650 Bandit

[Speedy]

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!

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

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 )

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.

[fizzwheel]

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.