SV or Bandit?

[welsh paul]

As I've mentioned before, I've looking at the new SV650(naked) for a while now as a replacement for my CBR600. Now, I've just seen the 2005 Bandit and am at a crossroads as to which one to chose.

Does anyone have any feedback on the new Bandits, as I've noticed that it seems to kick out a little more power in the lower revs compared to the SV, and has an adjustable seat height, which is ideal for someone like me (6'2"). The option of ABS for £300 extra is also winning me round.

So, what do you guys think? Also, is the 0% finance option available from Suzuki on the Bandits as well?

[BURNER]

Do some test rides. Choosing a bike is a very individual thing. What applies to me might not be right for you.

[Red ones]

Hmm - asking this question of the SV forum is a bit one sided.

I think you might find that despite the increase in power with the Blandit, the torque curve is a little weedy compared with the SV.

Bandits definitely look good and dare I say it "a little more big boy" in appeal.

I have been looking recently - settled on the SV as I concluded that if I wanted comparable performance I should be looking at the Bandit 1200 (0% is available there) by then the bike is too big to filter into town on a daily basis.

I compromised on teh looks and stuck with a slightly "girlie" SV, knowing that the torque, acceleration and agility more than make up against the Bandit and the CBR

[Moo]

Before Jabba de hut says it have you looked at the Hornet. :lol:

[Stig]

Having owned a 600 Bandit, I was seriously disappointed with it. I was hoping that the 600 would be a baby bad ass stunt bike like the daddy 1200 is. I was seriously wrong on that issue. It was a damn fine and tame commuter bike, but nothing more. Suzuki created the 650 to apparently address this situation, but in all honestly I don't think they have succeeded. The extra 50 cc's that they gave it was allegedly to give the bandit more middle and lower grunt (or torque). I know a few people that have bought one and they have said that all it has done is made it even duller.

I can't speak with total confidence as I haven't actually rode one. I do however know that it has nowhere near the torque that the SV does.

I would suggest you go out and ride one and make up your own mind.

[welsh paul]

I'm not really too interested in top end performance, more along the lines of comfort and acceleration, especially for long rides at high speeds. I do prefer the looks of the Bandit, but seems that I'll have to take them both for a test ride first!

[northwind]

I'd definately not buy a brand new Bandit, they're expensive for what you get. A used one makes a good buy though.

[kwak zzr]

same as big ape ere! DISAPPOINTED :( i swaped my cbr for a zzr then for a sv's the sv handled as well as the cbr with me on board.
I purchased a bandit 600 in 1998 brand new and within 6-12months i was board with it! its the only bike ive owned that ive had flat out!

[Toypop]

I just sold my Bandit 600 to buy an SV.

The SV does seem far more modern, although the latest Bandit 650's have so many tweaks and improvements over my old T reg model that its pretty much a completely different bike.

The SV feels a lot lighter and the handling inspires greater confidence for sure.

The riding position of the Bandit is a lot better for longer journeys but I have toughened up and got used to the SV's position so am pretty comfortable now doing my usual distances.

I am still running mine in so I don't know where things stand on performance. The fairing and engine tone on the SV always makes it seem as though you are going slower than you are but it doesn't feel as quick as the Bandit.

Only been up to 6000rpm so far and it doesn't seem to have the instant and rapid acceleration that my Bandit had. I guess the Bandit was more keen to rev, I am not sure how to get the most out of the SV engine, I think I have found that you physically have to open the throttle wider at lower revs than I would have on the Bandit but I often wonder if the SV is restricted or something! I wish I could just have my Bandit back for one day so I could check it out and compare.

Only for one day though, I'd take the SV over the Bandit every single time.

[northwind]

Well, with a stock engine etc a lot of the go is above 6000rpm... But it should still go pretty well below there.

[kwak zzr]

i was riding my sv like a il4! DONT! its a compleatly diff bike to ride,use the torque low down,the sv run's out of puff at 9or10k dont be affraid to open it up in 3rd 4th 5th or top it goes in any gear! i wont buy an il4 again! :D

[Anonymous]

See September Bike: "440" Test on Bandit 650, K750, Fazer and SV.

SV wins..............

[Cloggsy]

See September Bike: "440" Test on Bandit 650, K750, Fazer and SV.

SV wins..............

8) :wink:

[Nickster78]

The SV is cheaper on insurance.

[Peter Henry]

If not an SV my choice would be the Fazer. 8)

[Carsick]

i was riding my sv like a il4! DONT! its a compleatly diff bike to ride,use the torque low down,the sv run's out of puff at 9or10k dont be affraid to open it up in 3rd 4th 5th or top it goes in any gear! i wont buy an il4 again! :D
I disagree, if you want proper response ride the rev range starting at abotu 5k and ending about 9k. Anything less and the bike is sluggish. Ok, it pulls, but it's just not the same.

[kwak zzr]

i used to thrash it hard after the run in period but many cars wasted me whilst reving round the dial, i get more joy hammering the torque and leaving the gear leaver alone it saves alot of time.<time you are loosing! :twisted:

[Carsick]

Peak torque is a bit over 7k. I hammer the torque and I don't ride it above peak power, so out of the two of us, going from what you have said, I am probably accelerating harder or "hammering the torque" as you put it.

[kwak zzr]

your prob right! this being my first twin "i'm still learning to ride the bugger"

[Toypop]

Still not convinced that the SV is any quicker than the Bandit but just out of interest do the SV's get any quicker as they run in?

I have heard of people with other models of bike saying that they were rubbish when new but after a few thousand miles loosened up and became a lot quicker. Does this happen with the SV perhaps as I am comparing a tight new model with my old 10k miles bike.

[Stig]

All bikes loosen up and run more freely when run in. Depending on how you run in a new bike, will depend how the power is delivered to a certain extent.

[Toypop]

All bikes loosen up and run more freely when run in. Depending on how you run in a new bike, will depend how the power is delivered to a certain extent.

I've been pretty much sticking to the 5k rpm limit. I have gone over it literally 2 or 3 times but only after I had been riding for 30 miles so the motor was well warmed up.

[northwind]

Some figures, 05 SV vs 05 Bandit 650, fro this month's Ride

0-60
SV 4.15
Bandit 4.35

Top speed
SV 135.1
Bandit 133.4

Braking 70-0
SV 48.3m
Bandit 50.4m

Power
Bandit 72.5bhp
SV 69.7
(but the SV makes more for over half the rev bands)

Torque
bandit 41.0 lb ft
SV 44.8 lb.ft
(but the SV beats the Bandit's peak from about 6300 to 9000 rpm!)

[Cloggsy]

Some figures, 05 SV vs 05 Bandit 650, fro this month's Ride

0-60
SV 4.15
Bandit 4.35

Top speed
SV 135.1
Bandit 133.4

Braking 70-0
SV 48.3m
Bandit 50.4m

Power
Bandit 72.5bhp
SV 69.7
(but the SV makes more for over half the rev bands)

Torque
bandit 41.0 lb ft
SV 44.8 lb.ft
(but the SV beats the Bandit's peak from about 6300 to 9000 rpm!)

They ain't called 'BLANDITS' for now't are they :roll:

[Toypop]

Are those figures for the longer geared faired version or the naked?

Don't suppose they did 0-100 and standing quarter times as I am sure that is more where the Bandit has the edge as opposed to 0-60. I dunno what it is, it just seems to have a bigger rush to it.

Down a twisty road the SV is just so far ahead with its power delivery that its not even worth discussing but I am thinking dual carriageways here.