newbie question

Originally Posted by Jabba-the-Hutt

You can pick-up ex-demo used ones for around £4

£4.... still a bit overpriced for my liking!!! :P

£3.75 and you've got a deal.

i hear that the bandits are a bad choice
couldnt tell you what the SV's are like - as i am an off-worlder currently residing in the SV ranks.

i dont know if its true - but someone mentioned to me that the bandits have a design fault this year - the frames are easily twisted - and can written off at even the slightest of drop.
also its made out of cheap parts and is shoddily built.

if i didnt have the option of a 109bhp CBR - id probably go for the SVS (new shape one) - in yellow tho mind

but have a look round - get some test rides and see whats best for you

even if it does happen to be the inferior hornet

Originally Posted by Cronos

£4.... still a bit overpriced for my liking!!! :P

£3.75 and you've got a deal.

Not even a mis-quote

[northwind]

I'd say just don't buy a new Bandit, for what you get they're too expensive. There's nothing exactly wrong with them as a bike, and if you're buying a used one they can be a great deal, but new they just don't compete with the SV at all. Provided you're happy with the SV's riding position and the V twin, it's superior in basically every way, apart from low speed maneuvering.

If you like the Bandit's style, and that's the price you're looking at, 2 Wheels have a couple of Hornets and a Triumph Speed 4 at about the same price.

Where was it you were shopping? Alvins? It'd probably be worth your time to look across the bridge to Cupar's or Perth Motorcycles as well, they've often had the best deals on new SVs. Alvins is a good shop, but a little off the lowest prices in general. Personally I get on well with them, but a cpouple of people here have had pretty rotten service from them. (I think they realise a serial crasher presents a good repeat business opportunity... I get things like the parts guy phoning me out of the blue saying "Hey, we just found some black SV panels, I thought you might need them!") My personal experience with them has always been good anyway, with things like them rebulding the wheel on my Virago more or less for free out of charity, since they were quiet...

I'm amazed a salesman tried to steer you away from the bandit to be honest, the SV's probably a much easier bike to sell.

if you're looking for a bike in Edinburgh I'll give some very important words of warning- stay the **** away from Carrick Yamaha, they're fundamentally thieves and incompetents. Nowhere else in the world will anyone sell you a bike as a good runner and perfect learner, then when you come back in 3 months later for the first service tell you it might not be economically worth the effort of doing the service...

You can't do no wrong with the sv.

I got back to biking after 20 years, last year, and was thinking of a Hornet but got a new SV K3 for £3700. Despite the fact that the finish is a bit iffy (front forks, bottom yoke) I have been well pleased and think it represnts good value. I like its handling, torque and general lightness; the acceleration is impressive and personally like the engine charactersitics of a V twin. Only other downside is the seat which I wouldn't want to sit on all day.

My general view is you seldom (ever?) get more than you pay for and if you want a budget bike that's fun to ride and you can develop your skills on, it fits the bill.

The riding position on the naked bike is good and wlthough I have little legs(!) have found the seat height fine... from previous threads it seems riders of all heights can manage without problems.

Looks are clearly an individual matter but I find it difficult to believe many really think a Bandit looks better than a SV; in terms of re-sale I'd guess a SV will hold value (a bit) better.

This must be the longest thread on this sort of subject without reference to
bue being the fastest colour etc. etc...

It is (of course).

Have fun and ride safely whatever you decide.

I have been to most shops within 40 miles of Edinburgh just looking around.

I read the article in ride the other month on V-twins and it made it sound like it was the type of bike I was after, but didn’t really sound like a first bike (but they were reviewing the 1000) but a salesman at Alvins said the bandit or the SV were both good first bikes, my problem is I don’t want to buy a bandit and 6 months down the line want some thing more. I want some thing that will last me a couple of years

I did my training at 2wheels and really enjoyed it but there stuff (Inc bikes) is not cheap and you can walk round that shop for 30 min and not see a bike salesman leaves his desk to talk to anyone

Another good shop in Edinburgh area is Allan Duffus it had a great choice of bikes (I know everyone loves Cupar’s but it is a bit on the small side)

But the best shop bar none is the Internet that’s why I ask you guys for your view because it’s better than any salesman’s opinion.

Oh and BTW Silver is the Fastest colour by far, didn’t you all know it was a lighter paint than blue? :P

[northwind]

Alan Duffus has a terrible workshop though, and there's persistent rumours about them being financially knackered (well, 2 of their biggest lines are Aprilia and CCM after all!)

Anyway, SVs are great, nuff said. Other bikes may also be great

Hi Saffen, welcome!

I passed my DAS early in October, bought an SVS the day after and have now done around 600 miles over the last few weekends.(and have enjoyed every minute!)

The bike can feel comfortable poodling along at 2500 revs and can feel like a race bike (not that I know what one feels like) when pushed hard.

I would say it is a great first bike and having now spoken to a number of people who have had theirs much longer than me, it does grow with you and will certainly do me for a while.