Suzuki GSF650 Bandit

Nhead
Reviewed: 30 July 2012

Easy, basic

Easy to ride, been around forever so shouldn't go wrong

Too easy, it gets boring very quick, ugly to look at and very thirsty when blasting along.

I wouldn't rcomend this bike, it's to easy, too ugly and to juicy, there's better bikes out there

InstantBacon
Reviewed: 12 June 2010

Been given an 08 as a replacement after I crashed my fazer. In comparison its inferior in every respect.

Predictable, stable, and I like the styling.

Slow, boring, and rubbish brakes.

I wouldn't ever buy one if even if offered one for a tenner with free insurance. Even for the commuter there are better, more fuel efficient options which can still be fun when the mood takes you. Buy an FZS600 if you want a middleweight street bike on a budget.

M.Badger
Reviewed: 11 July 2008

GREAT DO MOST ROAD THINGS ALL ROUND GOOD BIKE

Price, engine reliability, ease of maintenance, comfort, gearbox.

Brakes, finish, brakes again.

Cracking bike. I've covered 30,000+ miles on mine since Aug 2006. Comfy for full days in the saddle. Squishy predictable handling, but the brakes are crap. The ABS is good I suppose, never had need of it but I have played with it on gravel so I get to know what it feels like. The caliper bodies are worn on the sliders and rather a lot of lever movement is taken up just lining the things up again!. I have had to replace the pistons and seals in the front calipers and now the rear is beginning to bind. The finish is not good. The paint is flaking off the front wheel in large chunks. The wheel bearings are only fitted with one shield, with predictable results. Easy to swap out, but what penny/yen pinching 'tard thought of that?.
Take any aspect of the bike in isolation and it looks bad. The whole is far far greater than the sum of its parts though. I can hoon, filter, potter about, commute, work and tour on the thing and its never the slowest bike on trackdays either. Often the scruffiest, but never the slowest.

Ginner
Reviewed: 28 March 2008

DO EVERYTHING

Ease of use, Predictability, Price

Good at everything, outstanding at nothing

As my first bike it was easy to get along with. Fast, reliable, flexible and very cheap. Seat feels comfortable for 150 miles, suspension takes anything throw at it but gets tied in knots when pushed. Idea first bike. Whether your commuting to work or out for a sunday thrash the Bandit does both.