Second year with mine, I got a 2016 leftover last summer from a dealer here in PA USA the bike was discounted quite a bit as I guess they didn't sell very many over here. But I absolutely love my 1250 Bandit, Amazing bike. Its just so comfortable! at some point I plan go cross country, but this summer I would like to take it to Niagara and Detroit.
I have Bandit 1250 GT -07 (for 3 years now) and I have to agree with you; it is an absolute beast! Great amount of power/torque, it is just unbelievable. There has been made some variations/tunings on my bike also (full fairing, bigger wind shield, wider bar, Yoshimura slip-on, more power and look and 'cause I live in Finland grip heaters are must.) I bought new gel seat from France and it feels and looks great. I ride mostly long distance trips with my wife so money well spend. Ride safe
+Mikko Lappalainen Brilliant. Another happy Bandit owner!!!!! You can't beat these bikes- awesome!!! Thinking about a new search myself. Something I'll look into it think! Ride safe mate.
I have the GSX 1250 fa, which is almost the same bike, I agree with everything you say, plus the bike handles way better than might expect, also the suspension is pretty good.
Same as the man from Pennsylvania, I bought a 2016 in feb of this year and love it! I added a Sargent seat 3 inch riser to the handlebars (short arms), and a couple of English editions, Delkevic muffler and a Beowulf radiator guard. Plus a Givi top box. Love it!
Very keen on another M/C, have my eye on a GSF1250. Been awhile since I had my GS1000G. The low down torque, riding position, ability to carry a pillion and I could do the serving myself make the GSF ideal in my mind. We also have some great rides in NZ. Keep up the excellent videos. Cheers.
+banditnev Nothing wrong with being old school Nev! I've seen lots of people adding a sargent seat, it might be something I look into if the posterior begins to complain!! Like everything it comes down to money!!!
I have a 2009 bandit GT, couldn't part with it, although the saddle is an issue for me, I'm getting it reupholstered. It dose everything I want, and your right no fancy electronics. Coming up to 58000 miles. Couldn't ask for anything more.
Had my 2008 1250GT from new. 40+k later, from the far north of Scotland to the south of Croatia.. It's been faultless. Lots of pillion miles too in recent years. Never missed a beat. In fact, it's almost the perfect tourer. Just lacks a shaft drive for perfection. As you say, the 'all rounder' element is the bike's strongest point.
+DrummerboyUK1 Totally agree with you. That's some serious milage you've put on yours!!! Brilliant!! Just goes to prove that the engine is bullet proof!! Ride safe.
The engine will do 100k easily. I change the oil and filter (despite Suzy saying it only needs it every third change) around the 5k miles mark. The engine is superb, silky smooth and pulls like a train, even over the hills of the Alps with pillion and full luggage. Have you taken yours abroad yet?
+DrummerboyUK1 No not abroad. I've been all over the UK though. Would like to go further a field but it's not going to happen until the kids are a little older!!! For now I'll make do with my annual Scottish tour!!
I ride a XVS 1300 Tourer in Ontario. For me it does everything I want. I need the feet forward style cruiser because of leg issues. I like to have a windshield and panniers and the XVS Tourer comes from the factory with those. I don't need lots of horsepower but the XVS is no slouch either. If I lived in the U.K and had no leg issues a Bandit 1250SA would be on my short list of bikes to own. A good blend of power, handling, and convenience features, panniers etc. My only complaint would be the chain drive. I would prefer shaft drive or a belt.
+James Weber As you say it's all about finding the bike that works for you! To be honest I have no problems with the chain. I have a scotoiler fitted and never really need to touch it. It only needs adjusting once a blue moon.
A few weeks into ownership of my 2008 model 1250s and i think i made the right choice.I did miss the top end rush a little at first but my riding style has adapted to the huge amount of torque at low revs.Effortless really.Looking forward to a lake district tour in july with the missus.She refused to do that on my vfr......
+Hedge hog Glad you think you made the right choice. As you say it's effortless riding. Very easy to be smooth with a pillion on the back. which makes it more enjoyable for the rider- rather than concentrating on trying to be smooth. Have a great trip to the lakes.
Terrific all rounders these bikes are.... I've owned my 7 year old Bandit for just over 18 months and it never fails to put a big smile on my face when I climb aboard and eat up the miles with ease. As for value, you get a lot of machine and usable, practical power for your money. I think Suzuki have dropped an almighty big B**ll**k dropping this bike from their line-up.... something they will have to re-dress one day in the future. By the way - It's your fault SB I looked further into owning one of these and eventually purchased one lol... thx Regards Mark
+Mark Horton Same here- always puts a smile on my face. Totally agree Suzuki have made a clanger, they don't have a bike like it in their line up currently! A real shame. Glad it was this channel that helped you make your decision on the bandit!! Even more happy that you made the right choice!!! Hope your enjoying this nice weather Mark and getting out on your bike?
Wanted to join you all on the welsh ride the other weekend but I had already agreed to a ride out visiting LadyBower reservoir and Snake Pass with some friends... it was an amazing day for memory making and the weather was on our side and beautiful too. The Bandit took everything in her stride....Just as she always does. Great Bike : )
Second year with mine, I got a 2016 leftover last summer from a dealer here in PA USA the bike was discounted quite a bit as I guess they didn't sell very many over here. But I absolutely love my 1250 Bandit, Amazing bike. Its just so comfortable! at some point I plan go cross country, but this summer I would like to take it to Niagara and Detroit.
I have Bandit 1250 GT -07 (for 3 years now) and I have to agree with you; it is an absolute beast! Great amount of power/torque, it is just unbelievable.
There has been made some variations/tunings on my bike also (full fairing, bigger wind shield, wider bar, Yoshimura slip-on, more power and look and 'cause I live in Finland grip heaters are must.)
I bought new gel seat from France and it feels and looks great. I ride mostly long distance trips with my wife so money well spend. Ride safe
+Mikko Lappalainen Brilliant. Another happy Bandit owner!!!!! You can't beat these bikes- awesome!!! Thinking about a new search myself. Something I'll look into it think! Ride safe mate.
I have the GSX 1250 fa, which is almost the same bike, I agree with everything you say, plus the bike handles way better than might expect, also the suspension is pretty good.
Yoshi sounds great.Get one,you will love it.
Same as the man from Pennsylvania, I bought a 2016 in feb of this year and love it! I added a Sargent seat 3 inch riser to the handlebars (short arms), and a couple of English editions, Delkevic muffler and a Beowulf radiator guard. Plus a Givi top box. Love it!
Sounds like you added some very nice upgrades.
Very keen on another M/C, have my eye on a GSF1250. Been awhile since I had my GS1000G. The low down torque, riding position, ability to carry a pillion and I could do the serving myself make the GSF ideal in my mind. We also have some great rides in NZ. Keep up the excellent videos.
Cheers.
+Barry Mackenzie happy hunting. You wont be disappointed with the GSF1250
The Sargent seats are fantastic especially when you get older. I would love a 1250s maybe one day. I'm old school too :)
+banditnev Nothing wrong with being old school Nev! I've seen lots of people adding a sargent seat, it might be something I look into if the posterior begins to complain!! Like everything it comes down to money!!!
My thermal liner has gone. The weather has certainly turned a corner. I ditched my car because it was just too boring, and bikes are just so much fun!
+RevvedUpBiker Totally agree, bikes are certainly much more fun.
I have a 2009 bandit GT, couldn't part with it, although the saddle is an issue for me, I'm getting it reupholstered. It dose everything I want, and your right no fancy electronics. Coming up to 58000 miles. Couldn't ask for anything more.
+John Richards fantastic! Some people say a sheeo skin helps massively with comfort? Have you tried that? Thanks for the comnent, ride safe
Great video
Had my 2008 1250GT from new. 40+k later, from the far north of Scotland to the south of Croatia.. It's been faultless. Lots of pillion miles too in recent years. Never missed a beat. In fact, it's almost the perfect tourer. Just lacks a shaft drive for perfection. As you say, the 'all rounder' element is the bike's strongest point.
+DrummerboyUK1 Totally agree with you. That's some serious milage you've put on yours!!! Brilliant!! Just goes to prove that the engine is bullet proof!! Ride safe.
The engine will do 100k easily. I change the oil and filter (despite Suzy saying it only needs it every third change) around the 5k miles mark. The engine is superb, silky smooth and pulls like a train, even over the hills of the Alps with pillion and full luggage. Have you taken yours abroad yet?
+DrummerboyUK1 No not abroad. I've been all over the UK though. Would like to go further a field but it's not going to happen until the kids are a little older!!! For now I'll make do with my annual Scottish tour!!
I ride a XVS 1300 Tourer in Ontario. For me it does everything I want. I need the feet forward style cruiser because of leg issues. I like to have a windshield and panniers and the XVS Tourer comes from the factory with those. I don't need lots of horsepower but the XVS is no slouch either. If I lived in the U.K and had no leg issues a Bandit 1250SA would be on my short list of bikes to own. A good blend of power, handling, and convenience features, panniers etc. My only complaint would be the chain drive. I would prefer shaft drive or a belt.
+James Weber As you say it's all about finding the bike that works for you! To be honest I have no problems with the chain. I have a scotoiler fitted and never really need to touch it. It only needs adjusting once a blue moon.
A few weeks into ownership of my 2008 model 1250s and i think i made the right choice.I did miss the top end rush a little at first but my riding style has adapted to the huge amount of torque at low revs.Effortless really.Looking forward to a lake district tour in july with the missus.She refused to do that on my vfr......
+Hedge hog Glad you think you made the right choice. As you say it's effortless riding. Very easy to be smooth with a pillion on the back. which makes it more enjoyable for the rider- rather than concentrating on trying to be smooth. Have a great trip to the lakes.
Terrific all rounders these bikes are.... I've owned my 7 year old Bandit for just over 18 months and it never fails to put a big smile on my face when I climb aboard and eat up the miles with ease. As for value, you get a lot of machine and usable, practical power for your money. I think Suzuki have dropped an almighty big B**ll**k dropping this bike from their line-up.... something they will have to re-dress one day in the future. By the way - It's your fault SB I looked further into owning one of these and eventually purchased one lol... thx Regards Mark
+Mark Horton Same here- always puts a smile on my face. Totally agree Suzuki have made a clanger, they don't have a bike like it in their line up currently! A real shame. Glad it was this channel that helped you make your decision on the bandit!! Even more happy that you made the right choice!!! Hope your enjoying this nice weather Mark and getting out on your bike?
Wanted to join you all on the welsh ride the other weekend but I had already agreed to a ride out visiting LadyBower reservoir and Snake Pass with some friends... it was an amazing day for memory making and the weather was on our side and beautiful too. The Bandit took everything in her stride....Just as she always does. Great Bike : )
i call mine The Beast :D