Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

I actually bought the GSX650F because it is so LIGHT! Within 20 seconds of my test ride I decided that it was the bike I wanted. I had also read all the bad press about the weight but now I own the bike I have no idea what they were on about. They must have been riding 250cc's all thier lives. Also, in my mind the superlight sports bikes are light because they have compromised the strength of the bike's components which is a real turn off for me.
Most of my riding is commuting in traffic and I have no problems splitting lanes, dribbling slowly through traffic or manouvering into tight parking spots.
I traded in my Bandit 1200 and it felt like going from a tractor to a ferarri. I also find that I don't miss the extra power the 1200 had, the only time you use it is on loooong straight roads, the rest of the time the weight of the engine is just a pain. The 650F has more than enough power to ride insane, if thats what you want.
So anyway, for anyone who is considering the GSX650F but is put off by the weight, don't make a decision till you actually take it for a test ride.

I have complained about the weight in other areas of the forum , I can say now that it is not really an issue once you get used to it. As others have said, the weight of the bike is definently a plus on long rides and high speed stability is great . New windscreen-wind buffeting and bugs gone . New slip on exhaust-more usable power and better tone . Tank cover-much easier gripping the bike with the legs=more control . Slight adjustments will help this bike out tremendously, and for far less money than one would expect. In my opinion best deal out there so far .

Brian,
Pic - pics please - from your avatar your bike looks awsome with the bigger screen.... the yoshi exhaust looks sick !!!

I can admit that at first the weight was an issue to me. i went from a 100cc dirtbike that weighed maybe 150lbs. learned to ride street bikes on my buddies gsxr600. when doing my research for my own bike the only thing that made me apprehensive about the 650f was the weight issue i kept reading about. Once at the bike shop and sitting on the bike i really did notice the extra weight. I really dont have anything to compare that to other than two extremely light bikes wich to me almost seemed to light (the gsxr feels like nothin under you). The first few days with the gsxf i did have to struggle with it a bit, but only while pushing it up an incline. Now that ive had it a few months, ive adjusted my technique for unassisted moves and i dont notice it at all anymore. Im tall but skinny (6'3' 160 pounds) and as the bike is almost four times as heavy as me i can push her around like nothin now. As far as the weight goes during a ride i feel the extra weight is an advantage. I feel solid as a rock on the road cuttin traffic and taking twistys. I could not be happier with my purchase and plan to ride this bike for years. If i were ever to upgrade to a "sportier" bike it would be something extremely similar ie gsxr750 most likely. And i would most likely keep to gsxf just my two cents

I'm coming off a 2006 Sportster that was 585 lbs wet.

I have no idea what everyone is talking about concerning weight....lol.

Compared to that, this bike is a featherweight.

Seriously though, one of the issues I had with my V-Strom was that it's height combined with its light weight allowed it to be blown all over the place in our high desert winds here in Vegas.

No such issues so far with the 650F.

I've tested GSX 650f in the citty, spltting traffic and doing hard turns. Mass wasn't an issue at all, because bike is well balanced and the seat is low.

However, there are some problems with mass:
1. braking problem, the more you weight the further you go
2. braking pads wear quicker
3. acceleration from slow speeds (under 60mph) suffers

There are also big plusses:
1. bike feels stable and thus relaxing. I like that.
2. wind is no problem. overtaking big vehicles is not a problem
3. slight reluctance to set into turn is a huge plus for me - I don't like nervous bikes
4. as weight was already high, suzuki thought it would be nice to take a pillon and luggage - one of most capable bikes currently (210kg of added weight!). This means I can have alot of sussages for dinner )))
5. I have an excuse for myselve when splitting traffic, not to go into every slightes space. I never liked that anyway.

i compared a v-strom (i called it a v storm for almost a week lol) and the gsx650f and to be honest even though the v-strom is lighter i found the foot pegs got in the way when trying to push it around while on the bike.

I came from a CBR125R which in comparison was like riding a push bike.

the only problems I've ever had with the weight are having to extend my braking distances after "Spirited" riding as the brakes fade quickly now and can't stop me as sharp as they once could. As my bike is 33bhp restricted(just) I can feel the weight slightly more when I want to press on a bit, but even so it'll still out do most hot hatches and crack into three figure speeds (on private roads)

when I change my pads in a month or two I'll probably go premium on all the goodies I can and go for braided hoses for the bling factor aswel.

I've filtered through rush hour London(several times) and cruised for hours on the motorway and all in all I can honestly say that this bike is perfect for me at the moment. the weight may be more than a super sharp focused track weapon like the GSXR, but the bike is balanced and well designed and does everything I ask of it without complaint every time I thumb the starter

I am not a owner YET, but after riding around a ninja 250 and getting blown around in the wind, the weight is going to be very welcome for hiway and bridges since i live in the river city (jacksonville, FL).

My last bike was a kawasaki 1600 vulcan classic.
It was so heavy it had its own gravity well
240 pounds more than the 650F.
I LOVE the 650f...light as a feather by comparison.
but enough size to feel real..

I road my buddy's 05' R6 the other day when i went to visit him at his school, WAY to light. Caught by a stiff cross breeze doing about 100kmh i swear the tires slid 2feet or more out from under me. not to mention its impossibly uncomfortable to ride for more than 20 minutes. It really made me appreciate the weight the 650F has. especially on the highway

Have my new 650f and have drove in windy areas and this bike is not going anywhere, that is way better then and light bike, i know what ya mean sully feels like the tires are getting pulled right out from under you. only real issue with weight is backing up and moving the back around. besides that no prob.

If the bike weighed less, it certainly would not be a very comfortable TOURING bike. The GSX650F is not a racing bike, so it does not need to be light.

I previously rode a Ninja 250. I really appreciate my GSX650F because it does not get blown around by the wind; it hugs the road; and I actually have to make it do its thing in the curves. The Ninja 250 pretty much did curves by itself because it was light weight.

I was thinking about this topic as I rode around on the weekend, and my opinion is that the weight is only ever noticeable if you £uck up!

At high speeds it might take a little bit more effort to flick the bike from side to side, but I think this just gives more control as you actually have to concentrate on your inputs and you aren't going to overshoot it.

At low speeds it is completely fine if you are correctly using counterbalance and the right gear with the right amount of throttle. If you stuff up I am sure it makes it much more difficult to recover (i.e. if you have to put your foot down you're probably more likely to break your ankle or drop the bike anyway) than a lighter bike, but for that reason you just have to be more careful not to stuff up.

I switch regularly between my bike and my mate's Triumph Street Triple and he never notices the weight difference. We both just comment that it takes a bit more effort to flick the GSXF.

I like the fact that I don't feel like I'm riding a broomstick on two wheels. I find the weight compliments the overall size and balance of this particular bike. So far I've been caught in many different situations and riden away saying "I'm glad I've got a heavier bike", but not once have I ever said or needed to say "damn I wish my bike was lighter".

I see the so called extra weight as a positive thing.