Anybody ride/own the new GSX650F?

[Keyf]

After renting a Yamaha Fazer FZ8 on my last vacation to Europe ( https://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,74236.0.html#.UO3r4qxJSQk ), I decided that I would like to buy a 4 cylinder bike to replace my 97,000 mile V-twin. They do not sell the Fazer version in the US and I had several parameters in buying another bike. The GSX650F came the closest so I bought a 2008 Black/Silver model w/8,000 miles. It came with a SW Motech top box mount and a Givi top box, a Bandit 1250 seat, the stock seat, stock muffler and an after market Scorpion muffler.

As always, I am making a few changes to it to suit me (new bars,sprocket change, etc). So far, I have put 2,000 miles on it since mid-October and have been pleased with it.

Keyf

[Sport-Touring]

[mbishara]

It's a great bike. I loved it for the two years that I had it.

Some people say that it can't keep up with a SS bit a 240 km/h top speed is too damn fast anyways and it's a great tourer to boot.


http://www.maged-bishara-montreal.ca/

[Nodaclu]

I lost my business late in 2008, and though I hung on for awhile, ultimately I had to return my GSX650F to the bank in November 2009.



As much as I loved it, it had a bad push in the front end that I never resolved (it also went into a wobble at any speed if I took both hands off the handlebars - I remained convinced that my particular bike had a front end issue off the showroom floor).

That single issue notwithstanding, I absolutely loved everything else about that bike, and now I'm finally in a position to replace it.

I'm eyeballing a 2009 with 2,800 miles on it for $4,900:

[Keyf]

I lost my business late in 2008, and though I hung on for awhile, ultimately I had to return my GSX650F to the bank in November 2009.



As much as I loved it, it had a bad push in the front end that I never resolved (it also went into a wobble at any speed if I took both hands off the handlebars - I remained convinced that my particular bike had a front end issue off the showroom floor).

That single issue notwithstanding, I absolutely loved everything else about that bike, and now I'm finally in a position to replace it.

I'm eyeballing a 2009 with 2,800 miles on it for $4,900:

Noda,

I remember seeing some pictures of your GSX before it was returned to the bank. I wanted that color combo over the blue/white version so that is what I bought. I REALLY wanted the orange version but were very scarce or were a bit damaged. The day after I got my GSX ( the owner met me 1/2 way and cut 225 miles off my return trip), I find an orange GSX 30 miles from me. Get the orange one!

Keyf

[pbj]

Great all purpose bike.  Did chicago to vegas, approx 1800 miles.  No problems.  Worry free, bulletproof,  ask bmw owners about long trip maintainance anxiety.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[Keyf]

I bought the GSX specifically to convert it into a sport tourer. I changed the rear shock to a Hayabusa model. I also pulled the cover off the stock seat and removed the forward slant of the stocker and then removed some stock foam and fitted a slighly softer foam and reshaped the seat to fit my ass and position myself on the bike the way I like. Also lowered the pegs for more comfort.

I purchased a set of 1" up and back bar spacers and then added a Daytona bar. I had to purchase a longer brakeline and fittings. The clutch line was routed behind the triple tree instead of in front and did not need to be replaced. The electrical wiring is at the limit but is not too tight as to weaken the wiring. Throttle cables are moved around a bit but work smoothly and there is no binding.

Just for reference, I am 6' and sit fairly upright and sit back on the seat up to the rise to the passenger section.

Also added the Givi V35 racks. I am ready to ride !

Keyf

[Last1Out]

My son bought a 2008 and planned to do lots of riding with it, but family and time encroached and he never was able to break the chain. This past September (2015) he told me he wanted to put it up for sale. I advised him his old man would pummel him to a pulp and I rescued the bike from his garage in Tampa and brought it up to my place in the North Carolina mountains. Everything on the bike is stock except for a set of sliders he had put on, and the poor neglected thing only had 3,900 miles on its clock!  Here she is, freed from her bonds and in her natural element. Every story needs a happy ending.

[Blue is Best]

My son bought a 2008 and planned to do lots of riding with it, but family and time encroached and he never was able to break the chain. This past September (2015) he told me he wanted to put it up for sale. I advised him his old man would pummel him to a pulp and I rescued the bike from his garage in Tampa and brought it up to my place in the North Carolina mountains. Everything on the bike is stock except for a set of sliders he had put on, and the poor neglected thing only had 3,900 miles on its clock!  Here she is, freed from her bonds and in her natural element. Every story needs a happy ending.

Nice bike and nice story.





Hey, Dankatz, what did YOU do?

[DDFZ1]

I met a young man with a GSX650F he was selling his stock seat.  He had replaced it with a LOW Sargent seat.  He has a 29" inseam about 190 lb.  It was his first motorcycle.  He had soft luggage and last year took a week long trip into the mountains camping.  He bought it used with 2500 miles.  50lb. lighter than the 1250 Bandit.  As his first motorcycle I think it is an excellent size and power.  Replace the exhaust and save another 20lb.  I have a 1250 Bandit and my engine is smooth, if the 650 has the same counter-balancer and rubber engine mounts, then it must be smooth, too.

[Oxblood]

The GSX 650 F is basically the Bandit 650 rebranded. In that it is a Bandit, they are good, all around reliable bikes. The GSX delivers 85 HP according to reviews, and a good amount of torque at 45 ft-lbs. It may not be the fanciest ride out there, but the prices are good, and they go and go and go. I had the Canadian version of the GSX 1250 FA with factory luggage for 5 years. Never had a problem with it, ever. The 650 should be a good, fun bone reliable ride.

[HipGnosis]

I've been looking for a mid-size sport tourer for a while now...
My Ninja 650 is just a bit to small, so I assume the GSX650F would be too.
But...
I just happened to read that the 650 and 750 engines are different sizes & tunes of the same engine.  
Now I'm wondering how crazy it'd be to buy a GSX650F and a 750 engine.
My experiences with small block chevys have me thinking the 650 cams in the 750 would make more torque.
Surely there a crashed 750s out there.
Thoughts?


Edit:  corrected typo of GSX600F  to GSX650F

[HipGnosis]

The GSX650F 2008-2015 is basically the same bike as the GSX1250FA so why not get a 650 and bolt in the 1250 engine. GSX600F is older model.

Akk  600 was a typo.
I wouldn't trust the 650 suspension and brakes to handle a 1200 or 1250.   Besides. if I wanted that, I'd just get a GSX1250FA.