6 Years in The Saddle

paul wrote:when did they stop making them ?

2wheelsagain wrote:

paul wrote:when did they stop making them ?

Mate you cant get a 2013/14 GSF. All GSX now  

2wheelsagain wrote:Seeing as we've had a few new members popping up who appear to want to make love to their new GSF/GSX I thought I'd post my thoughts about living with the big lump.

To me the Bandit 1250S is an equal mix or awesomeness and frustration.

Black Betty has let me down a couple of times in our 35,000km and I'm disappointed in the quality of finish every time I run the polishing cloth over it. (often  )
The paint is very thin and the frame welds are rough. The wheels are east to mark. Its heavy. The wiring will be suspect long term. Don't try to ride the S at night and there is a whole list of things Suzuki should have done better in a thread HERE. Its the only bike I have ever owned that has made me feel like I need another bike as well. But.

The awesomeness of this bike smacks me in the side of the head every time I ride to Melbourne like I did yesterday. It is far and away the best traffic bike I have ever owned. The way that engine pulls would leave a 13yr old boy for dead. Its brilliant in traffic and once rolling the weight isn't an issue. Even the brakes are good enough if you're looking a couple of cars ahead like you should be. Get the bike out on the open road and its smooth and comfortable and eats miles and nibbles away at your license. There's more than enough poke for our over regulated roads and its easy to get away from people who shouldn't be on the road.

The more bikes I ride while in possession of the B1250 the more I'm amazed by how much motorcycle I bought in Oct 07 for just under $12k.
A couple of weeks ago I sold a more superior bike because it didn't do what the Bandit does as well as the Bandit does it. Yet the Bandit should have had the same technology 7 years later. I bought a Firestorm yesterday which on paper has similar power/torque figures but I reckon the Bandit would win a drag race but we all know we have to turn corners eventually (Reardo is the exception  ) I'm wondering how many more bikes I'll buy and sell while still not being prepared to part with the B1250.

In my opinion the Bandit 1250S is more than the sum of its parts and you cant say that about too many bikes since someone decided to strap an engine to a bicycle frame.
Yes the Bandit can be improved. Yes its a bloody shame they're not made any more. Yes you are right to be impressed by the practical and reliable motorcycle we all know and love.

I couldn't have said it better myself Chris. It's an awesome bike to ride, but with the trouble I've had, I keep wondering if I'd have done better with 1800 Honda Shadow I almost bought.

Kaupy1962 wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:Seeing as we've had a few new members popping up who appear to want to make love to their new GSF/GSX I thought I'd post my thoughts about living with the big lump.

To me the Bandit 1250S is an equal mix or awesomeness and frustration.

Black Betty has let me down a couple of times in our 35,000km and I'm disappointed in the quality of finish every time I run the polishing cloth over it. (often  )
The paint is very thin and the frame welds are rough. The wheels are east to mark. Its heavy. The wiring will be suspect long term. Don't try to ride the S at night and there is a whole list of things Suzuki should have done better in a thread HERE. Its the only bike I have ever owned that has made me feel like I need another bike as well. But.

The awesomeness of this bike smacks me in the side of the head every time I ride to Melbourne like I did yesterday. It is far and away the best traffic bike I have ever owned. The way that engine pulls would leave a 13yr old boy for dead. Its brilliant in traffic and once rolling the weight isn't an issue. Even the brakes are good enough if you're looking a couple of cars ahead like you should be. Get the bike out on the open road and its smooth and comfortable and eats miles and nibbles away at your license. There's more than enough poke for our over regulated roads and its easy to get away from people who shouldn't be on the road.

The more bikes I ride while in possession of the B1250 the more I'm amazed by how much motorcycle I bought in Oct 07 for just under $12k.
A couple of weeks ago I sold a more superior bike because it didn't do what the Bandit does as well as the Bandit does it. Yet the Bandit should have had the same technology 7 years later. I bought a Firestorm yesterday which on paper has similar power/torque figures but I reckon the Bandit would win a drag race but we all know we have to turn corners eventually (Reardo is the exception  ) I'm wondering how many more bikes I'll buy and sell while still not being prepared to part with the B1250.

In my opinion the Bandit 1250S is more than the sum of its parts and you cant say that about too many bikes since someone decided to strap an engine to a bicycle frame.
Yes the Bandit can be improved. Yes its a bloody shame they're not made any more. Yes you are right to be impressed by the practical and reliable motorcycle we all know and love.

kaupy wrote:I couldn't have said it better myself Chris. It's an awesome bike to ride, but with the trouble I've had, I keep wondering if I'd have done better with 1800 Honda Shadow I almost bought.