Suzuki GSX750F (1998-2005)

After writing off my last bike due to an inconsiderate deer crossing my path needed a new sports tourer. My decision to plump for the GSXF was decided totally on budget. Picked up a 2001 with 21k for £1100. VFR800s were easily double that and sometimes more even for a 98. Having owned a VFR800 I was disappointed I couldn't stretch to get another one. However I was surprised by this. Way more low down power and similar but not quite as significant top end rush. The power is more accessible but it won't keep up with similar sized bikes flat out and easily eclipsed by litre plus bikes. Probably due to the weight of the bike, plus my 15 stone more than any faults with the engine itself! More comfortable, but felt heavy and less darty into the corners. Terrible standard screen, being 6'3 might make me bias though. 150 miles from a tank about right. Does what you need and looking objectively I don't know of any other bike that delivers as much for the same price.

This was my first bike. Heavy, bulbous dated looks and a massive exhaust all belie a solid all rounder. The one outstanding feature is the super powerful engine which, despite its aged design is sheer fun, especially when in the powerband. The bike's sidestand has a tendancy to tip forward when the machine is idling and drop with little warning. Reliability is awesome as is the price. Not great for a new rider due to high power and weight but still worth a look for many.

The best bike ive owned to date . Engine is a beauty . Very smooth and sweet , but the best bit is the mid range . From 4000 it pulls like a Pullman . I leave this thing in top and cruise everywhere up the steepest of hills without any chew . The handline is superb to . I do most of my riding 2 up and i get no wallowing and scary moments . Brakes are mint to . Fuel economy is acceptable . I love the looks of this beast to . A real proper muscle bike that will not let you down .Only bad bits if i had to pick something is maybe the finish on painted areas . Like most Jap machines it flakes off , but its easy sorted . Agreat bike .

This is a good bike, often underated by those who've never owned one. There's nothing flash about it but it does what it's been designed to do very well. The engine is great, revving freely and reasonably smoothly. I had no problem regularly holding it at 190 km/h on the freeway. The gearbox is quite smooth but I also found it somewhat inconsistent. Ride is a bit soft but can be firmed up. Handling is predictable but not as stable as a bigger bike. I found the bike a bit tight for my height (6'1"). Equipment is pretty basic, but the price is relatively low so that's fine. Quality was ok; nothing to complain about but nothing outstanding either. I had the odd elctrical niggle but nothing major. An honest bike that grows on you the longer you own it. The only bike I've ever bought a second time. Personally I think it looks better than most modern sports-tourers (I had a red then a black one), and the only reason I sold the second one was to buy a bigger bike for two-up touring.

Bought my GSX750F two years ago this month, a week after I passed my test. It was 8 years old then, with 19,000 on the clock. It's now over 30,000. The engine is 100% reliable, and has never missed a beat, but it does suffer a little from carb icing at start up when it's very cold weather. The handling could be sharper, but it was never meant for racing, so I guess that's to be expected. The biggest failing is the brakes, which have a habit of binding, and are not the best even when they're working ok. Don't get me wrong, it stops, but not as quickly as it could. It's a great bike for long days out and touring, as it's really comfy, and on a run I've had over 50mpg too! I'm loking for a change soon, and the only question for me is, what do I get to better the GSX?

i owned a 1999 gsx750f for 4 years. i had mine as a second bike for 2 up touring. at the time funds were the deciding factor as to what the second bike ws gonna be. plumped for a gsx because i could get a cheap low mileage bike that i knew i could do all the servicing and repairs on. what a bargain... the gsx did it all, 2 up camping holidays, 2 week tours and all day riding. ive upgraded to a 1200 bandit now, mostly because 2 up riding destoyed the performance of the gsx. comfort on the gsx was great, me and her indoors could ride all day and still feel fresh at the end of the day. reliability was superb, i did all the work on the gsx, it never went into a dealers for anything. things to look out for: look at exhaust collecter, prone to corrosion, keep it clean, keep it painted. keep your eye on front brakes, they need stripping every year, old hat brakes that need to be in tip top shape to be even adequate, rest of it is just normal servicing. the bike is nissan reliable, easy an forgiving to ride, low seat height (will suit shorties), handles ok and is cheap to buy and fix. the engine will do great miles if looked after (old gsxr750 motor)and even has good weather protection but you'll work a bit harder with the gearbox when you're riding 2 up... it's a pretty good bike though, even if it seen as a poor mans vfr

Yes the GSX 750F is ugly damn ugly but look further at the bike and what you get is a lot of bike and as a novice you feel confident riding it. No its not gixer fast off the mark the top end is plenty fast enough. There are great bargains out their and you get more bhp for the same insurance as el bandito 6's. Be safe and enjoy!!!

Got this recommended by a biking mate. I only got my licence recently because I was too stupid before- but the doc says I'm ok now. It was recommended as a user friendly, economical, reliable straightforward bike which would teach me about the feel of a bike. It is doing all these things. Perhaps the marking by owners is often a bit high, because this bike is often rated by new riders or riders returning after a break. The GSXF won't set the world on fire, but it has a nice flat torque curve, smooth oil tight engine, quiet until I get a decent can and generally novice friendly. I thought is was scary fast to begin with, but now I see it is a fairly long bike which weighs a bit, so the front wheel is unlikely to come up. I'm not glad I got the 750, as I think I'd be bored with the 600, and I also like the low down flexibility of the engine. It will go to 12k (revs), but it's done it's best by 10.5k, so no point screaming it. The brakes are good and progressive, but the forks dive more than I would like. Perhaps progressive springs are on the cards. The controls are all smooth and easy to use. The bike seems to handle well, but it's weight means dropping into a turn is not as fast as sports bikes, but on the Bridgestons BT021s, it is stable, predictable and grips well. I couldn't ask for more. Wind protection is good now I have a double bubble screen (they need this). Avoid flip-ups for the GSXF, I've been told. So far I've managed a maximum 2000 miles a month. Although the headlights are good for a bike, I fitted Philips Extreme power headlamp bulbs- very good now. I have yet to find an ignition advancer for it as standard it will accept 91 RON. There is good space for throwover painers and a pillion, and being 6'3", I like having to reach for the bars slightly. The suspension is a nice compromise, but it is a little unsophisticated. I'm getting usually about 135 miles without having to use the 5 litre reserve, but I suppose I do make good progress. When touring, about 150 miles is as far as I want to go and need a 15 minute stop. The chicken lines have all but dissapeared now- testimony that even a clot can ride this. Easy to work on and straightforward. Even the fairings only takes about 20-25 minutes to remove and refit which allows the real work to take place. If I was doing less mileage or weekend only stuff, then I'd have a Bandit. I'm not so this fits just fine for a year or so more until I find a Guzzi to rack up the miles. Maybe a Duke for weekend jaunts as well.

I had a GSX600F till some bloke tried to wipe me off so the prospect of the 750 was exiciting and scary. I'd restarted riding 12 months before and at 64 you think 3 times before you jump. But its everything I want, it commutes, tours and goes quick enough when needed all with impeccable behaviour. With my partner aboard there's 120 years of biking enthusiasm and boy do we enjoy it. If it weren't the bike it is I sure wouldn't do pillion trips or commute 4000 miles over the autumn and winter. I have added a double bubble cause it saves me bending so far, a fender extender to save the down pipes, a Scott oiler and heated grips. The latter help me to hold and control cause I have a bit of arthritis in the left thumb - show me another bike that would be as good I might change---- nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnah!

What more can I add, pleased in every way would buy again.