After the successful launch of the 650th “Bandit”, Suzuki decided to release its twin brother. IN 2008 The consumer is introduced to the Suzuki GSX650F. In terms of outline, running parameters and the rest of the filling, it is very reminiscent of the GSF 650 Bandit, with the exception of two details - it is completely covered in plastic, and also relates to the tourist class.
The model receives:
- all solutions “tested” on the bandit;
- stock injector and ABS;
- 19 liter fuel tank and 216 kg dry weight.
The development turned out to be successful and did not undergo any significant changes the 8 years of production Production closed in 2016 .
Specifications
The GSX650F model was based on a high-revving 4-cylinder liquid-cooled engine.
Since the bike became a twin brother, it received a motor similar to the second generation bandit:
- working volume - 656 cm3;
- number of cylinders - 4 (in-line arrangement);
- number of cycles - 4;
- number of valves - 16 (4 per cylinder);
- power - 86 hp;
- torque - 62 Nm;
- cooling - liquid;
- fuel supply - injector + SDTV;
- ignition - transistor (TDI);
- start - electric starter;
- tank volume - 19 l.
Users note a slightly unusual love for 92 gasoline : “95 runs worse.”
Transmission and clutch
The bike also gets a 6-speed gearbox from the bandit.
The gearbox as a whole works well, especially since the elasticity of the engine allows you not to be particularly distracted by choosing the right gear.
But one difference is indicated - the motorcycle does not particularly favor second gear . If neutral is clearly caught, then switching from first to second occurs with a delay. When moving to higher levels, there are no such symptoms.
Users noted that in the city you can drive in 3rd gear , and adjust the speed with the throttle (from 25 km/h to 170 km/h), on the highway in 6th—turning off the gas only when overtaking.
- clutch , oil bath . Power transmission is hydraulic (like on a bandit).
- The main drive is a chain .
Brakes
Front brakes – 2 discs.
Rear brake – 1 disc.
They didn't change the brakes either.
Front:
- number of disks - 2;
- diameter - 310 mm;
- support - 4-piston.
Rear:
- number of disks - 1;
- diameter - 240 mm;
- support - 2-piston.
The story with ABS is interesting. The documentation mentions it as an optional feature. But the motorcycle arrived on the European markets with a pre-installed system.
Advantages:
- Budget price in the gsx model line.
- The rear suspension is strengthened by installing a special shock absorber.
- Average fuel consumption.
- High build quality.
- Simplicity of control and predictability allows even a beginner to ride it.
- Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve fuel injection system allows for smooth acceleration.
- Gear shifts smoothly but precisely. If mistakes were made when switching, the motorcycle will not react sharply to them.
- The low, upright riding position allows for better control of the motorcycle when stopped at traffic lights and makes parking easier. It also helps prevent muscle discomfort from occurring during long rides.
Driving performance
The handling of the motorcycle can be described in one word – stability.
Probably, when releasing the second generation bandit, they forgot to correct the documentation. However, the figure also transferred to the specification of this model - a maximum speed of 214 km/h . Users noted that it is possible to achieve it, but to move at such a speed you need to either increase the existing glass or install higher glass.
The height of the stock version is such that the flow of incoming air is cut off exactly into the helmet. Comfortable cruiser - 130 km/h .
Acceleration to hundreds
Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes the same as the bandit - 4.2 seconds . The dynamics have not changed either - the same test with number two up to 13 seconds.
Dimensions and weight
During development, the bike did not change either its weight or overall dimensions.
The model's appearance closely follows the design of its liter brother Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5, but of course weighs less.
The dry weight of the motorcycle is 216 kg . In European countries (stock ABS) - 225 kg .
Curb, respectively 245 kg and 255 kg .
It is not surprising that, being a copy of the bandit dressed in plastic, he repeats his dimensions:
- length - 2,130 mm;
- width - 760 mm;
- in height - 1,225 mm.
Seat height - 770 mm .
Wheelbase - 1,470 mm .
Ground clearance - 125 mm .
For whom is it intended?
The saddle height means comfort for users of average height.
With the pilot's height of 180 cm, the knees rise to their normal positions, and the hands themselves rest on the steering wheel.
However, the owners noticed that it is quite convenient for a tall motorcyclist to ride in the city. On the highway you have to either change the glass or lie down on the tank.
Brief history of the model
2008 - start of production and sales. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FK8 + GSX650FAK8.
2009 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FK9 + GSX650FAK9.
2010 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FL0 + GSX650FAL0.
2011 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FL1 + GSX650FAL1.
2012 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FL2 + GSX650FAL2.
2013 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FL3 + GSX650FAL3.
2014 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FL4 + GSX650FAL4.
2015 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FL5 + GSX650FAL5.
2016 is the last year of production. Model: Suzuki GSX650F + ABS (Europe, North America, Australia, Brazil). Factory designation: GSX650FL6 + GSX650FAL6.
Modifications and competitors
The bike didn’t teach any variations.
But he was not left without competitors. It is curious that all the other Japanese had a version with a fairing, but it was produced as a modification and was not separated into a separate model. Buyers offered:
- Honda CBF 600 (SA);
- Kawasaki ER-6 (F);
- Yamaha XJ6 Diversion (S).
Flaws
The considerable weight of the motorcycle gives it stability on the highway, but during sharp maneuvers in the city you have to fight inertia.
Users do not find any disadvantages to the model.
- There are complaints about the gearbox , second gear,
- Sometimes opinions about heavy weight slip through. This is considered both a plus and a minus.
“ The bike is not nimble , it’s hard to shift when maneuvering along the rows.”
Some people note that when riding in wet weather, the sides of the motorcycle at the rear will be dirty. If you go with number two, it will be dirty.
and dignity
The Suzuki GSX650F is a predictable and safe everyday bike where comfort comes first and drive comes last.
Of course, there are more advantages:
- Brakes and ABS . When the wheel is locked, the bike still moves along the given path, without trying to skid or start to wobble to the sides. The front brake is very responsive, but even though the handle travel is a bit large, this makes it possible to apply strictly measured force when braking, which prevents emergency situations, and the ABS will prevent you from skidding.
- The engine pulls equally well at all speeds.
- Maneuverability : A slight tilt is enough to turn. There is no need to steer, the motorcycle keeps moving in an arc well.
- Pendant . When accelerating, there is a feeling that the motorcycle can stand on the sawhorse, but in fact the front fork is very soft, which in turn conceals all the unevenness of the road surface.
- Convenient dashboard. Apart from its low position, all indicators, blinkers, and readings are captured at one glance.
The mixed-type instrument panel includes a dial tachometer and a digital speedometer.
- The pluses include the large weight . The low center of gravity, coupled with it, improves overall handling and handling of uneven road sections.
Since the motorcycle differs from its twin brother, the bandit, only in its external body kit, when searching for spare parts, you can be guided by both repair kits.
This post is primarily posted for people looking for information on this bike. Because I also, at one time, looked for information and pictures with videos, tried to compare with other motos in this class, and so on... At the same time, for some reason there was very little information in Russian! Well, I myself am more into rides than repairs, so don’t expect any special technical delights in the text, and the post itself is not called a moto review precisely because of this. Well, while writing this, a stingy tear will come to my unshaven cheek, remembering everything that he and I had to go through together))) I have experienced two seasons on this bike, which I don’t regret one bit! After I sold my scabies, I began to rush from mot to mot, from class to class. I wanted everything at once: now a sport, now a tournade, now a cruiser, then God knows what else. Popular motorcycle platforms have been scoured far and wide! Like many in a similar situation, I threw X amount of time out of my life by studying numerous forums and video blogs. Naturally, many questions and doubts arose about this or that bike, or there was simply not enough money for something that could definitely be to your liking! Known problem, right? Moreover, it doesn’t matter how much money you have, for some reason there is always, just a little, not enough for what you really really want! Nevertheless, I, as someone who came into motorcycling at a more or less mature age and had not yet had enough of all the delights of the latter during puberty, decided to be plastic, and all sorts of Geese and Harleys will wait for their time and my gray hairs. Pure sports didn’t suit me with their fit and pettiness during butt-testing, so I decided to look towards sports tours. Because I still wanted to drive more than to invest money in subsequent repairs, so I decided not to look at the liters and look for a more or less lively six hundred for the available amount. Naturally, I considered Phasers, Ruffs, Diversions and Bandits of more or less recent years, but I bought exactly what the whole post is about, namely the Suzuki GSX 650 FA . Mot went to pick it up in Bryansk, because In the Moscow region, outright slag was sold. The owner sent more photos, videos, etc. I asked a friend who lives there to go and see it live, in general I decided to take it and in February I drove it with a trailer on a box and took my future mot.
As far as I understand, there are 4 color options for this model: Like mine - white and black, then pure black, classic Suzuk white and blue and a rare red-orange (I haven’t seen it in person, so I can’t tell the exact color from the pictures) . The plastic on this motorcycle is quite durable. According to the previous owner, he once dropped the motor in static conditions, and I myself dropped it a couple of times (also once in static conditions, once in dynamics at a very low speed). All falls occurred not on asphalt, but on the ground, and therefore no scratches or cracks appeared, the plastic did not burst anywhere, and no fastenings broke off at all. My motorcycle was equipped with sliders, so I think that falling on the asphalt would also have minimal consequences. Windbreaker of medium length. With my height of 185 cm, it was a little lacking for me and at speeds of more than 140 km/h, the air flow hit the top of my helmet, I had to bend down or drive slower. Over time, I wanted to buy myself a windshield extension, I even looked at it, but I never bought it... So this question didn’t bother me much! The mirror caps are standard, no wider than the steering wheel, so I didn’t touch them too much between the rows (well, maybe a couple of times, I admit). The visibility is good, at least it was enough for me, and I practically don’t remember anyone suddenly appearing from the blind spot. The plugs themselves are sewn with a bang. At first, of course, I was afraid, but then I got so good at it in the first month that later it was scary to watch some of the videos from the action camera, it seemed like I had crawled into impassable crevices. The only thing that can cause difficulties is the considerable weight of the bike, about 250 kg! In this connection, driving at near-zero speeds for people of the scraggly type can be complicated by this point. Although I have seen more than once how girls rode such a motorcycle quite well and did not worry.
For lovers of dry numbers, I will leave here, in the post, the technical characteristics of the Suzuki GSX 650 FA, in the form of a small plate. The main parameters are indicated there and can be compared with other models in the class.
As you can see, the engine here has average performance and, nevertheless, is quite nimble, especially if you have nothing to compare it with before. Despite the fact that the above plate indicates a maximum speed of 211 km/h, I personally accelerated this bike to 225 km/h, but after installing the rear center case, it went more than 215 km/h. he stopped))) Actually, it’s not comfortable to drive at such speeds. The optimal speed for this motorcycle is within 120-150 km/h, while, if necessary (for example, overtaking), it can easily drop to 180 km/h. but higher up it already begins to lose dynamics and you have to spend more time on acceleration. During operation, I did not consume any oil, and I regularly changed consumables and the oil itself (I poured the holy Motul). To get to the spark plugs and see their condition, you need to try a little (as in principle on other similar bikes), therefore, and also due to the considerable price of spark plugs, I did not change them, especially since there were no prerequisites for this. Gasoline consumption is also within 5 liters per hundred, if you don’t drive under two hundred. By the way, in general the whole motorcycle has the impression of being a rather reliable device! At least during its operation, I can’t remember anything at all that could be directly described as a significant jamb or technical flaw! Even my chain rustled only once, on a trip to Yaroslavl, when I forgot to take lubricant with me and got caught in the rain! And even upon arrival, it didn’t stretch much, so I sprayed it with lubricant and everything was ok.
The motorcycle has a standard can. When you first look at her, you are perplexed, why is she so, no... SO healthy? It looks like it's from a different bike! But over time I got used to her appearance. It doesn’t get too hot, neither the pilot nor the second number presses it with his feet and doesn’t get burned. The sound is quite quiet and pleasantly bassy, but of course it is very far from direct flow. So, of course, you can buzz in traffic jams, but nothing more. In principle, I’m not a fan of loud fakes, that’s enough for me. Medium hard suspension. My weight is 105 kg. she held it easily and without constraint. I didn’t sway on the asphalt waves. With the second number of 50 kg. was already on the verge. I’ve never hit it once, although I’ve sometimes run into potholes on the highways! By the way, the discs also coped quite well with the pits and during their visual inspection no dents were found. In general, the suspension can be given an A, because... no shoals were noticed behind her.
Decent ground clearance for sports and Mishka Pilot Road 1 tires allowed us to easily drive onto country roads and get to beautiful and picturesque places. This is, of course, not an enduro tour and you can’t drive like this for a long time, but in general it’s quite possible to move off the asphalt to spend the night or swim. By the way, I didn’t really like the tires themselves. Last time I had the same Mishka, but the pilot road 3 and with it it was quite interesting to lay down, but on these tires when laying down the bike began to wobble a little. Maybe it's because of the horizontal tread pattern, I don't know. But I liked the way it handles in the rain; I drove quite confidently. The brakes are quite distinct and predictable. Of course, you shouldn’t expect Olympic performance from them, but overall they brake well. ABS works as expected. By the way, the difference in the abbreviations GSX650F and GSX650FA is precisely the presence/absence of ABS. In the city there are enough brakes, on the highway you have to think that from a speed of over 200 there will be no instant stop and with sharp braking to the floor, the rear will most likely begin to drift. I had this happen during the rain because of one driver who was vomiting on the highway in the left lane, but was offended and began to accelerate sharply when he saw that I wanted to overtake him on the right. I had to suddenly start braking, but when I started to catch the highside, I automatically unscrewed the handle and wedged myself between the deer and the bus. I put bricks under his wheels, showed him the sign and drove on.
Among the additional stages, as I said above, sliders were installed, which did not spoil the appearance in any way. There was also a small “Givi” rear case, which turns out to hold quite a bit of space! I bought a USB charger with two outputs and an ON/OFF button on a well-known Chinese website. A very convenient thing: charge your phone and pump up the tire. The cover for the stub on the steering wheel had to be secured with self-tapping screws, because... The Chinese plastic broke off right away and losing the navigator in the face of a smartphone is somehow not comme il faut. When traveling, the tank bag and side bags were very helpful, which I almost never used. A trunk and a tank bag were enough for me. Apart from this, the center stand is a big boon. Lubricating the chain, tightening the wheel, especially all this on long-distance trips is priceless! The clearance does not eat up, installation is generally convenient. Big respect to whoever installed it before me! I didn’t put anything else special on the motorcycle, everything was fine as it was.
Before the nasty off-season, I made sure to carry out a mini-preparation, specifically wiping the bike off bitumen stains and other dirt that had stuck on during the season and was not washed off with water. I washed it properly, removed the battery, plugged the holes with oil rags and filled the tank full. Maybe partly my pedantry, or maybe overall reliability, allowed me to use this bike without problems and, as I said above, I didn’t have any critical breakdowns. Yes, as a matter of fact, not critical either))) Only ordinary maintenance and EVERYTHING! Oh, I just remembered, the biggest breakdown that overtook me was... drum roll...
For the first time in my life I caught a rather weak screw in a wheel and for the first time in my life I patched up a hole in 20 minutes. There were no problems after that. I carefully trimmed it, then wiped it on the asphalt, but from the very beginning the wheel didn’t hit, didn’t chatter, and in general, if you don’t know about this patch, it’s hard to detect it! That's all the surprise that I had while owning a motorcycle.
After the winter, I took the bike out, put it in order, as they say, “turned it all upside down” and from the very first turn the engine started without any questions!
My main area of use for the motorcycle was highways and intercity. I especially enjoyed the so-called weekend trips! A minimum of preparation and forward to new emotions...
What I liked about such trips is that you don’t get too tired, with limited time you get new impressions and see new places, and you don’t bother with overnight stays)))
Some more photos of the motorcycle:
So I really liked this bike and I kind of regret selling it. But to look at how he stands, and I ride another one, is beyond my strength. I really hope that he is in good hands and that the new owner will love him no less! Now the spendthrift has left for St. Petersburg. A little bit of my happy face:
I can recommend this motorcycle as quite reliable and confident. This is certainly not ideal, but for my money it seemed to me a much better option than the same Ruffs, Phasers, etc. With due care, it will work for a beginner, although it’s a bit heavy IMHO. When I sold the motorcycle, a specialist came to inspect it, who found that the rear bearing could be changed, the tires were 14 years old, seemed to be suitable for replacement, and a couple of other minor details were negotiable. In general, my impression of the bike was positive. I know that the current owner of the bike reads BikePost, so good luck and happy riding, buddy!
Damn, I thought it would turn out to be a post-memory. As soon as I start, I’m always carried away, my thoughts are racing. Well, fuck it, I’ll come back in a year and re-read it)))
Good luck and positivity to everyone, respect each other on the roads, treat others the way you would like to be treated!
Best regards, Alex
