08 GSX 600F vs 08 Ninja 650R

[johnny_boy02]

The GSX650F is a fat ugly pig. Remember when you were a kid the big bouncing balls with the handles?... Yeah thats what the GSX feels like when you sit on it.

Go for the Ninja. I would and did get the SV.

[Gaolee]

I had a Bandit 600 some time ago. It is what a GSX650F is, essentially. I got my Bandit second hand before Suzuki started making SV650s. The dealership I go to got an SV650 sometime in 1999 and let me ride it. It was head and shoulders above my 1996 Bandit. Both have been improved, but if it was me, I would buy either of the twins before buying the four.

[Anthonyd5189]

My GSX650F mini-review...

Lots of info on the GSXF.

For what it's worth...EVERY review I have read on the GSXF had nothing bad to say about it. They all praise it as a perfect STREET, not track, bike. If you can keep that in mind, then I say go for it. Don't expect it to run circles around SS bikes. It will top out around 140ish(more than fast enough on the street). The weight of the bike really is a non-issue once you get moving...it's the slow speed stuff where you will notice it.

I say if you like the looks and understand it's not a race machine(I would call it more sport touring) then go for it!

The SV650 is also a great bike, but it might be a bit much for a new rider. If you can find a used GS500F I would jump on that. I have had mine almost 3 years now and I love it.

[metalrat]

Originally Posted by clandest

And since your probably misread the title, this is the GSX650F not the GSX 600R

Well you are right, I did miss read the title. Probably because the GSX650F is so ugly I tied to forget about it.

SV650.
650R.
GSX650F.

Or better yet some older used GS500, Ninja 500 to toss around while you learn.
The SV650 has a huge aftermarket for it.
The Ninja 650R is a great bike. Sporty and beautifull.

[spicy]

Originally Posted by Anthonyd5189

My GSX650F mini-review...

Lots of info on the GSXF.

For what it's worth...EVERY review I have read on the GSXF had nothing bad to say about it. They all praise it as a perfect STREET, not track, bike. If you can keep that in mind, then I say go for it. Don't expect it to run circles around SS bikes. It will top out around 140ish(more than fast enough on the street). The weight of the bike really is a non-issue once you get moving...it's the slow speed stuff where you will notice it.

I say if you like the looks and understand it's not a race machine(I would call it more sport touring) then go for it!

The SV650 is also a great bike, but it might be a bit much for a new rider. If you can find a used GS500F I would jump on that. I have had mine almost 3 years now and I love it.

i agree. i think a lot of the 650F's bad wrap is just because most people are uninformed, and think that suzuki is just making a 650 supersport, not realizing rather that they're trying to take an all-arounder (bandit) and market it to the general american public (who, if they're not the cruiser crowd, won't touch anything without full-fairings).

from what i've read, it does everything it's supposed to do well. it's not for ripping around the track, or hauling ass around local canyons. it's for street riding, heavy commuting (or light sport touring), or just tooling around 2up.

it's a heavier bike with an engine suited to its personality (at least judging from the dyno charts i've seen in the magazines). true, it's an I4, but it's tuned for mid-range grunt, which means it's not going to hit "omg wtf hyperspace" at 10k+ rpm and launch new riders to the moon. it's surprisingly like a twin in its power delivery, only it'll be much smoother (sewing-machine-like, in fact).

as with all the budget bikes, the suspensions may or may not leave something to be desired, depending on how you ride and what you're looking for the bike to do. the SV650S suspension is competent but not much better than that, and only if you're on the lighter side of things (i'm 5'11" 160ish lbs).

biggest thing is just to approach all the bikes with an open mind. i'd almost guarantee you that NONE of the people that are hardcore shitting on the "omg it's just an old katana" GSX650F have done anything else than sit on it at a dealership, and those that have done only that are probably the minority.




anyways, so the biggest question you're asking is: how beginner friendly is it?

well, my first bike was a '93 katana 750, which weighs about the same as the GSX650F. it ran like shit, so it being powerful wasn't really an issue. it was quite heavy, though, which could be problematic for someone who's either reasonably small, new to bikes, or on the weaker side of things (i met all 3 criteria when starting on it, lol, but i didn't know any better).

i'd say you'd be better off with a 250 or 500 for learning, but the SV650/650S can be a bit snatchy on the throttle. don't have too much experience with the 650R, but i sat on one and it just didn't really jive with me (whereas the SV practically sang Handel's Messiah when i threw a leg over it).

[derango1]

Originally Posted by spicy

i'd say you'd be better off with a 250 or 500 for learning, but the SV650/650S can be a bit snatchy on the throttle. don't have too much experience with the 650R, but i sat on one and it just didn't really jive with me (whereas the SV practically sang Handel's Messiah when i threw a leg over it).

Hahaha, that's awesome!

[TwoColorShoe]

Originally Posted by spicy

i agree. i think a lot of the 650F's bad wrap is just because most people are uninformed, and think that suzuki is just making a 650 supersport, not realizing rather that they're trying to take an all-arounder (bandit) and market it to the general american public (who, if they're not the cruiser crowd, won't touch anything without full-fairings).

from what i've read, it does everything it's supposed to do well. it's not for ripping around the track, or hauling ass around local canyons. it's for street riding, heavy commuting (or light sport touring), or just tooling around 2up.
...
...

biggest thing is just to approach all the bikes with an open mind. i'd almost guarantee you that NONE of the people that are hardcore shitting on the "omg it's just an old katana" GSX650F have done anything else than sit on it at a dealership, and those that have done only that are probably the minority.

...

You do have a point. I bashed the bike, and I haven't ever ridden it. (sadly, I don't have the chance to ride other bikes, so the only info I can get is through magazines and online reviews/etc)

I still gotta say, though, that weight is a big deal for a beginner. You're much more likely to drop it in a slow speed maneuver or by stalling it then through some fast chicane.

Also, the power it puts out is generally agreed upon to be a bit too much for a first timer. (the sv650 and 650r only narrowly pass most people's ideas of being a beginner bike)

It doesn't look horrible, and if the OP got it, then I certainly wouldn't put him down or ridicule him, but I don't think I would ever recommend one.

[johnny_boy02]

Originally Posted by spicy

the SV650S suspension is competent but not much better than that, and only if you're on the lighter side of things (i'm 5'11" 160ish lbs).

At 6' and 260 the SV when adjusted for my weight does just fine. I wont be able to out the bikes ability for a long time.

Originally Posted by spicy

but the SV650/650S can be a bit snatchy on the throttle.

Yep, but it should only take a tiny bit of practice to make that not a problem. Once you know its there its easy to get past.

[DarkRyder]

Well i have read the whole thread and have to say since i own a GSX650F.. im a bit biased..i think the bike is very smooth in all gears.. and its more starter friendly than most people think.. yes the weight can be a issue in slow sharp turns.. but that is what MSF is for and empty parking lots...yes the bike has some kick but it transitions so smooth you wont really feel it. and no i never rode any of the other bikes mentioned in this thread so i wont bash them.. but i luv my bike and it look really good to me...so its really what feels good to you, sit on all of them and get a good feel for them and decide what is best for you.. also while you are at the suzuki stealership sit on the GS500..and compare the 2. good luck hope you find what you are looking for.. and not just someones bashing of 1 bike they have never even been on.

[ancient11]

I realize this is a very old thread, but I came across it, so others most likely will also.

I made up my mind to go to Cincinnati, Ohio and they (my children and grandchildren) did not want me to use too small of a bike and so we came up with the SV 650 that belong to one of my great grand children. I left my house and headed north toward Toccoa Georgia and around the perimeter to 441 North and I almost got to North Carolina before I had to stop. My back was breaking, my ass was sore. I didn't like the way it handled and it felt top-heavy, plus it was the ugliest motorcycle I had ever ridden. My great-grandson thinks it is the most beautiful bike made.

I called my son and told him to bring me the ZX 14 on the pickup truck. I found a drive in restaurant and did some stretches and had some refreshments while waiting. They ended up bringing me a 650F and I was furious, it belonged to one of their friends. It was a beautiful bike but not what I wanted -- heck -- I would have rather had the ninja 250. It did not take a rocket scientist to see how heavy this bike was, but you didn't feel the weight because of where it is. It handled like a dream and was as smooth as silk, until you grabbed a big old hand full and then it showed you it's true heritage.

I finished up the trip to Cincinnati, only stopping for gas and eat's. I definitely will be buying one of these bikes next year. I will also agree the ninja 650 is a great bike but don't ever offer me any SV 650. Does this mean this is a bad bike -- heck no -- it is a great bike for some people, but certainly not for me. We all are different heights, weights and do different style's of riddling -- so we require different motorcycles and each and everyone of us are individual's, so we have different opinions. What is right for me, doesn't mean that it will be right for you -- but I have fell in love with this motorcycle.

[bassjones]

I bought the 650R and LOVE it. I was also considering the SV650, but couldn't find one to check out. Then I found a helluva deal on this one - 300 miles, basically brand new for $4800 so it became a no-brainer. Is the SV650 a better bike??? No idea, but I'm 100% certain it's not a $2500 better bike I'm still seeing NOS '08s for sale at ebay dealers and the '09 is a re-design, so you can probably get one for a pretty good price right now. I would guess mid-$5000 range. You won't find an SV or GSXF for that. IMHO the bikes are so close that the price puts the Ninja over the top.