Anyone have this................ suggestions
Anyone have this................ suggestions
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Discussion

remal

Original Poster:

25,073 posts

256 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
A Suzuki 650cc Bandit

www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/model.asp?id=96

Any good for my first bike? Want something that had some wind protection, won't fall to bits and may last me a year or 2

thanks

_Dave_

9,466 posts

272 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
They look ok, just a budget middleweight, I used to have a B6 and it was an ok bike, they are very popular with newbs and bab's, plentifull s/h parts supply too, have you had a look at a honda hornet 600? a much better bike than the B650, plus it will depreciate less and are built to a higher standard than the B650.

Just my 2p

s7paul

2,103 posts

256 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
Why not try a Suzuki SV650? A bit more fun to chuck around, and different from the masses of in-line 4 cylinder bikes.

remal

Original Poster:

25,073 posts

256 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
thing is being new to biking I want something thats easy to get used to and help me get some milage under my belt. the other bike I was looking at was the Hornet 600.
also for insurance I need something cheap for the first year or 2

I got the NEC on the 30th so will try both and others and see what feels best

FunkyNige

9,690 posts

297 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
Most of the big manufacturers make half faired 600 bikes, just try them all and see what feels best. Or just go for the SV650 like I did, that way I don't get laughed at for riding a Bandit :P

_Dave_

9,466 posts

272 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
FunkyNige said:
Most of the big manufacturers make half faired 600 bikes, just try them all and see what feels best. Or just go for the SV650 like I did, that way I don't get laughed at for riding a Bandit :P


No you just get laughed at for riding a girls bike

only kidding, the SV is a great bike


Edited by _Dave_ on Monday 16th October 21:02

bandit6

5 posts

232 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
remal said:
A Suzuki 650cc Bandit

www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/model.asp?id=96

Any good for my first bike? Want something that had some wind protection, won't fall to bits and may last me a year or 2

thanks


I wouldn't.
I ride an old shape bandit myself, still my 1st bike and I it's been fantastic in all weathers. However, I rode one of the new 650cc last year and they just feel like they're going to fall apart underneath you. I would imagine the engine build quality is still just as good (baring in mind that it's a budget bike and not a gixer!) but the chassis just feels cheap and nasty. Also, the indicator beep is incredibly loud and incredibly short. Having said all that, that was an 05 model, perhaps things look better this year?
Perhaps try looking at an 2003/04 600cc bandit? The hornet's are a nice choice too though

rsvmilly

11,288 posts

263 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
remal said:
A Suzuki 650cc Bandit

www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/model.asp?id=96

Any good for my first bike? Want something that had some wind protection, won't fall to bits and may last me a year or 2

thanks


My choices would be

Thundercat - £1500-2000
ZX-6R - £2500ish
SV650
Fazer 600 (earlier shape)

I'd go for the Ninja myself - plenty of performance to grow into but docile at low revs. 170+ on the clocks (around 160 true) and makes a fantastic growl

_Dave_

9,466 posts

272 months

Monday 16th October 2006
quotequote all
I can almost agree with the above but the cat and the zx have limited steering lock and can be intimidating for a newb, there's nothing wrong with the bikes but they are still 150mph machines, and maybe not the best thing to be riding through your first winter on 2 wheels.

The fazer 600 is a good call, though the finish seems to vary from bike to bike, they have great brakes, and can do it all, commute, tour, scratch etc.

My dad has a hornet and I ride it a lot, it just seems so competent and easy to ride after my 150hp 1990's unguided missle, I have more fun on the hornet 75% of the time.

remal

Original Poster:

25,073 posts

256 months

Tuesday 17th October 2006
quotequote all
Hornet seems like others prefered choice. will see what feel best during a test ride

thanks

Fire99

9,863 posts

251 months

Tuesday 17th October 2006
quotequote all
Hi there...
I can personally vouch for the Fazer 600. My step-dad rides one daily to work most days and has also done a good few long distant runs and has nothing but praise for the bike.
A friend of mine rides a Hornet 600 to work in London (around 40 miles each way) every day come wind rain or shine and rates it very highly..

The SV650 is also highly rated and is quite alot of fun, plus if you put cans on it sounds very fat!

Another one to consider is the 'new' Kawasaki ER-6f. This has had some surprisingly very good reviews from experienced riders on some bike magazines..

My first bike after passing my test was a ZZR600 when i was 21. The first time i rode it i thought 'Flippin Heck this thing is fast' but it didnt take long for me to get used to the power.
I wouldnt get anything too slow cause you will gain experience very quickly and a bike that seems like the starship enterprise when you first ride it will seem very tame very quickly..

Off the cuff i would say either a hornet, Fazer or Thundercat. All second hand so you can gain some good experience on a decent bike without worrying too much about scratching it etc.

Hope that helps,

Nick

rsvmilly

11,288 posts

263 months

Tuesday 17th October 2006
quotequote all
remal said:
Hornet seems like others prefered choice. will see what feel best during a test ride

thanks
Make sure you get a bike with at least a top fairing and screen. It makes a huge difference to comfort levels and will keep much of the freezing cold air off you in this weather.

door

713 posts

260 months

Wednesday 18th October 2006
quotequote all
Great bike. You don't need a fairing you won't be going that fast and it will make you realise how fast you are going. Naked bikes toughen you up too.

remal

Original Poster:

25,073 posts

256 months

Wednesday 18th October 2006
quotequote all
door said:
Great bike. You don't need a fairing you won't be going that fast and it will make you realise how fast you are going. Naked bikes toughen you up too.


I noticed that when doing my DAS on a ER-5. 70-80MPH felt like 150MPH.

PhillVR6

3,785 posts

282 months

Wednesday 18th October 2006
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I got a Kawasaki Z750 after my DAS last year, still far from bored of it.

Fire99

9,863 posts

251 months

Wednesday 18th October 2006
quotequote all
PhillVR6 said:
I got a Kawasaki Z750 after my DAS last year, still far from bored of it.


Now thats another v good bike.. Forgot that one..

How you getting on with it Phill?

JustTheTip

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 18th October 2006
quotequote all
door said:
Great bike. You don't need a fairing you won't be going that fast and it will make you realise how fast you are going. Naked bikes toughen you up too.


Really? How?!??!

rsvmilly

11,288 posts

263 months

Wednesday 18th October 2006
quotequote all
JustTheTip said:
door said:
Great bike. You don't need a fairing you won't be going that fast and it will make you realise how fast you are going. Naked bikes toughen you up too.


Really? How?!??!
Stronger neck muscles

JustTheTip

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 18th October 2006
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laugh

tim2100

6,288 posts

279 months

Wednesday 18th October 2006
quotequote all
I had a had K2 bandit 600 half faired for my first bike.

Great bike gave me loads of confidence, only kept it for about 8 months though as i wanted a supersports bike so got a GSXR600. So many times wish I still had the bandit as it was soooo comfortable on longer journeys and would have been great commuting.

It didn't give much confidence at motorway speeds in the wet, felt very flighty, huge owners club with loads of possible customisation.