SV Vs Bandit

[Ch00]

Folks

Quick question for you all. I have a 99 curvey and I am not really comfortable with the low riding position. I have had a look around and I like the bandit faired GSF650SABS.

I have a test ride on Monday. Am i making a huge mistake?

Ch00

[jim@55]

yes

[northwind]

Nah, never a mistake to try other bikes. Unless you can't afford them :) Try a Hornet though, and a GSR600. It does come partly down to personal taste of course, but IMO the Hornet just does everything, absolutely everything better than the Bandit. Apart from the insurance price, that is.

[fizzwheel]

Its not a bad bike. Having ridden both I prefer the SV to ride. I find the handling more inspiring.

But I'm not you. If the riding position is putting you off then getting a test ride on a bandit if you like the look of that is a good idea. Dont discount the new GSR though or a Honda Hornet. I think probably both are better at what they do than the bandit.

[Ch00]

I am a fairly basic rider. I mainly commute from greater London to inner London about 15 miles each way at all times of the day.

I am no way the fastest thing on two wheels and these days not quite the slowest.

I do like a fairing on a bike and like a screen to hide behind.

As for pots of gold, I don't have a tremendous amount to spend, it was Suzuki's 3 years free credit that brought matters to my mind.

Thanks for the replies so far.

Ch00

[northwind]

Definately try the faired Hornet then- they tend to be ludicrously cheap too. I'm biased, I really like them ;)

[Amanda M]

One of the guys at the bike shop I got the raptor from had a bandit, then changed to a GSR or whatever they are and said it's an ace bike and was much better than the bandit. Not that there's anything wrong with bandits; I'd get another one tomorrow if one came up cheap enough. I'd give both a test ride and see which one I prefer :D Let us know how you get on! There's plenty of choice out there so you can have loads of fun test riding everything :twisted: :lol:

[Marshall]

I had a Bandit 600, and i loved it, totaly differnt from the sv, much comfier seat, more relaxed riding position, and the power delivery is of course differnt being an IL4. I wouldnt change my sv back to my bandit, but i do miss her.

Have you thought about a Naked SV with a fly screen, thats a bit more relaxed

[DanAbnormal]

Having owned an SV, Bandit and currently a Hornet I would say.....................the bandit is about 40kg's heavier than the Hornet with about 20 -30 less bhp. It does make it's peak torque a little sooner but the Hornet's handling is sublime. The Bandit is a good all rounder and very comfy but you will soon be bored of it. The Hornet is very comfy (so much more than the SV650 S variant) handles like a dream and above 7k rpm just takes off (literally). Tried the GSR which was also good but I still prefer the Hornet overall. Just my 2 cents.

Dan

Insurance for my Hornet is half the price of the SV (for me). I'm 28 been riding 3 years. I'm on 1 year's NCB and garaged paying just over £300 fully comp. The SV set me back £650 quid (that's £1 per cc funnily enough!).

[Ivar]

If you're happy with the SV, except for the riding position, why not put on N-type handlebars, or clip-on risers like the Helibars? I'm planning to do that next year to my 05 SV650S.
Rode a Bandit 600N a few years ago, and the engine felt pretty gutless at low revs. Should be interesting to ride it back-to-back with my SV.

[Jabba]

Definately try the faired Hornet then- they tend to be ludicrously cheap too.

It is indeed a strange situation with the Hornet.... the naked ones seem to be the ones that peeps want. And why not - cooler than a penguin's pecker.

Bear in mind that all faired Hornets are the older models with a 16litre fuel tank and a thirst like George Best. Tank range can easily be less than 100 miles even without performance mods.

However, ther fairing is very effective and the bike is way better built than any of the competition. and the older ones are better than the newer ones in this regard.

The best naked ones (and the best of all types IMHO) are the post '03 bikes.

However, listen to AmandaM.......test ride 'em and get the one that suits you and your budget best. Nothing wrong with naked curvey SVs. Try a PM to E.d.; she had one for a while and might still have it :thumbsup:

[fizzwheel]

Try a PM to E.d.; she had one for a while and might still have it :thumbsup:

She doesnt have it anymore. She managed to find a buyer for a few weeks ago.

[kwak zzr]

keep the sv, you will get bored of the blandit.

[Tomcat]

my other half has got a cbr600f. quick, easy ride (oh er!) Anyway, I personally prefer my SV but the cbr is a nice bike to ride, with a higher seat, and dare I say put the two together and the build quality is far superior

[Ward8124]

Ive riden both for thousands of miles and to be honest the SV wins everytime...its just the Bandit is a little gutless where as the SV feels as though its got a lot more poke! Plus it sounds better too!

[Toypop]

I liked the Bandit. Comfy, sounded better than my ZX6R, plenty quick enough, docile in traffic and around mini roundabouts, good on fuel and better than the sum of its parts.

Dunno about the "S" but my "N" was short geared and revvy so you don't notice a lack of mid range.

One thing though, the corrosion after one winter is shocking but then again I doubt the SV would be any better.

[Ch00]

An update to my sorry saga!!!

I went a bike shop today to have a good look about. For one reason or another I ended up having a test ride of a V-Strom!!! I found this to be very comfortable and easy to ride plenty of power and get up and go.

Now before I get myself band from this site for this I would like to point out that is does have the same 650 CC engine as the rest of you.

Does anyone have any experience of the V-Strom that they will own up to?

Ch00

[northwind]

Just that I like them :) Just rode one around a car park. But I reckon it'd be a far better bike if they dropped any pretence of being an off-road machine and just made it a tall, comfy street bike (like Triumph seem to be doing with the Tiger) I've seen SVs ridden further offroad than most people would dare take a 'Strom...

(Don't believe me? Check this out: http://www.blackjack.f9.co.uk/movies/martin.mov

Link might not work well with Exploder- if not, go to the root page and right click the link to download.)

[Jester666]

I have used both for courier work.

IMHO either is ok but if push came to shove it would be...

Bandit for commuting & work.

SV for fun!!