650 Bandit
 

Been lent one today from Premier ,whilst SV having work done (warranty stuff),I have to say,my past opinion has changed a tad!

The one I rode a few years ago was a 600,which I wasnt impressed with TBH,This one though,has changed my feelings about the Bandit! :shock:

Comfortable,friendly and DOES go quite well,(nothing like the SV accelerates,SV feels quicker to me!),you just have to let it scream!

The 600 I rode was none of the above except comfortable.

I find the bandit's a bit floppy into the corners,and they seem to 'steer' you/me into a bend,SV much nimbler on the twists!

But I DO like the 650 Bandit,wont be buying one,but a pleasant experience nonetheless!

Speedy

The Paper performance of the Bandit 650 and the SV650S are very similar.

The Bandit has a bit more power and a bit less torque.

Acceleration and top speed is the same, give or take a millisecond here and a mph there. The SV is a wee bit faster on acceleration but not kick-ass faster.

Not much in it. Certainly the best matchup between the 650 V-twin and a IL4.

Build quality and price are similiar. The choice of the comfort of the Bandit or the sporty/flighty feel of the SV.

why do suzuki have 2 bikes (sv and bandit) that seem pretty similar in what they are? it doesn't seem to make much sense? or am i missing something :o

Bandit is still cheaper isn't it?

suzuki web site says (RRP obv):

bandit naked is £4300
sv naked is £4400

bandit faired is £4600
sv faired is £4600

so pretty close.... :?

It actually got both at the moment as ive just picked my SV up and not managed to sell the Bandit yet.

I must say at the mo though that my unfaired bandit feels faster than my faired SV. Not really had much chance to ride the SV properly though, i must say the SV is loads lighter, and comfier over long distances.

I had a Bandit and hated it - all that high pitched revving and soooo top end heavy with that huge IL4 lump in it (well heavy for me being a mere weak female :wink: )

My OH has always had twins and my first bike was a twin (an old guzzi) so for me the SV fullfills the definition of a motorcycle and wins hand down over the Bandit - I feel I have much more control over the throttle and I like being able to use the engine braking - the Bandits far to sensitive and revvy for my likeing the SV has loads more character IMO. 8)

I've ridden a 600 and a 650 bandit.

I actually quite enjoyed the 650 it was a bit more eager and I thought that it handled better than the 600. It felt like it turned in better and was less floppy in the turns than the 600 was.

If I wanted someting for long distance commuting on I'd think about buying one, Much more comfy than the SV is.

Suzuki make the two different bikes I would guess so that they have that angle of the budget middleweight covered. The bandit appeals to those that like IL4's a more upright seating position whereas the SV appeals to those who want something different or who like twins. The SVS is much more sporty feeling to ride than a bandit, Which is why I bought one as I liked the seating position on it.

Had a 2000 reg 600 bandit for about a year. Amazing bikes. Not meant to be a sporstbike so wont handle as well but they do handle superb in the right hands. Very comfy (much more than my 06 SV) and fuel consumption is much better. I regularly had 200 miles out of a tank on the motorways, sv only manages about 140 -160. Top end was about 130 ish but was unfaried so not comfy at all but bike weighted an extra 40 odd kilo's dry so handled a little different. Still, managed knee down many a time with no wobbles. I love 'em.

Dan

Remember the tax on the 600 is only £45... where as that extra 50 cc's puts you in the same tax as the SV at £65.
There great on fuel too.