Bandit 650 - a good buy ??

[dangerman]

Hope I'm not repeating any earlier threads. I'm considering buying a Bandit 650 for sedate general purpose riding and long weekend tours with luggage on the back. Comments appreciated. What is chain and tyre life like?? Will it handle the occasional bit of gravel Ok. Hornet 900's are available at similar prices at the moment would one of these be a better buy?

[Pumba]

I have never riden the new 650 but did own a 98 600s for a number of years so I will base my opinions on that and what I have heard from others.

The 600 was a great bike. I used it for comuting around the city, good weekend rides, and even a longer tour over easter around the east cost of the north island.

Positives - comfatable riding position, economical, good power through a good range.

Negatives - if you didnt rev it it didnt go anywhere, struggled to keep with guys on thous (ok no suprises there but hey), standard seat is SHIT, suspension wasent great.

My undestanding is the new 650 engine is great with a heap more usable power compared to the 600. The only thing worth checking is what the new suspension is like cause as stated above the 600 wasnt great.

A 900 hornet is a good comparison, I rode one and liked, but then I brought the SV

[James Deuce]

Send a PM to Hitcher. Mrs Hitcher has just bought one and it sounds like all the issues that Pumba mentions have been dealt to.

[Macktheknife]

The new bandits are great, good power and comfy as, econiy is good, set up on suspension is much improved and rides well too. Best option is go ride one and compare them to the hornet, my money would be on the Bandit.

[Hitcher]

A lovely bike. Yes, surprise, surprise, it's not a thou, but it is surprisingly competent. Cornering is amazing, and the engine is showing promise (1,500km just ticked over). After an FJR, one has to row it along with the gear lever a bit, but the exhilaration encountered in the first set of twisties means that that is soon forgotten. Fuel economy excellent, combined with a 20 litre tank, means about 450km to fumes. The fuel gauge is amazingly accurate. Two trip meters and a clock complete the panel.

The instrument panel is an odd mix of old and new but is very legible in strong daylight, through polaroids, as well as at night, through haemorrhoids. The headlight is great on low-beam, but would benefit from a stronger high-beam lamp.

Seat comfort? We're off to Tauranga for a weekend very soon to get Mrs H's divine derriere measured in situ by McDonald Motor Trimmers, not only for comfort but mainly to increase the effective length of Mrs H's legs.

We expect the baby Bandit to be a great tourer. It's got good luggage lugs fitted as standard and the shape of its tail will make it ideal for throw-over panniers, a tailbag, or both. Mrs H is planning her third Grand Challenge -- her first on a Bandit -- this year.

The Bandit 650 is fantastic. Buy one!

[Pumba]

Yes, surprise, surprise, it's not a thou

So they havent solved all the problems then:dodge:

I had my seat redone by the Macdonalds in Tauranga, made the world of difference to the comfort of the bike, and it somthing I would love to do to the SV