GSF250 Bandit coolant and misc.

[Lissa]

I am not mechanically minded at all, so please bear with me. Just need some questions answered, that no one seems to be able to answer for me. :mellow: Wasp.. help??

I just got a GSF250 Bandit not all that long ago. I know how to do simple maintence checks such as tyre pressure, checking brake fluid, oil, chain.... but I have no idea how or where to put the coolant, or to even check the coolant. If anyone could help me that would be great. :yes: You can pm me if you like.

Also I am reving the bike at about 11000 rpm on average, and wanted to know if that is suitable for this bike.

Thanks

Melissa

[terbang]

I think, if its like it's big brothers the 1200 & 600, that it doesn't have any coolant other than it's oil. They are Air/Oil cooled having lightly finned head an block combined with an oil cooler (radiator).
If eleven grand is less than the red line then...go on enjoy yerself..

[Patrick]

From memory, they red line at 16000... 11k is no worries, in fact they like it! I thought they are air cooled too...

[terbang]

Just got this out of Wikepedia;


All engines are DOHC inline four with 16 valves. 600, 650, 750 and 1200 models employ SACS (Suzuki Advanced Cooling System) cooling that is combined air-cooled and oil-cooled; these engines are derived from older GSX-R models, either sleeved-down from the 750 (apart from the 750 itself, obviously) or bored-out from the 1100. The 250 and 400cc models are water-cooled.

and this site (http://www.synapse.ne.jp/s-hara/bandit/ban-spece.html) has all the guff on them too.

So it looks like it could be liquid cooled..? Dunno where you stick the coolant though..?

[skelstar]

Air cooled....hee hee forgot about that :shutup:

[Lissa]

I think, if its like it's big brothers the 1200 & 600, that it doesn't have any coolant other than it's oil. They are Air/Oil cooled having lightly finned head an block combined with an oil cooler (radiator).
If eleven grand is less than the red line then...go on enjoy yerself..
Ok... I dont care if I sound like a noob.. but do you have to put water in the radiator? :dodge:

When I look at the specifications for a GSF250 it says..
Engine oil
SAE 10W/40, API SE or SF
Change: 2,700 ml
Filter change: 3,000 ml
Overhaul: 3,400 ml
Coolant including
Reserve tank: 150-250 ml
Engine: 1,700 ml

So I dont have to add any special coolant at all?

Yea red line is about 1400rpm... I dont red line it much :)

Thanks

[Lissa]

From memory, they red line at 16000... 11k is no worries, in fact they like it! I thought they are air cooled too...
Yea I know they like being revved high, just wanted to make sure they had a limit... well thats red lining I suppose.

[Lissa]

Air cooled....hee hee forgot about that :shutup:Yep fat lot of help you are!! ;)
So they are air cooled? Ahhhh ok, so I all I have to do is check the oil then?

Just want to make sure I am treating my baby right :)

[terbang]

So I dont have to add any special coolant at all?

Yea red line is about 1400rpm... I dont red line it much :)

Thanks

Yup I change my mind, it is liquid cooled . Possibly under the seat or somewhere near the radiator..

More Info:
Suzuki Bandit 250 (GSF250) Naked commuter / semi sporty thing. Two main types the GJ74A model (early nineties to 95 I think) and the GJ77A model 96 - present. All models up to 1999 are gray imports in Aus. The GJ77A model comes with optional variable exhaust valve timing to boost midrange. You can tell these models by the red cam cover and the distinctive noise when 10,000 rpm is hit. All 250 bandits sold by Suzuki domestically have the variable valve timing. The engine is derived from the GSXR250 inline water-cooled 4cyl, 4 stroke. Engine parts are not interchangeable with the Across. Engine produces ~ 40 ps at ~14,500 (can't remember the exact peak but redline on mine is ~ 15,500). The GJ74A weighs around 156 kg and the GJ77A weighs 147 kg. GJ74A has 14 +3.4 L tank and GJ77A has 15 + 3.4 tank. Both have single front disc. Yellow is the best color and gets plenty of comments (all good) both from drivers and riders.

[Pussy]

Very definitely liquid cooled, Lissa. The 250 Bandit motor is more advanced than the bigger ones, until the 1250 came out recently. My wife had one from new, but I can't remember where the coolant header tank is. If I happen to see a 250, I'll have a look for you, failing that, try the local Suzuki dealer, they should be able to point you in the right direction. Bloody awesome little bike

[Lissa]

Thanks for that guys. :sunny: I think it must be under the seat or something like you said terbang, cant see where else it could be.. there doesnt seem to be anything near the radiator. I will take it into the local Suzuki Dealer sometime and get them to show me, as I cant find anything on the net about it. :(

Cheers!!

[skelstar]

Yep fat lot of help you are!! ;)
Hmmm...chain tension feel better after I adjusted it for you in the freezing cold girl? You might be better off watching and learning when people fix ya friggin bikes rather than sitting there smoking/txting too! :p :yes:

[Lissa]

Hmmm...chain tension feel better after I adjusted it for you in the freezing cold girl? You might be better off watching and learning when people fix ya friggin bikes rather than sitting there smoking/txting too! :p :yes:
Hmm but who was the one who told you to ride the bike after adjusting the chain incase you did it too tight aye?? Learn something yesterday, did you :p (thanks for that :) )

Anyway you thought my bike was Air Cooled haha.. now I know who to ask if I need help!

[Trudes]

Hmmm...chain tension feel better after I adjusted it for you in the freezing cold girl? You might be better off watching and learning when people fix ya friggin bikes rather than sitting there smoking/txting too! :p :yes:

oiiiiiiii, sig him Mel, get Brianna to bite his leg!

[Lissa]

oiiiiiiii, sig him Mel, get Brianna to bite his leg!Shes too fussy about what she bites... I'll just kick his arse next time I see him! :sunny:

[boman]

Hey chick. I have a 1995 VVT the "radiator cap" is under my gas tank and i have a little over flow bottle, white i colour, by my battery. That is for tooping up the system. The great internet tells me that a 50/50 mix of anti freeze and water is required. Hope this helps.

[boman]

Took a picture of the overflow bottle. Hope this helps.

[Lissa]

Took a picture of the overflow bottle. Hope this helps.

Thanks :)... I just had a look, and I cant find anything that looks like that. Its going to have to be under the seat I reckon.

[boman]

Yea it might be. If you have to take the gas tank off it should be similer.Mine has 2 bolts and 3 hoses and the fuel guage to unclip. Takes about 5 mins. Hope you win :sunny:

[Lissa]

Yea it might be. If you have to take the gas tank off it should be similer.Mine has 2 bolts and 3 hoses and the fuel guage to unclip. Takes about 5 mins. Hope you win :sunny:
Thanks :) I dont think I am going to be taking off the gas tank by myself though! :shutup:

[Morcs]

Remove the tank. Coolant filler is squarely underneath the centre of it.

I hope this helps.

[Defiant]

Hey gidday......The Bandit's (250 especially) love to pull rev's....11000 is fine, you should be riding and pulling at least 5-7000 in each gear change.....the radiator cap is under the rear of the fuel tank (lift the seat off and look in under the tank infront of the battery......See it in there?.......B***h of a place.....you'll need a hose and funnel to top it up.......unless you have a leak you should be fine most of the time.....just lift the cap off and visually check the level......and yep they do have power but you need to get thru 1st and 2nd gear quickly then pull good high revs in the rest of the gears...you'll be fine once you hget use to it....cheers...
:Punk:

[marioc]

Yep give it death it will thank you for it.Below 8 grand I find on mine there is just no power at all,but above that yehaa.

[Lissa]

Thanks guys... it is a bitch of a bike to get a look at the battery and the coolant!! Its in the shop atm, hoping to get her back today or tomorrow... I kinda left the lights on, and it died... but recharging the battery didnt help, she wouldnt fire up, so I had to get the experts to look at her.

[dnos]

Hey Lissa,

Im not sure what year your bandit is, mine is a 1990.
The radiator cap is under the fuel tank which is easier to take off than I initially thought.
Mine requires the two bolts under the seat holding the tank undone (10mm) and the fuel hoses from the fuel tap taken off (leave tap in "on" position, small amount of fuel will spill out).
And it lifts off - no worries. Try it some time it will be handy to know you can do it.

When I first got my bike I was very easy on the revs, but now keep the revs up always.
You will notice that around 8k the engine starts pulling much more and over 10k is where the power really kicks in. Rev it, the bike loves it :) Red line on mine is 17k i think, i take it to around 15 quite often.

Enjoy the bike and if you have any more questions I will try to help.

[Wasp]

Hey lissa - only just saw this - i think you pmed me about the coolant anyway

dnos lissa's is the 40hprestricted model, red line and end of speedo are 2k earlier (11k is still fine, i regurlary took mine to red line)

if you guys have any questions pm me - im not on kb much these days but still check my pms atleast once a week