600 Bandit - any feed back??

[MacDoc]

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Saw one today when wandering around Copenhagen and like the look and ergo of the bike.

Then this is forsale in Aus.

My son is coming to visit and thought it might be a good ride for him and I might switch to it over the KLR

 

[kiwi]

Macdoc, the gsxf650 is like the fairing version of the bandit. Great bikes!

 

[Flywheel]

Macdoc, the gsxf650 is like the fairing version of the bandit. Great bikes!

That's a gsf600 (Bandit 600), a totally different beast. It uses a detuned air/oil cooled Gixxer motor from the 80's. Different cams and smaller carbs, I think. Steel tube frame, handlebars, budget suspension. A decent streetbike, about ~70 hp, 550 lb gassed up. Triple disc brakes, okay fuel range, mini fairing. Basically a 90s UJM, with a standard riding position.

There was a bored out version (650cc) sold in 2006/7 before Suzuki offered the "new" liquid cooled 650cc and 1250cc bandits. It didn't sell well in NA for two reasons: it didn't look like a sportbike and the sv650. They eventually dressed up both Bandits, renaming them gsxf650/1250.

 

[MacDoc]

Thanks - it's a 4 cylinder yes??

 

[Akshun]

Yes its a 4. bandit is a very good street bike. Extremely popular in Europe. Tons of aftermarket accessories and parts.

 

[RedDogDarren]

Yes its a 4. bandit is a very good street bike. Extremely popular in Europe. Tons of aftermarket accessories and parts.

A friend has the 2004 model. Great bike, excellent cornering manners.

 

[Phelan]

very predictable bike...I dont' know why they aren't popular here as they are very user friendly.

 

[kiwi]

very predictable bike...I dont' know why they aren't popular here as they are very user friendly.

As flywheel pointed out they don't look like super sport bikes so not popular here with the Street riding "ninjas" ;-)

Btw - Thanks for the history lesson flywheel.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[KJM]

http://forums.banditalley.net/

 

[Flywheel]

very predictable bike...I dont' know why they aren't popular here as they are very user friendly.

The sv650 cost nearly the same, featured aggressive styling (with clipons), used a v-twin of similar power but was 100 lbs (or more) lighter overall. Triple disks for braking too. Want something taller that handles gravel better? How about a V-strom, dude? A slam dunk, except Suzuki was competing with itself for sales.

The B1200 (and later 1250s) weren't priced much higher than the 600s/650s. The 1200/1250 have torque to spare too, easily offsetting their weight. Ontario's insurance rates often saw the 1200s underpriced on the used market. Their mechanical twins, the Katana 600/750 helped muddy the waters further. North Americans LOVE plastic, even ugly plastic, so Katanas outsold Bandits, being a bit cheaper used as a result. Once again, Suzuki was competing with itself.

In the end, the Bandit 600 was the odd man out. Sold like gangbusters in the UK/Europe though. The Katana was dubbed "The Teapot" and never really caught on. Then again, overseas markets are jammed full with practical bikes of all stripes. My personal favourite was the Yamaha Bulldog. Take a V-Star 1100, throw away everything but the engine and stick it into a modern, standard frame. Vroom!

 

[weeler2]

great bike i have a 2002. solid motor with little maintenance. a lot faster than the klr and nice and smooth on the highways. i have owned a sv and found this more comfortable ( im 6 3) and less vibration on highways. i get about 220km per tank mostly commuting highway. suspension for klr/sv/bandit are pretty much the same...all need work. i have put stiffer springs in the bandit but find the front end feel and cornering clearance poor compared to the sv and klr that i have owned. i love the motor as you can still rev it up and not lose your licence....too quickly.... but its still quick enough that you wownt get bored

 

[stevie t]

I run a 650 air/oil cooled bandit and love it, works great as a day runner or commuter, but still holds up as solo touring bike for multi week trips with a set of hard bags.

...all that being said, I did go out and buy a KLR a few years after the bandit....the KLR will go places I wouldn't want to ride the bandit....

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