Been thinking that for years. I have a GSX650F and don't see it as a stepping stone. It's the bike I want with the right amount of power for me. Great around town and on longer runs. Stop treating anything less than 750s as entry bikes.
I have had my 2008 GSX650F for 2 years now put about 5k on it mostly as a weekend fun bike. 50% of my riding is going place to place and the other 50% is canyon carving! I ride most the time with 2 friends we all have a fews years of riding under our belts. this bike even with its said 85ish HP keeps up no problem with a 04 CBR600rr and a 06ZF1000. yes im sure on a track with a pro rider there would be a big difference, but for the normal person riding at 7 /10ths all things are equal. its fast enough to be very fun ( no its not a busa or a S1000rr fast ) ( this bike will do 130+ MPH no problem and 0-60 is something like 3 ish sec. I have never timed it but its faster than a vett. (maybe not a ZR1 vett or GTR ) (disclaimer this was all done on closed track ) I just hit 20k and the bikes still runs super smooth. adding stickier tires over stock makes a difference I run rosso II's. I feel like they get the most out of what this bike can do. I have a 2 bothers exhaust and high flow filter for my only power mods and I think that makes the bike sound 100 times better over stock. not sure about Hp gains never dynoed it. the GSX650F is good for a ''taller'' rider, not great for someone under 5'4''. i'm 6' 185lbs and the bikes fits me perfect I can ride for hours and feel fine after vs riding a super sport. If you are looking to buy GSX650F I have nothing but good things to say about mine. If you have any questions about the bike feel to ask me i'm happy to help if I can. happy ridding !
The audio on this is absolutely crushed and the video is 360p. I know its an old video but would be nice to see these old ones reuploaded from source because I'm sure lots of people still watch them. All that being said the content is very informative and well presented.
I passed just after the 2 part test was introduced in the UK. I think the 2 part test made it easier. I would much rather do emergency stops and the avoidance test on nice new smooth sticky tarmac, than a pothole riddled back street. My instructor let me ride back from the test centre to their base by myself once i passed. And boy did that CBF600 get a thrashing on the way back.lol. I've never thrashed my own bikes mind you.
From what I've heard the ER6R (Ninja 650R) is the bike that makes bikers love motorcycling more than ever. Just the ride. From what I've seen and talked to alot of people and having sat on it a few times, its a bike made from the rider down, and I've heard Kawasaki had alot of unput from riders when making it. I know many people that "Gasim" over the bike constantly when they ride it, so I'd say ER VS GSX650f is the main. But Im a Kawasaki boy. Go for it : )
what can you tell me about the 2 bikes? pros and cons... a nice reviewm would be much appreciated since im goin to buy one of these 2 any time soon! thank you in advance
He says it's fun as long as you are under 6 feet 1 inches tall. It is the seat/peg relationship that would be tight for a taller rider, not that it is too low. The seat height is around 31", if memory serves...shorter than a dual sport, but taller than pretty much all cruisers.
Because not all countries use a tiered license setup. In the states you can get any size/power bike you want the instant you get your license. Personally I feel you should start small, but not every does here for some reason.
Yes, the CBF is the bike for the job. But in your case, I would buy the CBF 1000. This bike is all in one... it´s sporty and also good for cruising or travelling... like the CBF 600 but in all points a little bit better...
@brazzr I did buy a brand new top of the range bandit 1250GT 2 years ago now and it wasn't cheaper than any of these. At £5599 the Honda is, or was at the time of this video £401 cheaper than what i paid for my bandit. But only £401 mind and I got 1250cc's and full hard luggage and a full fairing. Brilliant value for money the Bandit 1250 in any guise and perfectly ridable for a first big bike. My bandit is my 2nd bike, the 1st being a BMW R1100RT. I started big & heavy!
i'd still take the er6 over the other two any day of the week. the kawasaki is about 20 kilos lighter than those 2 as well, which is a pretty important factor if its ur first 'big bike'.
I would try to talking to more ER6 owners before buying one. I have had my ER6n from new (13 months) and the frame is full of rust. Fair enough i did use it through winter but it still only has 5000 miles. I can honestly say i wish i`d kept my 2001 ZX6R. Maybe its better to pay a little more and get a better quality bike. Alan Fife, Scotland
@chayenofsavagegarden What about people driving for 8 years now? I want a middleweight bike that can tour with sit up riding seat with hard luggage but is punchy and has good mpg. Is the CBF the bike for the job?
im kinda new at bikes nd i resently got a gsx6050f 2008,nd ive seen a bike with two exhausts one on each side, i was wondering id that modification can be made to a gsx650f?
i would have to take the kawasaki because its cheaper than the suzuki and the hondacbf600s isnt available in the usa :(.but what about the sv650 or yamahas fz600?sure a 600isnt a good bike for a beginner but with a level head it shoudnt be much trouble.Good review though.
I swear it sounded like he said the Honda had a "730mph top speed" 0:59 Oo I'm getting older, and my ears don't see as well as they used to apparently :\
Why do these always have to be classed as "Your first big bike." I'm no beginner and have no need for more power. I snowboard shit that would make most people piss their pants, sky dive, rock climb...more horse power to me just means more Valentino wanna be's that don't really have the nuts to ride...but think they do cause they ride a fast machine. Not saying people shouldn't ride them...the boys at MCN do fast bikes justice, but the average Joe is just a squid waiting for his day to splatter.
Been thinking that for years. I have a GSX650F and don't see it as a stepping stone. It's the bike I want with the right amount of power for me. Great around town and on longer runs. Stop treating anything less than 750s as entry bikes.
I have had my 2008 GSX650F for 2 years now put about 5k on it mostly as a weekend fun bike. 50% of my riding is going place to place and the other 50% is canyon carving! I ride most the time with 2 friends we all have a fews years of riding under our belts. this bike even with its said 85ish HP keeps up no problem with a 04 CBR600rr and a 06ZF1000. yes im sure on a track with a pro rider there would be a big difference, but for the normal person riding at 7 /10ths all things are equal. its fast enough to be very fun ( no its not a busa or a S1000rr fast )
( this bike will do 130+ MPH no problem and 0-60 is something like 3 ish sec. I have never timed it but its faster than a vett. (maybe not a ZR1 vett or GTR )
(disclaimer this was all done on closed track )
I just hit 20k and the bikes still runs super smooth. adding stickier tires over stock makes a difference I run rosso II's. I feel like they get the most out of what this bike can do.
I have a 2 bothers exhaust and high flow filter for my only power mods and I think that makes the bike sound 100 times better over stock. not sure about Hp gains never dynoed it.
the GSX650F is good for a ''taller'' rider, not great for someone under 5'4''. i'm 6' 185lbs and the bikes fits me perfect I can ride for hours and feel fine after vs riding a super sport.
If you are looking to buy GSX650F I have nothing but good things to say about mine.
If you have any questions about the bike feel to ask me i'm happy to help if I can. happy ridding !
The audio on this is absolutely crushed and the video is 360p. I know its an old video but would be nice to see these old ones reuploaded from source because I'm sure lots of people still watch them. All that being said the content is very informative and well presented.
i have the cbf 600 (quasar silver) - great bike - good brakes - great sound... i can recommend it for beginners!!
I passed just after the 2 part test was introduced in the UK. I think the 2 part test made it easier. I would much rather do emergency stops and the avoidance test on nice new smooth sticky tarmac, than a pothole riddled back street. My instructor let me ride back from the test centre to their base by myself once i passed. And boy did that CBF600 get a thrashing on the way back.lol. I've never thrashed my own bikes mind you.
From what I've heard the ER6R (Ninja 650R) is the bike that makes bikers love motorcycling more than ever. Just the ride. From what I've seen and talked to alot of people and having sat on it a few times, its a bike made from the rider down, and I've heard Kawasaki had alot of unput from riders when making it. I know many people that "Gasim" over the bike constantly when they ride it, so I'd say ER VS GSX650f is the main. But Im a Kawasaki boy. Go for it : )
what can you tell me about the 2 bikes? pros and cons... a nice reviewm would be much appreciated since im goin to buy one of these 2 any time soon! thank you in advance
He says it's fun as long as you are under 6 feet 1 inches tall. It is the seat/peg relationship that would be tight for a taller rider, not that it is too low. The seat height is around 31", if memory serves...shorter than a dual sport, but taller than pretty much all cruisers.
Because not all countries use a tiered license setup. In the states you can get any size/power bike you want the instant you get your license. Personally I feel you should start small, but not every does here for some reason.
hey dude just for admiting that you are probably a better rider than most Americans,you would be more than welcome to ride with us in the UK
Yes, the CBF is the bike for the job. But in your case, I would buy the CBF 1000. This bike is all in one... it´s sporty and also good for cruising or travelling... like the CBF 600 but in all points a little bit better...
@brazzr I did buy a brand new top of the range bandit 1250GT 2 years ago now and it wasn't cheaper than any of these. At £5599 the Honda is, or was at the time of this video £401 cheaper than what i paid for my bandit. But only £401 mind and I got 1250cc's and full hard luggage and a full fairing. Brilliant value for money the Bandit 1250 in any guise and perfectly ridable for a first big bike. My bandit is my 2nd bike, the 1st being a BMW R1100RT. I started big & heavy!
the gsx650f and the ninja 650r feels the same to me ...both really comfortable ...
i'd still take the er6 over the other two any day of the week. the kawasaki is about 20 kilos lighter than those 2 as well, which is a pretty important factor if its ur first 'big bike'.
I would try to talking to more ER6 owners before buying one. I have had my ER6n from new (13 months) and the frame is full of rust. Fair enough i did use it through winter but it still only has 5000 miles. I can honestly say i wish i`d kept my 2001 ZX6R. Maybe its better to pay a little more and get a better quality bike.
Alan
Fife, Scotland
@chayenofsavagegarden What about people driving for 8 years now? I want a middleweight bike that can tour with sit up riding seat with hard luggage but is punchy and has good mpg. Is the CBF the bike for the job?
Been driving Kawasakai's for years and although the most reliable manufacturer in the world the GSX650F beats both the Kwak and Honda in this battle.
im kinda new at bikes nd i resently got a gsx6050f 2008,nd ive seen a bike with two exhausts one on each side, i was wondering id that modification can be made to a gsx650f?
i would have to take the kawasaki because its cheaper than the suzuki and the hondacbf600s isnt available in the usa :(.but what about the sv650 or yamahas fz600?sure a 600isnt a good bike for a beginner but with a level head it shoudnt be much trouble.Good review though.
33bhp restrictor kits are often thrown in free.
@stringy2009 well it is in australia.
@Snipza The same can be said for automobiles.
they did it's the gladius 650
I dont see why youd want one of these after you pass your test seeing that they're all over 33bhp. Unless your doing the DAS ofcourse.
first big bike? Iv had a zx6r, vtr, fireblade and now have an sv650, surely it's just another bike?
I swear it sounded like he said the Honda had a "730mph top speed" 0:59 Oo I'm getting older, and my ears don't see as well as they used to apparently :\
Not to mention the majority of world champion motocross racers are American.
Why do these always have to be classed as "Your first big bike." I'm no beginner and have no need for more power. I snowboard shit that would make most people piss their pants, sky dive, rock climb...more horse power to me just means more Valentino wanna be's that don't really have the nuts to ride...but think they do cause they ride a fast machine. Not saying people shouldn't ride them...the boys at MCN do fast bikes justice, but the average Joe is just a squid waiting for his day to splatter.
you can buy a brand new top of the range suzuki bandit 1250 for less money.
@jre1693yahoo no worries =D
This is a great video but why do you speak so quickly? Speak up and slow down. Thanks mate.
i could beat a harley on a dirtbike
Bullshit. Every country got its good and bad riders..
that's bullshit. we saved their asses in WW2, and we ride better too!
ok 70 years ago and yu didnt the british aarmy was waaaay more present ikn both ww1 an ww2
an yu lot havnt got enuff corners, just wide open space
@jre1693yahoo "with a similar 130mph top speed"