Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Hi gang,

These past few years, I have gone through some heavy life changes:

1) I started a new career
2) my daughter went to college
3) my wonderful, beautiful son passed away

I've always wanted to get back into riding, and my current situation makes it plausible. Not having children at home anymore, and as my job requires about 100 miles a day of commuting (and now that gas is over $1/quart), I've decided to return to motorcycling. This should save me over $25 a day in fuel costs (compared to filling my Dodge diesel every week), and provide me with much needed distraction.

6 weeks ago I bought a '99 HD 1200 Sportster, in beautiful shape. I've always wanted a Harley, and I've enjoyed it, but have since learned a couple of things. First, the ergos are not ideal for long-distance commuting, second, they are not the most nimble machines on two wheels, and last, the non-rubber mounted engine vibrates at highway speed - a lot!

After a lot of internet reading, it seems to me the GSX650F is the ideal answer to my needs. I sat on one at a dealership today and it felt much more comfortable than my Sportster, at least for my lower back! It's just too bad the dealerships don't let you test ride new bikes these days, because I would also like to try an FZ6 and an SV650.

So here are the dumb questions; if I buy a 650F, will I miss the torque of my Sportster? how good is the 650F riding 2-up? will I see a big difference in low speed handling? is the 650F smooth and quiet on the highway? how's the gas mileage? my 1200 has a windshield - how much wind protection do you get from the fairing/windshield on the 650F?

I have already heard some opinions on these and other questions, but as a last step I wanted to hear straight from those who own them.

Thanks for your time.

First off, sorry to hear about your boy.
To answer your questions:
1) I've ridden a sporster 1200 - the 650 will be a completely different experience for you. The torque of the 650 is there, its just a bit higher up the tach than on the sporster.
2) I had similar concerns about riding 2 up also. It rides 2 very well and has plenty of power even with 2 people on it. I weigh 240lbs. and my girl friend is about 150. I haven't had any problems keeping up with or passing traffic on the freeway. I've gone an indicated 115mph with her on the back. The passenger seat is very comfy according to my girlfriend. Even after a 2 hour ride she said her butt doesn't hurt nor is it numb.
3) Low speed handling, I find, is quite good. I can putt down the road at 5 mph without any problems.
4)As far as smoothness and quietness go, this is one of the smoothest, quietest bikes I've ever ridden. Even at 80 - 85 mph the vibration is almost non existant. All I can hear at that speed is the wind.
5) My fuel mileage riding on short trips, 15 - 20 miles, is around 40 - 42 mpg - just highway cruising @ 65-75 is about 50 - 52 mpg.
6) Wind protection is also good as I, at 5'11" don't get much buffeting. The wind seems to hit right at the top of my helmet and I have no problems keeping my head still.
You didn't ask but I'll tell you anyway, the transmission is one of the smoothest shifting I've ridden to date, especially once you get a thousand or so miles on it, much better than a sporster. The fuel injection too works very well, even in the lower rpms.
I use my bike as my day to day transportation and I don't think I could ask for a much better bike than this one.

Thanks for the sympathy - I miss him terribly

Your answers mirror everything I've read elsewhere. It sounds like Suzuki hit the nail on the head with this one.

I don't really have much experience riding a bike. The 650F is the first bike I have ever owned. I have only put on a little over 500 miles seeing as how the weather has not been very cooperative here. I can say that even with my inexperience, I seem to be able to control the bike well in slow speeds and there is plenty of power whenever I want it. I have not ridden 2up as I only have my permit and am not allowed to do so. Right now I'm averaging right around 46 mpg. I'm told that it will improve the more the bike gets broken in. I'm sure it will also improve as I perfect my riding style. I'm sure the way I ride is not the most aerodynamic. Still working on that. But all in all, I'm very happy with the bike and glad I purchased it.

Hi Homefront,

I just traded in my Bandit 1200 for my new 650F so I might be able to answer some of your questions.

1) Will you miss the torque of the Sportster - yes, but you always have trade-offs. Where I used to just turn the throttle on the Bandit to overtake, I now have to change down a gear or two. No big deal. The 650F has more than enough power/torque to do what you want.
2) How good is the 650F for two up riding - I haven't tried yet but my regular passenger has sat on the back and says that the seat is more comfortable than the Bandit.
3) Low Speed Handling- The 650F will be lighter than the Harley but it will also have a higher centre of gravity. I personally find the 650F to be a light bike but I hear lots of other complaints about it being heavy. Most of my riding is commuting in traffic and some city riding and I have no problems with low speed handling. Handling is one of the 650F's strong points.
4) 650F smooth and quiet- This is undoubtedly the smoothest bike I have ever ridden. The huge can also keeps it really quiet which I like (which puts me in the minority apparently)
5) Gas mileage- this is a strange point. I am getting the same mileage out of the 650F that I used to on my carbueretted Bandit 1200 despite taking the same route to work everyday. Still, 18km/L (about 42 miles per gallon?) is nothing to complain about and has to be better than your dodge.
6) Wind protection- This is the 5th bike I have owned that offered a fairing but it is the only one that I consider to actually offer anything positive. I am 6'1" and I still get some wind on my helmet but it is "clean" air, rather than the buffeting that every other fairing I have had seems to create. Also, I believe that there are replacement windshields that will offer more height (and if they aren't available yet I bet they soon will be)

So to summarize, if you are a big guy and two up touring is a high priority you might possibly want to consider something like a Bandit 1250. If you are commuting on your own most of the time and you are not a big guy then I dont think the GSX650F will dissapoint you.

SPOT ON, WHAT HE SAID !!!!!!!

Thanks for the replies.

Potato, your description also supports many of the positive things I've read, which is encouraging.

Goldfish, you and I live near one another - I'm in Perkiomenville. Years ago, I went to the massage school in Quakertown, and the company I worked for built The Swim In Zone, across from the Allentown Business School. Small world - where did you buy you 650F?

Potato, I was wondering why you chose the 650 over the 1250 since you had a prior Bandit??

I have rode both at Bike Week and liked both and I am torn between the two. I like the 1250 Fairing and exhaust better. But like the weight and gauges on the 650 better. Both have enough power to suit me.

I curently have a 650 Ninja and a 900 Vulcan and the big weight difference is over 100lbs between the ninja and the GSX650 and more for the 1250. The upside is I can handle both with the low seat height. (unless I was to get off balance)

Hi Blackie 65,

I was shopping around for a new bike coz the bandit 1200 was:
- too heavy
- too noisy
- too hot (on summer days the air cooled engine used to cook me in traffic)
- didnt have the handling I wanted
- had more power than I ever used

I actually had my heart set on a Sv650 after all the good things I had read over the years, in particular its handling and its very low weight, but after test riding one it was apparent that I just didnt fit on it. The dealer recommended I try the 650F and within seconds I was hooked (which is odd, coz I also wanted a naked bike!)

The 650F was just so precise, modern, looked fantastic, and the engine was well proven in the 650 bandit that has been sold in the UK for a number of years. I also liked the gauges (I love the gear indicator).
After riding the 1200 for so long I knew that I didnt need the power of a 1200, and I didnt want the weight that an engine that size creates.

I have nothing against the new 1250 bandits and may end up owning one sometime in the future, but for now 90% of my riding is going to/from work in traffic, including in the rain, and when riding for fun a lighter and better handling bike is just a whole lot more fun than a bike that can go like a bat out of hell in a straight line but has trouble cornering.

The 650F just suits my needs perfectly. Its reliable, economical, light, its handling is confidence inspiring and it is more than powerful enough (I overtook someone in 3rd gear today and reached 100km/h before I realised it, with more revs available!). The 1250 bandit would have cost more and would not do the kind of riding that I need as well as the cheaper 650F does.

The full fairing will come in handy with the cold in Canberra ,wouldn't even think about a nake bike down there.

Rug up in the morning its going to snow on the hills.

Hey homefront, I got mine from blackman's in emmaus. I first called montgomeryville cycle center and they only had the blue and white one and I had my heart set on the black version. Thought it looked nicer. Blackman's had both colors so I got to compare them side by side. Purchased it the day I went in and brought it home a couple of days later. Love it so far. I know exactly where the Swim In Zone is. I live probably not more than 3 miles from there. It takes me about 2 minutes to get to the new Promenade Shops. Let me know if you want to get together sometime and take a ride. There are some nice roads out behind DeSales that I drove on the other day that I never knew were there. Should be fun. BTW, which dealership did you go to? If you haven't been and want to go to Blackman's, let me know and I'll see if I can go with you. It's always fun just to drive down there and look around.

The company I used to work for also built the Promenade Shops.
I priced it at Montgomeryville Cycle at $6400, which seems pretty good. I prefer the black, too. Mike (the salesman) says he can get me a black one in one to two days if I plunk down a deposit. How did you make out at Blackmans? How is their service? I called there last week and the sales girl I spoke with acted like I had the plague. I'm waiting to see if I get bites on my Sportster before I pull the trigger on the 650F; I'm listing it on Craigslist this week, also at HDforums. It's a nice bike, so it should move.
A ride would be awesome.
Unfortunately, this week will be one year since my son passed away, and we're having a rough time. Families tend to cling together during times like this, and I'm trying to be there for my wife and daughter as the memory of his terrible accident and short time in the hospital revisits us. Once the weekend is past I'll touch base with you via a PM, and we'll make plans. Thanks for the generous offer.

I got the same price quote from montgomeryville also. Do you know if that is with setup and out the door? I forgot to ask them that part. Blackmans first told me 6999 and told them about the MCC's price and they told me if I came in, we could talk about it. Long story short, I got the bike for 6200 with setup and of course tax and tags were extra. after everything was finished I think the I got the bike out door for around 67 or 68. Not terrible I don't guess. The bad thing about Blackmans is they don't want to work with you on gear. All I wanted was a helmet and they told me the best they could do would be to give me 10% off if I got it that day. I should have just packed up and left, but this is my first bike and I had the kid in the candy shop syndrome. You live and you learn right? heh. Anyways, they send you a coupon for 10% off a few days later in the mail. I spoke with Leanne. I wonder if it's the same person you spoke with. She was very helpful with me and talked with me the whole time I was there even though I told her I wasn't sure if this was bike I wanted. I haven't really dealt with the service dept much as I have just now scheduled the initial service. Although, talking with them on the phone, they seemed very nice and answered all my questions. I have ordered a part from the parts dept and they were also pleasant. Had to get a new clutch lever....dropped the bike at a stand still and broke the tip off of it. Still drove it for until the new one came in, but it bugged me. heh. You probably can't go wrong with either dealership. I mainly went with blackmans because they had the bike I wanted and are only about 10 mins from my house. Very convenient. BTW, how much are you wanting for your sportster? I guy here at work is thinking about getting one, but I'm not sure how quickly he is wanting to move on it. Oh, and if you want to test drive the 650F, you're welcome to come over when you have time and drive mine. I start a new class on thurs so I'm not totally sure what my schedule is going to be like, but I'm sure we could figure something out. I'm sorry to hear about your son. I'm sure it is very hard for your family and I'll keep you all in my thoughts.

I'm asking $4200, but $4,000 is what I'm looking for.
1999 Sportster, comes with windshield, custom seats, sissy bar, chrome rack, Screamin Eagle intake (also the stock one), Cycle Shack slip-ons (also the stock ones, and Cycle Shack makes the Screamin Eagle slip-ons - sounds awesome). It has a Progressive Suspension fork kit and a Yost carb kit. It has HD forward controls, which are really nice (also the stock mid-mount parts). The tank says 883, but the original owner, a BMW bike mechanic, installed factory HD 1200 jugs and pistons, as well as the upgrade carb kit. It has 16,000 miles, and runs like new.
My problem is commuting. I travel at least one hundred miles a day, and while I love the Sportster, that kind of mileage doesn't agree with my lower back. I hoping the 650F is an improvement there.
Here's a picture. If your friend's interested, let me know!

Sorry to hear of your sons passing!!!


A little history about me, I am 45 have been riding bikes for more than 27 years as transportation. I have ridden more than 150 models over the years from 2 strokes (street and dirtbikes), to 4 stokes, singles, twins, V twins & V4's, I4, and triples.

As for the bike.
I bought my GSX650F on may 5th, it now has 2900 miles on it. I ride it to work 15 days a month 91.2 miles round trip, the fuel savings are literally making the bike payment.
I am averaging around 50.5-52mpg daily, I check it every fill up and keep records. The best I have gotten is 55.06 the worst is 47.2mpg. I generally shift around 3500-4800rpm depending on if I'm in town or out on the open road. I took my 1st decent trip this last weekend on it (275 miles), went riding with 6 buddies, I had the smallest bike in the bunch. The guys I rode with a had a VTR1000, GSXR1000, Z750, 800 Vulcan, 1100 Shadow and a Road king. The riding covered Interstate, 2 lane highways, country roads and a few tar'd and graveled roads. The bike was flawless, smooth and very responsive on the twisty's and ran great on the Interstate up to about 90mph. The seat is comfortable for about 2 1/2 hours, by then I either need to go to the bathroom or need gas, so that works out great. I get about 175-185 miles on my bike before the reserve light comes on, it usually takes about 3.3-3.5 gallons to fill it back up.
The bike for its size displacement has plenty of low end torque, the hp power starts to come on good at about 6000rpm and starts to build fast at about 8500rpm. The engine does rev kinda high compared to most bikes I have owned but the engine does not feel buzzy and is quite comfortable to ride at 6000rpm for several hours, it is amazingly smooth and super quiet with the factory exhaust. I can actually pull up behind another bike and not have them know it. The riding position is comfortable and the seat has plenty of room to move on. The tach is easy to see and read while riding and the speedo is the same. If I have one complaint about the gauge cluster it is the position of the trip meter and clock in the cluster and the small font. Old man eyes have set in and focusing on these letters for quick reference is difficult due to size and location in the cluster.

The fuel injection makes starting so easy and I'm sure has alot to do with the overall smoothness of the engine.
The factory tires are great in the wet, in fact there the best tires I've ever road on in the rain.
Shifting is smooth and pretty much effortless especially after about 1000 miles on the clock.
The factory small grips leave a little to be desired and padded gloves or different grips are definitely in order.
The fairing is very satisfactory for someone of say up to about 6' tall, after that I would think the windscreen to short. I dislike not having a factory centerstand and may invest in one.

All in all the bike is very, very good in comfort, power, smoothness and handling and for the dollars it is very hard to beat. This has got to be one of the best motorcycles in the world when you look at the dollars spent for the overall bike. The SV650 is the same basic price but the comfort level is just not there.
Oh and this is my 1st Suzuki road bike, I have owned several of there dirtbikes but most of my road bikes have been Honda's