Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

The GSX650F just happens to be my first bike however, I did take a course when I got my license and will be taking a refresher course on a lower cc bike. I have no interest in doing stunts, tricks or break neck speeds so I didn't want to go for something with more power just yet. I think everyone's right; it's about safety, confidence and rider control.

I owned a 1991 GSX600F years ago. It was lighter than the 650F but it didn't feel it. It was very top heavy and I dropped it turning it in the garage. I have only owned the 650F for two days, but I love the way it handles, and the weight feels quite low down. As a 44 year old 5'8" female I don't think I will have problems with it, but will be cautious to start with. Might read the thread about lowering it and consider doing that if any problems. I have been riding a Burgman 400 for a couple of years due to a knee injury and found it very hard to move when stopped due to its width. I would be cautious about letting a learner ride it as there is so much power available very quickly. Found that out today when I went to overtake a truck. A slight flick of the throttle and WOW.

Hi eileencarr and welcome.

You right ,its just a flick of the throttle and it will take off ,if you panic with no much riding experience it could freak you out.

When I got home I was grinning from ear to ear.

Comrades - my first post here.

Got a 2008 edition GSX650F last Saturday, and not had the chance to take it out much since, the weather/work hasn't allowed it.

Used to scratch around on 2-stroke racers back in the day, 350 powervalves in the main. So I'm taking it very easy to start off with.

On my third ride out on it ever today, besides the test-ride, I finally began to really connect with it. Took in some city traffic for the practice in going very, very slowly (1/4 walking pace), lots of stops including on hills, and take-offs at lights. Also took in some country roads and a good blast across the commons - got it up to 88 in a surprisingly short interval. Man, it's growing on me fast.

Like eileencarr I've found it rather top-heavy and a bit awkward to heave about when parking it, paarticularly while maneuvering it around in the garage. And I'm a couple of inches shorter than her too

Once it gets going, there's no problem - but doing a three-point turn on a single lane track nearly got me dropping it on my second run, when hitting the end of a lane. Still not done 50 miles yet, so I'm hoping that will improve.

The power seems more than adequate - it feels and sounds more like a racer once it gets going. That connection I started really developing today leaves me hungry for more, 'bonding' with her like we were a single unit, almost a part of my body. Last time I felt anything like it was on a Yamaha-350LC-ypvs after riding it for 6 months.

Does the body lowering eileencarr mentioned compromise the handling setup? Worth looking into.

Have a good one!

-S.L.

Hi all,

Also my first bike. Got mine in May 2008 and haven't had an accident/drop yet (knock on wood).
Sure, it's on the heavy side, relatively, and an initial handling/riding course always comes highly recommended I guess. The fact is: it's a great motorcycle; got a little of everything: good speed, great handling, superb brakes (although mine's the K8 without ABS )
Shortly stated: I don't think you can go wrong with this baby

My 2 cents.
My son wanted to start riding so I was out looking at bikes for him, mostly GS500's and Ninja EX500's, both twins. I've been riding for 35 years or so, so he wanted to know my opinion. He ended up buying the Ninja for a few reasons, but mostly it was a better deal. I road it the 70 miles to his house. Compared to the GSX the throttle response is less, lower rpm's etc, where I see it as harder to overdrive it and get in trouble. I highly recommend a riding course, which he is taking now. Comparatively the GSX is more top heavy, and to me far easier to over throttle it. Not sure of the weight but it does feel heavier too. I'm 6'2" at 200 lbs, my son is 6'1" at 220. Compared to the Harley FXD I traded in for the GSX and Ninja, I feel like I can just man handle them around but where I've had the crap scared out of me thinking I can go faster, he doesn't have that respect for the motorcycle yet. The other expectation is that new riders will drop one at some time, so for the first couple of years I'd get something you don't mind scratching, that you invest as little as possible at first. I think that anything smaller than the 500 for someone my size would be ridiculous, although I learned on a Honda 360. So, without any riding experience at all I wouldn't recommend the GSX650F. Nice bike, better for commuting than my Harley was, much more nimble, but I'm not convinced it would be a good first bike.

I'd say it depends - GSX-650F is my third bike, the first two were Yamaha YZF-600R's - which is very similar. The biggest difference is displacement, and YZF600's use carburetors only (I don't even think its an option to this day) so starting is kinda a chore - YZF is also quite a bit heavier.

Something about this bike that made me nervous for the first 200-300 miles the throttle was twitchy (example: you could be going through an intersection nice and controlled and it would rev up unexpectedly). Since I've put more miles on it - that issue went away. That sort of thing was never an issue on the YZF, and might be a big issue for an inexperienced rider.

Keep in mind this is a 2008 650F - maybe its not an issue in 2009/2010 models. Anyhow as long as a new rider respects the bike (its very powerful compared to the ones they use in the msf classes) he/she will be just fine.

No definitely not a first bike IMO, unless you buy the restricted (LAMS) version available over here in Oz. Even some of the reviews over here for the LAMS version still recommend you do and advanced riding course before you buy it.

After having numerous spurts on bikes since I was a kid, I decided to get back into serious riding about 2 half years ago. After doing and advanced course, I started back on a GS500 and found that to be a brilliant bike to get back to my basics and to test my capabilities again.

I did outgrow it quickly only as I needed more power, so I only kept it for 12months, but I did do 12,000ks on it!!!

I found the transition to the GSX650F quiet easy as an upgrade. as far the power was concerned, (love the fuel injection) but a few things that took me a while to get used to was the dry weight difference, the width of the seat and the weight in the front end.

Being a female with not the longest legs, it took me a while to adjust to being on my toes when motionless and the weight really threw me for a while, but as with anything you get used to it.

I don't think any learner should be on a bike with 220kilo in weight and with fuel injection. The torque and the weight together can be a very deadly weapon for an inexperienced rider.

Yes, good bike, but in my opinion , for first bike , its heavy and need more experience , the motor is very fast and I', believe one 250 cc for first is better.

The GSX650F is my first motorcycle and if I had to do it all over again I wouldn't start on anything less. I'm 6'1" 160 lbs and although the weight was a bit much after taking the MSF course on a 280 lb TW200, I quickly adjusted. I felt cramped on the Ninja 250R and do not like the GS500F or Ninja 500R. Also, fuel injection is a huge plus. I've been riding now for just over two months. I've got about 3500 miles on the bike and have loved every mile. I have made it a point to respect the power as a new rider, and I feel any mature adult should have no problem starting on a bike with this much power. It's the 18 year old kids that think they're gonna impress all their friends with their new bike that need to start on a 250. If you are tall and mature enough for the power this bike is fine to start on. If you are a bit short, it may be a lot to handle but as others have said you get used to it. If you're trying to impress someone or go racing on the street, you should start on a 250, or perhaps just avoid riding altogether.

Kind of a loaded question. The answer really depends on the type of bike the rider plans on riding in the future (cruiser, sport tour, super sport, etc.). Then you'll have alllllll the opinions to wade through. My personal one is that, depending on the persons size, they should start out on a well used 250/500 to get bike handling techniques down before moving up to more powerful machines. They're not as expensive to replace if crashed, and a bit less likely to get themselves seriously hurt on while learning.

I voted Yes and No. I think the correct answer is "depends" on the rider.
I would say No for young or short riders because of its heavy weight and high riding position.
I have had both Ninja 250 and Ninja 500. They are less powerful and much easier to ride (but gets boring after a while) and not to mention lower cost of insurance.
I felt Ninja 250 is very underpowered, small (I'm 6 feet/165lbs) and not suitable for highway riding (blown away even in light winds). Ninja 500 was much better, stable and reasonable power, which gave me confidence in highway riding.
GSX can be a good starter bike if you are really tall, heavy and responsible rider.
In fact I believe anyone can start in any kind of bike as long as they respect the bike and know what they are doing.
Unfortunately not every one knows what they are doing, so its better for them to start with Ninja 500 or GS500.
As DragonRider mentioned above, it will be cheaper to fix if it gets dropped or crashed.

Its a great bike for a beginner. Given that they would have some training and prior experience with bikes. Confidence is key as well. not too much off the hop or you might wipe out but enough to get you going I just bought a ninja zx6 R and i wouldnt recommend it, even though its lighter, lower, and manuevers better, and i bet you guys with the stock seats might believe this but its actually more comfortable than the gsxf. But it feeds on revs. at 8000 your only half way through the revs and she feels like shes floating on air. But a 10000 to 15500 you better hold the F**k on because shes goin wether you are or not

Tons of great information in here. I've been riding a Ducati Monster 620ie for the past 2 years and I'm considering the GSX650F for it's touring potential.

I'm 5'7" and concerned about the height and weight based on the comments I've seen. I sat on a GS500F yesterday at a dealer and I was flat footed and comfortable.

I also sat on a Ninja Z6r (I think that's it). My feet were flat, but almost directly beneath my shoulders.

I looked up the seat heights online later on. The ninja is listed as 32.5" seat height, and the GSX650F is listed as 31.5" so I think it shouldn't be an issue (I've got to drive 3 hours to have a look at the bike soon).

My Monster's seat height is 29" or so and it is cramped.