Suzuki GSX650F K8

[Hillbilly]

There's gonna be a new middleweight sports tourer for 2008! Suzuki have released info on the GSX650F which is based on the Bandit 650 engine. This is to be their "entry level" inline four. I guess price-wise it'll compete directly with the ER-6f.

[Pwalo]

Yep it's a Bandit with a full fairing. Supposed to be the replacement for the GSXF600.

Looks ok, but will be a hefty old beast. Mind you it'll be as strong as a strong thing.

[Cajun]

interesting the dash, they have given it a shift light, gear indercator, and such,

the gsx600f was in wholey need of an update and this isn't to shabby as a whole

[cowboyz]

certainly a move that has been a long time coming. I dont think it is a mistake either. Looks good and will fit nicely into a gap in the market.

[Mekk]

I prefer bikes with their bars above the tank to be naked. It looks a bit out of place jetting out of the fairing like that, I think.

I do like the chain fender design, very sleek.

[far queue]

Having had a GSX750F in the past, I rather like the look of this. A step in the right direction, appearance wise. The fairing looks like it'll work well at the lower speeds too. I found the old shape 750 fairing to cause buffeting in the 100-120kph range, but was good at 140kph +

[90s]

I prefer bikes with their bars above the tank to be naked. It looks a bit out of place jetting out of the fairing like that, I think.

I do like the chain fender design, very sleek.

Comfy though - wind protection & upright "sport" riding. GSX-F series have never really been lookers jusy very, very sensible.

The GSX-F is dead ... long live the GSX-F.

[rwh]

GSX-F series have never really been lookers

With the obvious exception of the early '90s models ... :dodge:

Richard

[jrandom]

Looks like it'll be an eminently practical and fun motorcycle. Suzuki, as always, know how to hit the sweet spots in the market.

[cowboyz]

With the obvious exception of the early '90s models ... :dodge:

Richard

absoultely. espcially the 1991 600........................ (or was it a piece of shit, cant remember)

(that is so bad. Out of the thousands of kiwibikers online about 3 of them are going to get that comment)

[Morcs]

It looks like a Gixxer turned ghey.

But seriously, look a bit harder, and compare to a picture of the bandit 650 S - whats the difference except a different fairing and paint?

The bandit is a sports tourer. This new thing is a wannabe gixxer. It looks crap.

[Pumba]

Id rather go by a 650 Bandit, but I guess it will fit into the market somewhere

[RantyDave]

But seriously, look a bit harder, and compare to a picture of the bandit 650 S - whats the difference except a different fairing and paint?
Was, more or less, what I was thinking. I can understand that manufacturers want to compete in the most competitive segment of the market, but Suzuki are crowding themselves out. They have, what: This thing; the GSR600; The GSX-R600; and the Bandit 600. Seems a bit strange to me - perhaps the beginning of the end for the Bandit?

Dave

[Mekk]

Comfy though - wind protection & upright "sport" riding. GSX-F series have never really been lookers jusy very, very sensible.

The GSX-F is dead ... long live the GSX-F.

Yeah, that's true. In light of that, the finer styling aspects of that bike seem redundant to me.

Still, it's not so bad if she can cook.

[snipa84]

I guess it's trying to go for a market that would've previously bought a CBR600F or a Thundercat, a sensible fully faired 600 (ish) bike. However, I wouldn't have thought there'd be much market for it with the Bandit S about - however it remains to be seen what the price is I guess. Also, it could be for markets that don't get the bandit (if there are any?).

It does look a bit more 'sporty' than the Bandit too - I'd have to see it in the flesh, but if the price were close to the Bandit S I can see a few people going for this instead.

[MaxCannon]

I like it.
It's a little while till I can upgrade but at the start of next year I'll be in the market for a new bike.

My desires may change but right now the sport / tourer middleweights looks like the most sensible upgrade. Bikes like the ER-6, SV650, FZ6 and Bandit.

Don't know why but I prefer the look of a full fairing bike to nakeds or semi fairing.

[far queue]

Don't know why but I prefer the look of a full fairing bike to nakeds or semi fairing.Me too. Bikes used to all be naked's then the fairings and came in, then when the naked's made a comeback it seemed a backward step to me. But lot's of people like 'em and that's cool, it'd be boring if we all liked the same thing.

[Hillbilly]

The GSF650 Bandit will never be imported into Australia! The GSR600 sales aren't doing so good, nor are the naked ER-6. The ER-6f has dropped it's price to compete with what? - The GS500F!! Most naked 600s (all brands) aren't selling well, and the likes of the ZZR600 aren't either.

I've been told Suzuki have basically created this bike for sale in markets (Oz for instance) where the Bandit 650 isn't sold, as well as a replacement for the now discontinued GSX750F. What'll be interesting to watch is the price.

[Hillbilly]

Here's a decent look at the new GSX650F, and it also comes in black. The specs below are from Suzuki.




Specs
Engine: 656cc, four-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC 16 valve, liquid cooled*
Bore Stroke: 65.5 x 48.7 mm*
Compression Ratio: 11.5:1*
Fuel System: Fuel Injection
Lubrication: Wet sump
Ignition: Digital/Transistorized
Transmission: 6-speed
Final Drive: chain*
Overall Length: 2130 mm (83.9 in.)*
Overall Width: 760 mm (30.4 in.)*
Overall Height: 1225 mm (48.2 in.)*
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in.)*
Ground Clearance: 130 mm (5.3 in.)*
Wheelbase: 1470 mm (57.9 in.)*
Dry Weight: 216 kg (475 lbs.)*
Suspension Front: Telescopic, oil damped, preload adjustable
Suspension Rear: Link-type suspension, adjustable preload and rebound
Brakes Front: Dual hydraulic disc
Brakes Rear: Single hydraulic disc
Tires Front: 120/70 ZR17
Tires Rear: 160/60ZR17
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 liter (5.0 gal.) CA Model 18.5 liter (4.9 gal.)
Color: Blue/White, Black/Silver

[Mekk]

I have to say the black is definitely sexier.

[FilthyLuka]

you have to admit, it does look pretty hot from the front. if the price isnt something rediculous i can see people buying it, but really, the price needs to be somewhere round the $12000-$14000 mark, and even then, $2000 on top of a 650 bandit for an abundance of sexy? i dont know...

Denis

[imdying]

People that aren't slaves to fashion, that don't need to be head down bum up, that realise 10 10ths gets you killed on the road, will probably love this bike. Sure it might look like a 'wannabe' GSXR to some, but then, it probably has better brakes and suspension than a 10 year old GSXR750, and more than enough power to exploit them... and in the real world, a 10 year old GSXR750 isn't exactly shite in the brakes and suspension department. 216kg isn't light, but think of the heaps of crap we used to ride, didnt' do us any harm. This is probably an excellent step up from 250s... once you can punt a (relative) whale like this about, then you're ready to step into the GSXR range, and actually have a chance of getting the extra performance out of it. 'Shite' bikes have their place imho.

[sAsLEX]

People that aren't slaves to fashion, that don't need to be head down bum up

I thought that add was weird, the one knee down above a few posts, that is fine in a GSXR add but this bike is designed for the more sedate sensible rider not the knee down "insert your view".

And yes aint nothing wrong with that bike, except the headlights are probably crap as they have tried to copy the GSXR ones.

[imdying]

Just cause people get older and more sensible, that doesn't mean they've forgotten how to have fun... you just have to pick your moments :yes: