Honest answers on comparison

[DingoZ]

Right, coming up to new bike time.....

Looking at two different ones at this stage. Would like some honest no bullshit thoughts on the below two bikes.

Ie. Handling - perfomance - Mechanical reliability, you know all the usual stuff.

And both of these will be brand new, not second handy, so a lot of things taken out of the equation already....

1. Honda VFR800

2. GSF1250SATK8 Bandit Tourer

.
Main reason for these two is looking for something that will do Commutes/Solo rides around the place/Two up touring, on occassions...

[MSTRS:Me]

You will have more fun on the VFR.

[Big Dave]

If you and the mrs are on the maximum payload side - the bigger bike is better. That's a general rule - not specific to these two.
Otherwise test ride - choose the one that speaks to you loudest and the dealer/brand you like best.
Both excellent machines.

[ynot slow]

Very similar situation to me,can get a new bandit for $12600 ish or VFR $14995 ish,or second hand VFR when you find them for say$12500 for 02 30000km,the second hand bandits should be a bit cheaper due to competitive new prices and with Suzuki fest promotion on at moment.

I still am unsure to what even looked at a GSX650F $11600 new or the good ol Katana for $9900 ish,bloody good range depends on what is required lol.

[DingoZ]

If you and the mrs are on the maximum payload side - the bigger bike is better. That's a general rule - not specific to these two.
Otherwise test ride - choose the one that speaks to you loudest and the dealer/brand you like best.
Both excellent machines.

.....Gawd would get shot if I said the Mrs was on the maximum payload size. .. On the light side of the scales is she....

As for the dealer/brand, have not had a lot to do with either of them. Have read lots of things about just about all brands of bikes so far. These two are standing out for price and matching criteria wise.

Will be test riding both of them naturally. Was hoping to hear from some owners of both brands of bikes, not necessarily the same models, but from brand riders in relation to pro's and con's with each particular brand.

Every brand has pro's and con's, anyone know of any issues with either that stand out......

[beyond]

Suzukis are very reliable, great value for money.

You other arf will be much more comfortable on the Bandit on longer rides.
More seat to footrest clearance helps here a lot.

The latest ones have improved a lot on the earlier model and they can get down and "boogie" in the tight stuff if you want. More torque for road riding is always better too. Don't think they are too big for commuting. The odd time I took my GSX1400 into Orks it filters well and has no trouble in the tight stuff so the bandit should be no different.

There is no substitute for cubes

[rocketman1]

I like both these bikes, have owned a Bandit 1200 for a number of years and have ridden a VFR. Personally I liked the larger physical size and low down grunt that the Bandit has, Bandits have torque to burn, you will have to work the Honda harder, but in saying that the Honda motor is a great one too, very free revving and plenty of go and a good cruising bike.
I personally dont like the linked brakes on the VFR, I prefer to control braking front & rear myself, as I think sometimes is good have rear brake without front.
If I was elderly, or a female I think I would definitely go for the smaller VFR.
The Larger Bandit is more a guys bike, turn the throttle in any gear, very useable powerful motor.
Test ride them both and make decision, I believe they are both reliable bikes, the Bandit would be cheaper in the long run to service, a far more simple motor, but that shouldn't put you off if your buy new.

VFR's are sometimes criticized by test riders for be bland and having no character, i can sort of see what they mean, the best thing is to test ride them both, and you decide.

[vifferman]

If I was elderly, or a female I think I would definitely go for the smaller VFR.

Or ghey.
You forgot to mention that the VFR is a Honda.

The Suzuki would be more reliable, probably cheaper to service, but would use more gas.
I've ridden an older model 1200, and several VFRs, and of course I preferred the VFR (well duh! I yam the Vifferman, after all), but it doesn't mean I'd recommend it. I deliberately didn't choose the latest model VFR, and I'm not blind to their faults.
But you really need to test-ride both and decide for yourself. I didn't like the Bandit 1200 I rode, but that's just me.

[DingoZ]

Or ghey.
You forgot to mention that the VFR is a Honda.

The Suzuki would be more reliable, probably cheaper to service, but would use more gas.
I've ridden an older model 1200, and several VFRs, and of course I preferred the VFR (well duh! I yam the Vifferman, after all), but it doesn't mean I'd recommend it. I deliberately didn't choose the latest model VFR, and I'm not blind to their faults.
But you really need to test-ride both and decide for yourself. I didn't like the Bandit 1200 I rode, but that's just me.

Could you perhaps list what you consider as "faults", so that I may be better informed. Any particular reason you didn't like the newer model VFR's or indeed the Bandit....?? ( And test rides will be conducted ) just doing some research and info gathering

[Crasherfromwayback]

Right, coming up to new bike time.....

Looking at two different ones at this stage. Would like some honest no bullshit thoughts on the below two bikes.

Ie. Handling - perfomance - Mechanical reliability, you know all the usual stuff.

And both of these will be brand new, not second handy, so a lot of things taken out of the equation already....

1. Honda VFR800

2. GSF1250SATK8 Bandit Tourer

.
Main reason for these two is looking for something that will do Commutes/Solo rides around the place/Two up touring, on occassions...

Both are fantastic bikes. Neither will give you any trouble mechanically (unless they were assembled after a lunch time saki session).

I'd never slag a VFR Honda off (you'd be full of shit to try)...but a GSF1250 will be cheaper to maintain.

I've got one you can ride too!

Pete

[geoffm]

I have been going through this exercise, until lack of funds stopped play.
The Binned-it is much cheaper and comes with luggage, which is a $1500 accessory for the VFR for the Givi PLx racks and V35 bags. Honda bags (made by givi) are $2k and colourmatched.
VFR is lighter, looks better, handles better and are nicely built. Get an 07+ one as they retweaked the Vtec to be a bit smoother.
I would expect maintenance to be cheaper on the Bandit - the Vtec adds to the maintenance costs on an already crowded engine at the 20000km major service. The bandit is also a bit better for pillions being a bit bigger. The finishing on them is cheap though, and I stand to be corrected, but I wonder how well it will last. Suspension is pretty basic on both, with the Bandit being cheaper again.
Bandit is great value for money, but I preferred the VFR.
Another alternative might be a second hand Triumph Sprint, although the ones with bags are still up in price. The depreciation on them from new ($21k) to 2 years old ($14k) is pretty savage.

[RantyDave]

Any particular reason you didn't like the newer model VFR's or indeed the Bandit....??

The newer VFR's do something with going from 8 to 16 valves at (I think) about 8k RPM. It was apparently really ropey when they first made it - quite a nasty bump, unless you were looking forward to it of course.

If you're buying new ... there's a lot of options for the money...

Dave

[nico]

id go the vfr in red of course cuz red is just faster...
but i am mabie a bit biasist

[Grub]

I have a totally uninformed bias towards the VFR. It's a Honda, they spend more on R&D than any other manufacturer and their engineering is the best in class. As I've said, I think the VFR is my next bike.

I'm a sucker for the sports bike look, nakeds just don't do it for me. As for cubes ... how many do people really need? With 110hp surely that's enough.

I also prefer the forward body lean for touring, the Bandit is way too upright and the body too exposed for long trips. the riding position of the VFR is the same as my '00 CBR, that was before they went to the RR with clipons.

Comes down to personal choice and wow factor when you test ride doesn't it ... and dammit, I just like Hondas.

[quallman1234]

... and dammit, I just like Hondas.

Well, Not for the first two weeks .

Im with the VFR on this one. Much nicer looking bike and the Bandit is a TYPICAL bike. Obviously Typical bikes must be good bikes. But be a bit different .
Obviously a RG500 would be on the top of my list.