SV Vs Bandit

[Ch00]

Folks

Quick question for you all. I have a 99 curvey and I am not really comfortable with the low riding position. I have had a look around and I like the bandit faired GSF650SABS.

I have a test ride on Monday. Am i making a huge mistake?

Ch00

yes

[northwind]

Nah, never a mistake to try other bikes. Unless you can't afford them Try a Hornet though, and a GSR600. It does come partly down to personal taste of course, but IMO the Hornet just does everything, absolutely everything better than the Bandit. Apart from the insurance price, that is.

[fizzwheel]

Its not a bad bike. Having ridden both I prefer the SV to ride. I find the handling more inspiring.

But I'm not you. If the riding position is putting you off then getting a test ride on a bandit if you like the look of that is a good idea. Dont discount the new GSR though or a Honda Hornet. I think probably both are better at what they do than the bandit.

[Ch00]

I am a fairly basic rider. I mainly commute from greater London to inner London about 15 miles each way at all times of the day.

I am no way the fastest thing on two wheels and these days not quite the slowest.

I do like a fairing on a bike and like a screen to hide behind.

As for pots of gold, I don't have a tremendous amount to spend, it was Suzuki's 3 years free credit that brought matters to my mind.

Thanks for the replies so far.

Ch00

[northwind]

Definately try the faired Hornet then- they tend to be ludicrously cheap too. I'm biased, I really like them

One of the guys at the bike shop I got the raptor from had a bandit, then changed to a GSR or whatever they are and said it's an ace bike and was much better than the bandit. Not that there's anything wrong with bandits; I'd get another one tomorrow if one came up cheap enough. I'd give both a test ride and see which one I prefer Let us know how you get on! There's plenty of choice out there so you can have loads of fun test riding everything

I had a Bandit 600, and i loved it, totaly differnt from the sv, much comfier seat, more relaxed riding position, and the power delivery is of course differnt being an IL4. I wouldnt change my sv back to my bandit, but i do miss her.

Have you thought about a Naked SV with a fly screen, thats a bit more relaxed

Having owned an SV, Bandit and currently a Hornet I would say.....................the bandit is about 40kg's heavier than the Hornet with about 20 -30 less bhp. It does make it's peak torque a little sooner but the Hornet's handling is sublime. The Bandit is a good all rounder and very comfy but you will soon be bored of it. The Hornet is very comfy (so much more than the SV650 S variant) handles like a dream and above 7k rpm just takes off (literally). Tried the GSR which was also good but I still prefer the Hornet overall. Just my 2 cents.

Dan

Insurance for my Hornet is half the price of the SV (for me). I'm 28 been riding 3 years. I'm on 1 year's NCB and garaged paying just over £300 fully comp. The SV set me back £650 quid (that's £1 per cc funnily enough!).

If you're happy with the SV, except for the riding position, why not put on N-type handlebars, or clip-on risers like the Helibars? I'm planning to do that next year to my 05 SV650S.
Rode a Bandit 600N a few years ago, and the engine felt pretty gutless at low revs. Should be interesting to ride it back-to-back with my SV.