Suzuki GSX-F 650 2015 — Specifications

When Suzuki decides to recycle a proven formula, the manufacturer from Hamamatsu doesn't do things halfway. The GSX-F 650, which appeared in 2008 and was still present in the catalog in 2015, is based on a simple idea: take the mechanics and chassis of the Bandit 650, graft a full fairing with GSX-R looks onto it, and offer the whole thing at a floor price of €6,899. The result? A sportbike disguised touring machine that deceives no one on the track, but fulfills its contract on national and highway roads with quiet efficiency.

Under the skin, the 656 cc inline four-cylinder engine with liquid cooling produces 85 hp at 10,500 rpm for a torque of 61.8 Nm at 8,900 rpm. Nothing dazzling on paper, but the power is delivered with a suppleness that forgives everything, including the approximations of an A2 license. Because yes, the Suzuki GSX-F 650 is eligible for the A2 license with restriction, making it a serious candidate for up-and-coming motorcyclists. The six-speed gearbox is smooth, the final chain does its job without incident, and the announced top speed of 210 km/h is quite sufficient to swallow up the kilometers without frustration. The engine, inherited from the Bandit, has proven its reliability. On the Suzuki GSX-F 650 used market, this is indeed a significant argument.

The steel tubular double cradle frame weighs in at 241 kg, including the 19-liter fuel tank. It's heavy. Too heavy to play the sportbike in tight corners, just stable enough to reassure on long journeys. The 41 mm telescopic fork and the single rear mono-shock offer correct travel, respectively 130 and 128 mm, without sporty pretensions but with acceptable comfort on degraded road surfaces. The contained seat height of 770 mm allows those of modest stature to place their feet on the ground. The braking system, entrusted to two 310 mm discs pinched by four-piston calipers at the front and a single 260 mm disc at the rear, proves sufficient for the intended use. The ABS version, the Suzuki GSX-F 650 ABS, clearly deserves the supplement for those who ride all year round.

The real issue with this motorcycle is its positioning. Faced with a lighter and more modern Kawasaki ER-6f, or a Yamaha XJ6 Diversion with a more lively temperament, the GSX 650F plays the card of versatility without flair. Its full fairing, directly inspired by the design of the 2005 GSX-R 1000, gives it superior protection compared to its semi-faired rivals. On the highway, this is a real plus. In the city, the 241 kg remind you with every half-turn. Opinions on the Suzuki GSX-F 650 generally converge on the same observation: a motorcycle without surprises, endearing by its mechanical simplicity, but lacking the character that forges passions.

What is the price of a Suzuki GSX-F 650 today? On the used market, count between €3,000 and €5,000 depending on the mileage and year, the 2009 to 2016 models being negotiated within a fairly tight range. This is where the GSX-F finds its best argument. For the budget of a new scooter, you are riding a reliable four-cylinder, protected motorcycle, capable of carrying a passenger and luggage for an entire weekend. Not the motorcycle of the century, but an honest tool that does exactly what is asked of it, no more, no less.