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Post subject: Re: i have an 09 gsx650...corners..not so good
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 3:12 am
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Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:44 pm Posts: 58 Location: South Louisiana USA
Parrott, you are correct about this bike not wanting to turn in easily. I have a Yamaha FZ1 and a Yamaha FJR 1300,and both of those bikes turn in much easier than the GSX650F. In fact, I've owned over a dozen bikes, and other than heavy cruisers, the zuk has the heaviest steering i've encountered. I've run Shinko, Bridgestone, and Michelin tires on it, and it reacts the same. You'll just have to get used to it. It's still a fun bike to ride. Good luck.
Post subject: Re: i have an 09 gsx650...corners..not so good
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:33 am
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Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:54 am Posts: 7
I disagree on the bikes steering. Most of the guys I ride with are on Gixxers and Busas. I have no problem chasing them up and down mountain roads. I admit you do have to "throw" the bike into the corner, but once there she stays planted. Roll on the throttle smoothly. This does two things for me. First it reduces drive lash, which can upset the bike a bit. Secondly, it helps prevent the back wheel from stepping out.
The Gixxers and Busas run away from me on the straights of course, but in the curves, I reel them back in. This bike may be too heavy for you to ride in the way that you'd like. Good luck. I'd suggest the Orange one though. It seems to be the quickest, and corners much better than the "other" colors.
Post subject: Re: i have an 09 gsx650...corners..not so good
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:18 pm
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Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:24 am Posts: 587 Location: Antioch CA
'Other colors" do good too......................
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Uhh ..........under the circumstances no, getting better, yes........ 1st one had 1700 miles on it, this one has just under 1000 miles ( but thank you for the compliment, I am getting better though) the only difference was the first bike I wore a backpack, the second bike I used saddle bags more often, but I rode both bike with out any luggage.
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Post subject: Re: i have an 09 gsx650...corners..not so good
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:17 am
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Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:54 am Posts: 7
Johnbigdog wrote:
Uhh ..........under the circumstances no, getting better, yes........ 1st one had 1700 miles on it, this one has just under 1000 miles ( but thank you for the compliment, I am getting better though) the only difference was the first bike I wore a backpack, the second bike I used saddle bags more often, but I rode both bike with out any luggage.
The newer bike could just have a better feel. If its setup (suspension) differently, it will feel lighter when cornering. Just an observation.
Post subject: Re: i have an 09 gsx650...corners..not so good
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:30 am
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Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:51 am Posts: 185 Location: Canberra, Australia
+1 for those who mentioned tyres. The OEM Bridgestone tyres really seem basic to me. I noticed a huge difference when I went to Dunlop RoadSmarts which I used for almost two years. Last week I put on my first set of Michelins and then headed for the Snowy Mountains for four days to scrub them in. What a huge difference. Although it still is a bit heavy to steer it now leans over very smoothly and there certainly is no issue in 'flicking' it from one side to the other. Having said that, I'm not the most advanced of riders and don't have any recent experience on other bikes to compare it with. Being a Sports Tourer I wouldn't expect much more from it. A friend with a GSX1000 rode it once and didn't have anything bad to say about it and he hit the pegs on the first corner he tried. Bottom line, I think the advice given here sounds good but at the end of the day it's going to be the skill of the rider that makes the most difference.
I'd be interested to know how you go in the long run. Have fun, stay safe!
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Post subject: Re: i have an 09 gsx650...corners..not so good
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:09 pm
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Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:54 am Posts: 7
The 650F is in my opinion an amazing bike. Its a sports tourer, and it excels in both areas. Well, with the exception of the stock seat on long rides. It is a very heavy bike, 540lbs dry I believe (my new bike only weighs 369lbs dry), however, it steers very well. As has been mentioned before, you really do have to "flick" it into corners to get it leaned over. But once there, especially with good tires, it will hold it's line until you snap it back up. To be honest, my 650f steers from one side to the other as good if not better than my sports bike.
Post subject: Re: i have an 09 gsx650...corners..not so good
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:36 am
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Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 10:54 pm Posts: 130 Location: Toronto
I think if you firm up the rear by one click and soften the front a bit it'll turn-in better. Adjust from there. And make sure your tire pressures are correct.
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Post subject: Re: i have an 09 gsx650...corners..not so good
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:50 pm
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Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:00 am Posts: 95 Location: USA
I installed a 110 80 17 bias tire on the front, that change improved handling 100%. Stearing is much lighter and turn in is much better. Looks like I will get much longer tire life as well, I have over 3,000 miles on the biias front tire with 19K total miles on the bike. I will never go back to radial on the front of this bike but will prpbably keep running radials on the rear. (I have over 40yrs riding experience)
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What a huge difference. Although it still is a bit heavy to steer it now leans over very smoothly and there certainly is no issue in 'flicking' it from one side to the other. Having said that, I'm not the most advanced of riders and don't have any recent experience on other bikes to compare it with. Being a Sports Tourer I wouldn't expect much more from it. A friend with a GSX1000 rode it once and didn't have anything bad to say about it and he hit the pegs on the first corner he tried. Bottom line, I think the advice given here sounds good but at the end of the day it's going to be the skill of the rider that makes the most difference.
It is a very heavy bike, 540lbs dry I believe (my new bike only weighs 369lbs dry), however, it steers very well. As has been mentioned before, you really do have to "flick" it into corners to get it leaned over. But once there, especially with good tires, it will hold it's line until you snap it back up. To be honest, my 650f steers from one side to the other as good if not better than my sports bike. 
