Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Hi everyone i am new to this site. I am very excited to say that i just sold my Suzuki s40 boulevard and am now looking at buying a 08 GSX650F blue/white. I have just a few questions about the bike and also just read about a recall for the 08 GSX650F that i might want to look into. I don't want to drag thing things out so i will get right to the point. I have no doubt i will buy this bike i hope with in the next couple of weeks. I was wondering what people are getting for gas mileage ? i also keep seeing people say this is a great beginner bike?? i don't get that one only because i came off a single cylinder 650cc with lots of great torque and i did test drive this GSX650F and i loved it. This bike really has a wow factor for me and plenty of power to say the least. I don't consider myself a beginner i have been riding for about 4 years. This bike fits all my needs and more for what i have been looking at.

Last thing i have done a ton of research and test drove a kawasaki ninja 650r and a yamaha fz6r and in my opinion the GSX650F would not only whoop both bikes but is a winner in my book. The GSX650F just is packed with features that i really like and for a sporty yet sport touring kind of bike i think this will fit me for the next several years.

Let me know your thoughts from those who own a GSX650F

Thanks

I average 45-49 mpg reguardless how I ride on regular unleaded. So ride hard, and have fun, you are gonna love your new bike. I had a Ninja 250, CBR900, CBR600, and now my GSX650F, and I can see me holding on to this baby for a loooooong time! Best bike I have ever had!

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/64 ... ee9e7.jpg/

With your riding experience the 650F will be a sensible step up. As to whether it makes a good beginners bike, opinion is varied. I would say "no". I haven't measured the fuel economy for a while but I do recall it was not much better than my old Bandit 1200, but obviously compared to a car you are way ahead (other than a Nissan Micra, which I know comes pretty close. But the micra is not as much fun )

EDIT: here is some fuel economy info for you : http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/suzuki/gsx-650f

Fuel economy?
You're doing it wrong...

I rode 530 k on saturday. 6 hour ride roughly. I hazard to guess I burned a tank of fuel. 3 hours of the ride was spent leasurie cruising at 100 kph site seeing, the other 3 hours the bike was doing anywhere from 130 to 180. and after getting off the bike I wasn't cripple lol sooo comfy I love my gsx! best of both worlds!

I see 48-50 MPG no matter how I ride. I came from a Harley Superglide. The GSX650F isn't a light weight, and is pretty tall. Some on this forum have found out the bad side of that. The seating is very different from a cruiser style, but as is I find it more comfortable. I'm 6'2" and 190 lbs. Lots of power, good maneuvering ability, etc. Its a great sport/tourer. And the real clincher was the price. Many here got their's for $5K-$6K...as left over 2008's. Not a great resale value though.

I can get 50 mpg if I behave myself.

I get about 42 when I'm eff-the-world-it's-wide-open-throttle-time.

The biggest drawback of the GSXF for beginners/new to sport bike people is the weight. It's going to be a lot lighter than your boulevard, of course, but the weight will be higher up. You should be fine as long as you don't get careless during the low-speed stuff.

I like mine a lot.

I'm right at 45 or so and do a lot of traffic. Mileage should be no problem.

On the weight issue, it is slightly heavier than the s40, but no big deal.

As Kreepster said; sure you'll get from A to B for just a coupla bucks, but really its destination "C" (the place you go just for the hell of it) that blows the fuel economy. FWIW I did shift up a tooth on the front sprocket, not to save fuel fuel, but to get the revs down a little at highway speeds. Worth considering.

Don't sweat it. Great bike, loads of fun.

Cheers, Matt

I wish I would get 40 to 45 when I get on the bike. I usually do shorter trips which doesn't help but I've seen as low as 30-32. I run 91+ octane. Any suggestions from those who get mid 40's on what to possibly look into for increasing mileage?

On the fuel thing yep great mileage AND on REGULAR wooo hooo.

Thank you all for the great comments. So i have decided to buy this bike tomorrow. it is a 08 blue/white with 1100 miles. The bike is almost flawless has just a couple of scratches on it but very very small. The seller is also throwing in cortech saddle bags black in color and look great with the bike. the sale price is going to be $4200 and i feel it is a fair price for what i am getting. my only concern is the current owner changed the oil and says he thinks he put Synthetic oil in. but then said i just used what the owners manual said to use. So i called a suzuki shop where i live and they said Synthetic is not recommended with such low miles on the bike. I have also heard that once you use Synthetic you cannot switch back. i just really don't want the cost of Synthetic oil is all. i don't mind what Synthetic offers for a motor.

any thoughts would be great. I hope to purchase the bike tomorrow.

Thanks

It is a great beginner bike, I got mine a week ago and this is the first bike I have ever ridden (i rode a scooter before this).
I am what one would call a beginner, never been on a bike, never changes gears on a bike, never had to worry about foot breaks and I was able to literally ride it off the floor.
It's taken about a week to get use to the amount of power this bike has, but if you treat her well, she will play nice with you.

lilmatty 1,
Starting another discussion on whether to use synthetic oil or not is akin to starting a religious war. Some swear by it, others say it doesn't matter. Some say synthetic improves shifting, others don't notice. Do what you are comfortable with. Personally I just make sure that I religiously change my oil every 3500 miles or so and I use Castrol Motorcycle oil.
Do an internet search for motorcycle oil comparisons and make up your own mind. I've never had an "oil failure." The best price I've found on motorcycle oil is at Walmart

Just wanted to pipe in here, as a prospective 650F owner. I was wondering about rider comfort. It seems like an amazing bike from what I've read, and when I sit on it at the dealer, it's quite comfortable.....but of course that doesn't mean it will be nice after three or four hundred miles.
So do you guys find it a comfortable bike for longer hauls?

PS--Brickslinger.....beautiful bike!!

PPS---the other bike I have my eye on is a Triumph Tiger 800 Super comfortable bike!!