Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Hi, has anyone tested these 2 bikes back to back? i was looking to see what your thoughts were, i will be buying one of these 2 real soon but no demos in my area for a few months yet..

I didnt know suzuki were importing the bandit 650 into Australia, are they ?

***EDIT *** - saw your name and thought u lived in Brisbane, Australia. DOH!

Apparently it's the same bike without a fairing.

Only difference performance wise is the bandit 650 engine mapping for less revs.

The salesman told me he owned a 650 bandit in england and said the gsx650f is a bit more sporty if you like otherwise the same .

I like! Thanks for sharing the observation.

Hi Briso,

Yes, I rode both bikes back-to-back for a couple of hours each.

It is true that they are basically the same bike in many respects (engine, chasis, etc) but they do ride quite differently - probably due to the slightly different riding position. The key differences between them are:

- GSXF has different bars with a more forward position - Bandit more upright
- GSXF exhaust dowpipes are thinner producing more low end torque
- GSXF has different clocks - digital speedo etc
- GSXF has a very useful digital gear position indicator - Bandit doesn't
- Bandit 650SA comes with ABS as standard in UK - wasn't available on the 650F but may be now on the K9 model - you'd need to check
- Bandit was £500 cheaper than GSXF in UK despite Bandit having ABS as standard
- Front tyre compound on both bikes is different
- ECU (fuel injection system) mapping is slightly different on both bikes
- Headlights different - argueably Bandit better
- Seat different - GSXF one piece, Bandit stepped 2 piece
- Bandit has centre stand as std, optional on the 650F
- Bandit half fairing (on SA model), GSXF full fairing

When I went to my local dealer, I was convinced the Bandit was the bike for me. I loved the idea of ABS and the lower price tag. Didn't mind the looks on paper too. Have to say that I preferred the riding position of the GSXF (turned in better with the slightly more forward riding position) and thought it was much better looking. Love the gear indicator and digital speedo. Didn't realise it lights up red until I rode it for the first time at night! I regularly take my daughter (age 12) out on the back and she holds onto me, not the grab rail. The one piece seat on the 650F was much better for her as she tended to slip down the large step in the Bandit seat - took her out on the test rides as we share the bike!!

Think that they have introduced a new Bandit for 2009 which might be different again so would be interested to hear how you get on.

Cheers Stolly

Thanks for that Stolly.. yes the new 09 650 bandit does have new clocks something similar to the gsx,and new lights and fairing, at first i liked the GSX better and have tested one and really liked it,but now ive seen the 09 bandit i think it may be better value, with the stainless down pipes,ABS,centre stand,Chrome handle bars,IMO a better seat, can you tell me was the power in the bikes pretty close? plus what about the weight..think the bandit might be slighter heavier, thanks for your reply

The F is far superior.*


*not an unbiased statement

Hi Briso,

I didn't feel much difference in the power or the weight between the two bikes - the GSXF felt more sporty though, probably as a result of the slightly different riding position. I didn't care for the chrome bars on the bandit btw and much prefer the matt black ones on the GSXF.

Like you, I thought I would prefer the Bandit and had convinced myself that was the case, but as I said above, I rode both and went for the GSXF. The GSXF was £500 more expensive and didn't have ABS, but I still preferred it!! Much better looking and the ride was better.

Thanks Stolly good feedback there, will let you know how i get on but new bandit wont be here until end of March.. Like the GSXF also..confusing

Geez -- maybe I'm an idiot since I ride it every day (and night) -- but what do you mean "lights up RED"?

thanks

I'm pretty sure he is referring to the backlight of the LCD and gauge panel. The backlighting is colored red (mine is at least) which gives the panel a red glow at night.

I agree with everything Stolly wrote, I too test rode them back to back and found the GSX to be a much beter ride. I bought one and have since fitted a centre-stand, carbon hugger, Renthal ultra low road bars and am currently waiting on delivery of a Titanium Akrapovic pipe. This bike is probably the best ride I have ever had, on two wheels that is!

Yes, I was on about the speedo and digital display having a red backlight - wasn't suggesting the whole bike lights up red!!