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]

[FROSTY:Me]

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!)