Not sure about the new 2010 Bandit 1250!

Hi fellow members.

I currently own a 2001 Yamaha FZ1 & was looking for a new bike replacement.

The 1250 Bandit appeals very much due to its good looks, bullet proof motor and ability to commute as well as tour.

The 2008 & 2009 models were excellent due to their half fairing style, providing rider protection whilst leaving that beautiful motor exposed for all to see.

For me a motorcycle is as much about the beauty of the motor as well as the ride.

That's why I was rather disappointed with the 2010 offerings.

You either get a fully faired version which completely covers the motor, or the naked, with a black only mill and leaving you exposed to the weather on long trips.

Otherwise these machines are ideal for my requirements.

Great value, bullet proof engineering, capable performance & reliability, & outstanding ride.

Does anyone own a 2010 Bandit 1250 who can offer a critique?

cheers.

Rocky

I take it you will only look at new and not second hand. There are some really good buys out there for 2008/2009 models.

But i do know what you mean. Ive got the fully naked 2009 model, and wouldnt look back. Im a huge fan of nakeds. As for protection, i really dont notice the difference between faired and non faired. I guess the only way is to go ride one

guarantee youll buy one

Hi Cam.

A good half fairing makes a big difference.

Apart from relieving shoulder & arm fatigue on a long run, a good half fairing protects you against buffeting & can keep your legs dry in the rain.

Don't get me wrong. Aesthetically full naked is a pleasure to the eye, but these days practicality is also important to me.

When you're shelling out for a new ride it's important your choice ticks off all the boxes.

After past bad experiences, l distrust buying used, not only due to possible rider abuse & accident damage, but also poor servicing by novices or cowboys.

How do you find your machine?

Which color is it?

Do you have any pics?

Mate dont be put off buying used especially if its low km and with dealer stamps in the book.
Although these bikes can take a hammering it would be unusual to flog one to death in a short period of time and if you know what to look for you'll pick anything out of the ordinary.
You can find used ones still on the original tires and that will be a good indication of how its been ridden. You'll save yourself $3000+ too.
At 18,000km mine is still loosening up

I seem to come across guys that buy em then dont have time to ride em and flog em after a year or so.
I was caught in a huge down poor the other day and was impressed with the fairing on mine, it deflected water really well!
Theres still the half faired abs and non abs available IMO the all black non abs is hot and cheep!

Thanks Big.

Maybe l was mistaken.

Just had a look at the Suzuki site & discovered that there are three models, not two.

Late 2009 articles promoting the 2010 model range indicated half fairing was being dropped from the range, but I think they've continued with this model due to demand in Australia & poor sales of the full naked.

1250 Naked

1250S Half Fairing.

1250FA Full Fairing.

So for me it would be the 1250S or 1250S ABS.

And more importantly it comes in Black.

I prefer black tank/body on a motorbike.

Pity about the motor. I prefer them in a metallic color.

There's a black 08 on bikesales.com.au now with a history that sounds ok.
Its got a WA price premium on it but bikes you are after are available.

Pity about the motor. I prefer them in a metallic color.[/quote

Personal choice I guess! However I love the dark donk!
Mines 2010 charcoal ABS, the best thing about it is i find myself cruising back roads i used to avoid due to rough and bumpy crap and even when i ride around the speed limit its still enjoyable! All my previous rides were just to get to the next lot of twisties, then again maybe im getting old!

Black motor lovers are being well catered for these days across all brands.

The 2009 Bandit appears to have been just about the last large capacity bike offering a metallic colored motor.

How does your bike ride?

What other bikes have you owned and how do they compare to the Bandit?

Is there any lag when throttling the injectors?

Is it nimble around town?

I like a bike which has torque spread across the range, especially from down low.

WELL! IMO! At the time (a hole 6mths ago) I rode what I was interested in FZ1 fun but no fairing Z1 no back seat, then the moment i got on the Bandit there was no sense of anything out of the ordinary just a nice bike.
Seating was what i wanted (upright, Ive done had enough of folding up into safety pin mode) It feels big and most things are where you expect em to be.
The ride, though they say its old tech, is great! Plush, A bit of wallow at high speed flip flops but I've bin told not to mess with the set up till its bedded in.
I found this thing to be a hoot!(According to Oz Motorcycle mag the Bandit taught a Nation to wheelie!) It can make you forget yourself cause it inspires confidence (Rightly or not) big grins!
Now I'm sure you can go grab any number of the latest rides and have a grin or two but for me for the money and for what I want I couldn't be happier!
What id suggest is test ride one! in the end bikes are personal and it will fit you or not. The only real problem Ive had is the pipe is too quiet! LOL anything prior to 07 has a 5 speed box and 1200,s are the purists bike and make an awesome street bike all said and done its supposed to be bullet proof but time will tell!
And after all its just my opinion on a subject I've recently rediscovered !
Happy hunting AL

rockyysdt wrote:

Is there any lag when throttling the injectors?

Is it nimble around town?

I like a bike which has torque spread across the range, especially from down low.

1. No
2. No
3. They can put away from 40kmh in 6th without much fuss

Now stop asking the converted for an opinion and start test riding
There is plenty of mag editorials praising the GSF I havent seen as many on the GSX but they are essentially the same bike.
You know you want one...........

2wheelsagain wrote:

rockyysdt wrote:

Is there any lag when throttling the injectors?

Is it nimble around town?

I like a bike which has torque spread across the range, especially from down low.

1. No
2. No
3. They can put away from 40kmh in 6th without much fuss

Now stop asking the converted for an opinion and start test riding
There is plenty of mag editorials praising the GSF I havent seen as many on the GSX but they are essentially the same bike.
You know you want one...........

I agree, you definitely want a Bandit.
I commute into the Sydney CBD and I must admit that's the best part of my day .. riding in and riding home

Yeh! Like I said TEST RIDE & DECIDE!
And I shouldn't answer a question on Fridays after happy hour! (bit of a ramble !)

2wheelsagain wrote:
There is plenty of mag editorials praising the GSF I havent seen as many on the GSX but they are essentially the same bike.
You know you want one...........

Does the GSF & GSX share the same power plant but with different specs?

I'll only do a test ride if l have the readies saved and a can score good trade in for my near new, one owner 2001 FZ1.

I'm height challenged so the adjustable seat is a great feature.

rockyysdt wrote:

Does the GSF & GSX share the same power plant but with different specs?

The GSF and the GSX share the same engine, specs, brakes, frame, etc. The only difference as far as I know is that the GSX has the new full fairing.

Sloth_27 wrote:

rockyysdt wrote:

Does the GSF & GSX share the same power plant but with different specs?

The GSF and the GSX share the same engine, specs, brakes, frame, etc. The only difference as far as I know is that the GSX has the new full fairing.

Different suspension (gsx ) Gladius dash with gear counter, possibly hybusa type fairing over the front Tyre

Op could buy one and keep it at my place and I'll let him know what the difference is

2wheelsagain wrote:Op could buy one and keep it at my place and I'll let him know what the difference is

Charity is not dead. The selflessness is palpable.

Just picked up my 2010 GSx1250FA................it's done a whole 210km now & I love it. Nothing too flash, great value for $ & it does most things dam well. $10,000 less than a FJR & and it still gives one a pretty good hurry up. You can buy a lot of extras for $10g.

jaba01 wrote:Just picked up my 2010 GSx1250FA................it's done a whole 210km now & I love it. Nothing too flash, great value for $ & it does most things dam well. $10,000 less than a FJR & and it still gives one a pretty good hurry up. You can buy a lot of extras for $10g.

Yay, another GSXF owner. Welcome. I' ve just clock up the recommended 1600km and celebrated the fact by shifting into 6th gear while doing 60 and then winding on the throttle. WOOOAHHHH

Welcome mate...2 GSX models in a row...good job.
And congratulations on being out 100th member.

the tradition is that the 100th member buys everyone a bottle of champagne - i'll have bolly

potatomasher wrote:the tradition is that the 100th member buys everyone a bottle of champagne - i'll have bolly

I got excited when I saw this thread had been revived.
Anyway, congrats. I'll have a bottle of mineral water filled in the alps by virgins thanks.

2wheelsagain wrote:

potatomasher wrote:the tradition is that the 100th member buys everyone a bottle of champagne - i'll have bolly

I got excited when I saw this thread had been revived.
Anyway, congrats. I'll have a bottle of mineral water filled in the alps by virgins thanks.

I'll just have the virgins......

potatomasher wrote:the tradition is that the 100th member buys everyone a bottle of champagne - i'll have bolly

You seem to make a new "tradition" for nearly everybody that joins up