sv or a bandit6 for a newbie?

Test ride them both and see which one you prefer. I've ridden both and they're both good bikes but TBH I got on with my bandit much more than the SV.

thanks amanda M

[northwind]

Originally Posted by mpaton2005

Coming from a position of owning a new Bandit from when I passed DAS, I would say the SV is a better beginners bike and will take you a lot further. Certainly makes you a 'cleaner' rider - especially learning to cope with the engine braking round tight slow corners.

That's what I was getting at- for a total scrub, the Bandit's better, but not for long. It's easier to ride to a basic degree but the SV's more rewarding and makes a better rider of you ultimately.

I haven't ridden a Bandit, but was just remembering an engineer friend of mine's words about air-cooled motors. They apparently build them with loads of clearance between the moving parts, to allow for expansion and contraction, as they can't predict or control the operating temperature range. You could be idling in traffic in the middle of Summer, or riding along in sub-zero temperatures, and the motor still has to work. The clearance problem means accelerated wear (the parts hammer them selves to death sooner) and worse economy, I'm told. The SV's liquid-cooled motor is a more advanced piece of technology. Ypu can actually watch the digital teperature gauge changing slightly as the thermostat opens and closes (range 81 to 84 degrees).
Jon.

I haven't ridden a Bandit, but the SV is definitely a better looking bike - especially the pointy one.

For a beginner, I'd go for whichever he can get cheapest, so it won't matter so much when he drops it.

I'm 6'2" just under 15 stones and have long legs I am quite comfortable on my SV. And this weekend I had my 18 stone mate on the back. I can't see him having any problems with the bike.

As a tall person, you get used to bikes, bicycles and things being just a little smaller than they should be, and I have very little trouble with the naked SV. I haven't been for any really long rides although I have done 70 miles and was able to walk ok although my **** was a little sore.

My last bike, quite a few years ago, was a GPZ600R and I did a some 90 miles rides down to the BMF rally and I remember being much more cramped on that.

The engine breaking and fun at legal speeds you can have on an SV650 is great, and I much prefer a v twin. and the frame is much better. Although If I wanted to go touring, I would prefer a larger engined four, but I got this bike for a day to day all purpose bike, and rides into the derbyshire countryside. I am having lots of good fun on it.

I dont reckon the Japs build the SV to suit their riders, I reckon they are built for the Euro and American market. Most Japs and Asian countries only use 400's anyway.

Im a healthy 18 stone and have never had a problem with the suspension, apart from the lack of toys to adjust.

Even if the bikes are designed for a 8 1/2 stone Jap that still adds up to 17 stone when you have a Geisha girl on the back :P

I reckon the answer you will get here is a SV, if you go to Bandit.com it may be slightly different

The reason that an SV is so popular is not just the seat height but the width of the seat and engine making it easier for shorter riders, but tall riders dont seem to struggle either

[northwind]

In fact, I don't think the SV650's ever been officially released in japan- though that could be rubbish