The Suzuki GSX650F Thread

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by dynamos2000

Just got the lid painted from the local paint pro, I gotta say she looks perdy.

Gotta blow dry and relo the stickers off the stock lid, then I'm done.

I would probably get a plain old black (love the new kappa 46v), but
I must admit this looks like a very good job to me.
I'd love to swap my bike for a GSX-F.. if it only came with ABS.

How's the heat from the engine around your feet/legs?
(I figure there's _none_ on the Bandit 650 without the lower fairing but..)

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by akarob

I just figured you guys might like to see my '94 Suzuki GSX600F.

You figured correctly!
It looks OMG.
Great condition, love it!

I just saw a GPZ500 yesterday (local name for a Ninja 500) that's
probably over 20 years old and was also in mint condition.. I think
I drooled a bit.. and I never used to notice "old" bikes before.

[dynamos2000]

Originally Posted by Cortez

How's the heat from the engine around your feet/legs?
(I figure there's _none_ on the Bandit 650 without the lower fairing but..)

no issues at all, its a really great all around bike

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by dynamos2000

no issues at all, its a really great all around bike

[trrt]

Originally Posted by Cortez

I
I'd love to swap my bike for a GSX-F.. if it only came with ABS.

It does come as ABS now in Europe. Maybe when Suzuki US starts importing again they will bring in the ABS models.

[mrbreeze]

i would like to see a comparison test of the GSF650 and the FZ6R

[dankatz]

Bike magazine had a comparison about 6 months ago...Shiver GT took first place, Ninja 650 took 4th place...GSX650F and FZ6R (Diversion F) were tied for 2nd with each having their own strengths.

Also, check out Motorcycle.com I think the Yamaha took first place.

[dynamos2000]

I had a FZ6 before the GSX, I think the GSX is a much better bike overall but the FZ6 was a good bike no doubt.

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by trrt

It does come as ABS now in Europe. Maybe when Suzuki US starts importing again they will bring in the ABS models.

I don't see it on our local Suzuki site, or mentioned anywhere else
in a short surf-around. The Bandit 650 has ABS option but it had that
here since 2007 or earlier. Both naked and faired, but not the GSX650F.

The GSX1250FA has ABS as standard though.
Go figure.

[shermie]

I'm a supporter of the 650f also. My wife was ready to move on from her Ninja 250, and there was a list of bikes she was interested in. The FZ6R, SV650, Gladius, and Ninja 650. We generally try and buy new, I hate dealing with other people's crap. The ninja 650 was an immediate no, the local dealer is incompetent, and the inline twin just doesn't appeal to me. I'm a suzuki loyalist, so the FZ6 was going to be a struggle to handle in my garage, and the missus confirmed that it wasn't comfortable. Weird shaped tank dug into her groin and lower stomach when her feet were down. The Gladius was by far her favorite, but we do a lot of highway touring so the naked bike got the shake. Down to the sv and the gsx... the sv is not much more lbs than the ninja 250, and that little ninja would get tossed around in the wind like a leaf. Great motor on that sv, I loved it and would have one for a spare bike in a heartbeat. Bottom line, she went with the gsx, I lowered it for her (she's vertically challenged), she stripped all the decals off it for her own "custom" look and it looks great. Its got lots of power for keeping up with me on the bandit, the weight keeps it firmly planted on the road and is confidence inspiring...

just our 2 cents... If someone is on the fence about it, its an awesome bike. I ride a bandit1250 and a Hayabusa, and this 650 can still bring a smil to my face...

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by mrbreeze

i would like to see a comparison test of the GSF650 and the FZ6R

The FZ6R is a smaller, lighter bike, comparable to mine (ninja650r/er6f)
and the sv650/gladius. Like I said, small, flickable, great learner bike,
smooth power delivery.

The only problem with it (that I see).. is that it costs almost as much
as the FZ6 it's based on, but has NONE of it's strong selling points
and that would make it the last in it's class in my book if I was buying
again. Not to mention I don't even like the looks (big front end, tiny
rear end, just looks wrong.. the XJ6 naked version is spot on tho IMHO).

The GSX650F (Bandit 650) and the Honda's CBF600 are
comparable, direct rivals, both bigger, heavier bikes and often
choice of older, experienced riders who want a reliable tourer/standard.

[akarob]

Originally Posted by Cortez

You figured correctly!
It looks OMG.
Great condition, love it!

I just saw a GPZ500 yesterday (local name for a Ninja 500) that's
probably over 20 years old and was also in mint condition.. I think
I drooled a bit.. and I never used to notice "old" bikes before.

Thanks, a friend let me ride his GPZ900 back in the day. LOVED that bike!!

[trrt]

Originally Posted by Cortez

I don't see it on our local Suzuki site, or mentioned anywhere else
in a short surf-around. The Bandit 650 has ABS option but it had that
here since 2007 or earlier. Both naked and faired, but not the GSX650F.

My apologies, I was pretty darn sure I had seen the Suzuki UK site showing an ABS version a few months back, but I don't see it there now. And I assumed that what the UK had would be available Europe-wide.

[panhandlr]

I'm new to ADVrider, but thought that I would add my two cents here.

My 08 GSX650F is about to roll over 4500 trouble free miles. I too looked at the Ninja 650R. I didn't think the seat would be comfortable long haul. I didn't even think I could see the tach with my tri-focals either. And I doubted the tank bag from my old Ninja 250R would even work. I sat on the Yamaha and developed an instant distaste for it. Hard seating for sure, and seemed top heavy to me. And being a female with small hands, I couldn't get the levers to adjust in for me. Don't recall the clutch lever even being adjustable.

The Suzi on the other hand had adjustable levers, the best seat, the biggest fuel tank of all three that my tank bag would fit, and felt lighter to bring off the kickstand than the Yamaha even though it's a heavier bike. And the extras of a hydraulic clutch and a gixxer instrument panel. $5600 for a new 08 carryover cinched the deal for me. Sure it's heavy, thankfully. I've been stuck in 45 mph winds on her that would have got me killed for sure on the Ninja 250. And she gets a consistent 50 mpg. She is my highway runner for sure while yes, sometimes I use a Honda CRF230L for running around town, can't beat the ease of parking a dual sport anywhere.

[Dranrab Luap]

Originally Posted by panhandlr

I'm new to ADVrider, but thought that I would add my two cents here.

My 08 GSX650F is about to roll over 4500 trouble free miles. I too looked at the Ninja 650R. I didn't think the seat would be comfortable long haul. I didn't even think I could see the tach with my tri-focals either. And I doubted the tank bag from my old Ninja 250R would even work. I sat on the Yamaha and developed an instant distaste for it. Hard seating for sure, and seemed top heavy to me. And being a female with small hands, I couldn't get the levers to adjust in for me. Don't recall the clutch lever even being adjustable.

The Suzi on the other hand had adjustable levers, the best seat, the biggest fuel tank of all three that my tank bag would fit, and felt lighter to bring off the kickstand than the Yamaha even though it's a heavier bike. And the extras of a hydraulic clutch and a gixxer instrument panel. $5600 for a new 08 carryover cinched the deal for me. Sure it's heavy, thankfully. I've been stuck in 45 mph winds on her that would have got me killed for sure on the Ninja 250. And she gets a consistent 50 mpg. She is my highway runner for sure while yes, sometimes I use a Honda CRF230L for running around town, can't beat the ease of parking a dual sport anywhere.

The GSX650 is by far the best behaved bike I have ridden in crosswinds. It's amazing how planted it is. I loved mine, and other than shaft drive, ABS and a little extra wind protection the FJR I now have offers nothing over the GSXF. The F is smoother, more planted and less complicated. Welcome to the forum.