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.

[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...