Well, here is the text from the MCN review...
MCN overall verdict
"Suzuki’s big-bore Bandit gets an all-new engine designed to meet latest Euro legislation. In doing so, Suzuki have created a 98cc bigger, 1255cc water-cooled, fuel-injected, tourque-laden peach of an engine. The frame and suspension have also been upgraded to give a sumptuous, well-mannered mileage machine that can also run in the twisties.
With nigh-on 80ftlb of torque delivered to the rear wheel at 3700rpm, the Bandit’s new six-speed gearbox needs little provocation. It’ll cheerfully pull from 3500rpm in top gear and run on to 140+mph. That gearbox is typical Suzuki: precise, perfectly spaced ratios. And, hoorah, no sign of any fuel-injection stutters or flatspots in its performance delivery.
It’s a Bandit, and as such it carries the tradition of upright seating, sumptuous seat and perfectly placed footpegs and one-piece handlebars. Suzuki haven’t changed the chassis too much from the old (k6) model, just beefed up the frame rails and revised the suspension damping and springs. Big difference, though, as it now steers faultlessly, stable and hides its weight well.
There are two versions of the 1250S – non ABS and with ABS, but Suzuki GB is only importing the ABS kitted version. This isn’t a problem as the ABS is a refined set-up and leaves a lot of the braking up to the rider before cutting in. Suzuki GB will do its usual trick of releasing limited versions (touring, GT etc), but until then a ruck of accessories (topbox, panniers etc) will be available separately.
The old defunct 1200 bandit has a reputation for extreme reliability and a genuine all-rounder. There’s no reason to believe the new 1250 will be any different; Suzuki is aiming for existing Bandit customers to upgrade while attracting new customers with its revised performance. As the redline has dropped 1000rpm and a sixth gear has been added, there’s no danger the new motor will be stressed.
A 1255cc machine that can be used for touring, scratching or as a genuine workhorse should be an expensive piece of kit as it’s many bikes in one wheelbase. But no. Suzuki have pegged the price to just £250 more than the old 1200cc Bandit. For £5549 MCN considers this latest Bandit to be a bargain – its even cheaper than its Honda competition the CBF1000F."
http://tinyurl.com/2xc35eCan't say I like the phrase "old defunct 1200 bandit" myself, I think it's an outstanding bike and will be around for a long time. Hell, there's still a lot of Z1 Kaw's out there that'll give you a run for your money, with the right upgrades.