Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Hey guys, new member from NJ here. I'm still a 'squid' in relative terms, but I'm not new to two wheels or street bikes. Up until now I have always enjoyed ATV's and dirtbikes; my experience on street motorcycles consisted of taking my Dad's bikes out, never had one to call my own yet. I've had my motorcycle license for a few years now (22 years old) and I spent the last two seasons mostly on an SV650 or a tall Kawasaki dual-sport bike. Well pops decided he wanted to sell the old bikes and buy a Moto-Guzzi (no comment on that ), but I don't think he'll let me take his new baby out for a spin on days he's not using it. ATV riding is a blast, I love that there's no speed limit, no traffic, no police, and getting way out in the middle of nowhere. But the trails behind my house are just about gone, the last bit of free land is currently being leveled for yet another subdivision. So I'm selling my 2007 Honda Rincon and I'm in the market for a bike around the same value ($4000-$5000).

I've always loved the GSXR lineup, but those crotch rockets just aren't practical. I'm lucky to have some legitimately awesome roads right at the end of my driveway, there's some beautiful areas you can explore for hours and hours. A gixxer would probably work great if that's all I was doing, but here's the wrench in my spokes; I commute into NYC 3-4 days a week. I HATE NJTransit and their trains, my local branch has the oldest and most worn out train cars that squeak and rattle, break down often etc. Plus they're slow! An hour and a half to go 25 miles. Spending $20 a day to ride this joke is becoming unbearable. I'd drive my truck, but 14mpg is a killer and it winds up costing me more money. When driving in, I either drive right into the financial district or park at a private lot on the other side of the Hudson river. Either way there is a good 20mins of interstate and some lousy city streets to contend with, not fun on a sport bike.

So with all this backround info it's finally time for my question! I'm looking for honest opinions from riders on the weight of the GSX650 and I'm hoping to get some input from some smaller riders. I'm 5'7" on a good day and around 135lbs. I have ridden full fledged touring bikes and I can balance them alright, but good grief they're a beast to lug around (Goldwing/BMW1200). I have some time on a dual-sport bike too, nice and light but the seat's so damn tall I can barely get one foot on the ground. The SV650 was a nice machine for my size but with no fairings I wasn't very comfortable on the highway. I have heard vastly different opinions on the weight of the GSX650F, most folks that say it's a pig and way too heavy have never ridden one, they go off the specs. It seems there is a good bit of animosity towards this bike from all sorts of different riders, but everyone that has actually thrown a leg over and taken one for a spin seems to love the GSX. Terms like 'planted' and 'silky smooth' seem to be very popular. I'm not looking for a motorcycle to race around on, I want a confident and comfortable commuter that I can have plenty of fun messing around with as well. Unlike most kids my age I'm more into the road and the scenery than looking cool and going fast.

For those that want a clif notes version, would you recommend this machine to a smaller rider? I have been on 2 wheels all my life and I'm confident that I could ride this bike no problem, but is it going to be comfortable on tight switchbacks and a bit of city driving? With around a 30" inseam am I going to be able to put both my feet down? Any insight would be great! Thanks,

-Chris-

Moving a GSX around, with a full tank in your garage, that can be a handful. Just like an FJR1300..they are only heavy until you let out the clutch

Im 5'7 at 170lbs. The only time I have trouble with the weight is if I don't plan out my parking. I'm destined to look like an idiot if I end up having to back out of a spot up a hill. This is my first bike, and I have absolutely no problems. I can walk it just fine on a full tank and my tippy toes. Just not uphill.

Good info, thanks guys. Yeah I guess I pulled a 'newbie' move and didn't bother reading through some of the longer threads in this forum, specifically the poll about whether or not this is a good first bike. Found lots of good info there about weight, balance seat height etc.

I have noticed these bikes are very tricky to find used... there is one dealer about 40mins away who has a black '08 listed at $4,199 US. It has 2235 miles on it and is advertised as 'all stock, only a few scratches on left side engine case'. Seems like the price is steep, but I'm sure there's room to bargain. Obviously I'd have to check out the extent of these 'scratches' but it sounds like someone just tipped the bike over. Not the end of the world I suppose. I've had luck in the past haggling over accessories instead of a price reduction and this dealer has a large inventory of exhaust systems, I think I'll be able to have them throw in a Yoshimura R-77 with the bike for that price.

The only thing I couldn't quite figure out is if someone my height can flat-foot this motorcycle. Not a deal-breaker for me but it'd be nice. Next weekend I think I'll go check out the black '08 unless I find something else before then.

At 53, 5' 2" , and riding all of about only 4 years now, the 650F has been great! Unless your strapping it to your back, the weight is fine when you are moving (especially good for the stability in windy conditions). My bike was lowered 2 inches, but you shouldn't need it lowered for your height. I also use it more for commuting and average about 50 mpg in the summer. It is a pain to be short when moving it around in the garage, but that's the only downfall I have seen so far.

like I said... I'm 5'7 and I'm on my toes

Hi mate and welcome.

Just see how you go when at the dealers moving it around on you toes ,I'm alittle taller then you but not by much and have no trouble....you can get the dealer to lower it 1 inch for you. It won't worry the bikes handling with a small drop.
With the weight ,its just planing where your parking like catflip said ,don't park nose first on a hill and you won't have a problem trying to push it up hill backwards ,done it my self when I got the bike ,never done it again.
Like you said ,on paper it looks heavy for a 650 compaired to a GIXXER 600 racer bike and it is ,but the people that say that its a pig also havn't ridden one and spend most of there time out side a coffee shop looking at them selves in the windows in a $2000 matching suzuki leather suit ,and don't have a clue ,there is 1000's of bikes weigh more then ours.
But we have a smaller motor then some ,but its geared right with power at all RPM and does 240 kph, when our speed limit is 120kph here ...its enought to give you a thrill on the weekends .You have riden before ,so 90% of the people that drop the bike from the weight is newbie mistakes ,could happen on a 250cc ....like stoping with the handle bars turned fully.
Your commute is perfect for this bike ,great on the freeways in wind and getting into the city.

Just test ride it and see how you go.

Oh and if your worried about heavy bikes in the twistys ...look here , with a 363 kg (800.3 pounds) Goldwing .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrMQ3QwyPo

F.W.I.W.:
The GSX650F is likely the most stable bike I have ever owned in crosswinds.
Moving it around @ parking lot speeds, well exersize all due caution.... but not a biggie after you get the "feel" for it.
Do not B.S. yourself thinking you can use it as a dualsport...... It'll leave a mark on your hide, and scratch up the bike as well.
Those cautions aside, you'll love it!

As far as the GoldWing video;
So the vast majority of riders cannot ride their way out of a K-Mart parking lot????
Yea, He's good but, more importently, He's SMOOOOTH!
I learned years ago that to go faster, you need to go smoother & usualy, seemingly slower in order to go faster..... I learned this when earning my SCCA Pro racing liscense.
This Is a Classic Case In Point of this.

Hi. I'm 46 and this is my first bike. I took the MSF course and bought the 650F in march of 09 (black version- I heard its better). I'm not a speed demon and exercise restraint because of my lack of experience. I have had no problem at all with any aspect of the bike. I did drop the bike but it was a WAY newbie mistake. I tried to get off of it without putting the stand down. Luckily my left leg cushioned the fall and nothing important or expensive cracked. I was so pissed that I easily pick the thing up by myself. I am 6 feet, weigh about 160. In laws a few inches shorter than me have sat on my bike with no hassles. I know it can be lowered a few inches. As for low speeds, I have 1000's of miles on a bicycle and my balance is very good so Ih ave never had any issues in tight spots (and I practicce a lot intempty parking lots. I can eaisly do a u-turn without hitting any lines). With your experience I would think this would be a good bike for you. Compared to the sv500, it is bigger. I know because I sat on that first and it was just too small (I'm glad because the 650 is a much nicer power level for me- meaning that I didnt do anything stupid and now I can use the power.
I live in andover (sussex county) where do you live? Jack Trebour has a black 08 for sale around $4000 it has an electric hook I think for clothes. Don't know the miles on it.

If you test ride the GSX650F and find the weight is more than you like you can always find the faired version of the SV650F:



That being said I have been riding bikes for 30 years now, all of my road bikes have been close to the weight of the GSX650F, sporty bikes only really started getting lighter in the late 80's, my original 750 Interceptor weigh'd 505lbs dry. I rid mine 45 miles one way to work 4 days a week in the late spring, summer and early fall, saves tons of money over driving my truck.

I bought my wife a gsx650f for her first bike. She is 5'4" and Asian. She handles it well sitting on it. I believe the weight helps on the highway when the when is up or passing a semi (I ride a FJR1300 also known as a heavy bike). At your H/W you shouldn't have much of a problem. Remember your right foot is suppose to stay on the brake when your stopped.

In your situation, I would go for a GS500F. Fully faired, very low weight, very nice and easy to ride and as far as economical commuters are concerned, it has no competition. Many people would rightly describe it as dull and gutless, but if you are mainly commuting, these are qualities that you will appreciate.

well i have had both the 650 and the 500 (well my wife has) the 500 sucks!

Now my wife is 5 7 140 pounds (don't tell her i told you guys lol) and she has never droped the bike or even had a close call.

The bike is lowerd 1 inch front and rear cost was 35.00 big deal.

I suggest the 650 just lower 1 inch and you will be fine.

Mate i'm 5"7' with a 29 inch inside seam. I wear sidi road touring boots so a very thin sole on them. I get the balls of feet on the ground, so not tippy toes or move your bum over a bit to one side and get one whole foot on the ground. My suspension is still on the factory settings.

But as some of the others have said think before you stop. Put your foot down on the high side if the ground slopes. Sounds simple but it will catch you out.

Thanks for all the info! You guys really put me at ease about the weight. Lowering an inch might be nice simply from a comfort aspect, but I'm not worried about making it an immediate change. I've been reading hundreds of different articles and forum posts this past week and after cutting through all the BS and reading between the lines I have still not found a better motorcycle that fits most of my criteria.

Now the trouble is finding one to purchase at a decent price...