2004 Suzuki reviews

After over 3 years and 8000 miles, it still performs very well. I've taken it out west and done 3500 miles in 10 days and weeekend 100 milers. Once I added the mustang seat, it is a pleasure to drive. Keeps up with the big boys and handles under all circumstances. No regrets! Show less

This is my first Suzuki and I absolutely love it!! The bike handles like it's on rails and keeps pace with just about any bike out there. Sleek, good looks, and a reasonable price. It's a real hard combination to beat. I love this bike! Show less

My last road bike was a CB450 way back in 76..since then it's been all dirt, had only a few, XT600, TT600's, and a version of the venerable YZ490 we got in NZ called a WR500...onto a new KX500 in 97 and currently own a'04 KX500 mx'er and have locked away a still new CR500 from '01. Had my '04 Naked Bandit for a month now and I (we) love it. Taken some time to get used to the weight of the big Bandit (the KX weighs 100kg) and re-learning how to ride on the road but in the month I've owned the bike we've done 600 miles, and no complaints at all. I'm having to reprogram my brain to enter the corners at a sedate'ish speed then roll on the power and hang on. Even pulled the wheel off the ground coming up a mountain pass yeaterday in 2nd without trying. I love the looks of the naked Bandit (mine's an ex Canada K4 registered new in NZ in mid 05) but don't like the looks of the faired versions. The new 1250 faired machine ain't for me either. I'm not into the star-wars profile. Best thing is the bang for the buck. I was thinking of a Blackbird but, while I still haven't ridden one, am so glad I bought my Bandit instead. I'll be keeping it for a while yet... Show less

The GS500 in my opinion, was a great bike. Not the fastest bike though. The rear swingarm left little to no upgrade for larger tire, but it does great with the one on it. I love the even gears in this bike. The ultra smooth power range seems to pull equally hard in each gear. I had mine to the limit, 130 mph on the ummm....autobahn. Seems to be very forgiving, it doesn't wear you out to ride it, and it even does very well with a passenger. With a little more weight on the rear end it handles even better. This was my first bike and I bought it new in July 04 and had 6k on it by the end of the riding season (Oct, Nov). I haven't had any trouble out of the bike and I get many compliments on how clean and sporty it looks. I would almost call it a hybrid between a full out sport bike and a cruiser. It handles well, revs decent, and has the looks, but also has the relaxed handlebars to take some of the discomfort out of the ride. The gas mileage is excellent on this bike. Great bike. If there weren't such a thing as finance charges ;) Show less

This is my first bike in 20 years. Rides like a dream. Tried the Harley's but they just don't compare. I certainly do recommend the bike. With upgrades, it's a real show bike. Show less

I am 61 yrs old and got back into biking after 15 years. I read reviews on bikes for 5 months before deciding on this bike. I was able to test drive it. But I was set on a Ducati, good thing I didn't get that. Even though I am 61, I do believe if it's between you legs you will use it: none of us need to go 130mph, life is hard enough without becoming disabled or brain dead. I like the bike a lot. I have 400 miles on it and it handles very well. I was surprised that it cornered so well, I hit the peg once but that's good because it's a way to let you know to ease up and the peg comes up when you hit it so you can even go down further and it doesn't hit till you are pretty far down. On the freeway, the bike is very stable. I was blown around by the wind but not the bike at 79mph. So I got a windshield that I am putting on today and a rear luggage rack that looks way better than the afterthought passenger seat that is not cool looking. So take it easy, start out slow, and stay slow. Smell the scents in the road and grow up to be 61 like me waiting to dribble in a nursing home, or have a midlife crisis and get another bike at 61, midlife crisis : how many people do you know that are 122 yrs old? Show less

I have only had this bike for a week, but in my experience and from everything I know of Gixxer 750's, it is definitely the best bike on the road. The magazines and other articles are all true. It is the perfect combination of stability, power, handling and overall comfort. It is a bike that gives you everything you could ever ask for in a motorcycle. I haven't done anything to it yet and it came stock with over 16,600 miles already on it and it is awesome! I love this bike!!!! It is still early in the year, though, so I have a lot of riding to do. Show less

I just got this bike last month and I only got to ride it once, but it was a fun ride. It's my first 2-stroke and I love it. Really fast, good power going up hills, and just an overall good ride. I definitely recommend this bike to someone who wants a fast 125 2-stroke. Show less

Like I said, this is a great big little bike. The only thing I would change is the gear ratio in the pinion or an overdrive in fifth or sixth gear. Anyway you slice it, I believe the bike has enough torque to handle a taller gear and this would lose the unnecessary revs at highway speeds. Show less

I've had my 'Busa for 2 years now and it still absolutely blows me away everytime I ride it. There is seemingly limitless power. One of the first mods I made was installing a shift-light. Had to have one because the tach screams toward redline so quickly, it's difficult to watch it and the road at the same time. I've taken the bike to road course track-day and had an unbelieveably good time. It's sort of long and heavy for high speed cornering and the other smaller bikes would pass me on the corners, but once I hit the straights, I would pass all the bikes right back again. Very reliable, have only had to renew the battery. Rider comfort was increased substantially by intalling a Gen-Mar handlebar riser (1.25in). Most importantly, it's quickness and acceleration is difficult to put into words. Show less