2007 Bandit 1250SA: First Impressions

[KenBandit]

Last year I had a mid-life impulse buy, traded in a 2003 ST13 for a 2006 Honda 919. Nice, fun little bike, but I lost my zest for riding on it. Until I discovered what I was missing; the journey. My heart and soul just likes to kill a couple tanks of gas in a day ride. So out with the 919 and in with the new Suzuki Bandit 1250SA. Just in case any of you are interested (it took home an award in this month's Motorcyclist MOTY Awards), here's a mini review.

Brought home a new Bandit 1250SA today. After getting the new bike run through at the dealer's, I did a 50-mile shakedown cruise. First impressions are based on this short ride on highway, twistys, town, and city. The bike will be broken in per Suzuki's recommendation: initial 500 miles below 4500 RPMs and vary the speed, so comments on high speeds and high performance will come later.

Engine: Torque O' Plenty! This engine pulls hard. With its flat torque curve the Bandit generates 64.5 lb-ft of torque at just 1,800 rpm, and from 2,700 rpm there’s more than 70 lb-ft on your right hand. On the highway, I found myself in a big rig's blind spot. A slight wrist twist in 6th gear (no need to downshift!) and I was gone. The engine, coupled with the rocket launcher exhaust can is very quiet under 4K RPMs. So quiet in fact, that it's too easy to go too fast very quickly. I normally like a bit more exhaust grunt, but for touring and 2-up riding, this will be a nice change.

Handling: The steering is very neutral. She leans over easily and once there, requires no additional input to keep your line. Its five hundred pounds leans and steers effortlessly. Definitely looking forward to more spirited rides on the twists once the break-in is done, but know this isn't a sport bike and isn't intended to handle like one.

Suspension: A little soon to tell, but seems downright nice. A little tuning front and rear will make it behave even better no doubt. Contrary to what I had read, the front end doesn't dive badly under hard braking. Ride is smooth and solid.

Brakes: My first bike with ABS. Didn't engage it on this ride, but the 'whir' from the front brake is interesting if you've never heard it before. Aside from that, plenty of stopping power all in all. The levers feel a little spongy but nothing some braided lines won't cure.

Controls: Both the clutch and the front brake are adjustable and provide a nice reach. The hydraulic clutch with its coil springs is new on this model and engages easily and very smoothly. I really like this. A lot. Shifter and rear brake are pretty normal. The transmission coupled with that hydraulic clutch is very smooth. I may have to adjust the shifter a bit, it seems too low to me. I noticed my right foot was pretty warm, more than I'm used to. Oh, I didn't find the bars or their angle awkward at all.

Protection: I actually like the stock screen. On the way to the dealer, as I'm blasting down the road at 72 on the 919, I wondered if I'd miss the totally naked ride. Windscreens have been hit or miss for me on bikes and I liked not having one on the 919. But this Bandit's screen seem adequate for my height (5'9"). I was getting wind blast, but it was clean air and I wasn't doing any bobble head impersonations. Another sign of decent protection: the cockpit is not terribly noisey at highway speeds.

Mirrors: I have to say something about mirrors because I've replaced stock mirrors on almost every bike I've owned. Usually they are terrible in form and function. Although I'm not crazy about the look of screen-mounted mirrors these ones actually work. My shoulders are big (54") and they are all I usually see in mirrors, and normally they vibrate. With just some minor adjstments, I was clearly seeing everything behind me and quite a good ways to the sides too. And no vibration. Nice job here Suzuki.

Fit & Finish: Everything looks to be top notch. Seat fits well. Plastic is firm and doesn't vibrate or buzz. Paint is fantastic. Hopefully the clearcoat on the tank isn't soft and easily scratched like my last two Hondas.

Here's some pictures. This was before I added Suzuki side cases and top case. Looking forward to many more miles.

[Clint]

Sweet! Great writeup. Makes me want to upgrade, mostly for the sixth cog and the ABS.

I just noticed the 9500rpm redline. That's 1000 lower than mine. I wonder if I'd be banging the limiter much.

[roblee8908]

very nice write-up.

This seems like a very solid bike, and I want one!

But I'm still only on my first bike, the gs500E.

Nice purchase!

[650Doug]

Ahhhh, that new bike smell!

Sharp ride!

[DR-Z125L]

Looks very nice!!

[KenBandit]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I just noticed the 9500rpm redline. That's 1000 lower than mine. I wonder if I'd be banging the limiter much.

Guess that depends on how aggressive you want to ride with this powerband. For me, there's so much torque at such low RPM's that I'm not finding the need to punch it all the time like I did on my last bike, a Honda 919. I'm really enjoying the torque over horsepower and can't see myself ever going back to a high rev bike. YMMV

[svjoe]

debating as we speak between this bike and the B-King. I know they are completely different in form and function, but they both make me want a new toy!!!

[KenBandit]

Originally Posted by svjoe

debating as we speak between this bike and the B-King. I know they are completely different in form and function, but they both make me want a new toy!!!

svjoe - I'm also in Rochester (Penfield) and I'd love to see whatever you end up buying!

[suzukijo]

new to this list, thought i'd post a pic, and see what happens.

[Barbarian]

Nice picture! Where is it?

[suzukijo]

this famous 2 tunnel photo shoot location, is on Angeles Crest highway, past newcombs, in sunny southern california USA.

shakey video, heres another view. YouTube - bandit gsf 1250s

[jeremy]

Nice write up mate.
I was looking at one of these in a local dealers just a few days ago. I really like it but the price over here is £5799 so thats almost $12000 US.
I'd love to know how much they are in the US?
I bet its a lot less than $12000.

[KenBandit]

I rode away on the ABS model for $8,000.

[svjoe]

Originally Posted by KenBandit

svjoe - I'm also in Rochester (Penfield) and I'd love to see whatever you end up buying!

well, life got in the way and no purchase for the new year. will wait it out and hope to have a B-King this summer. Until then..........keep lovin the SV

[Vmann1955]

Hey, I just purchased a new '07 Bandit 1250S. I am interested in the Suzuki hard side bags and top bag. Wondered what you thought after having put them on your bike. Mostly I wonder what the brackets look like without the bags on. Or are the brackets easily removed. My dealer wasn't familiar with how they mounted. Maybe a little anal but did not want to ruin the beautiful clean lines of the bike with bulky brackets. Would you post some pics of your bike with bags on and off. Thanks, Vmann1955

[KenBandit]

Originally Posted by Vmann1955

Hey, I just purchased a new '07 Bandit 1250S. I am interested in the Suzuki hard side bags and top bag. Wondered what you thought after having put them on your bike. Mostly I wonder what the brackets look like without the bags on. Or are the brackets easily removed. My dealer wasn't familiar with how they mounted. Maybe a little anal but did not want to ruin the beautiful clean lines of the bike with bulky brackets. Would you post some pics of your bike with bags on and off. Thanks, Vmann1955

If I had to do it all over again, I would. The bags are fantastic. I rarely ride without the side bags. The mounting brackets fit well and are designed to sit pretty tight to the bike. Yes, the lines aren't the same with the brackets installed. But the pluses outweigh the negatives for my riding types. Here's a couple pics with of the brackets:

[Vmann1955]

Thanks for the quick reply and input. The brackets don't look bad at all. And I suspect your are correct, once the bags are on they would pretty much stay on. After tonight I have 166 miles on the bike, God is it fun to ride. Looking forward to some warmer weather to get out and travel with it. Thanks again. Good Riding to you.