Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2015) Complete Maintenance Schedule

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki GSX1250FA, the fully-faired sport touring bike built by Suzuki between the years 2010 and 2015.

The Suzuki GSX1250FA shares a lot with the fuel-injected Suzuki Bandit 1250. But the GSX1250FA is not technically a “Bandit” as it’s nowhere in the name! Instead, the GSX1250FA is more purpose-built as a touring motorcycle, with a full fairing to protect the rider from the elements.

The core of the GSX1250FA is a 1255 cc fuel-injected liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine. It makes 70.5 kW / 96.5 bhp at 7500 rpm, with torque peaking at a very low 3500 rpm. Final drive is a 6-speed transmission and chain.

While the GSX1250FA was the last of its line, Suzuki’s 2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX came partly back towards its spirit of being a comfortable mile muncher.

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Suzuki GSX1250FA Service Intervals

The Suzuki GSX1250FA has 3500 mile / 6000 km service intervals at which point you should change the engine oil and do a bunch of other checks.

Change the spark plugs every two services, and inspect the valves of the GSX1250FA every 14500 miles / 24000 km.

For “Europe / Oceania” countries, there’s the same schedule, but oil changes are every 12,000 km (or 7,500 miles, for the UK which also still uses miles). But valve clearance checks are still every 24,000 km / 15,000 miles.

Since the maintenance schedules are quite different, we’ve presented them separately below.

Aside from that, keep the bike’s coolant and brake/clutch fluid up to date. Suzuki recommends changing the coolant every 2 years, or if you use long-life coolant, every 4 years. Brake/clutch fluid has to be replaced every 2 years.

Finally, keep the chain clean and lubricated, particularly if riding through rain or other untoward conditions.

What you need to service the Suzuki GSX1250FA

The GSX1250FA 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 GSX1250FA 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 overthink this and use another popular high-grade oil like Motul 7100 10W-40.
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 or Denso U22ESR-N
Brake fluid/Clutch fluid	Suzuki (like most motorcycles) requires DOT 4 brake and clutch fluid. Castrol DOT 4 is a good option.
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 GSX1250FA Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki GSX1250FA.

Notes:

• Some items have a time interval and a distance interval. Observe the earlier of the two.
• Since the Bandit is no longer sold new, the break-in service isn’t shown.
• If you use the motorcycle under severe conditions, you may have to service it more frequently (particularly the air filter and chain).

GSX1250FA USA Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for USA vehicles, from the USA manual. Generally, there are shorter service intervals.

mi x 1000	4	7.5	11	14.5
km x 1000	6	12	18	24	Every
Perform standard inspection checklist (see below)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Replace engine oil (Motul 7100 10W-40)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Replace oil filter (HF138RC)			✓
Replace air filter element (K&N SU-6505)			✓		More often if riding in dusty or wet conditions
Check spark plugs (gap, condition)	✓		✓
Replace spark plugs (NGK CR7E)		✓		✓
Check / adjust valve clearances				✓
Replace engine coolant (Suzuki long-life coolant or an alternative) * If using non-standard coolant		✓*		✓	4 years *: 2 years
Replace clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4)					2 years
Replace clutch lines					4 years
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4)					2 years
Replace rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers					2 years
Replace brake lines					4 years
Check / adjust throttle valve sync		✓		✓
Check / tighten exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts		✓		✓
Check evap control system (if fitted)		✓		✓
Check PAIR (air supply) system		✓		✓
Check steering bearing for smooth operation		✓		✓
Check front forks for smooth operation, no rust or leaks		✓		✓
Check rear suspension for smooth operation, no rust or leaks		✓		✓

Suzuki GSX1250FA Europe/Oceania Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for Europe/”Oceania” (Australia/NZ) vehicles, from the same manual. Generally, there are longer service intervals, though the service interval for valve clearance inspection is the same.

km x 1000	12	24	36	48
mi x 1000	7.5	15	22.5	30	Every
Perform standard inspection checklist (see below)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Replace engine oil (Motul 7100 10W-40)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Replace oil filter (HF138RC)		✓		✓
Replace air filter element (K&N SU-6505)			✓		More often if riding in dusty or wet conditions
Replace spark plugs (NGK CR7E)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check / adjust valve clearances		✓		✓
Replace engine coolant (Suzuki long-life coolant or an alternative) * If using non-standard coolant		✓*		✓	4 years
Replace clutch fluid (Castrol DOT 4)					2 years
Replace clutch lines					4 years
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4)					2 years
Replace rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers					2 years
Replace brake lines					4 years
Check / adjust throttle valve sync	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check / tighten exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check PAIR (air supply) system		✓		✓
Check steering bearing for smooth operation	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check front forks for smooth operation, no rust or leaks	✓	✓	✓	✓
Check rear suspension for smooth operation, no rust or leaks	✓	✓	✓	✓

GSX1250FA — Standard inspection checklist

Inspect the following items and rectify them as necessary by repairing or replacing parts. Do this following the schedule above.

Suzuki GSX1250FA Standard Maintenance Checklist
Check air filter and replace if necessary
Check fuel lines (for kinks, leaks, or poor condition)
Check throttle cable play and adjust if necessary
Check radiator hoses for cracks, kinks, or poor condition
Check brake pads, renew if necessary
Check tires for tread, cracks, and wear
Check chassis bolts and nuts and tighten up as necessary
Check brake fluid level
Check clutch fluid level
Check condition of brake lines
Check condition of clutch lines

Maintaining your Chain on your Suzuki GSX1250FA

Maintain your chain regularly. Since the GSX1250FA is often used as a tourer or everyday commuter, it’s often exposed to harsh conditions (rain, being parked outside, dirt roads, etc.), so you need to pay attention to the chain.

Either use a good-quality (and affordable) chain lube like Motul Chain Paste, or use a full Motul Chain Care Kit to clean and restore a chain.

Suzuki recommends that you maintain your chain regularly according to the following schedule.

Chain maintenance item	Every
Check chain * Correct tension / slack (20-30mm / 0.8-1.2) in at loosest point between top and bottom of chain deflection See below for procedure to adjust chain tension * Adequate lubrication * No excessive wear / damage	Ride (pre-ride check)
Clean and lubricate chain	1000 km / 600 miles

Damage includes loose pins, damaged rollers, dry or rusted links, kinked or binding links, excessive wear, and improper adjustment. Check the chain and sprockets and make sure it’s all up to par.

To adjust chain tension, follow this procedure:

1. Put the bike up on a stand
2. Loosen the axle nut at the rear (you may need a breaker bar)
3. Loosen the right and left lock nuts
4. Turn the right and left chain adjuster bolts to change chain tension. Keep the sprocket in alignment, using the reference marks.
5. Tighten the lock nuts
6. Tighten the axle nut (torque: 100 Nm or 72.5 lb-ft)

Tire size and tire pressure for the Suzuki GSX1250FA

The manual for the Suzuki GSX1250FA specifies the following tire sizes and recommended tire pressures.

The GSX1250FA will take any sport or sport touring tires — the tire sizes are very standard. (Stock, it was fitted with Bridgestone BT021 sport touring tires.)

Tyre	Rim size	Size	Tire pressures (cold)
Front	17 x 3.5 in	120/70 ZR17 M/C 58W	250 kPa / 2.5 bar / 36 psi
Rear	17 x 5.5 in	180/55 ZR17 M/C 73W	290 kPa / 2.9 bar / 42 psi

Adjust the pressures as necessary, depending on your total load (including luggage/panniers) and also where you’re riding.

About the Suzuki GSX1250FA

The Suzuki GSX1250FA is a big-bore sport touring bike bike category. At launch, it was known for its exceptional value and versatility, and on the used market, this still holds true.

The GSX1250FA is a step away from its predecessors / stablemates’ naked or quarter-faired designs. It has performance that brings a smile to most riders’ faces, while being surprisingly easy to handle for a bike of its size and heft. charm lay in the unexpected balance of gentle handling and universal performance.

Central to the GSX1250FA’s appeal is its engine, an inline four with roots in the GSX-R1100, long since replaced by the GSX-R1000 line.. The 1255cc inline-four delivers a surprising 72.3 Nm (53.3 ft-lb) of torque at a low 3,500 rpm, making it a powerhouse in terms of low-end grunt. Its peak power, however, is modest at 68.1 kW (92.6 hp) at 8,800 rpm.

The inline-four has a great tone and feel to it and makes most riding a joy. Some people want more top-end, but they’d probably benefit from an overall sportier, lighter bike — like the GSX’s successor, the GSX-S line.

One surprising thing about the GSX1250FA is its handling. Despite having a conventional tubular steel frame and substantial 257 kg (567 lb) curb weight, the big GSX manages its heft with grace, especially in twisty terrain. Still, it can’t match the agility of lighter competitors like the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and Yamaha FZ1. Its real-world appeal is in its ability to balance weight and performance, offering an enjoyable ride despite its heft. And in some situations, weight is a boon, like on big straights with lots of wind or trucks.

The bike is versatile, equally adept at navigating highways and long-distance touring as it was in urban commuting. It’s comfortable, both in terms of ergonomics as well as suspension that only show their limits under aggressive riding. Suzuki’s Dual Throttle Valve fuel-injection system ensures smooth power delivery across the rpm range, and the triple-disc brakes give confident stopping power.

The Suzuki GSX1250FA’s technology system is very basic — there’s just ABS. The GSX has analogue dials (though updated since the earlier bandits) and no other rider aids. Still, ABS is welcome, especially as a bike like this is meant to navigate roads of all conditions — grease, ice, and gravel can surprise any rider, regardless of experience.

The GSX1250FA has a two-position adjustable seat, though adjusting it can be cumbersome. It also has a centrestand and under-seat helmet locks, both much-appreciated conveniences. As the GSX ages, it’s important to keep these moving parts clean and greased to prevent corrosion developing.

Maintenance of the GSX is straightforward. Apart from removal of the fairings, it’s a very what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of motorcycle. There’s lots of access around the engine, and most basic tasks are easy to do.

Overall, the Suzuki GSX1250FA is a bike that balances enough technology with a classic riding experience. It appeals to those who want a versatile, reliable, and enjoyable ride without the complexity and cost of cutting-edge features like active suspension or cornering ABS.

Though now discontinued, the GSX1250FA remains a testament to Suzuki’s commitment to producing motorcycles that cater to a wide variety of purposes — in this case, touring and commuting — at an affordable price.

The GSX1250FA was replaced by the overall sportier (lighter and more powerful) 2016 Suzuki GSX-S1000F, a sport-tourer with an engine based on the one from the iconic K5 Gixxer.

Reference  — Manual for the Suzuki Bandit 1250 / GSF1250

The above maintenance schedules come directly from the owner’s manual for the Suzuki GSX1250FA.

We cleaned them up a lot and simplified them for the maintenance charts above.

See screenshots for both the USA and Europe maintenance schedules below, where you can eyeball the specific differences.

You can download manuals for Suzuki motorcycles from the official website here.