Ok, whats wrong with the Suzuki GSX1250FA?

[James83]

Doing the usual lunch time day dreaming about buying a new bike. Todays day dream is "all rounders" - daily commute, fun down the twisties on a sunday and good for 2 up touring.

The obvious option being the VFR1200, I was looking at alternatives when I came across the GSX. The VFR is £12k. The GSX is less than £8k. Figured it must be a pile of crap, but all the reviews suggest its a pretty good - maybe not quite as polished, not quite as pretty as the VFR, but not 3/4 the bike that the 3/4 price suggests.

So, is the GSX the bargain it seems to be? Anyone who owns one care to comment on its problems/issues/things to be aware of? I'm seriously thinking about this, so anything worth noting that a test ride might not show would be of particular interest.
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Jonathan A wrote: tart.

[RhynoCZ]

The VFR is completely different bike with top tech parts on it. GSX is like 20 years old.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[temeluchus]

It's a more basic machine all round.

That doesn't mean anything is wrong with it.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Rogerborg]

It's something I've pondered myself. My theory is that it's too cheap.

Bear with me.

It doesn't have a prestige badge, nor does it have an 'R' in its name. You could hoon or commute on it, but that's not what it's for: it's a tourer.

And the kind of person with the money and time to go touring is a mature empty-nester with plenty of money and a willingness to display it.

Ask BMW, they've got that market locked down.

If the GSX1250FA came with a swastika quartered-circle or perhaps a Guzzi eagle on it, and cost about £3K more, I imagine it would sell like gangbusters.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[temeluchus]

[MarJay]

[dydey90]

[Rogerborg]

[Muscle Bike Rider]

I've actually test rode one as I'm thinking of one as a week end long distance tour jobby. I liked it, very smooth, handled pretty well, tad heavy, finish was decent, typical Suzuki really, nice upright comfortable riding position. Not sure if it would make do as an everyday bike due to its weight and size but as a two up luggage hauling machine over a long distance its very appealing. That's the market its aimed at so does what it says on the tin.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[Pete.]

Too much water in the engine for a Bandit...
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Nexus Icon]

I nosed around one at the weekend. It looked pretty well put together and it was quite an imposing size but I was slightly underwhelmed by the specs. 97bhp from a 1250cc lump is unimpressive, especially to lug around nigh on 260kg. Good price though.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Dave500]

My dad had one of these and loved it! The only problem was the seat I think but everything else was spot on plus the torque was immense.
I think it gets slagged off because its basicly a bandit with a better fairing and luggage.
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Bye bye Z hello Versys

[slowlydoesit]

[RhynoCZ]

[Golgarth]

One of the lads that rides with us has one. He mainly uses it for two up riding and he loves it for that. He has complained it's a touch bland, but that is what he bought it for. Got a cracking deal on it too, which makes it even cheaper than the low price would suggest compared to similar deals on other marques.
It's a long comfy bike, and isn't slow, it's just not superbike fast. Cracking luggage pack on it which swallows a decent amount for "her in doors"......

[TheBikerStig]

[kawashima]

I like this bike. It has torqy motor and 6th gear for cruising, decent fairing, and upright position with bar handle. Usually Big naked over 1000cc has small half faired model only like CB1300 / ZRX1200.
VFR1200 has more forward-leaning position.
I'm not experienced enough to go for over 1000cc yet though.
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2020 Touring Serow 250
,past 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900 2005 W650, [url=d], 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[Richy CB1000]

These old 1000cc barges are just lazy 5th/6th gear specials. Sure you can play around with them but it kind of misses the point. They have enough power enough grunt enough handling for more than most of us. As they're ageing, including mine, any decent 600 modern thingamawaki will see it off in the bends and most have well over the 100Hp these things do.

Think UJM on steroids.... lay back and just twist n go......

They're only difficult in the walking it around department, purely due to the weight. Once moving they're a doddle. I think anyone that's ridden a modern 600 in anger wouldn't have any trouble.

[biker7]

Took delivery of my new GSX1250FA on Tuesday this week. Amazing bike; amazing value (£6900 pre reg 0 miles) 100 mph at only 5000 rpm - gobs of torque. Abs and gear indicator. Efficient fairing and screen. I've had 6 new Suzuki's - spray in the winter and they will be fine. Good handling and stopping. Blows a 600 into dust unless you love screaming rpms everywhere. Adjustable seat. Slightly heavy but so are most rivals but the Suzy costs a lot, lot less. Not the coolest bike on the block but if you want grunt and smooth riding by the bucket load - a test ride may well convince you. Sports 600's are great (I loved my Gixxer) but this is a man's bike. Only kidding but it is a lot better than it's critics think. Read the reviews. Downside - seat's a bit uncomfortable and fuel range is low. Bang for buck - stunning!
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Swansea area
Fat Bob (2019)

[temeluchus]

[James83]

Went for a test ride today and it seems to be what I hoped/suspected. It’s big, but not cumbersome. Its fast, but not insane. It’s comfortable and practical – I took the wife along for the test to see how she found it as a pillion and was surprised quite how flickable it was even with her on board and she found it comfortable and quite liked it (Although her comparison point is being on the back of my zx6r, so it may be relative ).

End of the day, and to answer my own question, there’s nothing wrong with it that I can see. It may not have the bells and whistles that the VFR has, but there is a much bigger difference in price than there is difference in toys and quality, at least to my mind.
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Jonathan A wrote: tart.

[woodro]

I bought a new 2014 GSX1250 FA/SE (equipped with touring hard luggage, centre stand adjustable vario windscreen). For sport touring, it is a great value. I love the torque that this machine makes and for what I want out of a bike, this has all of the power that I will ever need. I did about 6000 kms in 2 months this past summer and I enjoyed every minute in the saddle. I am 6'1, 185 lbs and this bike seems to fit me well. Handling is good enough for my abilities. And anti-lock brakes are confidence building. So far, so good. No issues!

[Polarbear]

The only thing against it is that it is chain drive. if it was shaft I would have had one years ago.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[biker7]

Had mine for 6 months now and covered 3000 miles. Longish term my only 2 criticisms are the weight ( I'm more used to lighter 600's) and the gearing - less power in 1st and less vibes in 6th would be nice and I imagine changed sprocket ratios could change that easily. real plus for me is the overtaking - no need to drop a gear and you can pull round cars on a fast road with ease and safety like riders of less powerful bikes can only dream of.
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Swansea area
Fat Bob (2019)

[Matt B]