It seems like longer, but it was only last April that I got my first bike... a 2004 GS500F with 5,200km on it.  17 months and 16,600km later, there I was at Inglis Cycle in London handing over the keys and saying goodbye.... sniff.

What can I say about the GS?  If there's a better sportbike to learn to ride on, I'll eat my tankbag.  Weight.... balance.... forgiving, but not too forgiving.  65mpg (Canadian gallon).  Great-looking (especially in black or yellow  ).  Cheap(er) to insure, even in Ontario.  A homerun by Suzuki.

But it was time.  I was lured by the power, the digital speedometer, the intoxicating 4-cylinder whine AND the spin-on oil filter.  A clock on the dash, a gas gauge, and a maintenance-free battery.  Did I mention the intoxicating 4-cylinder whine.

Inglis had some end-of-season pricing, a 3-year factory warranty, and offered me a decent trade.  No too much more to insure (even in Ontario).  I had to do it!

So on the 14th I came home with my new 2006 GSF650S Bandit.

Forgive the pictures, which aren't great.  It was a lousy day out when I came home.  At least it didn't rain!

I hope y'all don't mind me sticking around GSTwin.  It's a great site no matter what you ride.  I hope I can find a Bandit forum that's half as good!

Awwww HOT!  Almost better looking than a 599, but I bet waaaay cheaper.

Nice ride.

You could always start a Bandit section....but then John might give you a special name.

dat so f*cking purdy...

*where's the drool smiley*

Since Halloween is right around the corner:

It's booooooooo-tiful!

Chilly Willy

You only stepped up to a 650? If you're gonna go bigger, you may as well go for the 1200. I guess I'm half joking. Bigger is always better
enjoy 

Why is it that I can't find this bike on the Suzuki website?

because you are on Suzuki's American site.

We're just not lucky enough to get that bike in the states.

Congrats.  Sorry you had to say goodbye to an old friend.  My GS500 is selling this week and I'm not exactly ready for it to go.  I always promised myself I'd keep my GS forever, even if I got another bike. 

Congrats on the new bike, I absolutely love the B650.  Be sure to give us plenty of pictures and a good review once you've gotten acquainted with it!

-Turd.

it's nice...too bad it has those two extra cylinders flopping around inside...

Very nice bike, I saw one in a canadian show room when I rode up there.  Cool bike. I love handle bars so much more than clip ons.  Still can ride the bike aggresively and have fun at the same time.

Other than the 50cc is it much different than the bandit 600? it looks pretty nice 

Yeah I'm looking at  B12 myself

Post riding impressions please!

Did you hear that 2007 bandits now have new water cooled engine?
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2007models/2007-Suzuki-Bandit1250Sa.jpg

The 650 is pretty much the same as the 600.  The engine displacement was increased slightly in 2005 to give it a bit more juice.  The 650 isn't offered in the US, I guess because there is no market for it.  There's a market for it in Canada because the insurance companies pretty much rape you on engine displacement.  The 1200 can be purchased for $1500 more than the 650, but you'll pay an extra $1500 every year in insurance too.

Having put a whopping 150km on this bike, I'd say it's going to be plenty fast for me for a while.  I don't know the actual horsepower number, but suspect it's not quite double the GS's 39hp.  When I was riding home from the dealer on some local backroads, I pulled out to pass other vehicles and was pretty surprised to look down and see I was doing 170km/h.   

Congrats!!!! Sooooo purdy!!!!! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Bandit_Series

I don't think it's water cooled.



This is an older model and it has an oil cooler.

And being as they are killing the bandit for 2007 I doubt they'd go and redesign the whole engine.

The Bandit is back in '07, but not in the US.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/22september06_suzukis.htm

Also, say hello to the new Suzuki B-King.

This one is water cooled,suzuk had to redo the engine to meet with new euro 3 emission standard

The sv 650 also might get 50 more cc's in the future to keep up with competition
Didn't realise you don't get the updated bandit in US,can't understand why they market it differently around the world.
I bet they keep the same price for it as last years model even though there's updated design...

Grats on your new bike very pretty 

Who says the B650 isn't available in the US?  There's one sitting on the showroom floor at Sharps in Amarillo right now...