Tired of the Harley thing, considering...

[tricker]

i'm sorta partial to the zzr600... but i'm not sure how the new ones are. I've never ridden anything else so i guess my ignorance on different bikes wouldn't help much i guess....

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by KD57

This afternoon I'm going to look at a GSX650F. Haven't seen one yet, anybody know about them? Looks like a more friendly street version of the R bike.

From what I have read, it is a '07 Bandit 650S with full fairings. Suzuki sells the Bandit 650S in Canada and the UK. I bought one in July and am very pleased with the bike. It seems to have lots of power everywhere, and is a comfortable bike with good handling. If you have specific questions, fire away.

[KD57]

Thanks, I may have some questions after I take a look at it this afternoon.

[Barbarian]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Maybe you can con him for a ride so you can write an article on it???

I like the way you think

[omegajim]

How about the Yamaha FJR1300?

With luggage please.

[KD57]

Well, I went by the dealer on the way home, and the salesman was wrong, they did not have the bike in yet. Will be a few more weeks. Here are the specs and a pic. Looks to be a nice bike, this is replacing the Katana. It has an all new motor, built for more low end and mid range, and has a sit-up riding position. A little heavier than I wanted, but we'll see.

Engine : 656cc, four-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC 16 valve, liquid cooled*
Warranty : 12 month unlimited mileage limited warranty
Bore Stroke : 65.5 x 48.7 mm*
Compression Ratio : 11.5:1*
Fuel System : Fuel Injection
Lubrication : Wet sump
Ignition : Digital/Transistorized
Starter : Electric
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.)*
Front Suspension : Telescopic, oil damped, preload adjustable
Rear Suspension : Link-type suspension, adjustable preload and rebound
Front Brakes : Dual hydraulic disc
Rear Brakes : Single hydraulic disc
Front Tires : 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tires : 160/60ZR17
Fuel Tank Capacity : 19 liter (5.0 gal.) CA Model 18.5 liter (4.9 gal.)
Color : Blue/White, Black/Silver

[themeatmanlandry]

475? Hooo! That's heavy!

FWIW, I have a 2002 Bandit 600S (sort of like a poor man's Katana, I guess ) and I love it. Sure, the GSXR is "scare-you-%%%%less-fast," and it sounds way cool, but when I really want to boogie in the corners, I take the Bandit. It may have more to do with the fact that I've put almost 30K on the Bandit and right at 1K on the GSXR, but I can move at a much faster clip in the corners on the Bandit. I believe it weighs around 450 or so.

[KD57]

Yeah, it is, almost heavier by itself than than me and the CBR together.
But weight is relative, especially when riding a bike (Harley) that has a cast iron frame. I'll just have to see how it feels, some bikes are just balanced better than others, maybe this one has a low cog and won't feel heavy. I do like the looks of it. The seat looks comfy too.

[omegajim]

I guess I don't quite understand why you'd want to go from a Harley to a 650 import.

Seems like a bit of paradigm shift, I would think something a bit bigger would be less drastic.

That's kind of why I threw the fjr1300 out there. It's a fairly good size bike with a fair amount of torque.

You go to a 600 - 700 anything, and you'll really miss the torque you have now. Those bikes have to be "wound up" for them to really move by way of comparison.

[Clint]

Not exactly. You could probably outrun his Harley while never taking the GSX beyond half-throttle.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by KD57

I'll just have to see how it feels, some bikes are just balanced better than others, maybe this one has a low cog and won't feel heavy. I do like the looks of it. The seat looks comfy too.

I do find the bike to be well balanced, and it does handle very well. The seat however, is not comfy.

You go to a 600 - 700 anything, and you'll really miss the torque you have now. Those bikes have to be "wound up" for them to really move by way of comparison.

I definitely don't find you have to wind this bike up--I haven't been beyond 6500. Anyone here with the new big Bandit (1250) should be able to give you a good idea how the smaller Bandit (GSX650F) goes.

[TechJD]

you might want to look at a tourer bike also
most are easier to handle than a cruiser, closer to a sport bike handle
but insure like a cruiser

[omegajim]

Honda st1300? If money weren't an object, I'd be driving one now.

[Barbarian]

The only time I find my 650 feels 'heavy' is if I top up with gas three blocks from my house then park it.

Yes, because it's a 650 engine it does rev higher than the 1250.. but it's not like it takes extra effort. I can enter the highway in 2nd if I'm being stupid, power band starts around 7000 RPM, 12000 RPM red line -- usually I'm cruising on the highway at 5-6000 RPM in 5th or 6th, and the bike feels comfortable doing that.