SV650 Vs Bandit 600.

I’ve found two bikes that are within budget that I intend to go and view this weekend with a view at buying. I was hoping someone who’s had experience on both machines may be able to offer me some insight in to which may suit my given needs better.

SV650 02 FSH Blue half faired 10k £1950-dealer

Bandit 600 FSH Blue, naked, 8k £1650 ono Private sale

On paper the Bandit is more powerful, quicker acceleration and top end. Slightly larger tank. SV has more torque and is a V-twin 8v while the Bandit is a 16v four. Bandit has slightly better fuel consumption but not enough to put anyone off the SV for this reason. Performance ‘figures’ don’t mean as much in the ‘real world’ though so which is better on the road?

So which is better for me? I want something to use over winter with the possibility of trading up next summer as I want to do some two up touring. In that time it will be used to get from A to B some commuting around 30 miles round trip but not daily. And to hone my skills on and have some fun on when the weather is decent. I’ve no real preference over faired or naked.

Wild card choice is someone is selling a 1200 Bandit 02, 18k, for £1850 ono. I’m thinking too much grunt for a new rider though. Insurance give or take is very similar on all 3 machines.

Cheers

Clicky.

[ophic]

bandit is quicker accelerating? surprises me. It's got a bit more power but also more weight, so I thought the acceleration was pretty much the same, but the bandit has a higher top speed.

I'd say go for the 12. Why is grunt a problem for new riders? Just twist the throttle less. Makes it easier as you don't have to dance around the gearbox.

[fizzwheel]

Depends which one you like best, both bikes have pro's and cons'

I found the SV more intersting, more inspiring to ride, it also handled a little better than the Bandit did, this was especially noticeable when pressing on through twisties.

Its down to personal choice, both are fine for what you want, depends which one you like best / can get the best deal on.

IMHO the seat on the Bandit is more comfortable and that'll make it better for the touring you want to do, but a naked bike can be a pain in the neck on motorways till you build up your neck muscles to deal with the wind blast.

Have you been and looked at them / sat on them, can you get a test ride. It really is the best way of making your mind up...

Thanks for the replies. I mention a 1200 to my mates and they gasped saying ‘those thing wheelie in 3rd’. I take your point on the it’s only as quick/powerful as you’re willing to twist the throttle. I hear the words it’s more forgiving banded about allot but if you’re an idiot on a 125 or 1200 you could potentially find yourself equally in as much trouble?

Figures were taken off MCN (don’t know how reliable) in terms of top speed and acceleration.

[ophic]

its probably easier to wheelie if you're actually trying to, but i seriously doubt they're at all brutal in power delivery, cos they don't actually put out that much. About 90bhp iirc.

[Dave20046]

Anyone want a single sided swing armed bandit 1400?
Runs like a dog restricted

Cheers will go and take a look at the 1200 Bandit too. I’ve heard a new exhaust frees up an extra 15 bhp.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by ophic

but i seriously doubt they're at all brutal in power delivery

No they arent. It just drive and drives and drives forwards, its quite deceptive and before you realise you're going alot faster than you think.

Also I found that the 12 wheelies just as easily on the throttle as my GSXR does... made the blokes in the dealership giggle when I rode away on their 1250 loan bike anyway...

Its not scarey you just need to have a bit more respect for it than you do the 6...

I've owned a Bandit 600S and an SV650S and I've ridden a 1250S... I found the Bandit 6 more comfortable and certainly a capable do-it-all bike. The SV is also very capable, but much more fun when out on a Sunday bimble.

The 1250 was lovely and if I were looking for a touring option it'd be top of my list along with a 1050 Sprint.

It all depends what your using it for...