My first Suzuki

**Toaster** · 18th January 2011, 07:48

Originally Posted by Hitcher

After eight years, five previous bikes and nearly 220,000km saddle time, I’ve just gone and done something a little unusual: I have procured a 2010 Suzuki GSX1250FA in the factory touring format. It’s Indy Candy Blue. This event is unusual because this is my first Suzuki....

So after a few hundred km, I’m very pleased with my new ride.

If you’re looking for a big comfy road eater that’s voraciously smooth, agile and predictable, buy a Suzuki GSX1250FA.

Great thread Hitcher - the sort of thing that this website needs more of. I will be interested to read the updates in due course. Enjoy your new motorcycle.

**ynot slow** · 22nd January 2011, 18:56

Seat-will get better,I do 180km trip without stopping,bum getting numb,but not bad,pillions,well yep,have cut half the original foam(was hard not soft,usually is soft and feels hard when air is expelled)and added firm foam,was better for 100km,but whilst on holiday Mrs Ynot wasn't happy,the area by tailbone which is tapered and had 5/8ths of padding was rubbish,so am going to either try re shaping or maybe airhawk.Incidently speaking to a Suzuki dealer on holiday he thought gel seats were $350ish,wish I'd asked him to get one at that cost hehe.

Went to Para and bought some packing foam about 50mm and glued to a sheepskin,seems better,but increases height a little.

Lighting had tried to get H7 bulbs in plus 80 here,not much joy,then went to powerbulbs.co.uk and were here in 5 days,were about 25GBP delivered,can say a great thing to do,lights are good,also have found bulbs here for $70-80 a pair so upto individual.

Oh did valve clearances at 31,000km and was told perfect,didn't require doing,but piece of mind for me.

And beware it is easy to find bike sitting at 140km without realising it,honestly easy to do.Enjoy the ride.

**Hitcher** · 23rd January 2011, 15:47

Yesterday, when it was fine, we had a bit of an excursion up SH1 (Otaki holiday weekend tailback, Gahh! Who would attempt that in a car?) with a plan of dining at the Herb Farm at Ashhurst. This place must have changed hands recently. The normally enticing menu has been replaced by buckets of dour blah so, when advised that there was at least a 45 minute wait for anything other than a flaccid panini (I understand that panini is an Italian word for ripoff sandwich), we hightailed it for Feilding.

Inner people taken care of, it was time to chart our next stop. So off we headed to Wanganui for coffee and gelato, via a favourite route through Halcombe and Marton.

That business done, it was time for a SH3-SH1 return to home.

Blue Suzuki acquitted itself superbly. Raising the seat has made a huge difference to comfort and to ergonomics, although I still think that I'll take it for a ride to Tauranga for some foam adjustments and a dinner of curly fries.

Big gusty winds abounded yesterday, everywhere except Levin. Blue Suzuki is untroubled by these and remained predictable as well as enjoyable throughout.

On the economy stakes, it is slightly thirstier than is Mrs H's GSF650SK6. I suspect that that is due to the differences in sprung and unsprung weight. It certainly sips a lot less than did an Aprilia SL750 Shiver.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 23rd January 2011, 16:21

Originally Posted by Hitcher

According to the owner's manual, the GSX1250FA comes with the rider's seat in the lowest of the three available positions. To adjust this it recommends enlisting the services of one's friendly neighbourhood Suzuki dealer.

One will check and see what words of wisdom, encouragement and good cheer can be found in the Internet in that regard.

I would've thought the friendly dealer you purchased if off would've shown you how the seat is adjusted! Your local one would've been happy to have actually done it for you.

**Gremlin** · 23rd January 2011, 16:25

Its obviously inferior to a BMW. I take the seat off, and swap positions of two rods under the seat to the alternate position. No tools, less than a minute, done.

**Hitcher** · 23rd January 2011, 16:27

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I would've thought the friendly dealer you purchased if off would've shown you how the seat is adjusted! Your local one would've been happy to have actually done it for you.

Bike was long gone from the selling dealer before I had concerns about the seat height. Thanks to the Internet, this was about a 10 minute job for somebody with even my limited mechanical skills. I will have my eye on my friendly local dealer's advice about braided brake lines, fitment thereof and perhaps other worthy accoutrements.

**Gremlin** · 23rd January 2011, 16:52

That's the sneaky cost. Buying all the extras you need (ok, ok, want) and then the fun of fitting them, or paying the shop to fit them.

**BMWST?** · 23rd January 2011, 20:04

Originally Posted by Gremlin

That's the sneaky cost. Buying all the extras you need (ok, ok, want) and then the fun of fitting them, or paying the shop to fit them.

you adding MORE!?

**Hitcher** · 23rd January 2011, 20:18

Originally Posted by BMWST?

you adding MORE!?

GPS needs to go on, when I get a replacement mounting bracket.
Seat needs to go for a ride to Tauranga.
Braided brake lines would make the stoppers work better.
A long night ride will determine whether the headlight needs enhancing.
A suitably skilled professional may be able to sex up the suspension.

That should just about do it.

**Gremlin** · 23rd January 2011, 20:36

Originally Posted by BMWST?

you adding MORE!?

wot Hitch sed... GPS

My seat is fine, brakes are fine, headlight does need upgrading (waiting for stock from US supplier). Extra lights are already on order from US, and 3 packages have arrived already.

Who owns a dead stock bike? For the first time in my life, I'm even considering leaving the stock pipe on

**Crisis management** · 26th January 2011, 18:15

Just a question, Hitcher (prompted by Gremlins ravings) did you consider a Beemer? Might have been a good fit for your type of riding.

Where is that pipe and slippers???

**Hitcher** · 26th January 2011, 18:25

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Just a question, Hitcher (prompted by Gremlins ravings) did you consider a Beemer? Might have been a good fit for your type of riding.

I'm a motorcyclist with a strong belief in value for money, also known as not paying silly money for bikes. If I had been in the business of forking out heaps, I may well have nabbed a KTM 990SMT, if those were still a current model in New Zealand (even though the tank's too small for a tourer).

Apart from its chain drive, lack of electric screen and a few other creature comforts, the GSX1250FA ST (or GSX1250SA as it's sold in some markets) competes favourably with the Kawasaki Concours and the FJR1300. Given that it's nearly $10,000 cheaper than both of those rides, and more than that for any BMW equivalents, buying the Suzuki was a bit of a no-brainer really.

I'm curious as to where Suzuki may go with this model when the L1 is released.

**sinned** · 26th January 2011, 18:35

It is hard to go past Suzuki for value for money / bang for buck. And the reliability and quality is fine.

**Hitcher** · 26th January 2011, 19:33

After having done a bit of surfing looking for "enhancements", I really struggle to see how some "online" businesses make a dollar online. For example, there are a few presumably reputable manufacturers of motorcylce braided brake lines who have web sites. Almost none of these have a schedule of models for which they make lines. Some only accept orders by phone. I'm not actually interested in purchasing online, as I don't have the facilities or the skill to do an installation myself, but I am interested in knowing a bit about the choices available and pricing information for when I go and have a chat with my friendly neighbourhood motorcycle dealer.

I would have expected to see loads of choices for a GSX12FAL0 or its GSF1250SL0 ABS sibling. So far Google has not been my friend.

Radiator guards? Different story, apart from the ludicrous delivery charges that businesses outside the UK seem intent to gouge. Limited choice though. Every man and dog make guards for the 1250 Bandit, but few so far for the GSX1250FA.