GSF600 Bandit / SV650 / 650 CS / Comet 650 ???

[adamww]

Hi,

I am moving to a full license in the next couple of weeks and I am thinking of moving to a new bike around the 600 - 650 range and have been looking at a range of bikes. I am after a bike where I can sit more or less upright and I am not into the sport GSXr's or the Nija ZX-6R etc.
The trouble is I am still new to bikes and I was woundering what the difference are like between these bikes:
Suzuki GSF600 Bandit, the big 4 cyclinder
Suzuki SV650; V twin, I quite like this one
Hyosung Comet 650, The new V twin at a good price
BMW 650 CS, Single Cyclinder with ABS Brakes.

Which engine type gives the best fuel or are they more or less that same at engine size??
What are the main differences between the 4 cyclinder, v-twin and the single??
Is ABS a good thing on a bike, it seems to be to me??
Any other comments .......

[James Deuce]

What about the Yamaha FZ6?

Fuel economy differs between engine config, but fuel tank sizes differ so you end up with a similar range of 250-320 kms per tank.

I can't see you being unhappy with any of those, though the Hyosung may not be finished quite as well as the Japanese bikes or the German one.

I think you'd tire of the F650 more because of the lack of power.

The Bandit really doesn't give you anything that the SV650 can't do, and the SV is just more fun.

The FZ6 is probably the best all round naked 600 class bike around at the moment.

Have you considered a Kawasaki Z750? That is a LOT of bike for $12K, is of a similar size and capability to the 600s, and because it's based on the Z1000, I think it looks great and will last well, keeping you entertained longer than the other options.

[jrandom]

Just go ride 'em all. They're all fine bikes by reputation, the SV probably the most so. Buy the one you can afford and like best. Not much more to it, really.

[bear]

I recently got my full and got a GSF600s, really enjoying the step up. The Bandit goes really well, got it over the SV as it looks a bit bigger, but that's only cos it's an IL4 as opposed to a v-twin. Apparently the SV is a bit quicker, got the Bandit as it was at the right price/place.

[vifferman]

Just go ride 'em all. They're all fine bikes by reputation, the SV probably the most so. Buy the one you can afford and like best. Not much more to it, really.Good advice. Choice of bike is very subjective and personal, so in the final analysis, it's up to you.
Have fun choosing, and don't hurry the decision or be rushed into it by the salesdudes.

[jrandom]

Now that the Good Advice has been given, I'll stuff things up and chuck in some meaningless personal opinion.

Myself, when I buy a Proper Bike, it'll be a Bindit 12. Or an SV1000. Or something like that. Something utilitarian that makes around 100hp and comes in black. A ZRX1200 like Hitcher's would be nice (if I could paint it black, of course).

Because that's what I suspect will keep me happy for quite some time, without actually killing me.

You see, the bikes of which you speak will not keep you happy.

Oh, you'll have a great year or so, but after that, they'll feel slow. And the suspension will be boggy, but you won't want to burn $1,500 on a new Ohlins shock, because the bike just isn't quite worth it. And, generally, the thought of your steed will, over time, lose its pleasant odour in your riderly nostrils.

And you don't want to kill your wrists on a racing 600, either. All the same reasons I'd have.

And the reasons I've decided that I'm probably not going to stay happy for very long unless I have a hundred ponies to kick around from my comfortable seat with wide-ish bars.

Which is why I, personally, myself, on my own, wouldn't buy any of the bikes you list.

[bear]

Don't worry about getting a 1000 or 1200 from a GN250. Too bigger jump I reckon. As it's been said before, take the 600's for a ride and see what you think.

[adamww]

I am keen to take them all for a ride.
At this stage I'm several weeks away from a full license so I stuck with looking, drooling and discussion.
ps Bear what is the fuel economy like on the Bandit, especially after the GN250?? (which is very economic)

[Coyote]

Has anyone here made the jump from 250 to 1000+?

[2_SL0]

:whistle: :Punk:

[FROSTY]

Ok adam i've ridden all of those bikes with the exception of the bmw.
To be honest they hyusung is a sv650 with a different badge and old technology. -It isnt exactly but its a VERY close copy.
Of them all i'd have the SV but it is a pretty powerful machine when used in anger. I would definitely recomend the suspension mods in last months Kiwi rider. read my bike review on the sv and you'll see why.
I think you're ruling out a whole bunch of bloody good bikes--Like the yamaha diversion 600 or the kawasaki zzr600-sports tourer

[MD]

Personally I think going from a 250 to a 600 is a big jump and you miss out on a lot of fun in between. Something like a 400/4 or 500 would still give you a buzz and give you time to hone your riding skills before the next step up. I had a ball on my Suzuki GS500 twin. A safe bike because it's so light and had awesome brakes, cheap to run too. The Bandit would be a handful (weightwise) so if you must go 600+ atleast the SV is light and manoeuvrable
MD

[marty]

1. you don't get 100hp out of a smelly rag
2. you're gonna spend aropund $10k on a bike - what's a few extra $ at the pump?

suzuki have some awesome summerfest deals on 600's at the moment - a brand new 600 naked bandit for $8995 - you could probably sweeten it with a pipe for a few hundie more, but for a meazly $10995 a naked 1200 bandit? bloody hell. i don't think you'd tire of that....

[Bob]

I'd back XJ/Frosty's comments - when you're allowed to ride them, go find examples of each (assuming you can get a dealer test ride) and see which one (or ones) you like best.

I've owned two SV650Ss, a 600 Bandit and a Fazer. Personally, I prefer the SV, but then I like the way a vee-twin performs.

I'd say go for the SV - it is lighter (very important when stepping up), forgiving (unless you cock up the change down from 3rd to 2nd when it gets VERY unhappy!) but once you're ready to push it, it can handle it.

Bandit is actually faster (at ultimate top speed) than the SV - but it'll take a couple of months longer to get there.

I also think Mark Dunn has something - a GS500E - 2nd hand of course - would be a good step up if you're very new to biking. Handling will get you out of all sorts of trouble, the engine will be a bit 'vibey' (we are talking about what is essentially a 1980's engine here - and it is a parallel twin), but it'll perform well enough to keep you entertained. And if the worst happens and it does hit the deck, a 2nd hand GS isn't going to cost the earth to sort.

Run that for a time, then when you're a bit more experienced, give the others a look. Of course, if you want something a bit more sporty than the GS, then how about a GPZ500S? Again a parallel twin, engine hails from the 80's, but more sporty and does have a fairing. And it is also a very forgiving bike.

If you go the GPZ route, make sure it is a post 1994 bike - the older ones run on 16" rubber (handling is a bit 'knife-edge') which reduces tyre choice. The post 94 bikes also have a better fairing and more comfortable saddle.

Hope some of this helps.

[marty]

but the SV would be the piock for me - v twin, sorted engine, easy to make it sound good (only one pipe too - cheaper than 2!)

[Bob]

Personally I think going from a 250 to a 600 is a big jump and you miss out on a lot of fun in between. MD

It is way worse over here in the UK/England/Pomland (delete as applicable). Our licencing laws restrict us to 125cc as a learner (with 2 years to pass full test - none of this "Oh it is about time I took my test after 10 years" stuff over here!).

It used to be 250cc like you guys, but then they cut it back to 125cc - with the result that 250s were suddenly something you couldn't give away.

And so no-one bought them. So the 250s largely disappeared. And we don't get the 400s officially imported either (I've always assumed it is a knock-on effect of the licencing change - to me a 400 makes perfect sense in the right conditions).

So... we pretty much go from 125 to 600 with nothing in between. In theory, you pass your test and are restricted to roughly 250cc for two years - but most people take Direct Access and then are launched onto the road with almost no experience.

They're talking about raising the DA age, so maybe we'll start getting some of the smaller capacity stuff over here again.

[Grumpy]

Something like a 400/4 or 500 would still give you a buzz and give you time to hone your riding skills before the next step up. I had a ball on my Suzuki GS500 twin. A safe bike because it's so light and had awesome brakes, cheap to run too.

I bought one of these to comute on but the bikes so much fun to ride I found myself taking it out of town as well. I've done some big trips on it and found it to be an excellent bike. I even took it out to a track day at puke for a laugh and found myself having a ball.
Probably not as good as a SV but definatly alot more user friendly. The new full faired model doesn't look to bad but is a little pricey.

[Bonez]

I bought one of these to comute on but the bikes so much fun to ride I found myself taking it out of town as well. I've done some big trips on it and found it to be an excellent bike. I even took it out to a track day at puke for a laugh and found myself having a ball. Is'nt that what m/cs all about? Having fun. And you certainly don't need a so called REAL m/c to do that thank goodness. Or spend a fortune doing it.

[adamww]

I have a quick look around and not seen many 400 - 500 which is why I have been looking at the 600 range.
And yes having fun is what I'm after, with out getting something that to powerful and going to take all my concenration to ride, and thus removing the fun bit.
That's my aim anyway.

[bear]

I am keen to take them all for a ride.
At this stage I'm several weeks away from a full license so I stuck with looking, drooling and discussion.
ps Bear what is the fuel economy like on the Bandit, especially after the GN250?? (which is very economic)

Mileage is about 6 litres per 100km.

[Hitcher]

Has anyone here made the jump from 250 to 1000+?
Yes. Went from a Zeal to the Zrex.

[Hitcher]

The Kawasaki ER5 is a cracking good ride if you're keen on a 500. Priced very well too at the moment at $8995.

[jrandom]

The Kawasaki ER5...

Ah, the Industrial Cooking Motorcycle.

[Hitcher]

Ah, the Industrial Cooking Motorcycle.
Don't knock it until you've ridden it. One of life's wee surprises, is the ER5.

[jrandom]

Don't knock it until you've ridden it. One of life's wee surprises, is the ER5.

Oh, I'm not knocking it.

That's just how an ER5 owner I'm acquainted with refers to her steed. I always thought it was somewhat endearing.

[Groins_NZ]

Hi adamww

Have you thought about a CB600 Hornet (Honda)? I test rode one which had 28000ks on the clock a few weeks back and it was loads of fun - even with my partner on the back. We went up the para-paras out the back of Wanganui. Good, fun acceleration, good handling and brakes, a little bumpy but probably because of the sportier suspension which I wasn't used to. If think it was a 1999 model selling for 7k - not sure if your eyeing up second-hand bikes though.

I would have brought it if it wasn't for the colour (yellow) :sick: - each to his own of course.

[slob]

IMHO, I'd say that the SV650 is the one of all the bikes mentioned here.

It's got:
(a) reasonably new techonology in it (compared to Bandit/GSF600, GS600),

(b) nice user-friendly power delivery (compared to the fours)

(c) lowish weight (compared to Bandit, GS)

(d) good re-sale value (when you step up in a year or so)

Just be wary of locking up the rear during downshift though - unlike big bro TL1000S and SV1000S, it doesn't have a slipper clutch.

Also, If you want to go cheaper, there's plenty of IL4/400s like: Honda CB1, Yamaha XJR400, Kawasaki ZRX400. Try Red Baron for these.

[Hitcher]

(d) good re-sale value (when you step up in a year or so)
Good resale value? It's a Suzuki for goodness sake, foisted on the motorcycling public by Desperate Dan's Decidely Dodgy Discounters. If these are currently rolling out the door for a "summerfest" special, you can bet your daughter's dowry they will be rolling out even cheaper next year -- particularly when Desperate Dan secures an export overrun shipment from Kazakhstan (speedo calibrated in zlotys) or a "media event" in Paraguay. This, gentle readers, is why many motorcycle dealers don't do trade-ins on Suzukis.

[Bonez]

This, gentle readers, is why many motorcycle dealers don't do trade-ins on Suzukis. Ok I'll bite-Seemed to be a lot of used Suzukis at the bike shops I had a look at from Napier down to Palmerston ,Wellington up through Masterton last week.

[adamww]

(b) nice user-friendly power delivery (compared to the fours)

What does user-friendly power delivery mean
How is an inline 4 different in power delivery??

[Bazza]

I had a 2000 SV, very nice bike, good power (without being too death defying...) and good economy. Was going to by the 04 model but went for the Firestorm (based on looks, price and extra power)

Would recommend a SV as a good step though before going crazy into the very powerful new 600 4's (which are a big step from a 250!)

[Bazza]

year 2000 that is.. :)

[slob]

Good resale value? It's a Suzuki for goodness sake,.....is why many motorcycle dealers don't do trade-ins on Suzukis.
:killingme True, Suzuki as a brand does seem to have a lower resale than others (I should know, I lost $3000 selling my 2nd hand-purchased TL1000S after just over a year). What I meant was the particular model. I figured the general popularity of the SV650 would make it hold its value.



What does user-friendly power delivery mean
How is an inline 4 different in power delivery??
Because IL4s have smaller pistons and can rev higher (very generally-speaking) they tend to be tuned to deliver max power + torque at higher revs than twins. This (usually) means the IL4 have to be revved a bit more and in traffic, can stall in the hands of a less-experienced rider. Twins (generally) have more low-midrange power and torque so are easier to take off on. This all depends on how the particular engine is tuned of course, but I think the SV650 has a nice spread of power right through the rev range, so it's easier to manage. BTW, the same applies when comparing thumpers (singles) to twins.

[Liv, Norway]

Hi Adamww!

I haven't reed all posts on this subject, -I just wanna tell you that I love my BMW F 650 CS Scarver!

187kg / 50HP = not the fastes bike in the world, but do you need that?

I don't dare to ride a bike without ABS after I felt off the school bike. No matter how good you are; some day you are tired and ''sleep with open eyes'', and then something happens. The ABS has saved me from hitting a car in the back once, and the costs of that damage (that I did not make!) could have been a lot more then the extra money for ABS on my bike.

If you need to lock your luggage, hard panniers, then there are no from BMW for the Scarver. But Krauser looks good.
I prefer only the big rucksack (ryggsekk) from BMW, and a bag in the hole in front of the seat.

If you have plans for riding in gravel, sand, and in the forest, then the belt on the Scarver is not perfect for you. If you like the forest; buy the BMW F 650 GS - that's a bike for the job!

The seat for the pillon is not perfect on the Scarver, but if you plan to ride alone; it's a good seat and a good bike!

-Do you like it when people stop and look at your bike and ask; ''what is that? -Why a hole in the front? -ABS and injection and heated grips on a 650? And belt? WOW!'' If you like those situationes; buy the Scarver!

And it's easy to change oil and oilfilter; I do it!

The Scarver are made for bendy roads;
when I was at a riding class at a place with many hairpin bends, I was the best that day! And it's not because of me - it was the bike!
(Up here we often learn more about riding because we want to be better, not because we have to! So I was at a class with 3 policemens, and that was fun! Fun!)

I hope you find the perfect bike for you!
And if you buy (and love!) the Scarver I'll consider to let you be a member of my club; Club Scarver. We are 17 members, all Norwegians.

:smilie: Liv, a girl in Norway.

[adamww]

Hi Liv,

Thanks, its good to hear from someone who has riden the BMW, you are the first person I have 'spoken' to who has owned one.
What the fuel economy like??
Does the single cyclinder make a difference to you at all??
Have you been riding it for long??

The ABS do sound like a good idea to me(not that I know much about bikes yet), it one of things I really like about what I have seen on the bike.

[Liv, Norway]

Hi Adamww!

The fuel consumption when I ride my Scarver is about 0.35 litres/mil (Mil, not mile! 10km = 1 mil). August 22th I filled up 12.82 litres after 334,7 kilomtres = 0.38 litres/mil.
The brochure form BMW say it use 0.30 if you ride in 90 km/h constantly, and 0.41 if you ride in 120 km/h constantly.
I have noticed that he need more fuel in rain and cold weather; I ride in +5Celcius (not rain in that temperature - if I can help it!) and in rain and sun when it's not that cold - up to about +25 Celcius in the shadow, I don't know how hot it was in the sun!
The tank size is 15 litres, but you can't use it all, so I'll say you better stop after 350 kilometres in rain or cold weather, and after about max 400 kilometres riding in an normal Norwegian summer. About - don't come and get me if you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere!

It's been two summers, and 10 000 kilometres this year.
I have not much experience with other bikes, like 2, 3 or 4 cylindres, only the schoolbikes.
Iv'e been told that it's easier to ride realy slow (draw an 8 on the ground with the bike) with 3 and 4 cylinders, because of the RPM - many cylinders makes the speed of the engine more stabil at low RPM, but that don't bother me - and I'm new at this game!
When I was taking classes I tried a Triumph Triple; I was constantly worried because it sonds like it needed more oil!
And I tried bikes with 2 cylinders, japs; easy to handle but no personality.

When I first put my butt on the Scarver I felt in love!
I have long legs, so don't you tell me it's because of the low seat! No!
It's not easy to describe, but I felt I finally get 'home''.

Before I got my Scarver I was a pillon on my boyfriends 1986 BMW K100RS, and that's a totally different type of bike.
-Did I fell in love with the Scarver because it's a BMW? Yes, it can be. But I don't think so!
I like the design of the Scarver; the hole in front of the seat, the belt and the lights. And I appreciate the injection, ABS, heated handles and the Power Socket.
For the hole in front of the seat I got the Spider - the Scarver helmet lock, and I love it when people are looking at me when I put my helmet down in that hole!

If I ever figure out how to post pictures I'll post some of me and my baby! Or I can post some directly to you, if you like.

And keep ask me questions!
:ride: Liv.