Alright, let’s talk about my latest project with the Suzuki 650 XF Freewind. I’ve been itching to get my hands dirty, and this bike was the perfect candidate.
First off, I got the bike. It wasn’t in terrible shape, but it definitely needed some love. The previous owner said it was a great ride, just a little soft in the rear suspension, which I was keen to check out.
Getting Started
I started by giving it a good once-over. Checked the brakes, and man, they were solid! That’s always a good sign. Then I took it for a spin around some twisty roads near my place. The handling? Absolutely brilliant. It felt like it could hug those corners like a dream.
Diving Deeper
- Weighed it down – about 180kg with a full tank. Not too shabby.
- Noticed the tank size is around 18.5 liters, which is pretty decent for those longer rides.
- Played around with the sprocket setup. Stock is 15-43, but I tweaked it to 15-41. Theoretically, you can hit about 171.7 km/h with that setup, I’m a little hesitant to get there though!
Fuel consumption is something I always keep an eye on. I managed to get around 50mpg, which is pretty good in my books. It’s one of those bikes that’s just so usable and rewarding.
Final Thoughts
After spending some quality time with the Suzuki XF Freewind, I have to say, it’s a seriously underrated bike. If you get the chance to work on one, or even just take it for a ride, I’d say go for it. You might just fall in love with its quirky charm like I did.
So, that’s my little adventure with the Suzuki 650 XF Freewind. Hope you enjoyed the ride-along. Until next time, keep those engines revving and those wheels turning!
