Suzuki GSX-F 650 2012 — Specifications

Who still remembers the old GSX-F 600 and 750, those discreet sport-GT models that populated Suzuki’s catalog without ever shaking up the competition? In 2008, Hamamatsu decided to revive the designation with an unexpected displacement. The Suzuki GSX-F 650 was not born on a blank sheet of paper. It was born in the shadow of a Bandit. And that’s both its strength and its limitation.

The principle is simple, almost cynical: take a Bandit 650, its steel tubular double cradle frame, its 656 cc inline four-cylinder engine cooled by water, its six-speed gearbox, and dress the whole thing in full fairing with GSX-R styling. The result? A faired touring machine that produces 85 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 61.8 Nm of torque at 8,900 rpm. Nothing volcanic, but a supple, well-spaced engine that pulls cleanly across the entire rev range. The compression ratio of 11.5:1 and the short stroke (65.5 x 48.7 mm bore-stroke) betray an engine designed for liveliness rather than top-end pull. The top speed is limited to 210 km/h, which clearly places the Suzuki GSX-F 650 in the comfortable touring register rather than pure performance.

Regarding the chassis, the GSX 650F inherits the proven cycle section from its naked cousin. 41 mm telescopic fork with 130 mm of front travel, a mono-shock offering 128 mm at the rear. The braking system relies on two 310 mm discs pinched by four-piston calipers at the front and a 260 mm disc at the rear. It’s adequate without being sporty, like the tire fitment in 120/70-17 and 160/60-17. With 241 kg fully fueled and a 19-liter tank, the machine proves to be quite heavy but durable. The low seat, perched at only 770 mm, reassures those of modest stature and A2 license holders seeking an accessible inline four-cylinder. Indeed, the Suzuki GSX-F 650 A2 remains one of the few ways to experience the melody of an inline four without waiting for a full license.

The real asset of this motorcycle is its price positioning. Offered at 6,749 euros in 2012, the Suzuki GSX-F 650 was positioned below most of its faired rivals. Faced with a Kawasaki ER-6f that is lighter but a twin-cylinder, or a Yamaha XJ6 Diversion with a more subdued character, the GSX-F played the card of mechanical prestige at a tight price. Inline four-cylinder, full fairing and sporty looks for the price of a twin: the equation made sense. On the used market, the Suzuki GSX-F 650 remains a safe bet, with prices rarely dropping below 3,000 euros for a model in good condition. What is the price of a Suzuki GSX-F 650 today? Between 2,500 and 4,500 euros depending on the year and mileage, making it one of the most affordable sport-GTs on the market.

Don't look for a machine here capable of competing with a VFR 800 in the alpine passes or of holding its own against a Ninja 650 on corner exits. The 2013 Suzuki GSX-F 650 never claimed to play in that league. It’s a motorcycle for daily commutes, quiet weekends, and first long trips. A reliable companion, undemanding in terms of maintenance thanks to its proven Bandit engine, which protects you well from the wind and devours the kilometers without complaint. Its main drawback remains its weight, which makes it cumbersome in the city and laborious in tight corners. But for those seeking a faired inline four-cylinder, comfortable and affordable, the GSX 650F Suzuki GSX-F 650 deserves a closer look. It’s not a sports bike in disguise. It’s an honest touring machine, without pretension, and that’s exactly what it’s asked to be.