Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

I am seriously considering a GSX650F for purchase. From what I've read the only real issue with the bike has been suspension. This is based on the opinions of review authors, many of whom can be very nit-picky, so I need to ask real owners this question: Would you modify the forks or shock? I tend to ride aggressively and probably should be looking at a GSXR for the kind of suspension performance I desire, but I need the comfort the GSXF offers. Has anyone here modified their bike?

I've never ridden the gsx650f on the track , so i can't comment there, + the gsx was not designed for a track , but on everyday roads the suspension's fine imo, remember realistically the top speed is only 210-220km max so the standard suspension copes with this speed all day long.


If you end up buying one you'll be very happy. Good luck.

The 650F is an "entry level" bike, and as such has a budget suspension. I'm sure you could upgrade it, but for the $$ that would take, I'm not sure it's worth it. I am happy with the suspension on this bike, it has more adjustments than I'm ready to worry about (for now). I use it for commuting and spirited weekend jaunts which can be somewhat aggressive, but my style of riding isn't the type where I'm trying to eliminate the chicken strip entirely. I'm no knee dragger (yet).

I object to the way it is marketed as a beginner bike. It's too heavy. It should be marketed as the touring sport champion it is (even if that might be good for some, but not all, beginners). It's worked out great for me as my first bike, because I'm a relatively heavy dude, and I wanted a compromise between sport and touring, but I'm not sure every learner will share that experience.

I'm not sure why this bike is marketed as a beginner's bike either. I'm not a beginner and I have owned faster bikes (VFR800, Speed Triple, TDM850) yet it still appeals to me as a comfortable do-it-all kind of real world motorcycle that doesn't bust the budget. I spent a LOT of $$ keeping the VFR and Speed Triple just in tires alone. The GSXF seems cheaper on fuel, tires, repairs, etc.

I shudder to think what would have happened to me if the 650F was my first ever bike. I have been riding for 15 years and find the 650F to be more than enough, and a lot more fun than the larger bikes I have owned.

As for suspension, the rear shock has pre-load as well as rebound adjustability so it should be fine for an average rider. The forks are your standard budget items but there are cheap upgrades you can do, such as adding progressive springs, spring spacers, performance valves, playing with different oil weights etc.

Also remember that bike reviewers are pretty picky about everything (after all, it would be a pretty dull review if all it said was "pretty good bike, no real problems at all"). If most of your riding is on public roads I think the 650F is good enough for all but the most irresponsible of riders.

I didn't say beginner bike, I said entry level. Yep, entry level sport / touring bike. Don't get your hackles up, I don't think much over a 250 should be a beginner bike myself. The GSX650F is marketed as an entry level sport / touring bike, a stepping stone if you will to one of the big sport touring or hot super sports.

No hackles here Every dealer I shopped described it using the word "beginner". Your mileage may vary I guess.

Dealers will say anything to sell a bike.

Quite so and that was part of my point. Sorry if I made it sound like something else.