Emperor's new gear

The Suzuki GSX1250FAL0. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Seems like a case of the Emperor's new clothes to me. After all, what looks like a Bandit, feels like a Bandit, but isn't a Bandit? What shares the Bandit's engine, frame and chassis with its 1250 Bandit sibling but is not a Bandit, according to Suzuki?

The GSX1250FAL0, set apart primarily by more capacious bodywork - even Suzuki couldn't come up with a bigger difference than that.

Which frankly is not a problem, for the Bandit has always been a good all-rounder albeit a little lacking in character. The GSX1250FAL0's new suit adds a bit of sport-tourer edge, better protects you from the weather - but otherwise delivers the same fast, neat-handling machine that's as happy commuting as touring, or having a bit of a play down a winding B-road.

Suzuki's managed to keep the price reasonable in part via Bandit's recipe for bare bones spec; such as the tubular steel frame fitted with conventional forks, and a single rear shock adjustable only for preload.

Some items are clearly derived from some universal parts bin - cruise a Suzuki dealer to see just how many bikes share the same footpegs, for example. But frankly that doesn't matter if the result is both affordable and effective.

I didn't need to fiddle with the rear shock; ride was compliant, absorbing the worst of our back-road bumps. There's a longish wheelbase for everyday stability, allied to a sharper-than-expected steering geometry to hone agility.

The only spoiler is the weight sits a little high - and you notice it when the tank is full. That's offset by the fact the seat height adjusts over a 20mm range, so even relative shorties like me can easily reach the ground.

This four-cylinder 1255cc engine now has fuel injection and liquid cooling, pulling strongly over a wide range of rev. Forget neck-snapping adrenaline-surging sports response - instead she pulls with a steady, relentless surge.

You can reach 100km/h in first gear, but only just, changing at the red line to sit at 6500rpm in second. Suzuki doesn't publish power and torque figures, but she feels strong from there on up; on a demanding road you can keep her in second, riding her on the throttle, hauling out of bends, engine braking into them, using the powerplant's flexibility to have a ball while keeping a weather eye on the speedo - and saving the other gears for fuel-frugal cruising.

I'm not a big fan of ABS on bikes unless you can switch it off - I live on a gravel road, and locking the rear brake is a means of control. However, I'm sure it could be a lifesaver on wet tarmac, though I didn't find out - the brakes offered excellent feel and stopping ability without it cutting in.

Otherwise, the riding position is comfy; there are span adjusters for brake and clutch levers to suit differing hand sizes; and it's a shame you can't see the clock when viewing the trip.

It'd be tempting to see this bike as just a better Bandit, if Suzuki weren't so adamant it isn't. What it is, is a flexible big-bore all-rounder that'll suit a wide range of rider size and style at a reasonable price. Just like a Bandit in fact - only wearing more clothes.

Suzuki GSX1250FAL0

We like
Fast, flexible, comfy all-rounder with better weather protection than a Bandit

We don't like
It's a touch characterless

Powertrain
1255cc dohc liquid cooled fuel-injected four-cylinder four-stroke, with six-speed transmission and chain drive. Power and torque not available

Performance
Not available

Price
$16,000

Vital stats
2130mm long, 805/825mm seat height, 257kg wet weight, 19-litre fuel tank