Suzuki GSX-650F

With its distinctive GSX styling, the new 2008 Suzuki GSX-650F looks every inch a bona fide member of the Suzuki superbike family. However, with a more forgiving chassis and engine, tourer comfort levels, and a price tag that incredibly remains under five grand, there's clearly a lot more to this motorcycle than meets the eye.

The GSX 650F is an interesting hybrid. Built on the bandit 650 frame with fairing from the GSX range, it's a massive improvement on its predecessor, the portly GSX600F, which looked so odd it was affectionately known as 'the Teapot'. And it is much more than the sum of its parts.

The styling gives you that million-dollar look for substantially less than either a full-on superbike or, for that matter, any of its immediate competitors, while the ride is both comfortable and flexible. In one remarkably cheap motorcycle you get an economical everyday commuter, a comfy summer tourer, and still have power to burn on those weekend stress busters.

While it shares both frame and 656cc engine with the raw Bandit 650, the power plant has been tinkered with to match the more refined personality of the GSX650F. Suzuki's dual throttle valve fuel injection system shares responsibility with the rider, giving control of one valve each to squeeze the absolute most from your motorbike.

Restyled engine mapping gives these new motorcycles more power at top revs, compared to the low rev grunt of the Bandit, strengthening at 4000 revs and pulling proudly all the way to the red line at 12,500rpm. Passing through an impressive 46ft/lb of torque at 8,900 and 85bhp at 10,500 along the way, it gives a maximum speed of around 140mph. (Riders new to this level of power, or riding on a 33bhp restricted licence, can connect an additional ECU to calm things down).

In the GSX-650F, Suzuki Motorcycles have created a bike that covers all the bases borrowing the best from each one. It may not be as fast or as taught as a superbike, but nor is it as brutal or as terrifying. And while it has many of the comforts of a tourer, it avoids any potential midlife crisis mentality. The result is a consummately capable, common sense bike that is as flexible as it is affordable.

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