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Suzuki Bandit 1250S (2009) – Ed Smith makes the leap from a low-down cruiser to spend a couple of days with a big-bore heavyweight. How does the transition go? Read on and find out…

2009 Suzuki Bandit 1250S - big bruiser? Or refined gentleman? This bike can take on a range of identities When my Suzuki C50T Boulevard (VL 800C K7) went in for a service, I was given the opportunity to borrow a Bandit 1250S for a couple of days. The 1250 Bandit has been around a long time, during which it has changed identity from big-bore hooligan’s toy and stunt rider’s favourite (though to be honest it still shines in that department), to refined, perhaps not quite sophisticated but smooth operator.

But of course, this is a big difference from riding a low-down cruiser, set up for the touring role.

The first big difference, unsurprisingly perhaps, is the seat height. It takes a moment to adjust and I’m a bit non-plussed to find I am on tippy-toes. Other non-cruiser elements are; the bars feel too narrow, the seat feels wrong and the pegs? I go to put my feet on what I think are the pillion pegs, only to find they are my ones!

Wisely, I wait a moment and let myself get a feel for where everything is before I start the engine and set off. And the start-up is a disappointment. The engine is whisper-quiet – after being used to the low-down rumble of the C50, it feels like something is missing.

But you can’t judge a bike by how it starts up, when I discover one other thing about being used to a cruiser set up for some serious touring miles. When I first pull away, the bike feels very top heavy so I try to change gear, but nothing happens… ah, there is no ‘down’ from first gear, if you’re not running a heel-toe gearchange! I switch brain pattern to working a ‘regular’ gear change and we venture out onto the open road.

Being the cautious type I eased up through the gears as I headed into town and found I was in top gear at about 40mph, with the tacho barely registering. I changed down to third and cruised through the main street, noticing the turbine smoothness of the engine. I thought I was barely moving and had to keep an eye on the digital speedo as I found myself doing 45mph (in a 30!) without noticing...

So I went back out of town and onto the highway. I was in top gear by the time I reached the open road sign and immediately realised I wasn't going to have to change down anytime for anything. The torque of this engine is massive from 1500rpm and with the barest whiff of throttle, the C50T simply wouldn't see which way the Bandit went!

I found the throttle very sensitive and with the hard riding suspension I was having trouble maintaining a steady speed. I'm not a lightweight at around 210lb suited up, but I definitely found the settings far too hard initially.

Still, I was able to notice the sure, predictable and stable cornering, the phrase "on rails" kept coming to mind, the nice feel to the powerful brakes, and that engine!!!! Turbine smooth and incredible power! (Okay, I have never ridden a Gixxer thou...). Even slowing to 40mph behind a car and truck-trailer, the tacho hovering around 2500rpm, I felt no need to drop a gear and when the road opened and I twisted the throttle, it felt like I'd been shunted in the rear by a freight train! I literally flashed past them both at a rate that made me shift my senses into high gear as I tried to keep up with the bike!

I found the tallness of the bike to be no problem after a while and discovered that filtering is faster and easier due to both the narrowness and stability of the bike, allowing me to place the bike precisely where I wanted it. I actually found it to be quite chuckable. Handling is beautiful, despite the firmness of the suspension, mid-corner bumps don't make a jot of difference to the steadiness and surety of the bike

I don't need earplugs on the Boulevard, but the wind noise on the Bandit would mean they'd be a necessity. I wasn't comfortable, even though the seat was fine. The hard ride, the sensitive throttle and the forward lean made my right hand hurt again as it used to on the old GSX-600F I had last on longer trips. It is not a relaxing bike by comparison with the C50T and not as easy to chuck around with the high centre of gravity. It needs more muscle to ride.

But that engine is addictive... I even left it in top when going through a 30mph area and from 1500rpm it just accelerated at a rate that has to be experienced to be believed! No snatchiness, just smooth turbine power! (I seem to be using that term a lot in regard to this bike). And the ABS brakes are powerful, with a lovely feel to them.

Verdict: So would I buy one? Probably not, it is just too big and too powerful and not comfortable enough for me. The suspension would have to be softened up a lot which would probably hurt the handling and the throttle is too sensitive for this cruiser-rider’s liking.

Ride it with intent and it would come together, but my licence is rather handy to have and I'd not want to lose it...

A beautiful bike, but impractical for me I'm afraid.

But that engine…

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