SV650 v Bandit. Which to buy?

Newbie here from brum and just wanted to hi all (hope I've got the right place!)

Just passed my test last week!! (restricted) and am eyeing up bikes and the main one I am thinking of getting is the sv650 naked. I've sat on a few different bikes and the sv650s but am a bit unsure about the riding position of the s and not sure if I would get used to it. It's a little to forward for me and I'm just over 6ft so legs felt a little cramped. I've not sat on the naked version, but have read here the sitting position is more upright (which I prefer) and may be better suited to the taller rider for leg room?

Anyway, I've got some time this weekend and am going to try find a few naked sv650 ones to sit on and see how the position is. I sat on a bandit 600 the other week and liked that sort of riding position and it felt more comforatable. I've got a budget of about £2k-£3k so I'll see whats about, hopefully a k5 or above as I think the black pointy frame looks sweet.

Just wanted to see if anyone has any opinions on the similarities between naked sv650 for it's seating position compared to the bandit - is it similar at all? If so then I'm 100% gonna get the sv as it is the one I like the look of the best and I definitely want the v-twin for the better restriction properties.

cheers, Al

Tall one eh!

My advice sit on a load of bikes see what suits you and go with that!

I've ridden a er6f (more upright like a bandit) my current sv650s k9 and a loan bandit 650 for a month. Out of those personally I'd take the sv650 k9 for the riding position (i'm 5"7 / ", looks and bars, then the bandit which was an awesome ride bit more power than the SV but i didnt like the more upright position and finally the er6f (was alright for a noob bike but imho i wish i never bought the thing!).

Buy my k9 though and i can get a sprint or z750 :P (joking btw its not for sale :P)

Ive just got my K9 SV Sport, and you soon get used to the riding position. Im 5ft 10", but have stupidly long legs, but me legs are fine on long journeys as long as i strechg every so often.
As far as the naked goes, ive ridden one back to back with a bandit when i was looking, the naked SV and bandit arnt reallt that different, the SV is maybe a bit more forward. But the SV defo restricts better.

[Drew Carey]

I'm 5ft 11 and had no issues with the S. However, you may want to consider getting an S and then getting high rise bars.....many on here have them and apparently it makes it shed loads more comfortable and more upright. That along with a double bubble makes the bike a very good long distance tourer.

Plus with the added bonus of looking nicer.

[Drew Carey]

PS - Welcome.....and when you get sorted.....take a look in the Madlanders section....plenty of people going for rides now and again. I'm in Halesowen.....so see you soon maybe.

I don't think it is height that matters as much as shape. I'm 5'11'' ish and actually found my S quite uncomfortable over periods of time whereas the "you must be a midget" SS600 I have now is much more comfortable (for me). Sitting on a bike isn't quite the same as spending a couple of hours in the saddle.

Get yourself on an N and see how you like it. Buy the bike that speaks to you as long as any comfort issues can be lived with.

im 6ft (long legs) and found the s cramped with the low bars, so i got a naked but ended up putting race rear sets on it that are higher than the S and decided quite soon after the S leg position was much better than the naked, maybe not for long distance but position on the bike through corners was much improved, i would still try and avoid clip ons as they might kill your wrist on longer journeys, and if you get a N get rid of the god awful 5cm wide stock bars and get some wide (renthal) bars makes the bike much more chuck able

ohh and if ure like me you might find you dont need faring even for 9*mph mway travel, i did 2 hours with one 5 min brake last weekend at that speed and neck ache wasn't a problem and was comfortable all the way

PS i dont care what any one says about over 80mph on a naked isnt comfortable, its just not true

Only doing 90+ on your private motorway though Barwel :P

if you look it says i was going 9mph just put a silly * next to it by accident

Originally Posted by barwel1992

im 6ft (long legs) and found the s cramped with the low bars, so i got a naked but ended up putting race rear sets on it that are higher than the S and decided quite soon after the S leg position was much better than the naked, maybe not for long distance but position on the bike through corners was much improved, i would still try and avoid clip ons as they might kill your wrist on longer journeys, and if you get a N get rid of the god awful 5cm wide stock bars and get some wide (renthal) bars makes the bike much more chuck able

ohh and if ure like me you might find you dont need faring even for 9*mph mway travel, i did 2 hours with one 5 min brake last weekend at that speed and neck ache wasn't a problem and was comfortable all the way

PS i dont care what any one says about over 80mph on a naked isnt comfortable, its just not true

How do you mean Clip on's can hurt your wrists. Surely anything is better than standard?