new suzukis ??

[VAX]

Compare it to the Ninja 650, that has a steel frame and weighs 393lbs. Or compare it to the fz-6, which only weighs 410lbs. The yzf600r is only 417lbs. The SV 650 is 372lbs. Even my 1983 Nighthawk 650, with a steel frame and shaft drive, only weighs 435lbs.

Even though I like the new gsx650f, being short & skinny, there's no way I could buy it knowing I could save a couple hundred $ and 50-100lbs by buying any other modern bike in the same class.  

It may be a good bike or it may be a bad bike but either way, you can't ride a spec sheet.

[Mach VIII]

I'd have to agree on this one. Looks like a good simple street bike. I like it.

Take a look at the tank, frame, and seat of each bike. Pretty much the same bike, but with a nice fairing grafted on the nose of the GSX650F.

Yes, it really does look remarkably like the Bandit.  I do notice a couple of mechanical differences though, in particular the clutch cover (and apparently the size of the basket???) is different, as is the placement of the rear caliper.  Don't know what to make of that, but just something I observed.

[Cale_Kat]

Compare it to the Ninja 650, that has a steel frame and weighs 393lbs. Or compare it to the fz-6, which only weighs 410lbs. The yzf600r is only 417lbs. The SV 650 is 372lbs. Even my 1983 Nighthawk 650, with a steel frame and shaft drive, only weighs 435lbs.

Even though I like the new gsx650f, being short & skinny, there's no way I could buy it knowing I could save a couple hundred $ and 50-100lbs by buying any other modern bike in the same class.  

I'll bet it will garner the same love-hate reaction from the non-owners and the press as the previous model Katana. The last Katana ranked 38th in Bike Magazine's top 100 bikes of all time, according to a reader survey of over 10,000 entries (although, to be fair, it was the only bike that made both the 100 best list and the 10 worst bike list in the same issue).

But I'm with VAX. There's so much more to a bike than the spec sheet.

[gritsngravy]

Compare it to the Ninja 650, that has a steel frame and weighs 393lbs. Or compare it to the fz-6, which only weighs 410lbs. The yzf600r is only 417lbs. The SV 650 is 372lbs. Even my 1983 Nighthawk 650, with a steel frame and shaft drive, only weighs 435lbs.

Even though I like the new gsx650f, being short & skinny, there's no way I could buy it knowing I could save a couple hundred $ and 50-100lbs by buying any other modern bike in the same class.  

Sounds like you need to hold on to that 24 year old nighthawk.   The sv,yzf & ninja are lighter for a reason, they are physically smaller bikes that larger folks may not find to comfortable.   A lightweight mini me bike is not for everyone, some folks just want a roomy good solid affordable bike with a modern touch like  FI, liquid cooling, stylish body work, real handlebar etc.    I enjoy sporty bikes myself but there is more than enough room in the market for a bike that will appeal to larger riders.        

[Dichotomous]

and some people just dont care if its lighter or not.  if it rides fine and smooth and goes forward with enough aplomb then it doesnt need to be the latest and greatest, especially if its cheeper.  I see these selling well.

[RideAboutNow]

and some people just dont care if its lighter or not.  if it rides fine and smooth and goes forward with enough aplomb then it doesnt need to be the latest and greatest, especially if its cheeper.  I see these selling well.

Right on!  

[ToadRide]

Don't like the big angular can on the 1000 Gixer but they have tucked it in and under nicely on the 750 and 600.  And where are the Bandits? No Bandits in the States again?

[JReazor]

No Bandits in the States again?

We didn't get the Bandit in 06 but the new redesigned 1200 got here in 07. This month's MCN has a review on the 08. I haven't read it yet but it looks to be unchanged from 07.

[UPSMAN]

I know a lot of you like the New GSX650F but Im sorry to say that this bike is replacing the SV650, I heard it from my local Suzuki DM and as of the dealer show last month the SV is no more.  

[Mach VIII]

I know a lot of you like the New GSX650F but Im sorry to say that this bike is replacing the SV650, I heard it from my local Suzuki DM and as of the dealer show last month the SV is no more.  

Frankly, I find that very tough to believe.  I think your dealer is full of shit.  They sell a ton of those bikes and they consistently get rave reviews.  What's more, naked bikes are all the rage, so this claim doesn't even make sense.

[UPSMAN]

It wasnt the dealer it was a Suzuki district manager.

[UPSMAN]

And then I find this,
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4949&Page=1

So it looks like the DM doesnt know Jack Sh!t!!!

[Dakota]

The Suzuki I want to see is the naked super standard GSX1400.  

[JReazor]

The Suzuki I want to see is the naked super standard GSX1400.

I'd like to see just the opposite. A fully faired sportbike complete with clip-ons and rear sets built around their 400cc thumper.

[RideAboutNow]

I'd like to see just the opposite. A fully faired sportbike complete with clip-ons and rear sets built around their 400cc thumper.

Oh hell Yeah! Light is right! (as long as it has at least six speed tranny)

[highside]

I'm trying to figure out what the GSX650 offers that the SV doesnt do better. Seems silly to realease a bike into a class that will only result in competing with yourself.

[gritsngravy]

I'm trying to figure out what the GSX650 offers that the SV doesnt do better. Seems silly to realease a bike into a class that will only result in competing with yourself.

Two very different bikes.  Let me help you with the differences, the gsx has a larger, heavier frame and a full fairing that  will be more comfortable on longer rides.   4 cyl vs 2......some folks like the sound, power and smoothness of the four vs the lumpy twin.   Looks are subjective but the gsx looks more finished than either naked/faired sv, it looks like a real high $$ sport bike to all but fairly hard core motorcyclists.   I just don't see why anyone would resist another affordable alternative in this era of 10k ss 600 bikes.    I love suzukis line of 600's ....dr 650, dl 650,  s50, c50, m50, sv650, gsx 650, gsxr 600 and even a 600 scooter.   Time was everyone would bitch about no nice small/middleweight bikes being imported to the usa.........RINGADING they're heeeeere.

[garry]

I'm trying to figure out what the GSX650 offers that the SV doesnt do better. Seems silly to realease a bike into a class that will only result in competing with yourself.

The GSX looks like a sportbike. The SV just looks cheap IMO (despite it being a cool bike). Does seem a little odd to compete with yourself though. Then again Yamaha offers no less than 4 600cc sporty/sport offerings: FZ6, YZF, R6 "S" (2004 model) and the full-bore R6.

[Bryan]

The Suzuki I want to see is the naked super standard GSX1400.  

Right on, and the CB1300