bandit 1250 vs. GSX 1250 FA

Are there any differencies between these two bikes besides looks? Are the engines / base fuel maps the same on both of these bikes?

I had a 2010 FA and I have a 2007 1250S, and they feel almost exactly the same to me. The main difference, apart from the fairing, was the front spring on the FA is a bit firmer, and the FA has two thermo fans. Mechanically the same. I did the Stage I mods on my FA as per the book, and the bike ran perfectly.

From what I've read:
Fairing - including nose, screen and head light
Dash - with gear indicator and shift light
Bigger radiator - with twin fans
Upgraded front suspension

Motor, gearbox, rear, frame, seat, remainder plastics all appear to be the same.

There is something different when fitting the aftermarket Power Commander V, they list a different part number than the earlier Bandits, this might be something to do with the fuel injection electronics, or a simple change with one of the loom connectors.

[quote="barry_mcki"
Bigger radiator - with twin fans
.[/quote]

Not to be a smart arse, the radiators are the same size

Have to re-check where I read it but one reviewer mentioned the radiator was wider, I think they were talking about the fairings width as well.....will chase it down.....

Here it is, my bad, read it wrong, from

What is new is a liquid-cooled oil cooler for this motor. The GSX
offering better cooling than past air-cooled oil cooler designs and I
guess technically now making it a "water-cooled" motor, albeit
indirectly. This liquid-cooled oil cooler also avoids a large radiator
up front, giving the GSX1250FA a less "front heavy" appearance in that
area and a more sport bike-like appearance overall.

Full Article

A bit off topic, but has anyone with the FA ever noticed the second fan kick in? I've yet to see it turn in anger ....and live in a fairly warm climate up North here.

NTBill wrote:A bit off topic, but has anyone with the FA ever noticed the second fan kick in? I've yet to see it turn in anger ....and live in a fairly warm climate up North here.

Had one for two years and never saw it cut in.

I guess it depends on which article you read. This quote is from Visor Down.

"So what exactly is new about the GSX1250FA? A new-style full fairing, ABS as standard, revised front suspension, a digital dash, a larger radiator and a reshaped exhaust end-can are the major differences on the new sports tourer. The rest of it is plain old Suzuki 1250, ahem, Bandit."

How wide is an FA rad in mm.? (metal to metal)

The radiators differ quite a bit. Radguard list covers separately between Bandits and GSX's. The part numbers differ: 17710-18H00 (Bandit) versus 17710-18H10. The Bandit has 2 bolt mounting on top and the GSX has 4 (additional fan mounts). The Bandi has rectangular side tanks the same general shape as the radiator, whilst the GSX ones taper at the bottom. There's also no mounting points for the radiator side protectors on the GSX as it's covered by the fairing.

gus wrote:How wide is an FA rad in mm.? (metal to metal)

I can't actually measure the radiator without removing the guard. The guard measures 400mm wide by 200mm high.

madmax wrote:I guess it depends on which article you read. This quote is from Visor Down.

"So what exactly is new about the GSX1250FA? A new-style full fairing, ABS as standard, revised front suspension, a digital dash, a larger radiator and a reshaped exhaust end-can are the major differences on the new sports tourer. The rest of it is plain old Suzuki 1250, ahem, Bandit."

The end cans look the same to me. I mean both are mainsail sized, and have the weight of an anchor. The radiator will be slightly different to accommodate the additional fan, but the core size may be the same. The dash is the same except for the gear indicator. Just marketing gimmicks to make it look like they've created a new bike for us consumer zombies in the west. It's a Bandit people. In Japan they call the GSX1250 FA a Bandit 1250F.

As MM said, need to remove the guard, but a quick check in semi darkness with a head torch and a couple of triple single malts on board..... the core measures 400mm wide x 190 mm give or take 2 mm.
Bill.