Buying GSF1250S

Hey everyone.

I'm an old rider returning to the saddle and in the process of negotiating on a GSF1250S that a friend has for sale (not listed).

I know my way around bikes, and have a fairly good grasp on his ownership, but want some insight into things to look out for when inspecting. I've not owned a Bandit before, so not sure where the common faults are to be found.

2010 - 30,000kms.

Thank in advance!

G'Day SI,
Only had mine a couple of months, maybe if you search through the "mechanical " section.

Welcome SI

The Bandit does nothing superbly, but it does everything OK, it's a good reliable budget bike with more grunt than most will ever need

There have been starter issues, that = $$$$

A lot want to upgrade suspension, I guess it depends on how hard you want to go, I regret not doing it within the 1st 10,000 km, not sure if it's worth it now at 60,000 km

A lot complain about the seat, I've got a fitted lambswool and have done days of up to 900 km 2 up without issue

There are quite a few that have done over 100,000 km with no mechanical issues, one in the UK just stated that he has just clocked over 200,000 miles on an untouched engine

Have a good browse through the mechanical forums on here, IMHO, you'd be pretty unlucky to get a Bandit that was a Lemon.

I also owned a 1250s, 2010 model. The good news is that hardly anything goes wrong, especially with those low kms. It should have had a reg/rec recall done, so query that. The fuel pump may have failed or the in-tank filter be clogged and there is an excellent post here in mechanical on how to "unclog" it. My fuel pump totally failed at around 45,000kms but I replaced it with an after-market model - pretty easy to do yourself. But you won't be able to see that. Ride it, and test how well it pulls through 4000 - 6000 rpm - if it isn't strong it will be the fuel pump.

The 1250S has the worst headlight ever, so don't plan to ride at night. Immediately replace the bulb with an aftermarket one. Or/and install a relay into the headlight wiring. Having said that, I did over 105,00kms on my 2010 bike and never did either of the above - but I never rode it at night.

I recently bought a 2008 model with only 18,500kms on it (replacing the high kms 2010 model) for only $5k, so don't pay too much. Photo attached. Year does not matter - all 1250S models are identical.

There are some starter motor failures - magnets coming loose - but that seems way more random and less common than the fuel pump failure, so don't worry.

Apart from that, just the usual - service history, condition, etc.

2008 1250S (wheels custom painted by me after purchase).

Chook wrote:Welcome SI
A lot want to upgrade suspension, I guess it depends on how hard you want to go, I regret not doing it within the 1st 10,000 km, not sure if it's worth it now at 60,000 km

Re suspension, don't you think it might be more worth doing at 60 000 km than when new? The new suspension would have been fairly OK; as the bike ages a suspension upgrade could be even more beneficial than upgrading while new. (Disclosure: I'm looking for a guinea pig to find out if his suspension upgrade worked.)

I've read the naked Bandit's fork springs are stiffer than the S model's, as the naked one is more of a streetfighter and likely to be wheelied.

Stan L wrote:

Chook wrote:Welcome SI
A lot want to upgrade suspension, I guess it depends on how hard you want to go, I regret not doing it within the 1st 10,000 km, not sure if it's worth it now at 60,000 km

Re suspension, don't you think it might be more worth doing at 60 000 km than when new? The new suspension would have been fairly OK; as the bike ages a suspension upgrade could be even more beneficial than upgrading while new. (Disclosure: I'm looking for a guinea pig to find out if his suspension upgrade worked.)

I haven't decided how much longer I'll keep this, I'm still kicking myself for not buying a under 10,000 km 2008 Bandit last year and swapping my luggage, pipe, seat cover etc onto it.

If you are looking for a Guinea Pig, there is already a few on here, have a search through old posts

I typed in Suspension and got over 20 topics come up

https://nswbandits.forumotion.net/search?search_keywords=suspension

Now might be the time, not much moving t present re C19.

GSX1100G wrote:Now might be the time,  not much moving t present re C19.

I saw a great low mileage bandit a few weeks ago, in Northern NSW so I couldn't fly up and ride it back if I'd wanted to

Would that be a silver one with a heap of gear on a farm?

Still some showroom kept GSF 1250S Bandits out there to be found.

I've a full black and black engine bought new 2011 with a Yoshi carbon/chrome can on with Oxfords.
Under 10,000Km kept in an insulated shed, in the appearance condition to when I bought it. In our inland non stop extreme heat days, I even air con the shed as there's other toys within to protect. (I've 9kw solar, so no cost there)

Polished up like a Spoked Low Rider, I've too much going on to take it for proper rides at present. But run it and keep the tank full along with some Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant Fuel Conditioner in it to lube the tank inner. Every week the tank is rocked to splash the fuel within, even though some short trips are done in town.

But its not for Sale, just highlighting there are ones out there in perfect condition.