Suzuki 1250FA questions

**nzspokes** · 15th February 2016, 16:29

Kinda thinking about a 1250FA. Trying to work out why they are so much heavier than the Bandit 1250.

What kind of fuel range do you get out of them?

**Hitcher** · 15th February 2016, 17:58

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Kinda thinking about a 1250FA. Trying to work out why they are so much heavier than the Bandit 1250.

What kind of fuel range do you get out of them?

Define "so much heavier".

The only weight difference should be a couple of extra plastic panels covering the engine and other cosmetics. A couple of extra kg will make fuck all difference to what that engine can poke along.

**nzspokes** · 15th February 2016, 18:11

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Define "so much heavier".

The only weight difference should be a couple of extra plastic panels covering the engine and other cosmetics. A couple of extra kg will make fuck all difference to what that engine can poke along.

Specs say 25kg more. Has a bigger Radiator and plastics. Cant see 25kg in that.

**caseye** · 15th February 2016, 18:33

I get 320 Indicated K's on a full tank, usually got about 2-3 litres left even then.Averaging 20 K's to the litre, even when motoring on a bit. Only known problem with these between 208-2014 I think is the rec/reg problem, which Suzuki NZ is fixing for free if you can be arsed getting your bike booked into a Suzuki dealers place to do it, on them.

**nzspokes** · 15th February 2016, 18:43

Originally Posted by caseye

I get 320 Indicated K's on a full tank, usually got about 2-3 litres left even then.Averaging 20 K's to the litre, even when motoring on a bit. Only known problem with these between 208-2014 I think is the rec/reg problem, which Suzuki NZ is fixing for free if you can be arsed getting your bike booked into a Suzuki dealers place to do it, on them.

Cheers. Decent range then. 2016 FAs are on sale at 13k. Few mods and they produce some power. But they do suffer from being porky.

Rec should be a 15min swap over.

**caspernz** · 15th February 2016, 19:19

Cool bike overall. Was on my shopping list back in 2013. By the time all the mods are done, it made more sense to grab a Busa. You might not be far off the same logic by the time you do the maths...

**nzspokes** · 15th February 2016, 19:29

Originally Posted by caspernz

Cool bike overall. Was on my shopping list back in 2013. By the time all the mods are done, it made more sense to grab a Busa. You might not be far off the same logic by the time you do the maths...

No they are to long for me, same with ZX14. Mind wants Gixxer and body wants cruiser. To be fair the normal 1250s sell cheap used but I like the dash on the FA.

**Gremlin** · 15th February 2016, 19:32

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Cheers. Decent range then. 2016 FAs are on sale at 13k. Few mods and they produce some power. But they do suffer from being porky.

Handling and ability are far more important. Plus when manufacturers try to lose weight they'll go as far as hollow bolts etc. Guess what, it's going to break more easily isn't it? I'd much rather have more weight and have it robust.

The GSA spec says 256kg fully fuelled, but I'm sure mine is heavier. Doesn't matter to me, it handles great, I can do what I want with it... just a bit heavy when picking the damn thing up

**Hitcher** · 16th February 2016, 17:11

Given that creative fiction is (inevitably) starting to emerge in this thread, I thought it may be timely to post this:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ht=suzuki+1250

**nzspokes** · 16th February 2016, 17:39

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Given that creative fiction is (inevitably) starting to emerge in this thread, I thought it may be timely to post this:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ht=suzuki+1250

Well given that its a bit odd that it only has 100hp stock and has a big steel frame it is not a bad bike. But struggling to justify the spend over our K4 1200 which has the same power and is 40ish kg lighter.

Can get a decent BKing for the same money.

**Ulsterkiwi** · 16th February 2016, 20:48

I am a wee bit biased but every time I contemplate changing the bike I look at what I have in my TNAB and think...why would I?

I am not small so while the bike isn't a lightweight I do not find it difficult to manage at all. I keep it in a shed and have to pull it out over a ramp rather than ride out of a garage. Its not a problem.

Mileage is good, easily get 350kms out of it. I keep pushing the patience of the fuel gauge which starts flashing at a ridiculously early point. The most I have ever had to put in is 17l, this in a 19l tank. Easy 20kms per litre.

I think the weight is a combination of a bigger radiator, a second fan for said radiator, the fairing and supposedly heavier duty suspension. The fairing creates more downdraft than a naked so needs sturdier bits (not my story, tis the official line). There is also a substantial ABS unit, not sure how much that means weightwise.

For sure its "only" 100hp stock. A slip on and some tweaking with the secondary butterflies and the breather and you can release a few more. Even without that the 0-100 is supposed to be sub 4 seconds. Where in the real world do you actually need more? Its torquey, (search youtube for stump puller, the guy moves away in 4th gear).

Admittedly the suspension is the main weakness. Spend some $$ on upgrading that and you still have spent WAAAAAY less than the competition stock standard. Its comfy and you cant kill the engine. Not perfect or even remotely close to superlative but its a lot for the $$

**nzspokes** · 17th February 2016, 05:40

Originally Posted by Ulsterkiwi

I think the weight is a combination of a bigger radiator, a second fan for said radiator, the fairing and supposedly heavier duty suspension. The fairing creates more downdraft than a naked so needs sturdier bits (not my story, tis the official line). There is also a substantial ABS unit, not sure how much that means weightwise.

ABS is standard on the normal 1250. Forks being "stronger" will just be a one rate up in spring and extra shim or two on the stack.

I just struggle to see paying that much for a 1250 with a 100hp. The motor is restricted. They seem easy to find 120hp out of but why buy a new bike then have to tune it?

**Ulsterkiwi** · 17th February 2016, 08:04

Originally Posted by nzspokes

ABS is standard on the normal 1250. Forks being "stronger" will just be a one rate up in spring and extra shim or two on the stack.

I just struggle to see paying that much for a 1250 with a 100hp. The motor is restricted. They seem easy to find 120hp out of but why buy a new bike then have to tune it?

Hmm, the story seemed a bit thin to me. I have had different springs put in anyway.

Yep, when there are 180hp demons out there you could be justified in feeling short changed. On the other side of the coin you could be looking at a 260+kg Harley with a 1200+ motor giving you 50 or 60 HP.

Some would see the ability to tweak and get a 20% improvement as a plus?

Then again I have a declared conflict of interest, I really like the bike, or at least my example of it.

Genuine question and not just directed at you, if a bike has the torque found in the GSX1250FA, has a top speed of 260ish kph and can do 0-100 in sub 4 seconds, what is the advantage of more HP?

**mulletman** · 17th February 2016, 08:37

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Can get a decent BKing for the same money.

Now ya talking ! Should get 250kms before light comes on i reckon , its got a radial m/c and calipers so it pulls up reasonably well and has a better starting point suspension wise too . I managed 235kph indicated in 3rd so it go's ok

**nzspokes** · 17th February 2016, 08:58

Originally Posted by Ulsterkiwi

Hmm, the story seemed a bit thin to me. I have had different springs put in anyway.

Yep, when there are 180hp demons out there you could be justified in feeling short changed. On the other side of the coin you could be looking at a 260+kg Harley with a 1200+ motor giving you 50 or 60 HP.

Some would see the ability to tweak and get a 20% improvement as a plus?

Then again I have a declared conflict of interest, I really like the bike, or at least my example of it.

Genuine question and not just directed at you, if a bike has the torque found in the GSX1250FA, has a top speed of 260ish kph and can do 0-100 in sub 4 seconds, what is the advantage of more HP?

Because I may need to overtake a Gixxer 1k.

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