Anyone ever ride the GSX650F?

[Twism86]

So has anyone ridden this bike? That is the 2008 +. Im reading some reviews and info about it drooling......... In the future i want something bigger and more powerful than the GS but not a pure gixxer racing machine. This bike seems perfect!

[JAY W]

An x Gs5 rider on GS500.com got one he`s selling and reverting back to GS because its to heavy for him and twice as expensive to run,fuel,tires and dealer maintenance.

[Twism86]

The fact that its 100lbs heavier doesnt really excite me  . I know it will eat fuel but so will anything with a bigger engine.

[yamahonkawazuki]

The katana/can-a-tuna? ive ridden one the other day, on friends lot. heavier yes. ut id ride it. ( ive ridden 800lb goldwings, and harleys so the canatuna didnt bother me at all. i still like the feel of my gs though to be honest

[CliffHanger]

I rode a GSX650F Bandit (2005 I believe) a couple months ago.
It was the last of the air-cooled Bandits.

It had more power than the GS, but a found the steering to be numb and vague.
The power is very linear but uninspiring.  I like the Vibes of the P-Twin I guess.

I'm looking at something with a bigger p-twin... cafe'd new Bonneville perhaps.
That thing has some more torque, but the base model is too cruiser.  Jack up the rear shock and put low/forward bars...Mmm.

I really thought I would like the Bandit from the reviews, but the test ride is the thing isn't it?

[Twism86]

Thanks, although im looking for any opinions on the newer one. If i ever get one it would be into the future.....

[tt_four]

I know it will eat fuel but so will anything with a bigger engine.

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but my Buell xb9(984) gets 50-52mph pretty consistently no matter how I ride it. That seems pretty consistent with what people get on their GSs, although some do better, but I think they're really trying. So just because a bike has a bigger engine doesn't necessarily mean gas mileage has to drop that much. On the plus side, it only weighs 10lbs more than the GS, but has a lower center of gravity. Nothing wrong with the GSXF if that's what you want but it may be worth looking at other options as far as weight/mileage and all that stuff goes. I know that bike is a natural step up though for people who like their GS but just want a little bit more.

[Twism86]

I definitely wouldnt be apposed to a Buell in the future. This look kinda cramped though with a small wheel base. Never rode one but im sure they are more comfy then they look.

[PachmanP]

... my Buell xb9(984) gets 50-52mph pretty consistently no matter how I ride it.

That sounds like a problem. Stuck throttle? What happens when you pull in the clutch?

[SAFE-T]

Not everyone's cup of tea, but my Buell xb9(984) gets 50-52mph pretty consistently no matter how I ride it.

But what do you do when the Harley dealerships ~ who didn't even like working on it in the first place ~ stop stocking parts for it in three years now that the Buell company no longer exists ?

[ohgood]

... my Buell xb9(984) gets 50-52mph pretty consistently no matter how I ride it.

That sounds like a problem. Stuck throttle? What happens when you pull in the clutch?

buhahaahahahahaha - i was thinking it should be unloaded off the train it's traveling on...

[yamahonkawazuki]

Not everyone's cup of tea, but my Buell xb9(984) gets 50-52mph pretty consistently no matter how I ride it.

But what do you do when the Harley dealerships ~ who didn't even like working on it in the first place ~ stop stocking parts for it in three years now that the Buell company no longer exists ?

teh xb9 series as well as the 12 series are based upon hte sportster engine drivetrain, so parts will NEVER run out