SV 650 or Bandit?

[Dangerous Dave]

from those who have ridden them both which is the most enjoyable??
My opinion;

Restricted: SV650
Full Power: Equal

[OldBoy]

My insurer of approx 4 years would no longer quote for me because I am an artist (painter), I said WTF!:confused: the broker said something along the lines of it's because they think you might hang around with....get this...."certain types of people"???!!!! I LMAO and said yeah right, of course!...Im 49....I sit in a spare room at home painting horses, dogs, and cats from photos, Im tee-total, dont smoke......Im a real WILD CHILD me hahahaha!!! :mrgreen:

Perhaps if you put down painter instead of artist it might help;)

[Nutter]

I used to have a Bandit 600, and now have the SV650 (pointy), both unrestricted. I much prefer the SV's engine. I think the twin suits my style of riding better - to get the best out of the Bandit I found you had to keep the revs high, whereas the SV responds much better than the Bandit in the lower and mid rev range in my opinion. Having said that, I found the riding position of the Bandit more comfortable.

[ArtyLady]

Perhaps if you put down painter instead of artist it might help;)

Its all done over the phone - I told them exactly what I do and they said that artist is a blanket label for all different types of artist! :( :rolleyes: Im going to sound off to the Association of Insurers when they re-open tomorrow - see what they have to say about it. :mad:

[MattCollins]

Painter as a tradesperson, not artist. :)

[Stig]

I've owned both. SV every time. Miles more fun.

[andyb]

Have ridden both. Definately SV650 although I felt more comfortable and faster on the Bandit :( SV gave me the bigger smile though.

[Dave20046]

Have ridden both. Definately SV650 although I felt more comfortable and faster on the Bandit :( SV gave me the bigger smile though.
In what way more comfortable? So the Sv's slower but more fun?

[Frank]

In what way more comfortable? So the Sv's slower but more fun?
ok Im going to be flamed for this but:the bandit is like riding round on your favorite armchair

[kwak zzr]

Bandits are good bikes carnt knock em, ive owned both too. When cuz passed his test he brought a bandit and loved everything about it UNTIL HE RODE MY SV :) the bandit was gone within the week and a deposit left on his shiney red sv sk6.

[zsv650]

definitely sv for me although the bandit is great at what it does really comfy good mpg and fun just for me not quite sv fun.

[joshmac]

ok Im going to be flamed for this but:the bandit is like riding round on your favorite armchair
Goes nicely with your pipe and slippers :p;)

[kwak zzr]

now if your learing to wheelie then id say BLANDIT :)

[NickWilde123]

this might sound stupid but which is more rider friendly and forgiving?

[Stig]

now if your learing to wheelie then id say BLANDIT :)

Only the 1200. Between the SV and bandit 6. The SV stomps all over the bandit. The 12 was built to wheelie. :)

[Stig]

this might sound stupid but which is more rider friendly and forgiving?

In my opinion. The Bandit. But then it does not have the nick name of Blandit for nothing.

[NickWilde123]

i have just been reading in other threads of sv's not wanting to start in the cold, is this true even with the fuel injected version??

[Nutter]

i have just been reading in other threads of sv's not wanting to start in the cold, is this true even with the fuel injected version??

Never had a problem with my pointy, which of course is FI. I think the longest I've had it stood for without starting it is about 2 months, including in sub-zero temperatures, but even then when I started it up (temp was about 1 degree at the time) it fired up straightaway.

[NickWilde123]

one more tick in the pointy box :D

[Stig]

Mine wont start cause I have messed up with the electrics. Got nothing to do with the bike. Well it has obviously but its down to me and not just the SV being a bad starter in the cold.

[NickWilde123]

is your the fuel injected version??

[Dangerous Dave]

i have just been reading in other threads of sv's not wanting to start in the cold, is this true even with the fuel injected version??
This is mostly down to user error. The Pointy (Fuel Injection) is easy as it does it all for you, but the Curvy (carbed) model requires the correct amount of choke (this is something you learn to suit you bike). A good upgrade is Irridium plugs on any motorcycle which is going to be used in the winter.

[Daimo]

i have just been reading in other threads of sv's not wanting to start in the cold, is this true even with the fuel injected version??

I used both the Bandit and SV in mid winter, snow, ice, - figure temperatures, and both bikes started fine.

As said, the curvey SV need a bit of choke, but then my Bandits still the same now.

[Alpinestarhero]

This is mostly down to user error. The Pointy (Fuel Injection) is easy as it does it all for you, but the Curvy (carbed) model requires the correct amount of choke (this is something you learn to suit you bike). A good upgrade is Irridium plugs on any motorcycle which is going to be used in the winter.

ah, the choke dance...I find full choke at start up does the job, then when the revs have settled turn it down so it idles at about 2000 rpm, then when the water vapour starts to subside, knock the choke off.

I'm gonna pop in iridium plugs on my next service - do NGK do them? what price?

[Dave20046]

This is mostly down to user error. The Pointy (Fuel Injection) is easy as it does it all for you, but the Curvy (carbed) model requires the correct amount of choke (this is something you learn to suit you bike). A good upgrade is Irridium plugs on any motorcycle which is going to be used in the winter.
I might start running iridium plugs at the end/start of the season (cold parts of the year). I'd never thought of that until you said it as someone once told me they were overkill unless you're racing.

[Dangerous Dave]

I'd never thought of that until you said it as someone once told me they were overkill unless you're racing.
If you ride in the so called summer good weather only then they are a waste of monay, they cost a little extra over standard plugs and offer no real performance gain other than cold starting for the SV.