2008 Suzuki GSX650F – Finally!
August 13th, 2008 | 
Author: 
This is the bike I wanted 5 bikes ago – a “Sport Standard” that could be made into a 3/4 scale FJR or ST1300. It’s about 160 lbs lighter than those two bikes, is about half the cost, will nearly keep up in the straights, and outrun them in the twisties.
It’s the perfect balance of commuter / tourer, with just enough power to keep things interesting.
Don’t let the GSXR looks fool you. This is no rocket bike to be sure. At 85 horsepower and 515 lbs wet, it will certainly get out of it’s own way, but will be left in the dust by every sportbike on the market.
And that’s just fine with me…I’m not that kind of rider anyway.
I’m still in the break-in period with this bike, so haven’t yet taken it any great distance (I’ll replace the photo with one fromthe road ASAP). I’ve already set it up for touring though, with a center stand, bags, and an all day comfortable Sargent seat.
My limited amount of time on this bike so far has shown me that it will be the bike I ride with, and build memories with, for many years to come. I look forward to many happy miles on this bike.
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I found your blog through Pashnit and wanted to know your impressions of your GSX650F. I am looking at that as my next bike. I to was looking for a middle weight sport / touring bike and this seems to fit the bill.
Thanks for your input and hope you have a great trip.
Someone’s reading my blog?!? Yikes, I’d better get back to updating it!
Thanks for your comment. I absolutely love this bike. In fact, on the GSX650F specific board I check in at (www.gsx650f.biz) I made a post in a thread where someone asked about likes and dislike of the bike. I’ll go find it and add it here as a post. Maybe it will help others as well.
If you live anywhere near my planned route and have the time to say hi, let me know! I work from home and get a little house-bound sometimes, so a big part of this trip is just getting out and meeting some new people.
I have to agree with Mike. This is the one I too was looking and waiting for. I have had the bike 2 weeks and couldn’t be happier. I just ordered the centre stand. I have read comments else where regarding the weight of the bike, I know the extra chunk is there but it does not feel like 500lbs going down the road. If anything the 500 pounds makes it feeel very stable. I find the power to be entertaining, the engine and transmission very smooth and the ergonomics just right for me (5′11″/190lb.). I am very pleased with the fuel injection, the instrumentation including shift indicator and electric fuel gauge. The mirrors are clear and provide a good view behind. The wind screen puts the air right at the top of my helmet with the rest of the fairing providing a decent amount of protection. The head light works well at night, much better then my last bike. The best thing is that even after riding for an hour and a half I’m not tired and I know that a three hour ride would be easy on this bike. If you are looking for a bike that will do everything at a reasonable price look no further. Your only other option when it comes to an in-line 4 in my opinion would be an FZ6 with slightly newer technology and contemporary style. I have ridden it too and it’s also a great machine but I found the price and slick styling of the GXF650R too sweet to resist. I even like the big fat shiny exhaust, the quiet note is more tuned to my personality, people don’t expect a bike to accelerate so well without making ridiculous amounts of noise. Not drawing to much attention is cool in my world. The paint job and front end however causes many to take a second look. The V twin SV650 and twin Ninja 650R engines are fun to ride but if you enjoy the hum of a 4 as much as I do you should give the GSX 650 F the attention it deserves. Twins and I4’s are two different feels so don’t bother compairing them head on as so many seem to do. It should come down to how the bike fits you. The GSX650 just happens to work for me and I’m sure that it will for many others as well. Safe riding. Happy shopping.
Pete
Mike,
Any updates or are you still riding? Looking forward to your touring opinion or any issues that have come about while on the open road.
Bike looks great. My dealer did’t have a black one available so I went with the blue brother.
I just hope the weather stays warm in Canada so I can put on some miles before the end of October.
Where did you get the hard luggage/what brand is it and the bracket?
Thanks
Pete
Sorry Mike, I looked further down the list and found all your days of riding. Much appreciated, a good read thanks!
Hi Pete,
The bike has been almost perfect so far. The two small complaints I have are:
1) The handlebars have a bend that just doesn’t agree with my back and shoulders. This should be easily remedied however.
2) I developed a fairing buzz on the third day of the ride. I finally had a chance to check it out tonight and found several fairing screws and bolts just slightly loose. I can only blame myself here, as I didn’t take the bike in for its 600 mile service before I left, and they likely would have caught these things.
Other then that, this bike has just been all kinds of perfect. Stable, reliable, comfortable – everything you could possibly want in a mid-sized solo touring bike. I couldn’t be happier.
The bags are Givi V35’s with silver inserts, with Givi racks. The bags go on and off the bike in about 10 seconds each, and hold a tremendous amount. As you can see from the pics, the only additional luggage I needed for 9 days on the road was a simple duffel bag. I could buy a top case to even eliminate that, but I like this set up and will likely stick with it.
I’ll dedicate a complete post to my thoughts on the bike overall as soon as I get back. Look for it late next week!
Mike, I am sorry I didn’t get back and check your blog sooner. I live in Elk Grove about 20 minutes from Lodi, I would have enjoyed meeting and riding a portion with you. I got so busy with work and family I just forgot to check. Well if you are in the area again maybe we can meet up.
I have decided on the GSX650 for my next bike and appreciate the information.
Very cool. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and that pic.
I bought this exact bike just over a month ago and agree. Such a great bike. I have friends who do a week-ish hotel kind of tour every year and I was wondering how I might be able to participate.
Gonna look up those bags!
Sweet! I’m getting myself one of these in the new year. I can’t wait! But just a few thing’s I’d love to know:
1) I was wondering which Givi rack and boxes they are exactly, because the ones my dealer have look nothing like that, and in fact they don’t even look good on the bike.
2) Whereabout did you get the seat from? Have you had your seat altered, or just bought a new custom one?
3) Where did you get the mini bag on the back seat from? That looks really cool, and would be perfect for me, as I won’t be using the back seat, and I don’t want to have a huge top box on my bike as well as the panniers, I’m relatively new so I’m not confident riding with too much weight on the bike.
I hope you’re still enjoying the bike, I really cannot wait to get my mits on one!
Adam
Hi Adam,
Sorry for the delay in responding!
The Givi boxes are the V35’s. I picked them up here:
http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?exact_match=no&product=Givi&keywords=keyphrase_V35&cart_id=1229487653.31397
The racks are PLX539’s:
http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=1229487653.31397&pid=297&product=Givi
The tail bag is from Axio, and can be found at
http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tail_bags/axio/hardpack_motorcycle_tail_bag.html
If there is any other info you need, or anything else I can help with, please let me know!
Oops…forgot the seat. I purchased it from Sargent Cycle.
They, along with the other companies mentioned above, are all first-rate outfits. I’ve ordered multiple times from all of them, and they have been fantastic every time.
http://sargentcycle.com/suzwsbandit.htm
I was wondering more about your ride methodology. Keep in mind I have not read through your entire site, so feel free to point me to another section.
Are you out hitting a string of hotels, camping or what?
I have friends who ride to be a part of a group, but I feel like I may be more into riding to get away from the group, ya know?
Hi Chris,
It’s a mix really. The last trip was supposed to be half hotels and half camping, but by the time I was ready to go, it had morphed into only one night of camping out eight. I didn’t want the extra load of the tent and sleeping bag for only one night, so I left it at home.
It really just depends on my mood at the time and where I’m going as to whether I hotel it or pitch a tent.
As far as riding alone, I really don’t like the group thing. That’s how this site was born.
But I do find it fun sometimes to ride with one other person whose riding style is similar to mine. In other words, when I can find one other rider who isn’t in a big hurry, or trying to show off, and just wants to enjoy the ride – that’s someone I don’t mind riding with.
Hi There Mike!!
I’m from Portugal… a little country near Spain in Europe.
I’ve bought my GSX 650 F 2 weeks ago. I’m still in the break in period… but i already love this bike! I trade her for my FZ6 S2 from 2007.
I agree with you with the notes about this bike, and about riding alone… it’s safer!
Best regards,
João
Hey, I just noticed that seat on the “F”. Did you ride the factory one and then replace it or just straight to it?
I am curious of your thoughts of a comparison.
I start to get a sore butt at about 3 hours. It doesn’t get much worse than that, but if I could postpone it to 4 or 5 that would improve things a lot!
Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts
Hey,
I’m from Melbourne, Australia.
I just picked up my new GSX650F a week or so ago, and I agree… in 15 years of riding and a bunch of bikes this is the one I’ve been waiting for!
It’s all kinds of perfect!
I’m just investigating what type of luggage system to put on it now.
We also picked up my wife a GS500F, which is a lovely little bike, and will set that up with some luggage too.
Cheers,
Luke.
Hullo there —
I just blundered upon our site while researching accessories for my ‘08 GSX650F. Last year I got back into motorcycling after nearly 20 year hiatus and picked up an ‘85 GS700 that was almost exactly like the last bike I owned in the early 1990’s. This was the perfect way to not only get back into the saddle but also to introduce myself to the fabled GS engine and gearbox. After a year of very hard riding (I commute daily) the old GS just couldn’t be maintained anymore. With my wife’s blessing and encouragement I started shopping around for a daily driver replacement that could also keep up with the young ones on their racers.
It did not take me long to discover the GSX650F and only one test drive to seal the deal. Talk about the perfect commuter/light tourer/sportbike. I picked up an ‘08 model at one heckava price and couldn’t be happier. I am using a set of old Fieldsheer saddlebags and added a few items on the cheap
+ MRA Touring Windshield
+ Suzuki Tank Bra
+ Set of gel grips
+ and had the seat redone by Spencer – http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php
If you are ever in the Tampa, FL area give me a shout through the GSX650F forum.