Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit S 2015 — Specifications

Remember the first-generation Bandit, that rakish roadster that squatted the parking lots of biker bars in the early 2000s. Two decades later, the beast has settled down, almost too much. The 2015 Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit S carries this nostalgia like an old leather jacket you pull out of habit, while the new guard of Japanese and European roadsters turns heads with aggressive lines and aluminum frames.

Under the restyled fairing, the mechanicals haven't moved a single bolt. The liquid-cooled 656 cc inline-four delivers 85 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 61.8 Nm of torque at 8,900 rpm, with a short bore and stroke of 65.5 x 48.7 mm and a compression ratio of 11.5:1 that betray its sporty DNA. On paper, the cavalry is enough to flirt with 210 km/h at top speed, but the 247 kg wet weight reminds you of its presence as soon as you tackle a series of tight switchbacks. The six-speed gearbox remains well spaced, the chain does the job, and the 19-liter tank allows for comfortable legs for anyone aiming at budget-friendly grand touring.

The ergonomics play the clever compromise card. A 770 mm seat that accommodates smaller riders without drama, a tubular steel double-cradle frame as solid as a gantry bridge, a 41 mm telescopic fork with 130 mm of travel, and a rear monoshock that absorbs 126 mm. The braking, two 310 mm discs clamped by four-piston calipers at the front and a 240 mm at the rear, with standard ABS, stays within category standards without particularly shining. The redesigned fork head, inspired by the GSX-R 1000, gains elegance and hides two small handy gloveboxes, very practical for Sunday wanderers.

At 6,999 euros new, the 2015 Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit S plays the value-for-money card head-on. That's its real selling point, especially since on the used market, the previous versions sell for next to nothing. What is the price of a 2010 Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit S in France? Count on between 2,500 and 3,500 euros today depending on mileage. For those looking for a 2012 Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit S or a 2010 version, the values run in the same waters, and the question often comes up on forums: what is the price of the 2009 Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit S in France? The answer is around 2,200 to 2,800 euros for a decent example. The 2015 model year remains the last of its kind, which makes it an interesting piece for those who want a new, warranty-backed bike.

Facing the Kawasaki ER-6f, with its livelier and lighter twin, and the Yamaha XJ6 Diversion which plays the same touring tune, the Bandit stands out thanks to its silky four-cylinder and legendary reliability. But the real threat comes from elsewhere, from the Street Triple, MT-07, Z650 and other GSR, which offer sharper sensations at similar prices. Still, for the beginner rider, the commuter eating up the miles, or the returning rider looking for a solid base without breaking the bank, the used 2012 Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit S or the new 2015 retains real coherence. Tame, yes. Outdated, not quite.