Suzuki GSX650F

[thesmeee]

Hi all
Back again and still undecided on what bike to get.

Im a bit torn between the GSX650F and the ER650. i really like the GSX, it looks nice (i know its a GSF in new clothes) and for the cash i can get a pretty modern one with low miles on the used market as theres tons of them out there.
My worry is the weight, ive been told they are pretty heavy, and im worried that with the missus on the back i wont be able to handle it. at low speeds, stopping and pulling off ect.

used an ER650F and i didnt find that a problem on my own but i know thats a bit lighter overall.

i would pop up to a dealer and ask for a test ride but they are a bit funny about it because ive had my license less than 2 years

Any help or thoughts are really appreciated

Thanks

[Rogerborg]

Sorry, you're going to have to sit and see, a lot of this is subjective.

For example, I don't like the Bandit 650 and variants because the wide seat makes for a longer stretch to the ground than you'd imagine from the listed height. However, that wide comfy seat is a positive for many riders.

The GSX650F ticks a lot of boxes for not a lot of money, and you don't exactly have to be a large big lad to get on with it either.

https://i60.tinypic.com/2hp4oea.jpg
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[thesmeee]

the comfort is one of the bonuses for us both, alot of people have said the GSX is a very nice bike to ride if your going to be doing alot of miles and its a seriously reliable bike.

not sure if im just being overly cautious tho

[MC]

I found the weight of the 650 bandit an issue, but it was a really nice bike on country roads/dual carriageways. I think weight distribution's the issue, I found the ER5 similar to the Bandit with regards to the weight issue, although a bit less of an as it's lighter but with my MT-03 I can virtually stop it on a corner if I need to (without feeling the need to put my foot down). That's my (extremely limited) big bike experience exhausted so I'll go now
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[Muscle Bike Rider]

I have an er 6 and my son the GSX f so have ridden both a lot. The Kwaker is better for town work and a / B roads and the suzi for long distance stuff. The suzi is more bike for the money and very comfy. Personally if I was to choose between them for a single do it all bike I'd have the suzi. It's smoother, quick enough, and has a centre stand as standard to make maintenance easier.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[thesmeee]

[Muscle Bike Rider]

Round town in slow moving traffic the Suzuki does feel heavier, but it's not a problem, ER6 feels much lighter. As with any bike you get used to its weight, if you want a nice light bike that's easy to flick around and nimble in traffic the kawasaki fits the bill, longer more spirited trips I'd say the Suzuki fits the bill. Test ride them both and see what you think.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[bazza]

The only time I found the weight an issue is when paddling it backwards up a slope or something. Or that could be because I'm a shortarse...

The GSXF is not a bike for people who want ride around everywhere like their head's on fire.
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[FriendlyEllis]

I think the Suzuki looks better. Bit more meat on it's bones!?!

This any use?

https://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1119137831?bctid=1415670179

I'd get neither and go for a CBR600F of you want a tame sports tourer that goes if you spank it.
You'll be surprised how quickly you'll get used to the power and the CBR will give you a little bit more ooomph!!
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Honda CB600F Hornet 2013 -> Kawasaki Z1000SX ABS Tourer 2015

[Polarbear]

[Shreeve]

I've ridden my GSX650F every day for almost 2 months now.

Had a trip from Newcastle to St Andrews for a weekend with the girlfriend on the back and it was smooth, comfortable and most importantly fun!

Has enough poke for good overtakes and despite what people seem to say I don't find it heavy. I am 6"3 and 16st though

Also, looks like a Gixxer which I can't afford the insurance for yet so it was the next best thing!
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Current: Suzuki GSX650F (2010), Suzuki GSXR1000 K7, Suzuki GS250T (1980) currently restoring: Clicky.
Previous: Honda CBF 125 (2011), Suzuki GSXR750 K4

[Ribenapigeon]

After I got my licence I test rode a gladius an ER6 a bandit an XJ6 an SV650s and the GSX650F on top of the Honda 600 I did my test on. The GSX was the one that least impressed me. It just felt leaden and a bit too commutery. Each their own but find another dealer and get some test rides in. There's no reason you shouldent get to test bikes. My local dealers were falling over themselves to get me on the whole shopfull.

[Conzar]

Look at a CBR600f an option worth looking at
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[thesmeee]

thanks for the replies everyone,

CBR600F looks really nice, Honda so its going to wear well and its got alot of awesome reviews. sadly there dosnt seem to be much in my area right now.

Gladius, i could probably scrape enough together and get one new, but they seem dam cheap, which makes me wonder how well they will last

SV, i know they are really popular and get alot of good reviews but the look of it seriously turns me off.

Also been looking at the Honda CB600F but read that its not to great for the passenger which is a real shame.

Paul

[FriendlyEllis]

I have a CB600F.

For hooning around in the countryside..... Awesome!
For easy riding around town....Awesome!

An hour or so at 80+ on a motorway........ Be nice to have a screen as a wind break.

I still love it though and the naked open feel is a dream in the summer.
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Honda CB600F Hornet 2013 -> Kawasaki Z1000SX ABS Tourer 2015

[Baffler186]

[Nexus Icon]

[map]

It can't help with the weight but the cycle-ergo.com site lets you know if you fit a bike.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
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[jh4691]

[thesmeee]

UPDATE

pisses me off when theres no update and a thread just dies.

Got the GSX650F, 2011 with 5700 on the clock, seriously happy with it, in fact im completely smitten and i can stop grinning when i think about it.

[Az]

Congrats on the new bike! How's the weight of the bike? I'm going to assume it's a lot easier to manage than you imagined, as this was the case with me and my Bandit.

Also, any pictures of the new bike?

[thesmeee]

much much better than i thought actually, i know its a heavy bike but it really dosnt feel it.
I really cant find anything negative to say about the bike other than the kick stand stand is in a slightly awkward position for me personally, but ive not heard any similar complaints so im assuming its just me with that one.

And i have to say a thank you to JT's of Swansea, who have a policy, riders wanting a test ride have to have held their license for 2 years, they arranged for an instructor to take me out on ''a lesson'' with me on the GSX, so i really couldnt fault them there, went upstairs to the shop and the guy up there gave me a pretty dam good discount on a shed load of kit and security gear.

All in i cant say how happy i am, looking forward to going a bit further afield as im staying pretty local on roads im a bit more familiar with and finally having the skill and ability to ride with the missus on the back (scares the hell out of me).

[Rogerborg]

[Scotsman37]

Another solution?

https://www.strangecosmos.com/images/content/114352.jpg

[thesmeee]