Opinions on 1999 onwards Suzuki GSX 750 or 600 F

[7ommy]

These seem to be quite good value for money, thinking of one for my first bike as I'm after a comfortable bike to commute and do the odd motorway jaunt to see friends round the country.

Anyone have some experience or opinions on them?

cheers in advance

[rsv gone!]

Yes. Gutless. (750 would be the min engine to consider).

Buy a Thundercat / CBR600F / Ninja instead

[sprinter885]

Sorry RSV can't agree ! Gutless maybe compared to many bigger bikes but I had a '98 600F as my "return to biking" bike. As a first bike I'd say you'd have no probs with one-once you ignore comments about tea-pot & other styling jibes. It's basically a bandit motor de-tuned but still quite revvy & good for 130-140 if that's what floats your boat.

Obviously you don't get Honda build quality/reliability but you do get a suzuki gearbox that is sweeter changing & no Honda "clunk" plus side/centre stand & adjustable levers. Then you won't be paying Big H money either.
I sold mine to a guy as his first bike after test & his mate came to check it. He had a CBR600 & took the Suzy for a run & said hardly a big difference-don't know why people knock 'em....
End of day make your own mind up is usual advice though.

[rsv gone!]

My sister had one as her first bike and I used it quite a few times. It was the 600 and, with a passenger on board, required an absolute thrashing to maintain progress. 750 is supposed to be ok and a cheap tourer, though.

I think they made about 70bhp. The other 600s were making more like 90+ at the time.

[7ommy]

I'd love a cbr600 etc but they're about 50% more to buy for similar age and mileage plus the same on insurance. Have been looking at the usual bandit, sv, fazer and hornets but was looking for a similar budget fully faired bike and these didn't seem too bad.

edit - I've seen a 750 advertised with 93bhp is that a bit optimistic then ?

Edited by 7ommy on Monday 4th August 15:23

Edited by 7ommy on Monday 4th August 15:24

[lawrence567]

Try a Thundercat.
They're quite cheap, quicker & just as comfortable!

[fxout]

Yup Thundercat is a great 600, much better than the GSX 600, don't bother with the GSX 600.

If your not a racer and are looking for a comfortable bike, especially for touring, which has plenty of power then the GSX 750 is a good bike.

I use to have a 97 model and had a lot of fun on it. Yup it aint a water cooled bike, yet the engine has personality! Anyone who says it isn't that fast is probably a speed freak. 140 mph was fast enough.

It tours well, eats miles and you can still race it if you want to get your knee down. It's not a R1 or GSXR, yet it aint trying to be them.


Bad Points: Poor finish, rusty exhaust and bolts etc, Crappy Brakes! (the new model's brakes were improved).

Good points: Cheap to run and service, engine is a detuned GSXR, a solid reliable engine.

Anyway, it's all about budget, look around; you might find a private bargin out there! 1 mature owner, full service history, new wife forces sale: Hence: £????????????

[Istvan24]

The replacement is out - the GSX 650F no idea if it's any good aside it being basically a Bandit with a GSXR-esque faring and a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge silver zorst...

Plenty of reviews out there on the older bikes though, and some stuff on YouTube as well.