Bye, bye Marauder. Well hello there, GSF650S...

**Hitcher** · 21st April 2007, 19:00

It's red. Very red.

Today Mrs H succumbed to temptation and traded in/up her trusty VZ800K4 Marauder for a brand spanking GSF650SK6 Bandit. Whoar!

She test rode the GSR600 as well, but reckons that the Bandit is a better "fit". And after about 70-odd km on the new steed (she doesn't officially collect it until Thursday), she has this very silly grin on her face -- a strange potpourri of excitement, requited lust, and contentment. Good on her!

While she was completing the paperwork, I managed to take the Red Beast for a strop.

Suzuki has been making these Bandits for so long that any bugs they may have had are now part of the Smithsonian Institutes's collection in Washington DC. There are certainly none evident in the Bandit. The engine is well, pretty damned sorted for something that has yet to travel 100km. The gearbox is magnificent (almost as good as a Yamaha) and perfectly matched to the engine. Brakes? Vague as buggery, but improving with use. Not unexpected on a new bike.

Handling? I want one. These things are bonkers fun after a larger ride. Weaving white lines at 65kmh was effortless. Interestingly Mr Suzuki has a Battlax 011 on the front and a Battlax 020 on the rear as OEM. Maybe that answers some questions as to whether different compound tyres should be run together? Whatever, the result is simply splendid. Off the showroom floor the baby Bandit is a very sorted package and one would have to be extremely picky to fault.

The fairing-mounted mirrors are nicely located and give a nice clear view of the world behind -- as opposed to the mirrors on the GSR which reduce the rearview to a meaningless blur at speeds over about 70kmh.

Ergonomics are great and the fit for Mrs H (all 5' 2" of her) is OK. She's a bit tippy-toe but that should ease as the suspension settles after a few km of riding. The fit for a somewhat larger rider is also good.

Dave Anderson Suzuki in Masterton is fitting a Scottoiler and heated grips and doing the pre-delivery stuff like WOF and rego. What nice obliging people they are!

A big change for Mrs H. She is veritably foaming at the bung.

**yungatart** · 21st April 2007, 19:02

Congrats on your new bike Mrs H!
She looks gorgeous...

**Joni** · 21st April 2007, 19:04

Classy bike... for a damn classy lady!

**Disco Dan** · 21st April 2007, 19:10

Congrats, very nice!

...you wont get very far on the centre stand though...

**Her_C4** · 21st April 2007, 19:11

Oh well done Mrs H!!! Noice choice

That is great news - I look forward to seeing you both out and about the mighty Waiarapa 'soonish like'

and I can check out the new steed for myself

Course I'll prolly be in a damned car at this rate!!!

**merv** · 21st April 2007, 19:15

Looking good and off the cruisers.

**Trudes** · 21st April 2007, 19:46

Good stuff Mrs Hitcher, awesome stuff!!! Couldn't wait 9 more years for me to sell my Hornet eh!?
How much does it look like an SV?! (Bloody Suzuki)

**paturoa** · 21st April 2007, 19:59

That bandit got a very favourable write up in the latest Kiwi Rider. I took the 1250 bandit for a test ride this week, and if the 6 fiddy is anything like big bro, then you will be very happy! Nice.

**saul** · 21st April 2007, 20:26

Originally Posted by Mrs Kendog

Good stuff Mrs Hitcher, awesome stuff!!! Couldn't wait 9 more years for me to sell my Hornet eh!?
How much does it look like an SV?! (Bloody Suzuki)

So very true

It's gotta be a great little bike.

Nice

**James Deuce** · 21st April 2007, 21:51

I sense a ride where mature people behave in an immature fashion.

Perfect colour choice.

Just needs a loudener and it will be perfect.

**Mr. Peanut** · 21st April 2007, 22:29

That's a true freedom bike, something cruisers allude to, but don't quite deliver.

I always thought the GSR looked like it was designed by the marketing department, and the Bandit by riders.

Have fun!

**NZsarge** · 21st April 2007, 23:10

Nice bike, congrats to Mrs H

MD · 22nd April 2007, 08:40

Don't you get a buzz out of picking up a new machine . Good choice and yes, Suzook do make sweet gearboxes.
Getting nervous are you Hitcher - next thing you know your Missus will be on a fully fledged sprotsbike!!! Time to trade up the yammy QEII for a crotch rocket?

**Hitcher** · 22nd April 2007, 19:48

Originally Posted by MD

Time to trade up the yammy QEII for a crotch rocket?

Not yet. After a trip to and from Taihape today, the hills are still alive with the distant thunder of a TBR-enhanced FJR. And those Avon Storms carved up the Vinegar Hill road like a monorail. And I wouldn't want to get from 0-100kmh much quicker...