By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer vs Hyper Naked
Suzuki GSX 1250 F (MY2012) vs Yamaha FZ1 (MY2006)
Suzuki GSX 1250 F vs Yamaha FZ1: different classes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
You'll feel the Suzuki GSX 1250 F pull from low revs, and it doesn't need the tach climbing to get past slower traffic. An early Yamaha FZ1's throttle snaps between on and off.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the GSX 1250 F if…
Traveling with luggage
Clearly ahead: GSX 1250 F
When the plan is bags on and gone for the week, the GSX 1250 F is clearly the better travel partner. That comes from better wind protection and a better passenger seat.
The GSX 1250 F has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
By a nose: GSX 1250 F
Running costs lean slightly toward the GSX 1250 F. A well-kept example of either matters more.
The FZ1 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: FZ1
The FZ1 nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. Most of that is a sportier chassis and more feel through the bars. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Which one's the smarter buy
Two different jobs
The price gap is small, but the bikes sit in different classes. You're choosing between a sport tourer and a hyper naked, so neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
GSX 1250 F
Behind its full fairing, the GSX 1250 F sits you upright on a plush seat, and a full day of highway doesn't wear you down. Through a parking lot, its 567 lb (257 kg) won't move without deliberate work at the bars. Corner entry on the Blue Ridge Parkway is another matter: the chassis steers in neutrally and doesn't wander as speed builds. The front end holds its line.
FZ1
Up top, the FZ1's inline-four turns frantic, and it's still charging as the needle swings toward the redline. On early bikes, a bump at the rear finds an underdamped shock that doesn't settle the tail straight away. Once the shock's been replaced, the steering sharpens and the bike stays steady through a bend. It goes exactly where it's pointed.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The FZ1 has the lower wet weight: 489 lb (222 kg) vs 567 lb (257 kg).
- The FZ1 makes more peak power: 150 hp (110 kW) vs 98 hp (72 kW).
- The GSX 1250 F has the larger engine: 1255 cc vs 998 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Off its turf: FZ1
There's no comfort verdict for the FZ1 here. Its job is somewhere else.
On commuting, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
GSX 1250 F
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable all-day mile-muncher
- Excellent value for money
- Stable, predictable handling
Trade-offs
- Budget suspension compromises ride
FZ1
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, stable handling (with upgraded suspension)
Trade-offs
- Snatchy throttle response (early models)
Known problems to check before you buy
GSX 1250 F
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
FZ1
- Stick coil failure The ignition stick coils can fail, often starting on the left side, causing a misfire or rough running.
- Snatchy throttle response (pre-2010) The ECU cuts fuel aggressively on closed throttle, causing a sudden jerk when the throttle is reopened. Yamaha released an improved map for 2010+ models; earlier bikes benefit from a Power Commander or ECU reflash.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 11-year-old GSX 1250 F with an 11-year-old FZ1.
- GSX 1250 F
- about $6,000
- FZ1
- about $5,600
At 11 years old, the Suzuki GSX 1250 F sits around $6,000 while the Yamaha FZ1 lands near $5,600. That's no meaningful gap between the two. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| GSX 1250 F | FZ1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.7 in (805 mm) | 32.1 in (815 mm) |
| Wet weight | 567 lb (257 kg) | 489 lb (222 kg) |
| GSX 1250 F | FZ1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1255 cc | 998 cc |
| Power | 98 hp (72 kW) | 150 hp (110 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 11,000 rpm |
| Torque | 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) | 78 lb-ft (106 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,700 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 145 mph (233 km/h) | 160 mph (257 km/h) |
| GSX 1250 F | FZ1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 34 mpg (US) / 6.9 L/100 km | 34 mpg (US) / 6.89 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 4.8 US gal (18 L) |
| GSX 1250 F | FZ1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 190/50-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| GSX 1250 F | FZ1 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option (from 2011) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
