Suzuki Bandit GSF250 (2001)

[Olivergt]

My lad is looking to buy a small bike for learning on and his friends have been telling him one of these is a good buy.

I've not ridden bikes for many years, so not up on what is good or bad.

There is one for sale on Done Deal (Ireland) which looks to be in quite good condition:

https://www.donedeal.co.uk/motorbikes-for-sale/suz...

would appreciate any feedback on the above, good/bad or indifferent.

Won't be able to go and see it until the lockdown is over though, so there is no rush.

[GM182]

I mis-read the thread title and though it said GSF1250 then saw your comment about small learner bike and thought no!

As it happens I had a grey import Bandit 400 as my first bike at 21 and it was pretty decent to learn on as you had to go looking for power at the top of the rev-range (i.e. not lots of low-down torque to spit you off) and it was quite light.

I don't know anything about the 250s but it might worth a look. It's quite old so a thorough inspection before buying and some bargaining might lead to a good deal. How tall is the lad? I'm 6'1" and the 400 was a bit diddly for me.

[2ndclasscitizen]

I had one when I was a learner, absolutely cracking little bike and I bloody loved it (....until I stuffed it in a ditch). i had the V model with VTEC yo and I was able to get a pair of Diablos to fit on it with a 150 rear if memory serves and it was a blast. There's nothing on them to worry about other than the basics of buying a nearly 20 year old bike. Only cost I had was when I bought it it had been sitting for a while so the carbs needed cleaning and that was a touch more than otherwise as there was 4 tiny carbs that took the guy longer to do, then just regular servicing.

[Max5476]

You mention learning on, has he done his test? If only a CBT he'll need a 125 (if you are in the UK)

This is one of the grey import bikes I didn't know existed. I would check what spares availability is like, and give it a very good look for rust. Otherwise should be relatively easy to work on.

[Olivergt]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

My lad is 6-1 at least, but fairly bendy.

We won't be able to get to see it until the lock down is over, so trying to do as much research as possible before that. Hopefully will be able to move around a bit early May, so if it is still for sale will go and take a look.

There is not a lot on the Web about them, they only seem to have been made for a couple of years.

One thing I do know is that this is not an original Irish bike, so was imported, probably from the UK at some point.

[Benni]

I did not know thyt those were sold out of Japan, must be quite rare ( someone may look at howmanyleft ? ) .

A 250 4cyl with a redline of 14.000 to 16.000 must be screaming, but are those characteristics OK for a learner ?

[Krikkit]

Benni said:

A 250 4cyl with a redline of 14.000 to 16.000 must be screaming, but are those characteristics OK for a learner ?

Sounds perfect to me, rev the tits off it without going that fast. Only problem will be anything else feeling like a diesel!

[Olivergt]

Thanks for the updates.

My understanding is that they are quite rare as well.

So maybe 2 birds with one stone, Learner Bike and potential classic at the same time