Is a bandit boring? I think so.

[stressed_myke]

Ok this might cause a tiff or two.

Sold my k3 faired sv650 'cos my wrists are not well (need opperation) and knees kill me on rides over 20 mins.

So I bought a 04 half faired bandit 600 with only 4000 miles and not been messed with.

I think I have bought the most boring bike ever. It has no soul and quirks etc.

Maybe boring is not quite right, it does everything well, it's comfy, it's quiet, it corners well, it stops. But I think something is missing, a bit of a jack of all trades kind of bike.

It has no personality at all.

At least the sv has that engine. Which is a peach. and looks.

Will this bandit grow on me or do I need to ride into things to get some mental stimulation?lol.

Any body else found this?
Is it me? or the bike?

Myke

[DarrenSV650S]

That must be why they call it a Blandit ;)

[Mr_Chin]

It's an IL4, and needs loads of revs for you to have any fun, but IMO I do find them very boring. Quiet? can be easily sorted - aftermarket exhaust. These things are very quiet with the standard exhaust (almost stealthly at times). Do an SV.org search on Bandits, and you'll find loads of posts about them - I've posted my views, as well as Fizzwheel.
I had a 58 plate BTW if that helps.

Chin

[stressed_myke]

Thanks,

At least it's not me.

My son's aprilia rs125 was much more fun, it was a full power 1998 rossi rep, You had to work for the rewards.
All ways had a smile riding that one.

Deffo missing the sv.

Mr Chin, if I change the can will it need a rejet kit?
Myke

[Mr_Chin]

Thanks,

At least it's not me.

My son's aprilia rs125 was much more fun, it was a full power 1998 rossi rep, You had to work for the rewards.
All ways had a smile riding that one.

Deffo missing the sv.

Mr Chin, if I change the can will it need a rejet kit?
Myke Not sure TBH, if the 2004's are Fuel Injected, then I doubt it very much - it will be like the SV, just slip on and go. Like I said in my reply, I had a 58 plate, which was fuel injected, so may differ. But if it's carbed, it will most definitely need re-jetting to suit (fuel and air ratio). HTH. Chin

[STRAMASHER]

My mate had the original 600N. All mouth and no trousers.

Punt it and get the 1200. All mouth and brown trousers.

[yorkie_chris]

600 is OK, put 750 slabside top end on it and some big snorting carbs and a full system. It will be good then.

Or have you bought poxy water boiler?

[metalangel]

Tried a Bandit when I was trying a Fazer - main gripe with the SV was the riding position and didn't think the Bandit was that much better - pegs were still very high and bars still fairly low. Fazer meanwhile felt a lot more comfortable.

[yorkie_chris]

Get a naked SV then?

Best compromise is naked SV with more rear ride height, or rearsets on. Ground clearance and comfy wrists then.

[ArtyLady]

Absolutely hated mine (bandit) with a passion - started on a V twin (guzzi) and soon went back to one! (SV)

As YC says - riding position is easier on a naked

[Supervox]

My mate had the original 600N. All mouth and no trousers.

Punt it and get the 1200. All mouth and brown trousers.


Sorry about this - but the only reply I can make to your comment above is - RUBBISH !!

The Bandit 600 does exactly what it says on the tin - it's a very capable all round 600cc motorcycle.
It doesn't pretend to be anything else - people attach labels to it because it doesn't behave like it's big brother.

The Bandit 1200 will only cause brown trousers if you ride it like a pillock !!

I've owned both (Mk2 600 & Mk1 1200) & was perfectly happy with both of them.

I sold the 600 because I wanted something bigger with more power - that doesn't mean it became a bad bike - just not suitable for my purposes any more.

I sold the 1200 because the guy I bought it from missed it so much he all but begged me to sell it back to him.

[vardypeeps]

My Bandit was my first bike and I'd have it again any day!
Just rev it's knackers off and make sure you change the oil often to keep it in good nick.

[Alpinestarhero]

I found a bandit to be boring below 7000 rpm. Above 7000 rpm but below 8500 rpm, i found it nice. Above 8500 rpm and all the way to the redline, i friggin' loved it.

[-Ralph-]

A bit boring maybe, but the 1250 is still a very impressive bike to ride. 600 and 650 doesn't have enough grunt, needs the knackers revv'ed off it so you have to get to know what gearbox ratios give you power at what speed so you can get into the right gear for overtakes. Never ridden the 1200.

[lukemillar]

It's an IL4, and needs loads of revs for you to have any fun,

:rolleyes:

[Amanda M]

I had an old (N reg) bandit 600N and absolutely loved it. I put a yoshimura can on it so it sounded gorgeous and I had a whale of a time on it. It'd corner, stop and do anything I wanted it to and it never failed to make me grin. I'd have it back tomorrow I loved it that much and the minute I got the SV I had I regretted selling it because it did not suit me one bit.

[steveg]

I had a J reg zephyr 550 and at the time test rode a bandit 600 and thought it was a brilliant bike , test rode a bandit a couple of years ago and still enjoyed riding it , always fancied a go on the 1200 bandit .

Then again I enjoyed riding my MZ etz125 20 years ago , just love riding any bike

Cheers Steve

[dawn07]

OH has the Bandit 1200 and I love it to bits!
Comfortable, bullet proof engine and FAST!
Makes my ER6f feel like a scooter!:rolleyes:

[DanAbnormal]

What you need my dear fellow is a Hornet 600.

Corners like its on rails and goes like a flippin rocket. Still makes me grin everytime I get on it and had mine for 3 years (well, on my 2nd Hornet now). Low seat height makes kneedowns easy. :rolleyes:

[kwak zzr]

decent bikes yea but boring yea too lol, do everything well but nothing great.

[yorkie_chris]

What you need my dear fellow is a Hornet 600.

Corners like its on rails and goes like a flippin rocket. Still makes me grin everytime I get on it and had mine for 3 years (well, on my 2nd Hornet now). Low seat height makes kneedowns easy. :rolleyes:

Had a go on Berlins hornet and I would disagree about the handling bit. Comfy but didn't feel at all connected. Floaty. Went alright with plenty revs though

[DanAbnormal]

Had a go on Berlins hornet and I would disagree about the handling bit. Comfy but didn't feel at all connected. Floaty. Went alright with plenty revs though

My '06 one which now has 22'000 miles still feels awesome. Better than my brand new SV ever did in fact. Solid suspension and holds totally great when pushed hard too. Did the Nurburgring on it and loved every second. Pehaps his springs/forks need adjusting? I know the older models could get a bit squishy after a while (04 and below) but never felt all that floaty. Even feels great 2 up and just inspires confidence.

[Amanda M]

I have a 2008 hornet and it handles superbly. My brothers one is an old one and that is quishy in comparison, probably because of its age. They do handle superbly though :cool: I love mine to bits :D

[wow]

Here's a link to a useful thread about Bandits.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=137971&highlight=bandit

[fastdruid]

I wasn't inspired by the 03/04[1] Hornet6S soft, underwelming in comparison to my (admittedly suspensionally upgraded) SV and gutless round town.

Better than the SV two-up though.

Druid

[1] Hire bike after my SV was written off, was brand new in Dec 03/Jan 04.

[yorkie_chris]

My '06 one which now has 22'000 miles still feels awesome. Better than my brand new SV ever did in fact. Solid suspension and holds totally great when pushed hard too. Did the Nurburgring on it and loved every second. Pehaps his springs/forks need adjusting? I know the older models could get a bit squishy after a while (04 and below) but never felt all that floaty. Even feels great 2 up and just inspires confidence.

Compared to a standard SV it is good yes.