Suzuki Bandit 1250 (GSF1250, 2007-2016) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki Bandit 1250, also known as the GSF1250.
This maintenance schedule applies to the following models:
- Suzuki Bandit 1250 and Bandit 1250 ABS
- Suzuki Bandit 1250S (semi-faired) and Bandit 1250S ABS
The Bandit 1250 was introduced in 2007 to replace the Bandit 1200. The Suzuki Bandit 1250 addressed emissions restrictions (adding fuel injection) and at the same time added mid-range torque through a bigger engine. The block is largely the same, but the 5mm longer stroke means the capacity increased from 1157cc to 1255cc.
Aside from that, the Bandit 1250 remains a four-cylinder, fuel injected, dual overhead cam 16 valve engine in a sporty naked or semi-faired chassis.
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What you need to service the Suzuki Bandit 1250
The Suzuki Bandit is a chain-driven motorcycle with a dual-sided swingarm, so you need the standard raft of motorcycle maintenance tools to have at it.
Aside from that, you need some of the following replaceable items.
| Part | Suzuki Bandit 1250 spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | Suzuki requires engine oil with JASO MA spec, or at least API SF/SG or SH/SJ spec. Many oils fit this. Suzuki recommends SAE 10W-40 weight Suzuki motor oil, but I wouldn’t over-think this and use another popular high-grade oil like Motul 7100. |
| Oil filter | Use a Hiflofiltro HF138RC, which is a drop-in high-quality replacement. |
| Air filter | Use a K&N air filter replacement, part number SU-6505. |
| Spark plugs | The standard spark plug is NGK CR7E. |
| Brake fluid/Clutch fluid | Suzuki (like most motorcycles) requires DOT 4 brake and clutch fluid. |
| Coolant | Suzuki only requires a coolant that’s “compatible with an aluminium radiator”. Most motorcycle coolants are, and so a Valvoline Zerex G05 is a fine option. |
| Chain maintenance | Use either Motul chain paste or a complete Motul chain care kit for frequent chain servicing. |
| Grease | Always handy to have some lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points, like the kickstand. |
Suzuki Bandit 1250 Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki Bandit 1250.
NOTES:
- Interval: This interval should be judged by odometer reading or number of months, whichever comes first.
- Since the Bandit is no longer sold new, the break-in service isn’t shown.
- I= Inspect and clean, adjust, replace or lubricate as necessary
- R= Replace
- T= Tighten
- If you use the motorcycle under severe conditions, you may have to service it more frequently (particularly the air filter).
| mi x 1000 | 4 | 7.5 | 11 | 14.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
| Months | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | Every |
| Air cleaner element (K&N SU-6505) | I | I | R | I | |
| Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts | – | T | – | T | |
| Valve clearance | – | – | – | I | |
| Spark plugs (NGK CR7E) | I | R | I | R | |
| Fuel line | I | I | I | I | |
| Evaporative emission control system (E-33 only) | – | I | – | I | |
| Engine oil (Motul 7100 10W-40) | R | R | R | R | |
| Engine oil filter (HF138RC) | – | – | R | – | |
| Throttle cable play | I | I | I | I | |
| Throttle valve synchronization | – | I | – | I | |
| PAIR (air supply) system | – | I | – | I | |
| Engine coolant (Zerex G05) | Replace every 2 years | ||||
| Radiator hose | I | I | I | I | |
| Clutch hose | I | I | I | I | Replace every 4 years |
| Clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | I | I | I | I | Replace every 2 years |
| Drive chain (Motul chain paste) | I | I | I | I | Clean and lube every 600 miles / 1000 km |
| Brake pads | I | I | I | I | |
| Brake hose | I | I | I | I | Replace every 4 years |
| Brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of brake caliper/master cylinder | I | I | I | I | Replace every 2 years |
| Tires | I | I | I | I | |
| Steering | – | I | – | I | |
| Front forks | – | I | – | I | |
| Rear suspension | – | I | – | I | |
| Chassis bolts and nuts | T | T | T | T |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Suzuki Bandit 1250
The manual for the Suzuki Bandit 1250 specifies the following tyre sizes, recommended tyre brands, and pressures.
Stock, the Bandit 1250 was fitted with Dunlop D218 tyres.
| Tyre | Size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17 M/C 58W | 250 kPa / 2.5 bar / 36 psi |
| Rear | 180/55 ZR17 M/C 73V | 290 kPa / 2.9 bar / 42 psi |
About the Suzuki Bandit 1250
The Suzuki Bandit 1250 was a pretty huge update to the Bandit 1200.
The chassis is pretty vanilla, but the engine is a stomper to the point that the Bandit 1200 is a favourite for stunting.
The engine is definitely the star of this show. The fuel-injected, dual overhead cam engine makes 70 kW (97 horsepower) at 7,500 rpm and 80 pound-feet of torque at 3,700 rpm,which according to one unofficial source is enough to turn in an 11-second quarter-mile time at 119 mph.
But Suzuki didn’t just stroke the old engine — they updated a lot of the internals. Some of the internal changes to the Bandit 1250’s motor include
- Fuel injection replacing carburettors
- Rings coated with chrome-nitride compound through the use of its physical vapor deposition (PVD) system, to minimize losses due to ring-to-cylinder friction and blowby
- Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM) coating of the aluminum cylinder bores, a nickel-phosphorous-silicon-carbide plating, aiding in cooling and allowing for tighter piston-to-cylinder tolerances.
- A small secondary balancer shaft to limit vibrations
- Updated valve system to bucket and shim (from rocker valves), reducing noise and increasing service intervals.
Induction-control duties fall to the 36 mm throttle bodies and the Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) system.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) processes input from various sensors, and it intervenes through the throttle control to preserve engine efficiency and emissions while delivering a smooth throttle response. An automatic Idle Speed Control (ISC) keeps the engine smooth at idle and aids with cold starts. Suzuki’s Pulsed-Air (PAIR) system injects filtered air into the exhaust stream to burn off excess free hydrocarbons, and a catalyst in the exhaust system burns off whatever is left, to meet current emission standards.
The liquid cooling system pulls double duty; not only does it draw waste heat off through the engine water jacket, but it also cools the oil through a liquid heat-exchanger similar to the type used on the GSX-R750
Manual for the Suzuki Bandit 1250
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Suzuki Bandit 1250.
You can download it from here.
