A new bike for me! Bandit/Fazer? Advice pls

After my incident I'm now looking to replace dearly departed Pointy...

The SV was good, but I found the riding position a bit hard on my wrists when commuting (6'2) and SWMBO found the rear seat really high and also really uncomfortable for long journeys.

With that in mind, I'm looking at possibly moving up to either a Bandit or Fazer. Not sure I like the looks of the CBF600 and I definitely don't like the ER-6 as it's ugly as hell.

It'll be mostly for commuting with the odd weekend rideout or road trip (likely the only time with a pillion). I was slightly concerned by the SV's reputation for turning into a pile of rust so anything that can survive year-round riding well is a plus. And a good riding position for someone moderately tall is a must too.

Any input is great! Cheers!

try a cb600f instead. or the 900.

vfr800?

[yorkie_chris]

Currently I've got in my garage a GPZ500S, which is mostly made of rust. A CG125 which has been rescued from turning into a pile of rust (not bad for a 32 year old bike though). An RD400 which will turn into a pile of rust as soon as it's shown some water. And elsewhere I've got a GSXR750 which is definately a pile of rust.

So basically, you're boned. If it's made of metal and from Japan, it will rust.

Triumphs seem to be a little better, my Dads 955i daytona was held together with some pretty good quality stainless fasteners as standard. It wasn't wintered but I have seen some hold up pretty well.


P.s neither a bandit or a fazer is really a step up in performance, maybe more bhp, but more weight too. If you want a step up, and a comfortable ride then what about a bandit 1250GT? They are an armchair.

[fastdruid]

VFR750

Druid

Originally Posted by custard

try a cb600f instead. or the 900.

vfr800?

I'm not sure if I like the looks of the CBF600, and I find the Hornets to be ungainly looking. VFR800 is group 14... I've just written something off remember, I can't go buying anything too expensive or dangerous as it'll cost me my remaining good leg to insure it.

Originally Posted by yorkie chris

neither a bandit or a fazer is really a step up in performance, maybe more bhp, but more weight too. If you want a step up, and a comfortable ride then what about a bandit 1250GT? They are an armchair.

I don't really need a step up in performance so much as a slightly bigger size for better riding position and also a better pillion seat. Not really after a bigger engine either or more speed, the SV suited me fine in terms of that.

I suppose I'm pretty much screwed in terms of rust, really.

[yorkie_chris]

Are you looking new or would you consider an older bike?

[fastdruid]

Trouble is that the fazer/bandit 600's you'll need to rev the **** off them to get anywhere. I had a hornet as a hire bike after crashing my SV and found it gutless unless you nailed it. The VFR750 has the same kind of low down grunt as the SV except at the point the SV starts to run out of puff the VFR keeps going... Plus it will go on for thousands of miles, great with or without a pillion, there is a reason they're known as the best all rounders!

Druid

GSX-F?
I looked at one in the dealer recently, looks nice, havent ridden one though.

[Biker Biggles]

Older bike idea------Fazer thou.Has the advantage of being a good all round bike and looking so much better than the Fazer 600(Good bike too but so fugly)

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Are you looking new or would you consider an older bike?

Used but preferably the current models. I don't have huge amounts of money nor do I wanna go on finance if I can help it.

Originally Posted by specialone

GSX-F?
I looked at one in the dealer recently, looks nice, havent ridden one though.

Never considered that, I'd probably end up buying lowers for a Bandit anyway so that could be an idea. Plus it might fool people into thinking I had a Gixxer and thus was made of win

fastdruid: Yeah, I've heard that, but I also see just as many comments saying that such criticisms are unfounded. I'll have to find out for myself I guess.

Cheers all for the suggestions, all the input is helping greatly!