Which bike?

[Lou Girardin]

I'm going to change my bike within the next year. I've seen a '98, very low km's, as new RF900 @ $9,500.
Alternatively, a new or late model 1200S Bandit.
The Bandit is more practical and still fun, but I've got a soft spot for RF's
Opinions?

[Grumpy]

Hey Lou,

Both are excellent bikes. I had a RF myself. Solid bikes, couldn't fault it. I recently looked at changing bikes myself and the bandit was one I considered. Great bike but the only thing I wasn't too keen on was the amount of vibration it sent through the footpegs. I rode a couple of them and noticed the same with both. Other than that, excellent bike. But my personal favourite would be the RF.

[What?]

Ride them both, Lou. Then go home and have a beer. On the second beer you will come to realise which one you can't live without...

[Hitcher]

The only Bandit worth having is the latest model. The frame on the earlier model leaves much to be desired in riding pleasure terms. Either way, a good RF will eat a Bandit.

[750Y]

Ride them both, Lou. Then go home and have a beer. On the second beer you will come to realise which one you can't live without...

lol, and if that doesn't work then persist until you have no more beer. 8-)
RF900!

[SPman]

RF - one of the great under-recognised sport tourers on the road.

[wkid_one]

New VFR is supposed to be a nice ride also

[Lou Girardin]

The only Bandit worth having is the latest model. The frame on the earlier model leaves much to be desired in riding pleasure terms. Either way, a good RF will eat a Bandit.

True, and I really like my RF. (It's getting a bit long in the tooth now). But having followed my brothers bandit for 3,000km's down south, he seemed to have a more comfortable time of it. And the new models have better fairings, so are probably better still for touring.
I also wonder about a 6 yr old bike with only 9,000km's on it.
Lou

[merv]

But having followed my brothers bandit for 3,000km's down south, he seemed to have a more comfortable time of it. And the new models have better fairings, so are probably better still for touring.
Lou

I see that Suzuki are selling the latest Bandits with a full fairing kit on them now too i.e. with side panels added.

[moko]

RF`s were never too popular here when they were a current model.Oddly now they`re appreciated more and good ones hold their prices very well,as does the old Honda CBR1000.Says a lot that one of BIKES journos runs one as his personal transport and there`s a guy should know a thing or two.
New model bandits,here at least,had an issue with oil-burning that Suzuki basically refused to recognise and there were a lot of disgruntled owners,dont know if they sorted that one out or kept their heads in the sand.
That many kms on a bike that age would make me look very closely,at the very least, if the price is right ,I`d get it fully serviced straight away and ask a lot of questions,is it genuine,has it been re-built after a smash,has it been standing,if so how long and why e.t.c. At least Bandit will come with full warranty,any used bike is a bit of a lottery but if RF`s a good one then a sound buy.

[Hitcher]

I see that Suzuki are selling the latest Bandits with a full fairing kit on them now too i.e. with side panels added.

Only "selected" dealers are getting this option -- full fairing and a Yoshi can thrown in.

[Jackrat]

Personaly I would pick the RF,They have always been a class act.
IMHO all the new Suzukis reek of cheap,And I have always been a Suzuki fan,But the latest all look like they were chucked togeather from a parts bin.
They look great in a photo but when you get up close,OH dear,
The SVs must be the most tacy looking things in a long time.
Go the RF!

[tlronny]

Good call on the SV - still the price reflects that !

[Jackrat]

Good call on the SV - still the price reflects that !

Glad you agree,but before somebody bites my head off I better say that is just my opinion as to looks,nothing else.After all if I was offered the motor from either the RF,SV, or bandit,I would pick the SV any day .
It's just the RF looks nice. :niceone:

[Hitcher]

Saw in the flesh this morning a Hyosung Comet 650. Looks a pretty smart package -- running Pirelli Diablos as OEM, inverted front forks, double front discs. Looks good in blue! The price should make Suzuki snort...

[James Deuce]

Saw in the flesh this morning a Hyosung Comet 650. Looks a pretty smart package -- running Pirelli Diablos as OEM, inverted front forks, double front discs. Looks good in blue! The price should make Suzuki snort...

Dead impressed with the Comet, and the 250 version would be a brilliant first bike for a larger rider. A mate of mine had the 250 and upgraded to a CBR600. He's 6'4" and he didn't look like he was dwarfing the 250 at all. The CBR on the other hand looks tiny under his elongated form. :)

[Jackrat]

Saw in the flesh this morning a Hyosung Comet 650. Looks a pretty smart package -- running Pirelli Diablos as OEM, inverted front forks, double front discs. Looks good in blue! The price should make Suzuki snort...
Ok already,so how much is it.Iv'e been wondering about the 650 ever since I read the road tests on the 250.Sounds very interesting.From all accounts some very good Japanese tech' has been put into these things.