Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit N 2013 — Specifications

What could possibly drive Suzuki to rework a recipe that has been rolling along since 1995? The answer comes in one word: survival. In the ultra-competitive middleweight roadster segment, the Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit N cannot afford to grow old in silence. This 2013 model year therefore arrives with a styling touch-up focused on the front end and a few finishing details, without touching the mechanics. A cosmetic facelift, admittedly, but one that is enough to keep the machine in the race against formidable rivals.

The 656 cc inline-four remains the one introduced shortly before, liquid-cooled, developing 85 hp at 10,500 rpm for a torque of 61.8 Nm set at 8,900 rpm. Nothing volcanic on paper, but this engine has the merit of reassuring flexibility at mid-range and a progressive rev climb, without any hole or jolt. The six-speed gearbox does its job without any particular flair. One regrets a fully-fuelled weight of 240 kg, which makes itself felt during low-speed manoeuvres and penalises agility in the city compared to a Kawasaki ER-6n, noticeably lighter and livelier on the angle. The Yamaha XJ6, another direct competitor, also offers a more playful temperament for a similar size. The Bandit compensates with ocean-liner stability on the motorway, aided by its double-cradle steel frame and its 41 mm telescopic fork. The 19-litre tank allows for fine stages without stopping at the pump, a concrete argument for daily riders.

On the styling side, the historic round headlight gives way to an optical unit with more worked lines, flanked by refined indicators and mirrors. The dashboard gains a meter with carefully crafted legibility, with a gear indicator. The rear light evokes the old GSX-Fs, a nod to regulars of the brand. The black treatment of the engine gives a bit more character to the whole. Without revolutionising the overall design, these touch-ups modernise a silhouette that was beginning to show its age.

The seat perched at 770 mm will suit most builds, and the suspension comfort, with a rear mono-shock offering 126 mm of travel, remains decent for mixed road and city use. Braking relies on two 310 mm front discs gripped by four-piston calipers, complemented by a single 240 mm disc at the rear. Effective without being sporty, in the image of the entire machine. For anyone looking for the price of a Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit N 2010 or that of a Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit N and S from 2007 in France, the used market is brimming with offers, as this model sold so well. Brand new, this 2013 model year was priced at 6,199 euros, a particularly sharp tariff against Japanese competition.

The Bandit 650 N version is clearly aimed at pragmatic riders, A2 licence beginners included, who want a proven mechanical package, a controlled budget and maintenance without nasty surprises. The reviews on the Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit N and S 2008 as well as on the following model years converge on this point: reliability is the real asset of this machine. It will never make the heart beat as strongly as an ER-6n in a sequence of corners, nor as a Street Triple on a trickle of throttle at the exit of a curve. But for swallowing kilometres without asking questions, at a price of a Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit N 2009 in France that has become very accessible on the second-hand market, it remains a rational choice and difficult to fault.