Suzuki GSX-F 650 2010 — Specifications

Who still remembers the old GSX-F 600 and 750, those discreet sport-GT models that populated Suzuki’s catalog without making a splash? When Hamamatsu relaunched the designation in 2008, it was with a pragmatic and no-frills recipe. The Suzuki GSX-F 650 reinvents nothing. It intelligently recycles a proven base, that of the Bandit 650, by grafting a full fairing with GSX-R styling onto it. The result is a versatile road bike sold for €6,499, a price that speaks volumes in a segment where the Kawasaki ER-6f and Yamaha XJ6 Diversion were already playing the value-for-money card.

Under the skin, the 656 cc inline four-cylinder engine with liquid cooling comes directly from the Bandit. It delivers 85 hp at 10,500 rpm and a torque of 61.8 Nm at 8,900 rpm. Nothing spectacular on paper, but the power curve is docile, linear, and exploitable from the mid-range. That’s exactly what’s required of a machine designed to devour kilometers without fatiguing its rider. The six-speed gearbox is smooth, the chain transmission remains classic. With a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and a bore stroke of 65.5 x 48.7 mm, this engine prioritizes flexibility over brute horsepower. A2 license holders have understood this well, since the Suzuki GSX F 650 A2 is among the most sought-after motorcycles on the used market for new riders. What is the price of a Suzuki GSX-F 650 on the used market today? Count between €2,500 and €4,500 depending on the year and mileage, whether it's a 2009, 2013, or 2016 model.

The steel tubular double cradle frame is nothing like a perimeter frame from a sportbike, but it does the job honestly. At 241 kg when fully fueled, the GSX 650F doesn’t try to be a ballerina. It makes up for it with a low seat at 770 mm, which reassures those of smaller stature, and a 19-liter tank that allows for comfortable range on the highway. The 41 mm telescopic fork and the single rear shock offer reasonable suspension travel, 130 and 128 mm respectively. The braking system relies on two 310 mm front discs pinched by four-piston calipers, backed up by a 260 mm rear disc. Correct, but not bitey. The ABS version, the Suzuki GSX F 650 ABS, provides welcome safety in the wet for a few hundred euros extra.

The real feat of this motorcycle is its fairing. The headlamp design almost mirrors that of the 2005 GSX-R 1000, right down to the typography of the logo, where the red F flashes like a sporty wink. The aerodynamic protection transforms the naked Bandit into a traveler capable of holding 210 km/h on the speedometer without shaking its rider like a plum tree. For the passenger, the two-person seat and grab handles make two-up rides possible, even if the comfort remains that of a mid-range touring bike.

Who is this machine for? For motorcyclists who want to ride a lot without breaking the bank, in terms of maintenance as well as purchase price. For post-A2 license beginners looking for a reliable motorcycle with a smooth four-cylinder engine. For daily commuters who don’t need 150 horsepower to get to work. The Suzuki GSX-F 650 doesn’t make anyone dream in a circuit parking lot. But on a winding national road on a Sunday morning, it reminds you that a good motorcycle isn't necessarily the one with the most impressive specifications. It’s the one that makes you want to ride a little more, just for the pleasure of the road.