raptor, sv, or bandit 650

[eliot-ness]

Apart from the dubious pleasure of spending an extra few $Ks what, if any, are the advantages of the Raptor 650 over the SV 650 which uses the same motor. Does anyone here have experience of both or either? Also on the list is the Bandit 650, still an unknown quantity but on paper fills the required needs, seat height, weight, torque and power output. Not interested in high performance but prefer quick handling and reasonable acceleration. Any comments on these or other similar bikes much appreciated. Seat height is the main consideration. Up to 790mm prefered.

[moko]

Dont touch the Cagiva for god`s sake as the factory just lurches from one disaster to the next and even in the U.k. the spares situation is chronic,as you say it shares the SV motor but if you`re un-lucky enough to damage a Cagiva bit then be prepared for a long wait.
Latest SV seat height is 800mm but it`s also narrow which might make a slight difference.650 Bandit seat adjusts from 770-790mm(Brit market spec but I doubt there`s a difference in N.Z.)It`s a bit soggy and you`ll find the SV`s handling a lot sportier,neither are hot-shots speed-wise while being perfectly good bikes for everyday use.Road tests show the new Bandit to be torquier than the older bike but not up with Fazers,Hornets e.t.c. but from what you say that`s not an issue and plenty quick enough for most on the road,I`d have one.New SV`s with the little headlight cowl and black frames look really neat,nice handling machine,loads of fun and again plenty quick enough on the road.

[stevedee]

Mate I know I am a bit one eyed but why not test ride a Kawasaki Z750 or Z750S? you may get the best of both worlds, reasonably fast and flickable, nice torque. Can leave it in 6th at 50 Km/h no probs. The seat height is not to bad, I'm only 5'4" but the bike is so well balanced it may suit you as well? Most people are taller than me. Another good thing about the Z is that it is about the same price as 600/650.

spd:-)

[moko]

ER6 might be worth a look as well

[pritch]

BIKE magazine recently tested four 600s.
In order they rated them:

Honda Hornet "unquestioned winner"
kawasaki ER6N and Ducati S2R second equal
The Kawasaki, small with an urgent engine
The Ducati, big bike feel, lazy engine
and last and also least Yamaha FZ6, "so much less than the sum of its parts".

In case seat height are critical:
CB600 - 790
ER-6N - 785
S2R - 800
FZ6 - 795

[moko]

Hornet has diabolical fuel-consumption,main reason I didn`t buy one.I expect the test also mentioned the old Fazer was better than the FZ6.Either of the Suzukis will fit Eliot-ness`s needs.

[FROSTY]

I wish Id bought a raptor when I bought my SV. Why??
Factory Upside downers.Brembo brakes and a Very low seat height.
Im pretty sure the raptor also puts out a tadd more at the rear wheel

[eliot-ness]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Seems I'll have to widen my list a tad more and include the Z750, Hornet, Er6, etc. The K5 Bandit I have now is my ideal bike, Loads of power and torque, handles well, but it's just a couple of inches too high for comfort, so what I'm looking for now are the same characteristics in a lower frame. Noticed the USD forks on the Raptor Frosty but wondered whether they'd be any advantage at the speeds I ride at.
BTW. Looked at the Triumph 675 at the weekend. Awesome,The missus loved it on sight and believe it or not, tried to talk me into buying it but the bloody thing is even higher than the Bandit. Anyone know of a leg transplant expert in NZ????

[ducatilover]

I wish Id bought a raptor when I bought my SV. Why??
Factory Upside downers.Brembo brakes and a Very low seat height.
Im pretty sure the raptor also puts out a tadd more at the rear wheel
ive heard they handle better, but i wouldnt know. they certainly look the part but they are a bit heavier than the sv. i personaly would take an sv over a bandit without secont thought:yeah: especially if you want quick handling and useable torque and a good sound:apumpin:

[Ixion]

... Anyone know of a leg transplant expert in NZ????

Trademe has everything.

This --

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Other/auction-52329162.htm , only $20, and a bit of assistance from me and my trusty hacksaw, and your troubles are over.

[marty]

the kwaka might be ok, or.....

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=563726#post563726

[eliot-ness]

Trademe has everything.

This --

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Other/auction-52329162.htm , only $20, and a bit of assistance from me and my trusty hacksaw, and your troubles are over.

Thanks Ixion, knew you'd find the anwer. Unfortunately the wife reckons the Triumph deserves better than a secondhand leg and besides, there's no way she'll allow a strange leg in the marital bed. Bloody women, always get their priorities wrong.

[moko]

......but it's just a couple of inches too high for comfort,..........

Any reason why you cant just get your seat re-modelled? Mines got about 3 inches taken out of it,pro job and you`ll only see the difference if it`s against the standard bike,was like it when I bought the bike but advantages over standard are that I can cruise at 120(that`s m.p.h.,not k.p.h.)without having to tuck in behind the fairing and can reach the floor with both feet flat on the ground.Either that or firms like Corbin offer all kinds of shapes,colours and sizes.Worth paying for a decent job because it`ll sure as hell be cheaper than chopping your bike in.

[Bonez]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Seems I'll have to widen my list a tad more and include the Z750, Hornet, Er6, etc. The K5 Bandit I have now is my ideal bike, Loads of power and torque, handles well, but it's just a couple of inches too high for comfort,Can't you just have the seat cut down a bit?

[SARGE]

i have all 3 in stock if you want to have a look...

[Lou Girardin]

The K5 Bandit I have now is my ideal bike, Loads of power and torque, handles well, but it's just a couple of inches too high for comfort

See McDonalds Motor Trimmers, they'll do a lower, more comfortable seat for a lot less than changing your bike.

[eliot-ness]

i have all 3 in stock if you want to have a look...

Was in on Saturday Sarge. Had a look around and a chat with Allan. What gives with the coffee?? The dogs got a drink as soon as we walked through the door.

Will look into getting the seat lowered Moko. Hadn't thought of that option
Got a really good trade in price from Colemans though. Not much less than I paid and new bike prices are pretty low here at the moment. May be almost as cheap to buy new.

[SARGE]

Was in on Saturday Sarge. Had a look around and a chat with Allan. What gives with the coffee?? The dogs got a drink as soon as we walked through the door.




the bastards took the coffee machine out.." Surplus to needs" apparently...


its not going to be pretty when i snap...:2guns: :ar15:

[Ixion]

Well, show them this thread. "See, customers are complaining about the lack of coffee. Unhappy customers, word gets out. Shop's reputation goes down, sales go down *profits go down*. See, need coffee machine back . NOW "

[Cajun]

My father in law owns and runs
McDonald Motor Trimmers
www.trimit.co.nz (out of date, in process of getting another one done), we are based in tauranga.

Bandits are very very common for us to modify lower and adjust the shape of the seat. at one stage there we were doing at least 1 bandit seat a week.
Ask lou we did his seat about a month ago now.

PM with any questions you might have

[Patrick]

Was in on Saturday Sarge. Had a look around and a chat with Allan. What gives with the coffee?? The dogs got a drink as soon as we walked through the door.

Say what??? The dogs got coffee?????? Thats service....

Did they get donuts too????

[The_Dover]

Did they get donuts too????

Not likely with Sarge around........

[SARGE]

Not likely with Sarge around........


you just wish you were this cool



doofus..:weird: