Suzuki GSX-F 750 2000 — Specifications

Do you remember that era, around the turn of the millennium, when every manufacturer was trying to squeeze a sport-touring bike into their lineup? Suzuki had its answer, and it was called the GSX-F 750. Not the prettiest, with that somewhat strange "bio design" that still divides opinion today, but a bike with a knockout argument: its price. At under 7000 euros new, it delivered a serious blow to the Honda VFR 800 and Triumph Sprint ST of the time. You were buying a big displacement, a fully-faired silhouette, and a proven engine.

Because the heart of this Suzuki GSX-F 750 is an old acquaintance. A 750cc block inherited from the GSX-R, but tamed for the road. It delivers 93 horsepower, which is nothing to sneeze at, but it's especially its 69.6 Nm of torque that sets the tone. At low revs, it's smooth, almost too polite. Past 6000 rpm, it wakes up and finds its sportier voice, with that subtle underlying vibration that hints at its origins. For a tourer, it's an honest character, but you have to admit the power dip between 4000 and 6000 rpm is noticeable. The gearbox, meanwhile, remains quite firm, typical of Suzukis from that generation.

The problem with this 1998 or 2000 Suzuki GSX-F 750 is that it kept that in-house flaw: somewhat cheap suspension. The rear is too harsh, and the front, a 41mm fork, lacks composure when the pace picks up. At high speed on a bumpy main road, it can get nervous, and the braking, with its two-piston calipers, frankly lacks bite. That's where you see the difference with a VFR, which is much more precise. On the other hand, for a solo rider, the comfort is decent. The position, slightly leaned over onto the clip-ons, is good for long distances, and the fairing provides good protection.

So, for whom? Clearly, for the touring rider looking for a complete, faired bike without breaking the bank. The used Suzuki GSX-F 750 is an excellent deal, provided you accept its limits. It will never be a precision instrument like a sportbike, nor a Rolls-Royce of the highways like some German tourers. But it has real versatility, a 20-liter fuel tank, and that legendary reliability of Suzuki inline-fours. It's an honest machine, no frills, that gets the job done on a tight budget. If you're looking for your first big tourer and the youthful suspension flaws don't scare you, it deserves a serious look.