adjustment and really should have better rear shock protection from the elements.
This may be related to the Bandit in so many ways but it brings virtues before not found on the Bandit into the reach of many. Its big , simple, quick enough, comfy and has a very flexible engine and generally with a few simple changes it becomes a great fast tourer. Planning to swap a ZZR1400 to one of these.
A great value for money bike. Responds well to modifications. If you spend a grand or so on her you can get a 30-50% increase in power depending on the mods. Well worth the effort.
Had the 1250 for just one month and done about 2500 miles including a 1500 mile trip touring West Scotland. Bike performs superbly and is everything I wanted at the right price. Traded up from the GSX650F which I really liked but the 1250 is just different league when it comes to longer distance work -particularly motorway at high speeed. Love it.
Had mine for a week and a half. As well as commuting I've done a trackday at Silverstone and the GSX equipped itself very well. The ABS is particular impressive even if it does feel strange at first. The suspension is plush but the front could do with rebound adjustment although on Silverstone's perfect surface it was absolutely fine. It gets very hot in the saddle after a while as well. The point is that this bike will do most things well with little compromise. There's always going to be better looking, better handling, better performing bikes out there but that's missing the point. Where else can you get a bike that does all these things well at this price? R & G now do the whole crash protection thing for this so they expect it to sell well and I've no doubt it will and deservedly so. Initial insurance ABI ratings issues aside, this is great real world bike all the more so for its price. Honda, Triumph et al are you looking?
Picked mine up on Friday and rode all the way home with a great big smile on my face. It would have stayed there all bank holiday weekend if it hadn't been for the rain. Took it down the A roads to Hastings and back on BH Monday and did everything that I asked of it. I had the old 750F for 6 years and seriously considered the 650 when it came out, but although more powerful I was looking to go up in engine size. Boy am I glad that I waited. My only complaint so far is the lack of space under the seat. I always carry a small soft-case first aid kit and there's no room for it. Can't wait to take it touring and munch those miles
Very pleased with mine as a tourer
I know its early days but I went into my bike shop a few weeks back to order a 1250 SA having owned two 650 SA Bandits before I wanted to go up to a 1250 When I was there a 1250 FA had just arrived so with a few moments of thought and a super exchange deal it was mine. Two weeks on I have not looked back the bike has not failed to please it just seems to want to go on forever in fact before I knew it I was at 750 mile and ready for the first service that is no longer free. The full fairng works well it does offer a lot more protection and the screen works better than on the SA models giving a bit more wind protection around the head. The fairing also keeps the legs a bit more comfortable. I was glad to see that Suzuki have fitted the Bridgestone BT 21 tyres on the bike in the past I have always fitted these as they give a better wear rate than the Bridgestone,s normally fitted by Suzuki. The ABS brakes do work well and the suspension on the 1250 is a lot better and seems better two up. A lot has been said about the fuel warning light however there seems to be a trip odo that comes on when the tank runs to a reserve level of fuel that will give you your mileage left. There is also a rev counter light that you can pre set to the revs you want ?? and a gear readout that tells you what gear you are in on the 650 that was something that it could have done with and I find it useful on the 1250. Handling the 1250 seems to turn in a lot faster than the 650 did but the extra weight on the 1250 goes un noticed and the bike is very easy to throw around in fact it has a lot more grip than a 650 due to the wide back tire. Engine performance is just wonderful it is not fierce but actually docile it gives out a nice smooth power spread that is so easy to use. Overall the 1250 FA is a easy bike to live with normally the first things to be changed on my Bandits are the screen tyres and exhaust but the screen on the FA works and the tyres are the ones I would fit so its just the exhaust that may get changed. For £6995 the 1250 has got to be worth a look I am so glad that I purchased mine.