Bandit 1250 K7 or SV1000 K7 for everyday duties?
Discussion
Both will be fine, a Bandit is much more upright and has a turbine of an engine, but is more tourer than sports tourer, the SV's are great, I really really rated mine and is more sporty, riding position isn't too bad but the bandit is much comfier.
Edit, I'm talking about the SV1000S, not the naked one.
Edit, I'm talking about the SV1000S, not the naked one.
Edited by Jazoli on Friday 11th August 10:25
Can't comment on the 1250 bandit from personal experience but they seem a popular choice and my 600's (had 2) were very easy to ride and always felt like an ideal commuter.
The sv1000 is used by a few bike couriers I know, 1 of them is on 220k miles (I had to do a double check) it just had a replacement engine at those miles. He did moan about it eating rectifiers or alternators I forget which one, other than maintenance he seems to have gotten away with very few issues.
I had an sv650s I loved it and miss it, it is definitely more sports tourer than upright in s guise.
The sv1000 is used by a few bike couriers I know, 1 of them is on 220k miles (I had to do a double check) it just had a replacement engine at those miles. He did moan about it eating rectifiers or alternators I forget which one, other than maintenance he seems to have gotten away with very few issues.
I had an sv650s I loved it and miss it, it is definitely more sports tourer than upright in s guise.
Ran a 2008 bandit 1250 as a commuter for a while.
Plus points:
Eeeeeasy to ride and effortless overtakes.
Pretty good on fuel. 160+ on a tank easily.
Without a fairing lower they look nice. Engine looks nice. I enjoyed cleaning it.
Negatives:
The seat. It has to be one of the most uncomfortable on any bike. Sore butt after an hour.
Bland. Despite the torque it did feel bland most of the time.
Headlight is about as effective as a candle
Fairing screws are made of very soft material and are a hex fitting so round easily
Top fairing on mine developed a resonant rattle/buzz at the exact revs of 60mph. Really annoying.
Overall finish doesn't feel brilliant. Paint seems thin. Felt the need to really keep it clean to stop it rotting.
Engine doesn't like being thrashed at high revs. Seems to make the most shove well before the redline, so if you like thrashing this one isn't for you.
Not tried an SV1000 but did run an SV650S for a while. Much more sporty riding position than a Bandit 1250.
Plus points:
Eeeeeasy to ride and effortless overtakes.
Pretty good on fuel. 160+ on a tank easily.
Without a fairing lower they look nice. Engine looks nice. I enjoyed cleaning it.
Negatives:
The seat. It has to be one of the most uncomfortable on any bike. Sore butt after an hour.
Bland. Despite the torque it did feel bland most of the time.
Headlight is about as effective as a candle
Fairing screws are made of very soft material and are a hex fitting so round easily
Top fairing on mine developed a resonant rattle/buzz at the exact revs of 60mph. Really annoying.
Overall finish doesn't feel brilliant. Paint seems thin. Felt the need to really keep it clean to stop it rotting.
Engine doesn't like being thrashed at high revs. Seems to make the most shove well before the redline, so if you like thrashing this one isn't for you.
Not tried an SV1000 but did run an SV650S for a while. Much more sporty riding position than a Bandit 1250.
PTF said:
Ran a 2008 bandit 1250 as a commuter for a while.
Plus points:
Eeeeeasy to ride and effortless overtakes.
Pretty good on fuel. 160+ on a tank easily.
Without a fairing lower they look nice. Engine looks nice. I enjoyed cleaning it.
Negatives:
The seat. It has to be one of the most uncomfortable on any bike. Sore butt after an hour.
Bland. Despite the torque it did feel bland most of the time.
Headlight is about as effective as a candle
Fairing screws are made of very soft material and are a hex fitting so round easily
Top fairing on mine developed a resonant rattle/buzz at the exact revs of 60mph. Really annoying.
Overall finish doesn't feel brilliant. Paint seems thin. Felt the need to really keep it clean to stop it rotting.
Engine doesn't like being thrashed at high revs. Seems to make the most shove well before the redline, so if you like thrashing this one isn't for you.
Not tried an SV1000 but did run an SV650S for a while. Much more sporty riding position than a Bandit 1250.
Plus points:
Eeeeeasy to ride and effortless overtakes.
Pretty good on fuel. 160+ on a tank easily.
Without a fairing lower they look nice. Engine looks nice. I enjoyed cleaning it.
Negatives:
The seat. It has to be one of the most uncomfortable on any bike. Sore butt after an hour.
Bland. Despite the torque it did feel bland most of the time.
Headlight is about as effective as a candle
Fairing screws are made of very soft material and are a hex fitting so round easily
Top fairing on mine developed a resonant rattle/buzz at the exact revs of 60mph. Really annoying.
Overall finish doesn't feel brilliant. Paint seems thin. Felt the need to really keep it clean to stop it rotting.
Engine doesn't like being thrashed at high revs. Seems to make the most shove well before the redline, so if you like thrashing this one isn't for you.
Not tried an SV1000 but did run an SV650S for a while. Much more sporty riding position than a Bandit 1250.
I run one too and completely agree with absolutely everything you say! But for its foibles, I think it's an excellent daily commuter. I don't thrash mine much beyond 6k ever and it's so torquey it's a breeze to commute on with 6th gear being pretty much all I need. I have added a Yoshimura can for some agreeable pops and bangs but it's not at all noisy which is perfect. Comfort was improved by adding a touring screen with a flip up spoiler at the top as I am tall and yes, the headlights are s
t but hids4u have a direct replacement HID kit that cost £80 for both dip and main beam and DIY fitted in an hour and now my headlights are excellent.I've done 180 miles on a tank - just - but my commute is 50 miles so the range isn't enough for four round trips to work so I fill every three. The 1250S doesn't have a reserve fuel toggle thing so not worth risking it.
Birky_41 said:
Is the 1250 a new lump so to speak? I remember the 1200 being based on the old gsxr 1100 air oil cooled lump
That 1250 looks water cooled
It is, and its one of the best engines I've tried for smoothness and grunt, its not sporty but its effortless and very relaxing to ride.That 1250 looks water cooled
Put a deposit on this:
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302408094005
Sounds amazing. Never been a v twin fan so let's see how it get on with it.
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302408094005
Sounds amazing. Never been a v twin fan so let's see how it get on with it.
BuzzBravado said:
Put a deposit on this:
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302408094005
Sounds amazing. Never been a v twin fan so let's see how it get on with it.
Looks great that does, not seen many naked ones.Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302408094005
Sounds amazing. Never been a v twin fan so let's see how it get on with it.
Well i have done a few days commuting on the SV so far and all is well. Based on the little research i did i was expecting soft suspension, but this is rock hard, so i need to sort that.
It is also more leaned over than i expected. This is where the Bandit probably makes more sense with its higher bars.
Also had time for a blast on the open road expecting some explosive experience in comparison to the CBR600, and to be honest i'm a little disappointed. The CBR feels slightly quicker which i wasn't expecting. It has only done 30 miles in the year before i bought it so hoping it is just down to old fuel. Around town though it is very light and agile for slipping through traffic. Time will tell if i gel with it.
Jazoli, is it normal for the SV to cough a little if you blip the throttle too quick?
It is also more leaned over than i expected. This is where the Bandit probably makes more sense with its higher bars.
Also had time for a blast on the open road expecting some explosive experience in comparison to the CBR600, and to be honest i'm a little disappointed. The CBR feels slightly quicker which i wasn't expecting. It has only done 30 miles in the year before i bought it so hoping it is just down to old fuel. Around town though it is very light and agile for slipping through traffic. Time will tell if i gel with it.
Jazoli, is it normal for the SV to cough a little if you blip the throttle too quick?
BuzzBravado said:
Jazoli, is it normal for the SV to cough a little if you blip the throttle too quick?
Yes they do, well mine did occasionally, the fuelling is normally very good, it shouldn't feel slow, I bet if you went head to head with the cbr6 the SV will be quicker, the power delivery is very different, you need to get used to being in a higher gear and using the torque, rather than rev the nuts off it, mine was properly grunty with open cans a modified airbox and a TRE 
Jazoli said:
Yes they do, well mine did occasionally, the fuelling is normally very good, it shouldn't feel slow, I bet if you went head to head with the cbr6 the SV will be quicker, the power delivery is very different, you need to get used to being in a higher gear and using the torque, rather than rev the nuts off it, mine was properly grunty with open cans a modified airbox and a TRE
My brothers had the airbox mod, m4 system, pc3.After it was mapped, fueling was great.
Shadow R1 said:
BuzzBravado said:
Is that the 1000? They are supposed to be 120bhp out the box. I have scorpions fitted so might get the PC5 too.
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