Which first big [restricted] bike?

As most know, I'm looking to be on the road by the end of this month and for that, obviously, I'll need a bike! Whilst training, my instructor suggested that I look at the bandit and Yamaha fazer aswell as the SV, though she doesn't know much about the SV. I said I'd have a look as the most I've lost is a bit of time.

I'll be buying the bike new (by the way) and am really looking for a naked bike so the fazer is not my first choice. On top of that, it's quite pricey in comparison, so at the moment it's a toss-up between the SV and the Bandit.

I know I'm on an SV site so you're likely to be SV bias but I'm ready!!

From what I've read the SV is about 40KG lighter than the bandit. There's a difference in power but I will only be using 33bhp of it for the first two years so that's not a big issue. Oh, and the SV has nicer rear lights. That's about as far as I've looked into it!

Could anyone give me any more information please? Also, if anyone has any other bike suggestions, feel free to tell me!

Thanks

Alex

You can`t go wrong with either Squirrel , but be warned , the finish is ok`ish on an SV if looked after , bandits can dissolve in front of your eyes too so if your one of those people that doesn`t bother cleaning a bike because they don`t get any dirtier after a year ..... be warned . On that subject Scottoiler FS365 is recommended and also ACF50 for protecting things during our Suzuki hating winters .

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Rhiwbina_Squirrel

though she doesn't know much about the SV.

You can tell, restricted IL4's are completely naff.

Ask plowsie, since he's had both.

I would base my choice on Engine - IMO an IL4 is a waste of time on 33hp.....fair enuf for 2 weeks or 2 months, but 2 years is a long time.

I would go for a twin or even a big single amd base my choice on that.....

Just been doing some daydreaming and see that Honda have a simple "Big Single" again....£3,900 ex delivery.......and full power is only 37hp (seems a bit low from my recollections for a big single, but memory is old!)...so at 33hp won't be a big difference om power delivery.



I was actually looking at Blackbirds - but only 1 (sh#te) colour scheme this year helps me be sensible.

I must confess I would love to have a V Twin on a trail (style) bike - shame Honda have stopped with the Africa Twin.......

Not a great deal of help for you I know

[yorkie_chris]

There's quite a few bikes that claim high 30's bhp but you'll never actually see that at the wheel so you don't need them restricted.

ive recently gone from my RS50 to the SV650. mines 33bhp and its fine. in fact its more than enough power at the moment. i didnt want to have to change bikes after two years least with the sv i can get it derestricted an its almost like a new bike. I would go straight with the SV, (SV bia aside) and as said before you can literally see bandits fall apart infront of you.

The thing is if you go for an equivalent yamaha or Honda be prepared to pay approx. thousand pound more, if you got plenty of money it dont matter but if your on a budget go for a suzuki they are the best VFM.

SV simply because of the ease of restriction and de restriction. there is a brilliant site here as im sure you know so any issues will be easy to research and it sounds the bollox with a decent slip on.

bandits are ok but extra weight and same power = poorer ride at a guess.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

bandits are ok but extra weight and same power = poorer ride at a guess.

It's the power delivery...

SV's are making their very useable low rev grunt at less than 33bhp, a bandit doesn't really get up onto the cam untill much higher up where it's strangled by the restrictors.

Same reason why a pointy SV isn't quite as good to restrict as the curvy, the pointies slightly hotter cams aren't suited.

In fact if you could get hold of some "towing" cams for the SV i.e very mild ones you could give it even more low-end

indeed. But tbh with 33BHP im sure you not going to be too worried about the slight increases in usability as they are all pretty bad