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Suzuki GSF250 Bandit (GJ74A)
1989—1994
More: Suzuki Bandit 250 (GJ77A) 1995—2000
| I have tried to tell the Suzuki GSF
250 Bandit model history on this page as I know it.
I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads,
magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material
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The Bandit 250 and Bandit 400, launched in 1989, had a liquid-cooled
inline-four engines, mounted on trellis (steel) frame. The high-reving
engines are derived from the GSX-R250 and GSX-R400 with lots
of power for their sizes, the Bandit 250 had about 45 bhp, the
400cc version about 59 bhp. Both models had 4 to 1 exhaust systems
and disc brakes. The 400 had double disc at the front, the 250
had single disc.
High-quality parts were used in various areas, such as the handlebars, headlights, steps, meters, and mirrors. The muffler and exhaust pipe were also made of stainless steel. The engine was a four-stroke water-cooled, four-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve engine that prioritized low and medium speeds, and the intake system used a slingshot carburetor, which was known for its sharp throttle response. It was also equipped with a new link suspension with high road-holding properties and wide tires.
Both versions were soon available even with top fairing (sold
with the addition ”Limited” on the model name) and
later even with an optional variable exhaust timing (addition
”V”), otherwise the model has remained, on the whole,
unchanged.
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| 1989 Suzuki Bandit 250 with clip-on handle bars that gave more forward leaning riding position than the handlebars on the later model years that gave a more upright riding position. |
 
1990 Suzuki year code: L
The Bandit 250 (GJ74A) was unveiled on October 1989 at the 28th Tokyo Motor Show. The color of the bike shown at the show was green with white wheels. The model was availale in the shop from December 1989 in three colors: Green (15C), Black (019) and Red (07P). The Green and the Red color options had white wheels.
All of them had color matched frames.
The initial model of the Bandit 250 (without the N suffix) had separate racing-type (clip-on) handles with silver colored handlebar ends. The engine had six recesses on its clutch cover.
More details that are specific for the firts model version of the Bandit 250:
The headlight OFF/position switch is located on the right side of the handlebar.
There is a hole slightly below the center of the headlight reflector that contains a small position lamp. The main key cylinder has a P position (parking lights). The tachometer's red zone starts at 17,000 rpm and goes all the way up to 20,000 rpm. The turn signal lens is almost cylindrical with some corners. The turn signal relay is mechanical. There is a time lag for charging, so it does not turn on immediately even if you push the lever. When the light flashes, you can hear a small clicking sound from under the seat. The anti-slip pattern on the handle grip is a fine checkered pattern (jagged).
Model code: GSF250
Presented in Japan: October 1989
Starting selling period:
December 1989
Initial frame number: GJ74A-100001
1990 GSF250 colors available: Restate Italiano Green (15C), Black (019), Marble Pure Red (07P)
Retail price in Japan: 515 000 yen
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| 1989 Suzuki Bandit 250, Restate Italiano Green (15C) |
In April 1990, a Bandit 250N (with the N suffix) model was introduced. It had a one-piece pipe handlebar that gave a more upright sitting position. Silver-coated wheels. A characteristic change of a rear shock unit, red paint on the upper end as a mark. Black coated engine.
Presented in Japan: April 1990 (standard)
Initial frame number: GJ74A-104333 (GSF250NL)
1990 GSF250N colors available: Black (019)
Retail price in Japan: 515 000 yen
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| 1990 Suzuki Bandit 250 / GSF250N.
Instead of separate handlebars it had semi-up handlebar with less forward lean. The grip end was moved 100 mm upward and 50 mm backward for more upright riding position. |
1991
Suzuki year code: M
Some of the body colors were changed when the '91 models were launched in February 1991. Fhere were now four differebnt color options. New colors Pearl Cosmety White and Marble Adriatic Blue were added to replace Italiano Green. Marble Pure Red and Black remained available. There were no changes to the price or main specifications. There was no option for an up-handlebar version (GSF250N) in 1991.
Presented in Japan: February 1991
1991 GSF250M color options: Pearl Cosmety White (15H), Marble Adriatic Blue (0FK), Black (019), Marble Pure Red (07P)
Initial frame number: GJ74A-115400
Retail price in Japan: 515,000 yen
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The 1991 GSF250ZM Limited Edition, launched in May 1991, had a frame mounted half fairing, sportier separate handles and a GSX-R type meter unit. The carburator settings were different from the standrad model and the Limited Edition model had an analog water temperature gauge. The engine was black but with polished can end, clutch and generator covers. There were no recesses on the clutch cover.
Presented in Japan: May
1991 (Limited Edition)
1991 GSF250ZM color options: Space Black / Legato Gold No.2 (13Z) with Gold wheels and Candy Gypsy Red No.3 / Traditional Silver Metallic (00J) with Black wheels
Initial frame number: GJ74A-115400
Retail price in Japan: 585,000 yen
|
 1991 Suzuki Bandit GSF 250 Limited
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 700 mm (27.6 in)
Overall Height: 1 155 mm (45.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in)
Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in)
Dry Weight: 179 kg (352 lbs)
Engine: air and oil-cooled 248 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves.
45 hp @ 14 500 rpm, 2.6 kg-m @ 10 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
|
 1991 Suzuki Bandit GSF 250 Limited
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 155 mm (45.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in)
Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in)
Dry Weight: 160 kg (352 lbs)
Engine: air and oil-cooled 248 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves.
45 hp @ 14 500 rpm, 2.6 kg-m @ 10 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
|
 1991 Suzuki Bandit GSF 250 Limited
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 155 mm (45.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in)
Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in)
Dry Weight: 160 kg (352 lbs)
Engine: air and oil-cooled 248 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves.
45 hp @ 14 500 rpm, 2.6 kg-m @ 10 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
|
 1991 Suzuki Bandit GSF 250 Limited
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 155 mm (45.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 435 mm (56.5 in)
Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in)
Dry Weight: 160 kg (352 lbs)
Engine: air and oil-cooled 248 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves.
45 hp @ 14 500 rpm, 2.6 kg-m @ 10 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
|
1993 Suzuki year code: P
Due to Japanese motorcycle manufacturer's voluntary regulation change, the 1993-year's model of the GSF250 Bandit got a slightly less powerful engine with 40 bhp peak power, but with somewhat increased torque. Many new parts like new cam shaft, new generator ignition unit, new parts in the carburator and more. Why less power? The motorcycle manufacturers in Japan agreed that year to limit the effect for 250 cc bikes to 40 horsepower, for safety reasons. The tachometer limit was altered from 16 000 to 18 000 rpm.
The ratios on the 5th and 6th gear were increased.
According to the new regulations the light switch was altered so that the light were always on, even during daytime.
The turn signal light lens was roundish. The position light bulb inside the headlight was removed.
Pattern on the surface of the handlebar grips were changed.
The six recesses on the clutch cover on the right-hand side of engine were dropped.
Again, the Suzuki Bandit 250 was available in two slighty different versions, The model without the N suffix had clip-on handlebars and the N model had a handlebar
that gave a more upright riding position.
A
The Limited Edition version of the Bandit 250, launched in May 1993, had an upper cowl and polished engine covers. A new color option for the up-handlebar model, Starlit Blue Metallic (34R), was made available in June 1993.
Presented in Japan: September 1992 (GSF250P), October 1992 (GSF250NP), May 1993 (GSF250ZP Limited Edition), June 1993 (Starlit Blue Metallic)
1993 GSF250P color options: Black (019), Rouge Red No.2 (1TY), Marble Prime Green (1UH)
1993 GSF250NP color options:
Candy Antares Red (19A), Candy Starlit Blue Metallic (34R)
1993 GSF250ZP color options: Rouge Red No.2 (1TY)
Initial frame numbers: GJ74A-122208 (GSF250P),
GJ74A-122608 (GSF250NP),
GJ74A-125228 (SF250ZP)
Retail price in Japan: 515,000 yen (585,000 yen for the Limited Edition)
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| 1993 Suzuki Bandit 250 Limited / GSF250ZP, Rouge Red No.2 (1TY) with half cowl and polished engine covers |
1994 Suzuki year code: R
The final model year of the first version of the GSF250 Bandit / GJ74A, presented in October 1993, saw only cosmetic changes. Again, the Suzuki Bandit 250 was available in two slighty different versions, The model without the N suffix had clip-on handlebars and the N model had a handlebar
that gave a more upright riding position.
The body color was changed from Black (019) to Pearl Novelty Black (33J) and from Rouge Red No.2 (1TY) to Candy Antares Red (19A). Prime green will continue to be used. The continental handlebars will also be the same color. There are no changes to the price or main specifications.
In 1995, the bike underwent a full model change, changing from the GJ74A to the GJ77A. The Bandit V, equipped with a VC engine that adopted a variable valve timing and lift mechanism, was added to the lineup.
Presented in Japan: October 1993 (GSF250R, GSF250NR)
1994 GSF250R color options:
Candy Antares Red (19A), Pearl Novelty Black (33J), Prime Green (1UH)
1994 GSF250NR color options:
Candy Antares Red (19A), Pearl Novelty Black (33J), Candy Starlit Blue Metallic (34R)
Initial frame number: GJ74A-127631 (GSF250R), GJ74A-127811 (GSF250NR)
Retail price in Japan: 515 000 yen
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| 1989 Suzuki Bandit 250, Restate Italiano Green (15C) |
More: Suzuki Bandit 250 (GJ77A) 1995—2000
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