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****Reliability****
It's a Suzuki!
This means if it breaks fix it. I've had no problems with mine, and I don't know of anyone having any problems with theirs.
The electrics are simple; they haven't over complicated any circuits. The engine is a robust all rounder. With the inline ... Read review
Advantages: Easy handling, comfortable ride. Very fun Disadvantages: Can be intense
The Bandit has been about for some years, and there's a good reason for this. The bike does what it says on the tin, it rides and rides and rides. I've owned one for around a year now. I bought a 1998 Bandit 600SW, this was my first bike, passed my test a week and went out hunting.
The bandit first started in the early nineties, which has led some people to say they are a bit long in the tooth. If this were true why would they after ... ...
The bandit competes with bikes like the Yamaha 600 Fazer and the Honda 600 Hornet. The three bikes all sit closely in their range of stats, but they all are very different. Now what things would you be looking for when choosing a bike if your new to it all, hopefully the following will help.
****Performance****
The 600 Bandit boasts around 75bhp, now for a first bike this is plenty enough. It will get you to between ... more
The Bandit has been about for some years, and there's a good reason for this. The bike does what it says on the tin, it rides and rides and rides. I've owned one for around a year now. I bought a 1998 Bandit 600SW, this was my first bike, passed my test a week and went out hunting.
The bandit first started in the early nineties, which has led some people to say they are a bit long in the tooth. If this were true why would they after 15 years keep producing the 600cc and 1200cc bandits?
The bandit competes with bikes like the Yamaha 600 Fazer and the Honda 600 Hornet. The three bikes all sit closely in their range of stats, but they all are very different. Now what things would you be looking for when choosing a bike if your new to it all, hopefully the following will help.
****Performance**** The 600 Bandit boasts around 75bhp, now for a first bike this is plenty enough. It will get you to between 115mph and 125mph depending if you've opted for the nose cone. The delivery of the power is smooth and constant and you don't feel any stutters through the range. It weighs in at around 210kg (dry) that is slightly heavier than the others, but you only really notice this when manoeuvring at very low speed. The weight is all at the top of the bike, so it makes it difficult for shorter people to handle. Now it is written the Bandit can do a standing ¼ mile in 12.6seconds @ 106mph. Now for the average rider this means nothing, as it's not often someone at the lights gives you the nod to go all out. So what it means is there is enough power at your wrist to get you out or into trouble.
The only down fall is, the hornet and fazer are both five speed bikes while the bandit has a 6 speed box. Now more gears sounds good, but if your tonking along, you find yourself putting your foot through a lot of exercise for a short distance and your revving higher.
****Handling**** This is where the bike does well. Its long wheelbase a short rake angle help no end to the bikes handling capabilities. The response of the telescopic forks is really forgiving for first time riders. If feels comfortable as you start to lean the bike, it doesn't try and take you away, you are in control.
Now for a heavy bike that could sound strange, but the bike is well balanced and set up for touring, so for trying to get your knee down through town, this isn't for you. But Sunday rides and long distance you'll feel right at home bending and swerving your way.
****Ride**** Now this is where the bike shines. The bandit has a high riding position, which gives confidence. It has a padded steardy seat, mine is now 7 years old with no signs of real wear. People looking to buy bikes like to know how it feels to ride, all I can say is try it. The upright ride and comfortable reach suits me fine (I'm 6'2). You can adjust the bars and also buy a jack up kit for the rear wheel if you want to customise the feel. The peg position is comfortable, slightly behind you when you've got the balls of your feet down.
From a passenger point of view, I've taken friends on the back and they all say they feel really comfortable sitting there behind me. The seat has a lot of room to get comfy and grab handles either side.
****Cost**** The 600cc ranges of touring bikes have always had a good price range. They are pretty cheap to run and easily looked after. The cost of a new 600cc bandit is around £4,000 on the road depending where you buy. Second hand is where the price drops, it's easy to get hold of a nice bandit, the biggest thing is getting hold of one that has been regularly serviced and looked after. To run a tank of fuel (20litres) will get me a range of about 140-150 miles even if your enthusiastic with the throttle/.
****Reliability**** It's a Suzuki! This means if it breaks fix it. I've had no problems with mine, and I don't know of anyone having any problems with theirs.
The electrics are simple; they haven't over complicated any circuits. The engine is a robust all rounder. With the inline 4 going in. Wear is good, I've just put a new chain and sprocket on and tyres, which hasn't been done in years. Rides like a dream. It's only really wear and tear.
****Enjoyment**** The Bandit is a lovely bike to enjoy, it's so forgiving and full of itself you get of with a smile on your face.
****Looks**** The classic look of the unfaired bike really appeals to me. I think it's all round looks are good. From the single spot light on the unfaired to the twin shaped lights mounted in the faired version. The frame has a sleek design where it runs under the panels at the seat. The chassis design hasn't really had many modifications from new. In 99 they made some minor mods, but chose not to bring it in line with some bike modelling the cutting shapes and sharp detail.
There are endless modifications you can do to bandits; they still remain one of the most played with bikes when it comes to accessories. The Bandit has street fighter appeal, which seems to be coming in more and more.
****Recommendation**** Who would I recommend too? Commuters 1st time buyers Weekend riders
Advantages: Fun, Economic, Reasonably priced Disadvantages: Wobbles over 100mph, Forks bottom out, Too high for people with short legs!!
...of an R reg, blue Suzuki Bandit GSF600N. (Strangely enough, Suzuki class this blue colour as green?! They must have colour-blind employees!!!) A brand new Bandit will cost around £3500.
So how does this bike perform? It has a decent sized engine although not as fast as the 1200 version but that is pretty obvious and to be expected. It is very handy for town work and is light and nippy enough to weave through traffic comfortably. Saying that however, ... ...being given the opportunity to do just that, especially if it’s normally used for only town work. I don’t think huge amounts of town work is good for any vehicles, so a ‘good run’ every now and then will do it a world of good. Compared to the Thundercat, a long run is much more pleasurable on the Bandit mainly due to the aching arms syndrome. After an hour riding the Thundercat, or any racing bike I would assume, unless you ...
joannavos 20.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 600S
Advantages: cheap to buy and run Disadvantages: taller and heavier than some similar bikes
...I would say that the Suzuki Bandit 600S is an excellent machine if you want to do a bit of everything. Mine has proved reliable, economical, comfortable with some nice practical touches (digital clock, twin trip meters, room under the seat for a chain and a disk lock) and it's a good looking machine that has put up with everything I've thrown at it and even after a year of ownership and over 12,000 miles in all weathers it still cleans up almost ...
curley 29.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 600S
Advantages: Handling, engine, novice- and expert- friendly Disadvantages: Some dealers less than helpful
I bought my Suzuki Bandit 600S (i.e. with a fairing) when it was just over a year old. I was very impressed: for the price of a year old Honda CB500 (boring but reliable commuter) I picked up a 600 Bandit (drummingbunny's dream bike!). I can heartily recommend this bike to anyone except the hardcore power junkies. It pulls smoothly from just above tickover in any gear: it will comfortably cruise at 30 mph in top gear. The engine goes slightly off ... ...to owning a Bandit is Suzuki dealers: there are good ones and there are bad ones. B&B motorcycles in Lincoln were excellent, but others have left me feeling that I'd rather not give them money for their lack of service. One couldn't tell me what shade of green my bike was, because they couldn't find the colour code:
Dealer: Its under the seat, mate
Me: S'not
Dealer: It is, I promise you
Me: Fine, you have a look
Dealer: Blimey, its not there!
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drummingbunny 12.06.2001 (25.07.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 600S
Advantages: Tons of fun, and great to tune Disadvantages: Eats tyres and brakes
...2 years - my local Suzuki dealer says the B6 is notorious for this, though mine is a touch excessive, and I can go through a back tyre in 2000 miles - but then I do go for sticky rubber and ride pretty hard.
As a return to biking it would be a good move, though maybe too heavy and tall for the shorter rider. As a next step from a 125 after passing your test it's perfect - a great 'real' bike at a great price. As a b-road blaster - you might do better ...
slaveunit 15.09.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 600S
Advantages: Good looking, fast(ish), comfortable Disadvantages: No fairing, high tyre wear
I've had my Bandit 600N for 5 years now, bought it new for £3995.
The Bandit is a great bike, I can't rate it highly enough. Physically it looks great and it's a good size for me as a 6 footer and that equates to easy riding and comfort about town and on back roads. Keep off the motorways though because without a fairing it is a tiring ride.
Economy is about 50mpg and but tyre wear is high with rear BT45s only lasting 3500 miles and fronts about ... ...being flat, there is enough torque for pottering around below 5000 rpm and a great rush over 9000 which can get quite adictive. Ok it's got nothing on a GSX600 or R6 but it's as fast as my old Z650, and certainly fast enough to get you into trouble. The Bandit has always been popular and that's because it's a good all rounder - it might be the underdog compared to the 1200 but the only real difference is the 1200's propensity to wheelie under acceleration.
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llumb 25.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Suzuki Bandit 600S
