written by Torny on 08/07/2022
This time a 99 model with just 23k on the clock, the previous model was a 98 with similar mileage.
If your looking for a cheap summer hack then I'd recommend you take a serious look at one of these motorcycles, good ole tried and tested Suzuki SACS engine taken from the original bad boy GSXR750 of the 80's and early 90's although a little retune has given it a somewhat more sedate ride which at my time of life (nearly 50) is a more than welcomed relief from the rigours of jap 600 pocket rockets.
Plenty of torque allows for a relaxed ride allowing you to click between 5th and 6th pretty much all day long baring junctions/slow traffic of course, the retune by no means makes it slow though as @ just 93'ish bhp the ole GSXF has enough bottom end grunt to punt you from 30 into license loosing territory without the need to change out of top and a top end of 150+ is nowt to be sniffed at fer sure.
The comfort side of things is well sorted with a more upright seating position with plenty of room for a pillion should you feel the urge to go two up, admittedly the styling isn't to everyone's taste, beauty is in the eye of the beholder n'all that.
Suspension leaves a little to be desired but 30 odd years in the saddle allow me to ride around its shortfalls, I've ridden better, ave also ridden a lot worse, just set it up properly and don't expect to get yer knee down any time soon, it corners well enough considering the budget spec.
Brakes are the same although the rear brake is somewhat overkill locking up very easily and as with most bikes (and not just the budget ones either) the brakes will soon spit their dummy out should you neglect to clean/service them.
Reliability isn't an issue with these motors, tried/tested and pretty much bombproof given an annual service, a regular oil/filter change, air filter, plugs, fuel filter and don't forget to check the tappet gaps every couple of years and only a complete idiot could destroy one.
I've noticed that rear tyres are becoming difficult to get at reasonable prices these days though, the 150/70-17 is a bit of a throwback to the 90's but can be brought up to date with a mere swap from 150/70 to 160/60 with loosing to much accuracy with the speedometer, same 4.5 inch-160/60 wheel/tyre combination as the more up to date SV650's but you'll loose a couple of mph at around the tonne mark so baring in mind our national speed limit is 70 it'll make little odds.
All in all, if your on a budget and/or yer too old to be shoehorned onto a little jap 600 all head down/r'se up then just maybe the GSX750F is the bike you've been looking for, just remember though, it is budget spec but it's more than capable of putting on a good show.
One final piece of advice, DON'T get the 600, the 750 won't cost you much more to either buy or insure, however if the 600's specs are anything to go by it'll likely leave you a little disappointed I suspect.
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