2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA – Road Test Review

photography by Kevin Wing

2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA
2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA

Many new bikes are awash in technical innovations. Today you can buy a motorcycle with keyless ignition that—by pressing a button—will reveal its tire pressures, tell you where to go, adapt its suspension and power output to conditions and toast your buns, all at the same time. It’s all good stuff—at a price. What if you just want a bike? A good ol’ motorcycle suitable for solo or two-up touring, sport touring, commuting, maybe even a little corner-carving; one that’s excitingly fast, yet also comfortable, fun and unintimidating. A bike you can work on yourself, with a common-sense price tag and readily available tire types and sizes. Sure, gizmos are fun, but what if you just want to ride?

If so, the new Suzuki GSX1250FA on these pages is a good choice. It has just enough modern technology to make it power­ful, reliable and convenient, and styling updates for 2011 to keep it looking fresh. The bike’s roots reach back to the air-cooled, carbureted 1997 Bandit 1200, which Suzuki completely revamped four years ago. Severing its link to the GSX-R1000, the 2007 GSX1250S (Rider, July 2007) received its own larger 1,255cc, DOHC in-line four with a strong emphasis on midrange grunt instead of high-rpm horsepower. Liquid-cooling and electronic fuel injection made it comply with stricter emissions regs, and a gear-driven counterbalancer dampened vibes enough that the engine could be solidly mounted in the 10 percent stronger frame. The transmission gained a sixth gear and hydraulic clutch, and the oil cooler became liquid-cooled for tough touring duty. Numerous changes to the ergonomics and running gear like an adjustable seat, suspension upgrades, stacked headlights and better brakes completed the 2007 update.

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Fast forward to 2011 and besides the pretty black paint, what’s new on the GSX1250FA? The “FA” for starters, which represents the new full fairing that gussies up the bike and increases wind protection around the legs. It might serve to redirect engine heat around them as well, though all of our testing was done in cool weather. Inside a new secondary fan supplements the cooling system. Anti-lock brakes are standard now, and a new instrument cluster with adjustable brightness surrounds the analog tach and large digital speedometer (which read about 8 percent high on our test bike). The comprehensive LCD display also has reserve mileage countdown, a fuel gauge, clock, dual tripmeters and gear position indicator. It’s all useful to the daily or long-distance rider. Don’t ask me why we also get a programmable shift light, except perhaps that the instrument cluster is from the GSX-R sportbikes.

2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA on the road
2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA on the road

With this engine’s huge midrange, it could be fun to set the shift light to tell you when the engine is at its torque peak rather than warn of its 9,500-rpm redline. Except that the torque peak of 75.4 lb-ft occurs at just 3,800 rpm, and torque output at the rear wheel stays within 1 or 2 lb-ft of peak from just above idle all the way to 7,000 rpm. As such, the bike pulls hard and quickly almost all of the time, and is so smooth and quiet that you need to keep an eye on your speed or it will sneak up on you between corners. And if horsepower is a concern, while other sport-touring bikes may make more at the rear-wheel than the GSX1250FA’s 98.7 at 8,800 rpm, they all weigh 80-100 pounds more than the 567-pound fully fueled Suzuki, too.

Throttle response is smooth and linear, like the dimmer switch on my lava lamp, and pulling in the clutch lever is the only thing you need to do besides pressing the starter button to ride off. Like our previous GSX1250S we did notice an inexplicable dip in the bike’s horsepower and torque curves around 8,500 rpm, but it’s not something you feel in the power delivery. If there’s a weak area in the powertrain it’s the gearbox, which shifts positively every time but is noisy and requires more effort than some comparable bikes. Cruising along at 70 mph the bike is turning just 3,800 rpm, the mirrors are dead clear and only a tiny bit of vibration creeps into the levers.

This helps make the FA quite comfortable for long rides, as does the tall tubular handlebar that gives it a mostly upright seating position. Legroom is plentiful, and the upper fairing and windscreen create a nice still pocket behind them from my waist to my neck. Suzuki offers a taller windscreen that I would very much like to try to see if it cuts down on the wind noise. As with virtually all of its predecessor models the key to passenger comfort on this bike is a backrest, since the copilot’s footpegs are a tad high, so they and the rearward-sloped seat tend to rotate your copilot backward. Both seats are thickly padded but very hard, and it took more than 500 miles before I noticed the rider’s starting to break in a little bit (or maybe it’s just my butt). The front seat is adjustable up or down 20mm, though at 31.7 inches the low position is not particularly low to start with. Making the adjustment is a simple procedure that just involves flipping around the four rubber supports on the seat and unbolting a couple of brackets, though for some reason the owner’s manual says to see your dealer to do it.

2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA right side
Seating position is sporty without being at all cramped. New full fairing adds wind protection for the rider’s legs and some style.

Maybe it’s because this could be the only way to get you back into a dealer after buying this bike—its maintenance chores are stone simple, and except for the shim-under-bucket valve lash adjustment at 14,500 miles are mostly covered by the manual. Heck, divide 14,500 miles by three and you can just have the dealer do the valves and every third oil change. Getting at the battery is cake—it takes about 45 seconds to hook up an electric vest—and there’s even a centerstand to simplify chain adjustments and tire R&R.

If we can pry a long-term GSX1250FA test bike from Suzuki, the first job I intend to tackle is improving the suspension. Although it has spring preload adjustment front and rear and rebound damping adjustability in back, even set at minimum preload the 43mm front suspension is set too harshly for all but aggressive riding, and the spring rate in back is too strong for lighter solo riders. Granted, Suzuki has addressed our complaints about the undersprung and underdamped suspension on the pre-2007 Bandit 1200, though it went a bit too far the other way on the GSX1250. As it stands the suspension does provide good control and compliance on bumpy, fast, twisting roads, and even two-up has a little spring leftover for the bike’s generous 481-pound load capacity. At 210 pounds I can live with the back as-is, but the first thing I’d try if I bought one is some lighter fork oil.

2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA Gauges
Analog tach and LCD display with gear position, speed, fuel and more are all easy to read day or night. Lower light is shift indicator.

Riding the big GSX in the corners the bike feels as stable, well-planted and predictable as it does on the highway. Thanks to its strong brakes, taut suspension and good Bridgestone BT021 sport-touring radials it’s fun to hustle around in both tight hairpins and fast sweepers, though the bike is also big and slow-steering enough that after a large dose of tight bends you’ll be ready for some open road. The 2007-era tubular-steel chassis and beefy cast-aluminum swingarm still hold their own against most sport tourers in this weight range, though the (more expensive) aluminum-alloy perimeter-framed machines like the Honda VFR1200F and Triumph Sprint GT inspire a bit more confidence coming out of corners on the gas.

Dual front discs with four-piston calipers and an adjustable brake lever make stopping the big Suzook a pleasure. The rear pedal offers similarly linear feel and strength, and together approach the standard for what brakes should feel like on a big sport-touring bike. It would be nice if the ABS was a bit smoother when it engages, but it works well and you probably won’t be thinking about how smooth it is when you need it. The clutch lever is also adjustable and has good feel, though it’s stiff enough that working it in traffic can get tiresome.

2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA Headlights
Stacked headlights were new in 2007 and burn a good hole in the night. Screened intakes direct additional air to radiator.

In addition to the centerstand, adjustable seat and levers, and the handy readouts on the instrument cluster, everyday niceties on the GSX1250FA include its generous five-gallon fuel capacity, which can deliver well over 200 miles on 87 octane. Soft luggage is easily fitted on the metal tank and rear seat, and Suzuki offers a set of locking side cases and a top trunk for the GSX1250FA. A pair of helmet hooks and a toolkit reside beneath the locking seat.

If we can expect a major redesign of this bike every four years, what’s our wish list for 2015? A fairing pocket or two, and taller windscreen standard. Handlebar-mounted controls for the instrument cluster. More suspension adjustment range, maybe a remote rear shock preload adjuster. That’s it. Did I ask for a trip computer? No. Keyless ignition or traction control? No. Besides its versatility, the GSX1250FA’s strong suits are its simplicity and low price. If you want more bells and whistles, they’re out there. If you just want to ride, here’s your bike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA Specifications
Base Price: $11,599
Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles
Website: Suzuki

 

2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA Road Test Dyno Chart
2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA Road Test Dyno Chart

Engine

Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse in-line four

Displacement: 1,255cc

Bore x Stroke: 79.0 x 64.0mm

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl.

Valve Adj. Interval: 14,500 miles

Fuel Delivery: 36mm dual throttle valve EFI x 4

Lubrication System: Wet sump, 3.7-qt. cap.

Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated wet clutch

Final Drive: O-ring chain

Electrical

Ignition: Digital transistorized

Charging Output: 400 watts @ 5,000 rpm

Battery: 12V 10AH

Chassis

Frame: Tubular-steel perimeter w/ box-section aluminum swingarm

Wheelbase: 58.5 in.

Rake/Trail: 25.3 degrees/4.1 in.

Seat Height: 31.7/32.5 in.

Suspension, Front: 43mm stanchions, adj. for spring preload w/ 5.1-in. travel

Rear: Single shock, adj. for spring preload & rebound damping w/ 5.4-in. travel

Brakes, Front: Dual floating discs w/ opposed 4-piston

calipers & ABS

Rear: Single disc w/ 1-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS

Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.5 x 17 in.

Rear: Cast, 5.5 x 17 in.

Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17

Rear: 180/55-ZR17

Wet Weight: 567 lbs.

Load Capacity: 481 lbs.

GVWR: 1,048 lbs.

Performance

Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on

MPG: 87 PON min. (high/avg/low) 39.9/37.6/35.5

Estimated Range: 188 miles

Indicated rpm at 60 mph: 3,200

19 COMMENTS

    • no not where i live in new york state, they are not big sellers here. One dealer told me once it’s a good 10 thousands dollar bike but not one that cost close to 12.

  1. purchased one new March,2012. Have 9K on it so far….. been to PA,VT,VA,W VA. Side bags and top case. Only been to 125Mph, it wasn’t even working hard……. brakes ,suspension, engine/tranny are easy to use around town….. comfortable enough for all day rideing. only the real race crowd will find it wanting.

    • Hi Chris – I just added a GIVI D270S windscreen to mine + a Wunderlich spoiler along with a Sargent seat … excellent machine for touring for a very cheap price. I think it is the best deal on the planet. I have a video on YouTube under “RedonKiLaus” if you want to see what that looks like.

  2. I bought one of these bikes and love it so much, I bought a second one. I have one set up for sport and the other for touring. I have had zero defects on either machine. Great job Suzuki! You can see my youtubes on many farkles … search under redonkilaus!

  3. I have had two older bandits now the GSX 1250 FA st with its side boxes and top box.
    Runs fine etc but the gearbox/clutch can be a little whirl y with some noise but never had a missed gear yet …simple to look after and reliable …this will make the grand dads very jealous LOL…

    Far better than the other model i was looking at ,the Honda CBF1000 GT ..glad i went for the GSX 1250 FA

    • Hi Jeff – thanks for the response. Recently I decided to change my clutch fluids since my bikes had been sitting in a warehouse/showroom floor for two years before purchase. On one, I found the shift lever to tranny shift fork shaft to be loose from the factory … you might want to check that on yours … just pull the plastic cover off that is above the shift lever. My tranny is clunky, as well, but I read that is very normal due to the size of the gears (heavy duty).

  4. Transmission change is fine but sounds like the clutch basket to me as it goes away when the clutch leaver is depressed,
    Asked the dealer to look it over today and they say its the normal noise to be found on all bandit engines

    The other problem i have is keeping to the speed limit as it is far to easy to fly off and not notice

    The bike will be up for sale as soon as i get the V5 back but with less than 7,600 miles and on previous owner and a FSH i hope to get what i paid out (£4,600) with everything you receive when a bike is new.

  5. I dont speak english very well, but i try tell to you my idea about GSX11250.
    I did have a gsx650f one year ago, and i liked that machine, and so I bought a 1250FA one month ago.
    I read your text and i have more happy and really about my motorcycle.

    I’m a brazilian that loves two wheels.

  6. Hi guys
    The luggage – who makes and where from?
    Great article.
    Am convinced this will be my next bike after a GS500 F that I’m enjoying so far.

    • Jeremy- the luggage is made in Italy by Givi. From what I have read, it is possible to substitute an even larger rear trunk (Burgman) and larger side bags by using some other Givi/Suzuki offerings. I also added a Givi tall windscreen to mine + a Wunderlich spoiler = very happy rider.

  7. I have an 09 GSX-650F that I got for a steal and I love it ! ! !
    I need something with a little more low-end grunt when I ring down to the engine room for more power. The GSX1250FA seems to me to be the prefect fit. Does anyone know where I can get one in VA, NC or MD ??

  8. @William – I spoke with Suzuki at a large motorcycle show about the GSX1250FA. If I understood correctly, they only imported them to the US for the year 2011. I have two, and they are awesome machines. FA = Antilock brakes, which are very nice to have. I paid about 9K each, and bought two, brand new, in 2013. Good luck finding one – there are still a few NOS (new old stock) units but you may have to fly somewhere to pick one up. You may want to contact Suzuki in Brea, CA for some leads on where to find one.

  9. Love mine!! only one item I’m working on that bugs me – a buzzing from about 3000-4000 rpms around the cluster area…..I hold it and it goes away until I let go. Other than that, very, very nice bike!

  10. ………..not sure why a trip computer was mentioned referring to it doesn’t have one………….YES it does, Trip 1 and Trip 2

  11. Thank you for a fair and interesting article on the GSX 1250 I bought one last November and have
    covered 4000 plus miles including some ten hour days in Switzerland France and Spain.
    Your article describes the bike well, The touring luggage works very well and proved to be
    completely waterproof on a very wet day through the Swiss Alps into Italy.
    Well done Suzuki and thank you for the excellent article.
    Regards Philip.

  12. Just bought a 2011 with 11k on odometer, very pleased with the bike, i owned a regular 98 Suzuki 1200 Bandit and the 2011 is very much the same in how it feels and handles. The throttle response is a wee bit more snappy on roll off, but the clutch action is more smooth and easier to pull. Some minor issues were mirrored in the 2011, the bike factory set has a high set up. The rear shock is adjustable and a more comfortible seat with a lower ride hieght can be purchased aftermarket. They made the 2011 seat to address this issue. It’s really not a big problem and an easy fix to dial the bike to your fit. I’m 5’10 and my feet touch the ground but dont sit flat with legs relaxed in any position. The aftermarket seat fixes this no problem. The gear shift for first gear is still rather clunky just like my 98 was but no flaws in operation, just a quirk with the bike design, i actually kind of like it that way. After awhile you get used to it and can find first gear half asleep, blindfolded just by boot feel. They also added a throttle lock on my 2011 which was a welcome fix to long highway slogs, my 98 didnt come with one and long rides did promote wrist fatigue. The 98 did suffer from over buzziness in the mirrors which i switched to aftermarket and it went away. The 2011 doesnt seem to exhibit this at all. Just like my 98, i would recommend the following : 1) Aftermarket full exhaust if you want it just a little bit more peppy and deeper engine notes, dont bother with a slip on, but you can leave the factory exhaust and be happy all the same. 2) Quality aftermarket seat that lowers the ride height if that is an issue for you. 3) a triple tree cover to keep your keys from gouging up that gorgeous polished aluminum while the engine is running. 4) Crash bars or a more beefy crank case cover is well worth the money when and if the bike takes a dive. 5) Buy a ” battery tender ” trickle charger and keep the male/female wire adaptors on the bike under the seat. They double as jumper cables for the bike. Ditch the factory tool set at the house, the rubber strap that holds the thin plastic case wears out over time and it will slide around under the seat. Overall i like the new mods to the 2011 vs my 98, its cleaner and more sophisticated. It has a more overall polished refined feel to it. The 98 felt like a brute off the drag strip that they tamed down for street. All that low end torque is still there in the 2011 but more smoothed out. Still happy to stick with the brand and model bike.

  13. Great review. One small thing: those screened “intakes” on the front don’t send ari to the rad….they are just for show. Discovered this when I had to take the front end apart. But I love my GSX!

  14. I bought my 2010 GSX1250FA in 2011. 12 years and 30,000 miles later and I still love it and cannot find anything that does all the things it does. I normally have 2 bikes and, until recently, my second bikes have been GSX1000-R’s. Yes, they are faster, but the 1250 is far easier and comfortable to ride…. and not that much slower.
    I am looking at the new Suzuki GSXS1000 GT and Honda NT1100, but I fear they wont do all the things my 1250 does, with such ease. And why fork out another £8k to get something not as useful?
    Great article!

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