Bandit or Monster
Discussion
Hi Folks,
I passed my D.A.S course afew months ago and have been driving about on a wee AR125 since (it was cheap).
I want to buy a big bike now but cant make my mind up between an unfaired bandit 600 or a Ducati Monster 600. They are both similarly priced on eBay so i reckon i coud afford either.
But the big question Which one?
If anyone has any stories or thoughts on this could you let me know?
Cheers
I passed my D.A.S course afew months ago and have been driving about on a wee AR125 since (it was cheap).
I want to buy a big bike now but cant make my mind up between an unfaired bandit 600 or a Ducati Monster 600. They are both similarly priced on eBay so i reckon i coud afford either.
But the big question Which one?
If anyone has any stories or thoughts on this could you let me know?
Cheers
First, if they'r eonEbay the prices could go up, a lot if more people get interested and someone could also push theprice up that little bit more by bidding against you for no reason. I'd get a bike from a dealer etc, that way, you'll have a certain amount of comeback if anything goes wrong with it.
Second, I'd goe for neither, I bought a Yamaha Fazer 600, as it was by far better than the Bandit, you could even get the unfaired version if you don't like fairings. I never looked at the Ducati, but I personally wouldn't choose one of those as my first bike. If you drop it, it'll be fookin expensive to fix.
Buy Japanese!
Second, I'd goe for neither, I bought a Yamaha Fazer 600, as it was by far better than the Bandit, you could even get the unfaired version if you don't like fairings. I never looked at the Ducati, but I personally wouldn't choose one of those as my first bike. If you drop it, it'll be fookin expensive to fix.
Buy Japanese!
How rich are you ??
I would say that in terms of size the monster 750 or even 900 would compare to the bandit 600
Bandit can live outside and will go on forever
Monster will be loads more fun but much more expensive to run
I would say either would offer similar value for money, it just depends on how much yuo want to spend
I would say that in terms of size the monster 750 or even 900 would compare to the bandit 600
Bandit can live outside and will go on forever
Monster will be loads more fun but much more expensive to run
I would say either would offer similar value for money, it just depends on how much yuo want to spend
I brought a Bandit this time last year for my first bike!
Fantastic bike could do anything & had loads of character. although fairly heavy it was very manouverable. Mine was fully faired which made it great on motorways / high speed.
I did look at the time at Monster/Hornet/fazer also, didn't like the look of the fazer, the hornets insurance was to high at the time, & the Monster, well.... knew a few people who had them and after the long tails of unreliability and dodgy electrics I didn't fancy it.
IMO I would go for either a Bandit or SV, the SV is very highly rated.
All depends what your budget is really though.
Tim.
Fantastic bike could do anything & had loads of character. although fairly heavy it was very manouverable. Mine was fully faired which made it great on motorways / high speed.
I did look at the time at Monster/Hornet/fazer also, didn't like the look of the fazer, the hornets insurance was to high at the time, & the Monster, well.... knew a few people who had them and after the long tails of unreliability and dodgy electrics I didn't fancy it.
IMO I would go for either a Bandit or SV, the SV is very highly rated.
All depends what your budget is really though.
Tim.
I had a test drive of an SV650 and it was nice, very stable. I didnt try out the unfaired model. I think that the bandit and monster are nicer though as they seem to me to be much wider.
The only thing i can say about the monster i dont like the look of is the engine behind the front wheel. It seems to look very small/odd/sticky out something quite odd about it. Does this look better when you actually see the bike up close?
The Monster 900 looks great, must be the bigger engine.
I also like the bandit 600 as it looks like a really big bike even though it is a 600.
Any other thoughts?
The only thing i can say about the monster i dont like the look of is the engine behind the front wheel. It seems to look very small/odd/sticky out something quite odd about it. Does this look better when you actually see the bike up close?
The Monster 900 looks great, must be the bigger engine.
I also like the bandit 600 as it looks like a really big bike even though it is a 600.
Any other thoughts?
I think the montser 600 doesn't look so good as it doesn't have the oil cooler, the front piston a little too remiscant of an old FZ1E 
Also you mention width, the Monster (even the 900) is almost unbeleivably narrow (as the old Kawasaki add says more flickable than a bogey in double maths)
Also you mention width, the Monster (even the 900) is almost unbeleivably narrow (as the old Kawasaki add says more flickable than a bogey in double maths)
I will mainly be using it for getting to and from work, but it will also be my only bike so it has to be fun and last me quite a while because i aint exactly loaded.
I would like something i can add to in the future. Starting with a custom paint job and then so on and so forth.
I want something that (sounds very corny) people will look at and say nice!! and something that sounds loud and bassy... Oh god i am starting to sound like a boy racer....
Well you get the general idea.
I would like something i can add to in the future. Starting with a custom paint job and then so on and so forth.
I want something that (sounds very corny) people will look at and say nice!! and something that sounds loud and bassy... Oh god i am starting to sound like a boy racer....
Well you get the general idea.
Termignonis are the recognised supplier of performance exhaust systems to Ducati Corse. They are however illegal for road use as are most aftermarket exhausts due to noise regulations.
PS. I really didnt mean to offend a Bandit owners, Great in the old guise, not so good in the new. A friend has owned both and has returned to the last of the previous shape (facelift). Does everything extremely well.
The monster is a great insight into Italian ownership. The reliability will be down to the individual bike Im afraid. Some are really good, others, very bad. Be very picky when buying.
Ultimately, I havent heard a bad word said about the SV650. I have never ridden one, but from all the reports they are THE 'first' bike. I would say go for one and get some Akrapovic end cans and smile all summer long.
I think Hertsbiker has just returned from 4-wheeled duldrum with an SV650 so may be a good source of info.
PS. I really didnt mean to offend a Bandit owners, Great in the old guise, not so good in the new. A friend has owned both and has returned to the last of the previous shape (facelift). Does everything extremely well.
The monster is a great insight into Italian ownership. The reliability will be down to the individual bike Im afraid. Some are really good, others, very bad. Be very picky when buying.
Ultimately, I havent heard a bad word said about the SV650. I have never ridden one, but from all the reports they are THE 'first' bike. I would say go for one and get some Akrapovic end cans and smile all summer long.
I think Hertsbiker has just returned from 4-wheeled duldrum with an SV650 so may be a good source of info.
mine has 
veetwin said:Unlike a lot of aftermarket race pipes however they don't have "NOT SUITABLE FOR ROAD USE" stamped on them in large freindly letters, and you're unlikely to get pulled up on it unless you're pully wheelies and stoppies all over the place
Termignonis are the recognised supplier of performance exhaust systems to Ducati Corse. They are however illegal for road use as are most aftermarket exhausts due to noise regulations.
The picture above is one of the my main reasons for thinking about a monster as that is just gorgeous.
I didnt know about those cans. I really dont know alot about road bikes, but i guess thats why i am here.
I was this --> <-- close to buying a bandit from eBay. It had twin high lift cans both on the same side and a single swing arm with loads of extras that i didnt even know what half of them where. It also had the most amazing paint job.
You will find a picture at this link.
www.celticbandits.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/bandit2.jpg
This would be my ideal bike as it looks just the way i want.
Anyone got any suggestions of a good place to take a bike to get a custom paint job like this?
I didnt know about those cans. I really dont know alot about road bikes, but i guess thats why i am here.
I was this --> <-- close to buying a bandit from eBay. It had twin high lift cans both on the same side and a single swing arm with loads of extras that i didnt even know what half of them where. It also had the most amazing paint job.
You will find a picture at this link.
www.celticbandits.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/bandit2.jpg
This would be my ideal bike as it looks just the way i want.
Anyone got any suggestions of a good place to take a bike to get a custom paint job like this?
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