I bought a GSF650S in 2005 and did a lot of 2 up touring round the UK with camping gear etc. I never found the bike lacking power, what it had was easily adequate for the job. The GSF was traded in for a GSX650F in 2012 and I still have it. Took it on camping trips round England,Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Mann. I am currently 69 years old and still like to exploit the surprising performance of this bike. Lofted the front wheel on a few occasions, within legal speeds and on quiet roads of course. The bike is pretty much bullet proof. only gripe is the fuel injection is a bit on off at low revs but is easy to ride round that.
Hello youngster! I'm 72 and just bought a 650 for my twilight riding years. I have ridden a plethora of machines, from Francis Barnett to Super Blackbird and now looking forward to a more "gentlemanly" approach - with the odd bit of adrenalin - mini touring and "Sunday" rides. Love your review (and TMF's of course). Ride safe, regards.
First big bike was a naked 600 Bandit (which I later found out was a faired bike before someone binned it). A very forgiving bike with a nice riding position. Helped me decide whether to go cruiser, naked or sports. Wish I’d kept mine and always have a sneaky look for a cheap local one now and again.
I've been watching this channel for a couple of years now and have always loved the reviews! But I have always pondered that the Missenden flyer would never review a bandit 650, why would he?!?! *Sighs* So great that you are now reviewing bikes like this, for 2 reasons, 1 because it's affordable, secondly because it's my exact bike! :D I'm 28 years old and buying a brand new bike is an impossible task and always feels like a pipe dream, so when I see reviews of a new Ducati etc I only watch it with the hope that great aunt Gladice leaves me 1 million pounds because that's my only hope! Thank you so much for reviewing this bike! No funky bells and whistles, true honest machine that you need to choke in the morning to listen to you....ride safe!
At 48 I've just started out on a 2006 bandit, exact same as this one. Absolutely fantastic machine. Will do everything you need. I've done local runs in all kinds of weather and covered 600km on a run a few weeks ago. No bother and very comfortable. Absolutely love it.
I’ve owned the liquid cooled 650 and 1250. This morning I am wondering why I sold them 🤔 Tinkering and servicing is where the fun is, riding is the the satisfaction that you have done a good job and kept an older bike on the road. My favourite type of review, keep ‘em coming 👌🏻
Australia here. 2007 1255 water-cooled bandit. Sold my first one and bought a cruiser. However, missed the Bandit so I bought another 2007 1255. These bikes are absolutely bullet proof. I do big K's on mine and these things will put out whatever you put in. They are pure magic and I love the fact that they don't have all the Gismos!
Great review...brought back great memories of my naked 600 bandit which is still my favourite bike I've owned. Looked great, simple and more than fast enough. As you mentioned the smaller capacity 4 cylinder engines always sound awesome when your not going stupid speeds. I later had a 1200 bandit because I liked the 600 so much but the bigger engine didn't make for a better experience (IMO). To get the fun factor you would be going much faster and the extra weight made it less chuckable. So for me the 600 or 650 was better. Thanks for sharing Andy
Just bought a 2006 1200 Bandit, and my immediate thoughts are it's just not as much fun as my 600 bandit! I absolutely loved having to go up and down the gears on the 600 and keeping the revs high to be rewarded with the 'fun'. The 1200 is just lacking something for me.
@@mcbridephysioandperformanc1527 if the 1200 isn’t enough go get an H2 If handling is important get a gsxr 750 They come on a 600 frame and it will outride any other bike on the twisters except a super moto that’s built (dirt bike on slicks)
Mmm I wonder who would be daft enough to name their TH-cam channel after their much beloved 600 Bandit they owned years ago? So many riders will have owned one of these. Totally dependable and at the time cheap.
@@birchwoodbiker £210 for a rear tyre now £200 for a service £100+ ved. Just a rich man's toy now. And rubbish mpg considering most bikes are 1/10th the weight of a car and often get the same mpg.
@@chrishart8548 Last summer I put two sets of Michelin Road 6s on two of my bikes we were taking on a trip and it cost almost $2000. We just finished the trip and the night before heading home thieves stole both of the bikes .
Brought back memories of my first ‘big’ bike. 2007 version that I had from new and rode every day from East Herts into the City for a daily commute. Rode all year round in all weathers through the delights of London traffic for 3 years. It was bloody fantastic!
Ummed and ahhed over MT07, CB650R and SV650, but was recommended one of these at the 11th hour so I'm on the verge of buying a 2005 model. This was a lovely comprehensive review that makes me think I'm doing the right thing. Thank you!
I ran one of these for 2 years… initially I bought it purely to put through winter but it was such fun I ended up using it for everything, track days (hilarious on one of these), light touring, longer rides. Everything… fantastic bike that has a good swing at everything, rather then excel at any of them. Sadly not many left like this now, with a 4cyl engine. Cheap as your proverbial fried potato as well. 👍
I've owned 4 Bandits, still have a 1250 and have no intention of changing it any time soon. I've done Edinburgh to Murcia a few times, both solo and two up and my present bike has been all over Spain and Portugal and never had any problems with any of them. I enjoy watching your reviews and there are a few bikes I fancy but as long as the big Suzuki keeps going strong, she's going nowhere.
I bought a Bandit 600 mk1 in naked form .....12years ago to get back into biking after some serious illness . Still got it !....so much fun for not loads of money . Put a Scorpion shortened pipe on , ignition advanced ,braided hoses with upgraded brake pads , Pirelli modern tyres . Very reliable ,sounds great and goes like stink , 50 to 60 mpg . Keep looking at more modern bikes but then I look at my old Bandit and it always wins me over . And you can do all of your own servicing . Can't beat them in my opinion.
I bought a 650S liquid cooled K7 last year as a 2nd bike / winter hack etc, and ended up liking it so much it’s still in the garage and currently my only bike! There’s just something about a good, solid, honest motorcycle. It might not be the best at anything but it’s certainly one of the best for everything…
If you wanna go for a classy classic, well made and good-looking, then the Bandit is the one to consider. I especially like the completely naked model with that round light. That is gonna be a forever classic. That is why I had the SV 3rd gen. :) Very good video bro, like always. Got my full watch and like.
Just put a deposit down on exactly this model - it's silver as well 😊. Loved this commentary - yeah this is my step upto a big bike and just love the sound of an inline 4
I own this exact bike, except mine is Suzuki Blue, as all Suzukis should be. I've owned mine since 2013. I was thinking of updating this year, but at the price of new bikes, the bike in my shed that's already bought and paid for looks pretty attractive, especially for a pensioner on a fixed income. When the new Trident came out I was surprised to see that the power and weight figures were more similar than I would have expected. Not only that, the Bandit is also much better looking. I find the Bandit to be very comfortable to ride and the midrange response is quite good. Your review is pretty much spot on. I can vouch for the fact that the rebound damping on the rear shock is also adjustable.
Just bought one! Beautiful condition, looks like it’s been garaged it’s whole life and riding it back home for an hour I was grinning from ear to ear at that inline 4 soundtrack! I had not ridden one since my test bike 8 years prior (fazer 600 from 2001), since then it’s been twins. Sv650, Street twin, both of which sounded great, and most recently a ktm adventure 790. Coming from the ktm which, to give it its due has all the mod cons, ride modes, sharper brakes and better torque, it just felt a little soulless. The bandit is deffo down on power but that growl turning into a scream as you wind up the rev range is addictive! I hope we don’t see inline 4’s disappear due to the euro em standard..
Passed my test on a ER5, loaned from a dealer. Rode off on a Bandit 600 after dropping the loan bike back. More adventures on that bike than I have had since.
I have owned both the 1200S and 1250 versions of this bike and would have another one. They are simple, fun, comfortable, practical, reliable bikes with bullet proof engines. Perfect for commuting or touring, with plenty of get up and go when you need it!
My first big bike, I own the exact same one in mint condition, silver 2005 K5. I will never part with it, a good all rounder, lovely engine, up graded the brake hoses to stainless, to get rid of the sponge feel. TMF you did a great review/justice to a future classic.
Did not own one but had one as a courtesy bike for four days while my GPZ11 was being worked on. I can genuinely say it had the smoothest engine I have ridden to this day, when the time came to give it back I really did not want to hand over the keys! Great review as usual, keep them coming!
I often hear they don’t have character. Don’t know about other Bandits, but I‘m mid 30s know, had other (bigger, more modern) bikes but I still ride my naked 90s GSF 600 that I bought as as a teen when getting the license 🤩 You feel like a Moto GP rider ripping through the gears with a screaming engine and end up at 105 km/h having time to look at the landscape - love it 😁 Edit: It’s even on my profile/„channel“ from when I did a few vids maaany years ago 😆
I was looking to get a bandit when I first passed, and ended up with an fzs fazer. A very similar bike, funny enough reminds me very much of it. Also a 4cylinder carburetor and and similar looks. Both very good bikes and very good all rounders.
Bought a 01' 600 for my son as his first street bike. He had it for eight or nine years and rode it year round. Looked like hell when he finally sold it but still ran good. He's on a V-Strom 1K now.
I took my license on my bandit 600 mk1 in 2012 I think it was, but just a year or so before that I had to use 750cc or bigger bikes to get the full unrestricted A-license. Started to take my bike license in 2007 but never finished until 2012 :P. The Bandit 600 was/is so much better than any of the triumph retro line up which is available today, the oil/air cooled engines are so nice, just put in 750 gsxr cams in it and it will feel like a pocket rocket! I even took my tricked out mk1 to the track where I blew here up at the third cyl bank. ;(
Great review I still have a 14 plate GSX 1250FA version of the bike - Fast enough for the road - Fantastic Engine - Comfortable and no fancy electronics to go wrong. IMO Suzuki missed a trick when they dropped these bikes from the range I am sure they could have updated the engine for Euro compliance like they did with the K5 engine. It's a keeper
My first (and only) bike, a naked R reg ‘98 bandit in that teal/aqua blue colour. I’m a newbie and just found out it was registered 4 days after my own birthday (25) Awesome little thing. Bulletproof, simple and plenty of smiles per mile so far. Starting to feel the itch but don’t think I could ever sell it now 😂 Great video, love the detail in these reviews
I rode a Bandit 1250 for summer 2010, and loved it. Solid build, great bottom end and mid-range. Excellent for touring. I liked it better than the Yamaha 1300, but the Kawasaki ZX14 (ZZR1400) is the king of the big sporty touring rigs. I'd love a go on the new Suzuki 1000GT...Suzuki has always made fine bikes, and satisfied millions of riders.
Hey TMF! I picked up this exact same 2005 model in January! Cracking bike in incredible condition with only 27000kms on the clock. As you said, absolutely buttery smooth engine. 30-40mph in fourth or rip it up to silly speeds in second and third! And what a noise!! Mine came with an excellent comfort seat, bigger wavy discs back and front, a beautiful Storm exhaust system and LED lighting all round. The previous owner looked after her really carefully and the result is an absolutely amazing bike for which I paid only 2800 euros!! Suzuki made and sold so many that second hand values are really low but this absolutely does not reflect upon the quality, reliability or fun factor of this bike. I originally bought it as a Winter schlepper but it has rapidly become my go to bike of choice on a sunny (but cold) weekend ride. Great review. More of these please. I’ve said you’re welcome to test my Pan European anytime you’re near Lyon!!
@@TheMissendenFlyer No way! You could have had a bed here my friend! Did you go to the bike show in Lyon? Really interesting this year. Always a good show.
@@TheMissendenFlyer You're very welcome to call in on your way home. East of Lyon! PM me? Let me know. Enjoy the 3 Valleys! We were in Grand Bornand last week. Fantastic but very cold. Hope you've got snow?
I returned to motorcycles during lockdown after a 10 year gap. Picked up a mint low miles 2005 K5 Bandit and although I constantly look to at shiny new bikes, I really doubt I'll ever get rid
An honest and reliable bike that you can have a lot of fun with and service yourself during the winter months. If you want affordable biking, look no further, get a bandit.
I remember hankering after a Bandit when I did my CBT as a 16 year old in the nineties, but was out of reach at the time. Was looking at a few after I did my DAS in the mid naughties but ended up buying my mates 550 Zephyr. Loved that bike, though it was soon upgraded to a ZZR600 for commuting. Great days! While you’re doing “classic” bikes, you could do worse than trying out the Zephyr!
Nice! I did try out a friends Bandit back in the early 2000's and I loved it. So much that when I first started to contemplate getting back on a bike it was something that resembled the famous Bandit that tickled me most. Not too expensive (actually rather cheap as a 2nd hand bike), you could spank it seriously if you wanted to, and you could have loads of fun while deciding what you really wanted to do on two wheels.
I've had a couple before moving on to a VFR. Then I stopped riding for a few years and guess what I'm going back to get going again. Yep, a bandit. I'm going to do my advanced on it.
Ooops, late to the party again! Another good one Andy. Great bike. Never owned one myself but ridden plenty. As you say, an honest, decent, no nonsense bike. A fine example of 'old school', for sure. Typical of the machines I cut my teeth on way back when dinosaurs roamed about. Can't beat a well tuned bike with carbs, either. A well fuelled machine will dispense with 'power modes', too. The grey matter between one's lug holes, in combination with those spherical things that reside in front of the face, will decide whether 'soft', 'road' or 'sport', via the right wrist, is required surely. (They've certainly served me well for the last 46 years of riding). Honestly, some bikers appear to be quite happy in having their botties wiped for them. Excellent review. Keep these 'Classics' coming. 👍
I passed my test on a 600 bandit in 2017 much more comfy than a hornet 600 looking at buying my first bike this year and seriously looking at a this 650 for work and ride outs
Cheers Andy, great hacks. Had the 600b Bandit, apart from oil leaks on higher mileage bikes around the oil seals on the pipes under the cylinder heads. Had 600 srad, another good engine. Thx Brahhh
What are the chances you've just reviewed my current/first and only bike. I've been looking for a decent youtube video on it and to be honest couldn't find one. Excellent! Thank you 👌👍
I have to say I used to love my Suzuki bandit, I had 2006 with abs for nearly 4 years and I think it was my best bike, I started with Suzuki gs500, Kawasaki ninja g2, then j2, zzr600 and after that Suzuki bandit 650 k6, all of them carbs and I have to say bandit was smoothest, but I have to say seat is ok for couple hours but after that my ass was on fire, same with passenger, abs version had slightly different swing arm and brake was on top
The first big bike I owned was a Bandit S 600. As a novis rider, I always found it to be top heavy. I dropped it within 10 minutes of collecting it at the dealer. If I recall, I dropped it about 5 times during the first year. Year 2, I sold it and bought a Kawasaki ZX6R 636, and that was a REVELATION! It's been Kawasaki ever since.
@@TheMissendenFlyer The Bandit. Yes! Any other bike, nope. I really wouldn't want to drop my ZZR1400, I'd never lift it on my own. I'd also 'cry like a baby'. I love my big Z.
Ha...currently renovating one and turning it into a naked/streetfighter style...had the usual rusty oil return pipes!(weigh the seat for a laugh,unbelievable?).
I got a 1999MK1 600 bandit lurking in my garage somewhere, had it years , brought as a run about but it's spotless,I'll get it on the road again I think , ....with all the others 🤣
My era of motorcycle... Born in 1981 First bike in 1997 a Kawasaki AR-50 Second Bike in 2000 Cagiva Planet 125 Third Bike in 2004 Suzuki SV 1000S Was going to purchase a bandit 600 but thought I might outgrow it in a yr so went with a 1000cc as my first big bike ROFL...
I had a 2008 650 SA, the first fuel-injected version, a few years back.. A great bike, just a bit heavy and the brakes were trash but a great bike nonetheless.
Great reliable bikes and considered the go-to middleweight in it's day. Personally I've never rated 4 cylinder 600's as an all-round road bike and especially not as a commuter where the lack of torque meant far to much cog swapping and revs below 50 mph just to keep up with traffic making them feel gutless, unresponsive and just hard work. I remember testing one back to back with an SV650 and it was night and day, the SV was far nicer to ride at anything below 60mph, unless revving the nuts out of an engine is your thing of course. Then Triumph brought out the 675 triple engine ( IMO one of the great engines of the past 30 years) and it was game over ! .. the best of both worlds.😁
I'm not sure where you get that from David,the Bandit has more than enough grunt at low revs to deal with the city traffic I ride in,even the peaky 600 Hornet is a really easy commuter ride that can more than hold its own with anything on 4 wheels in traffic,or anywhere else come to that, Just what you're used to I guess. Bandit doesn't have a power band,nice and linear.
@@dave8204 It's not a secret that twins have more torque than fours at low revs. Have you ridden a v-twin like the SV? the difference in low down grunt is instantly obvious, its not a small difference. No need to hold onto revs and clutch slip from standstill like a four, as I said it's night and day in traffic. Yes you can go just as quick on a four its HOW you have to do it.
I've got the faired red K5 version. Smooth as butter and like you said, enough power to play with. Good fun on trackdays too when you stuff it up the inside at Shell hairpin :) I keep thinking of selling it and getting summat newer but every time I ride it I wonder why ..
Great review on the classic bandit TMF . Good old no nonsense bike great for a first bigger bike especially in its day preferred the MK 1 and had the 1200N many decades ago 96 model 😮😮👍 Still looks a decent commuter the 650 .
A good review and it’s refreshing to see reviews in everyday bikes not just top of the range high spec heavy expensive toys. I’m a bit confused by your use of the word fun when you’re talking about fours especially when you imply that they’re in some way more fun than a twin. I rode four cylinder bikes for over 20 years but now have a twin. There is no way that the fours could be described as more fun. More complicated? Yes. More refined? Possibly. Smoother? Usually. Fun? No! Going even further I think I could probably argue that my 125 single is more fun than any four I’ve ever ridden because that’s it’s purpose in life, supplying fun each and every time it’s ridden.
A nice old bike that will do most of what people ask of it. We get swept up in the horsepower and tech races when a lot of it really adds nothing to the riding experience. Great jacket, by the way!
Interesting review. It made me think... this is a 17 year old bike, which was a basic, budget bike even back in its day, yet even with nearly two decades of technological advances, leaps forward in electronics, TFT screen and all the rest... have manufacturers actually improved the fundamental practicality and enjoyment of riding a bikes in that time... probably not that much.
I do like these used-bike-reviews! Keep them coming! Maybe test an "old" Triumph Bonneville? The ones that came 2001, I mean. 790 and 865cc. Or what about an older Ducati Monster? Can they still move around? 🙂
I always thought the 650 was water cooled with fuel Injection ? They must have just used the 600 with maybe smaller pistons or different stroke for a year or 2 before they did the water cooled
Hello, love your videos especially these classic bike reviews. Can I recommend the Honda NT700 Deauville for one of these videos? (Baby Honda Pan European / Goldwing)
BTW I don't know if you have the GSX-S750 in England, but I always thought of that as the modern evolution of the Bandit. It's still available in Canada, although I can't help but thinking that the GSX 8S was designed to replace it.
The original Bandit 600 was a great bike as it was based on the GSF400 which was classed as a naked sports 400, so the original was both more powerful and way lighter (20 kg) than the porky 650, unfortunately Suzuki have form for starting of with light bikes and piling the pounds on, for example the 1985 GSX-R750 started of at 185kg dry but the 1995 ended up at 209kg dry prior to the SRAD model , like wise the SV 650 which started at 190kg wet and the present bike is 202kg wet.
Any chance of a GSXR 750 Suzuki on Classic Bike? Its an amazing bike and has no electronics at all to save ya sorry ass, give it a blast Andy, you won,t regret it
Being controversial I think Suzuki have always made better bikes than either Honda or Kawasaki. All my Suzukis have been 100% reliable, my Hondas CB160, big end failure, CB250 vague front end but reliable, XBR500 swinging arm rotted out, Bros multiple electrical failures and my Kawasaki's KZ400 handled badly and ground the foot pegs/ frame far too early, my ZX9R has also been troublesome with head gaskets, fuel pump issues and alternator chain tensioners not working as they should. No real experience of Yamahas except TD3 and TZ350 which required parts and money to be spent every 150 miles, but I expected that. All the other Japanese manufacturers have made dogs, not often but occasionally, I struggle to think of a Suzuki dog
i had a 650 for years, loved it. Kind of regret getting rid of it. Looking for i winter bike maybe a 650 will do again but also thinking of a 1200 or 1250 because i want to take a pillon on it to. What do you think?
Until recently I had a GSX750F which has the same bulletproof engine - wish I'd never sold it. I disagree with your comment "you're not going to get in too much trouble" - I think that a non abs/traction control bike with 84hp that weighs 215kg and capable of 130mph could get you in plenty of trouble 😆
Hi Andy hope your ok with asking this here but any chance of a review of the 04 sv650s? Would love to hear your opinion on it . Many thanks and stay safe out there Dave
I know I'm late but I wanted to get your opinion mate: I am going to take the big A license, and the only 2-wheel experience I have is on a bicycle. Would you recommend this bike? I've also been looking at the Ninja 250R, because it's a lot lighter and less powerful. Thanks in advance :)
I don't think rider modes were necessary with these engines. They had very little torque at low rpm, so traction wasn't really an issue unless you rode around town at 9,000 rpm, although some did of course. They're needed on big twins now, but seem to have filtered down to smaller bikes unnecessarily. I blame the biking press for constantly calling for them in a similar way to how cars get bigger with every model change because reviewers can always cite an example with a bigger boot.
I bought a GSF650S in 2005 and did a lot of 2 up touring round the UK with camping gear etc. I never found the bike lacking power, what it had was easily adequate for the job. The GSF was traded in for a GSX650F in 2012 and I still have it. Took it on camping trips round England,Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Mann. I am currently 69 years old and still like to exploit the surprising performance of this bike. Lofted the front wheel on a few occasions, within legal speeds and on quiet roads of course. The bike is pretty much bullet proof. only gripe is the fuel injection is a bit on off at low revs but is easy to ride round that.
Hello youngster! I'm 72 and just bought a 650 for my twilight riding years. I have ridden a plethora of machines, from Francis Barnett to Super Blackbird and now looking forward to a more "gentlemanly" approach - with the odd bit of adrenalin - mini touring and "Sunday" rides. Love your review (and TMF's of course). Ride safe, regards.
Yeah a common criticism of the gsx650f but these bandits are good old carburetted models. Just missing abs imo
First big bike was a naked 600 Bandit (which I later found out was a faired bike before someone binned it).
A very forgiving bike with a nice riding position. Helped me decide whether to go cruiser, naked or sports. Wish I’d kept mine and always have a sneaky look for a cheap local one now and again.
I've been watching this channel for a couple of years now and have always loved the reviews! But I have always pondered that the Missenden flyer would never review a bandit 650, why would he?!?! *Sighs* So great that you are now reviewing bikes like this, for 2 reasons, 1 because it's affordable, secondly because it's my exact bike! :D I'm 28 years old and buying a brand new bike is an impossible task and always feels like a pipe dream, so when I see reviews of a new Ducati etc I only watch it with the hope that great aunt Gladice leaves me 1 million pounds because that's my only hope! Thank you so much for reviewing this bike! No funky bells and whistles, true honest machine that you need to choke in the morning to listen to you....ride safe!
Glad you enjoyed the vid and same to you!
At 48 I've just started out on a 2006 bandit, exact same as this one. Absolutely fantastic machine. Will do everything you need. I've done local runs in all kinds of weather and covered 600km on a run a few weeks ago. No bother and very comfortable. Absolutely love it.
Thanks 👍
I’ve owned the liquid cooled 650 and 1250. This morning I am wondering why I sold them 🤔
Tinkering and servicing is where the fun is, riding is the the satisfaction that you have done a good job and kept an older bike on the road.
My favourite type of review, keep ‘em coming 👌🏻
Will do!
My buddy has 3 Bandits and absolutely loves the bike. His are pristine and he is always on our tours around the USA. Great review Sir!
Cheers.
Very cool! Thanks for watching!
Australia here. 2007 1255 water-cooled bandit. Sold my first one and bought a cruiser. However, missed the Bandit so I bought another 2007 1255. These bikes are absolutely bullet proof. I do big K's on mine and these things will put out whatever you put in. They are pure magic and I love the fact that they don't have all the Gismos!
Great review...brought back great memories of my naked 600 bandit which is still my favourite bike I've owned. Looked great, simple and more than fast enough. As you mentioned the smaller capacity 4 cylinder engines always sound awesome when your not going stupid speeds. I later had a 1200 bandit because I liked the 600 so much but the bigger engine didn't make for a better experience (IMO). To get the fun factor you would be going much faster and the extra weight made it less chuckable. So for me the 600 or 650 was better. Thanks for sharing Andy
My pleasure as ever!
Just bought a 2006 1200 Bandit, and my immediate thoughts are it's just not as much fun as my 600 bandit! I absolutely loved having to go up and down the gears on the 600 and keeping the revs high to be rewarded with the 'fun'. The 1200 is just lacking something for me.
@@mcbridephysioandperformanc1527 if the 1200 isn’t enough go get an H2
If handling is important get a gsxr 750
They come on a 600 frame and it will outride any other bike on the twisters except a super moto that’s built (dirt bike on slicks)
Another great classic review, I do love these. As a hobbyist biker on a modest budget they are all right up my street😁. Keep em coming Andy.
Thanks, will do!
This classic "series" is just wonderful. I also like it.
Mmm I wonder who would be daft enough to name their TH-cam channel after their much beloved 600 Bandit they owned years ago? So many riders will have owned one of these. Totally dependable and at the time cheap.
Indeed!
Owned the 1200 as well, brilliant engine and very similar size and weight to the 600.
I was wondering how you came up with your channel name.😁
@@flatcapcaferacer He lives in Missenden and is a pilot.
@@Banditmanuk great bikes on my opinion.....watch your channel as well mate ....you and your missus do some great adventures .
I think motorcycles like these are very underrated and have been bypassed by the rush towards electronic wizardry and bigger profit margins.
The numbers must continue to go up!
@@WyreForestBiker ah yes, those government mandated keyless start systems.
@@Geshmaal 🤣
@@birchwoodbiker £210 for a rear tyre now £200 for a service £100+ ved. Just a rich man's toy now. And rubbish mpg considering most bikes are 1/10th the weight of a car and often get the same mpg.
@@chrishart8548 Last summer I put two sets of Michelin Road 6s on two of my bikes we were taking on a trip and it cost almost $2000.
We just finished the trip and the night before heading home thieves stole both of the bikes .
Brought back memories of my first ‘big’ bike. 2007 version that I had from new and rode every day from East Herts into the City for a daily commute. Rode all year round in all weathers through the delights of London traffic for 3 years. It was bloody fantastic!
Sounds good!
Ummed and ahhed over MT07, CB650R and SV650, but was recommended one of these at the 11th hour so I'm on the verge of buying a 2005 model. This was a lovely comprehensive review that makes me think I'm doing the right thing. Thank you!
My pleasure
I ran one of these for 2 years… initially I bought it purely to put through winter but it was such fun I ended up using it for everything, track days (hilarious on one of these), light touring, longer rides. Everything… fantastic bike that has a good swing at everything, rather then excel at any of them. Sadly not many left like this now, with a 4cyl engine. Cheap as your proverbial fried potato as well. 👍
Thanks for watching and for stopping by!
Doing my DAS this year I'm 50 this year too. This review was spot on for me.
I've owned 4 Bandits, still have a 1250 and have no intention of changing it any time soon. I've done Edinburgh to Murcia a few times, both solo and two up and my present bike has been all over Spain and Portugal and never had any problems with any of them. I enjoy watching your reviews and there are a few bikes I fancy but as long as the big Suzuki keeps going strong, she's going nowhere.
Fair enough!
I bought a Bandit 600 mk1 in naked form .....12years ago to get back into biking after some serious illness .
Still got it !....so much fun for not loads of money .
Put a Scorpion shortened pipe on , ignition advanced ,braided hoses with upgraded brake pads , Pirelli modern tyres .
Very reliable ,sounds great and goes like stink , 50 to 60 mpg .
Keep looking at more modern bikes but then I look at my old Bandit and it always wins me over .
And you can do all of your own servicing .
Can't beat them in my opinion.
Cool!
Great review, I bought a 22 year old 600 with only 7000 miles on it last year absolutely love it
Sounds good!
Sounds good!
I bought a 650S liquid cooled K7 last year as a 2nd bike / winter hack etc, and ended up liking it so much it’s still in the garage and currently my only bike!
There’s just something about a good, solid, honest motorcycle. It might not be the best at anything but it’s certainly one of the best for everything…
I learned to ride on one the year before last, a great bike.
Crikey the year before last! Nice one!
I had the original naked 600 bandit in candy fairy orange with carbon micron exhaust.My best bike ever. I so miss it
If you wanna go for a classy classic, well made and good-looking, then the Bandit is the one to consider. I especially like the completely naked model with that round light. That is gonna be a forever classic. That is why I had the SV 3rd gen. :) Very good video bro, like always. Got my full watch and like.
Thanks for watching!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Always. You are welcome bro.
Just put a deposit down on exactly this model - it's silver as well 😊. Loved this commentary - yeah this is my step upto a big bike and just love the sound of an inline 4
Congratulations and enjoy!
I own this exact bike, except mine is Suzuki Blue, as all Suzukis should be. I've owned mine since 2013. I was thinking of updating this year, but at the price of new bikes, the bike in my shed that's already bought and paid for looks pretty attractive, especially for a pensioner on a fixed income. When the new Trident came out I was surprised to see that the power and weight figures were more similar than I would have expected. Not only that, the Bandit is also much better looking. I find the Bandit to be very comfortable to ride and the midrange response is quite good. Your review is pretty much spot on. I can vouch for the fact that the rebound damping on the rear shock is also adjustable.
Just bought one! Beautiful condition, looks like it’s been garaged it’s whole life and riding it back home for an hour I was grinning from ear to ear at that inline 4 soundtrack! I had not ridden one since my test bike 8 years prior (fazer 600 from 2001), since then it’s been twins. Sv650, Street twin, both of which sounded great, and most recently a ktm adventure 790. Coming from the ktm which, to give it its due has all the mod cons, ride modes, sharper brakes and better torque, it just felt a little soulless.
The bandit is deffo down on power but that growl turning into a scream as you wind up the rev range is addictive!
I hope we don’t see inline 4’s disappear due to the euro em standard..
Passed my test on a ER5, loaned from a dealer. Rode off on a Bandit 600 after dropping the loan bike back. More adventures on that bike than I have had since.
I have owned both the 1200S and 1250 versions of this bike and would have another one. They are simple, fun, comfortable, practical, reliable bikes with bullet proof engines. Perfect for commuting or touring, with plenty of get up and go when you need it!
I stay in London and ride the 650s and love it. The good news is the 2005 model is exempt from the ULEZ charge.
My first big bike, I own the exact same one in mint condition, silver 2005 K5.
I will never part with it, a good all rounder, lovely engine, up graded the brake hoses to stainless, to get rid of the sponge feel.
TMF you did a great review/justice to a future classic.
Did not own one but had one as a courtesy bike for four days while my GPZ11 was being worked on. I can genuinely say it had the smoothest engine I have ridden to this day, when the time came to give it back I really did not want to hand over the keys! Great review as usual, keep them coming!
Thank you - will do....
Sounds gorgeous from the minute you turned it on
Got a 2008 GSF1250 and totally love it, does everything I need it to, loads of torque and very comfortable 😎👌 keep up the good videos 😃
Been riding for two years, bought a 2007 gsf 650 and I love it, every one I asked said you can't go wrong with a bandit
2007 model is with direct fuel injections and watter cooling system?
@@dejanjovanovic1389 yep
My first road bike was a Bandit 600 2002 and really miss it now. Would love to buy it back if I ever found it again
My 1st big bike was 2004 N version of the previous "600" model.. Loved it!!
I often hear they don’t have character. Don’t know about other Bandits, but I‘m mid 30s know, had other (bigger, more modern) bikes but I still ride my naked 90s GSF 600 that I bought as as a teen when getting the license 🤩 You feel like a Moto GP rider ripping through the gears with a screaming engine and end up at 105 km/h having time to look at the landscape - love it 😁
Edit: It’s even on my profile/„channel“ from when I did a few vids maaany years ago 😆
I have had 3 of the GSX 650 f , a fully faired version of the later water cooled, fuel injected bandits. They are brilliant little bikes.
I was looking to get a bandit when I first passed, and ended up with an fzs fazer. A very similar bike, funny enough reminds me very much of it. Also a 4cylinder carburetor and and similar looks. Both very good bikes and very good all rounders.
Bought a 01' 600 for my son as his first street bike. He had it for eight or nine years and rode it year round. Looked like hell when he finally sold it but still ran good. He's on a V-Strom 1K now.
I took my license on my bandit 600 mk1 in 2012 I think it was, but just a year or so before that I had to use 750cc or bigger bikes to get the full unrestricted A-license. Started to take my bike license in 2007 but never finished until 2012 :P. The Bandit 600 was/is so much better than any of the triumph retro line up which is available today, the oil/air cooled engines are so nice, just put in 750 gsxr cams in it and it will feel like a pocket rocket! I even took my tricked out mk1 to the track where I blew here up at the third cyl bank. ;(
Great review
I still have a 14 plate GSX 1250FA version of the bike - Fast enough for the road - Fantastic Engine - Comfortable and no fancy electronics to go wrong.
IMO Suzuki missed a trick when they dropped these bikes from the range I am sure they could have updated the engine for Euro compliance like they did with the K5 engine. It's a keeper
Cheers Philip!
My first (and only) bike, a naked R reg ‘98 bandit in that teal/aqua blue colour. I’m a newbie and just found out it was registered 4 days after my own birthday (25)
Awesome little thing. Bulletproof, simple and plenty of smiles per mile so far. Starting to feel the itch but don’t think I could ever sell it now 😂
Great video, love the detail in these reviews
Thank you - delighted to hear that!
I rode a Bandit 1250 for summer 2010, and loved it. Solid build, great bottom end and mid-range. Excellent for touring. I liked it better than the Yamaha 1300, but the Kawasaki ZX14 (ZZR1400) is the king of the big sporty touring rigs. I'd love a go on the new Suzuki 1000GT...Suzuki has always made fine bikes, and satisfied millions of riders.
Yes good solid and dependable machines!
Hey TMF! I picked up this exact same 2005 model in January! Cracking bike in incredible condition with only 27000kms on the clock. As you said, absolutely buttery smooth engine. 30-40mph in fourth or rip it up to silly speeds in second and third! And what a noise!! Mine came with an excellent comfort seat, bigger wavy discs back and front, a beautiful Storm exhaust system and LED lighting all round. The previous owner looked after her really carefully and the result is an absolutely amazing bike for which I paid only 2800 euros!! Suzuki made and sold so many that second hand values are really low but this absolutely does not reflect upon the quality, reliability or fun factor of this bike. I originally bought it as a Winter schlepper but it has rapidly become my go to bike of choice on a sunny (but cold) weekend ride. Great review. More of these please. I’ve said you’re welcome to test my Pan European anytime you’re near Lyon!!
As it happens I drove past Lyon yesterday!
@@TheMissendenFlyer No way! You could have had a bed here my friend! Did you go to the bike show in Lyon? Really interesting this year. Always a good show.
...err no, on my way to the Three Valleys (from where I'm typing this to you now)...
@@TheMissendenFlyer You're very welcome to call in on your way home. East of Lyon! PM me? Let me know. Enjoy the 3 Valleys! We were in Grand Bornand last week. Fantastic but very cold. Hope you've got snow?
@@simonthomas5367 ...it's getting thin but more forecast for next week...:0)
I just got a 2002 bandit as my first ever motorbike last week. Just need to buy myself a helmet and then I can take it out for a proper spin!
I returned to motorcycles during lockdown after a 10 year gap. Picked up a mint low miles 2005 K5 Bandit and although I constantly look to at shiny new bikes, I really doubt I'll ever get rid
I miss my bandits,, must get another
An honest and reliable bike that you can have a lot of fun with and service yourself during the winter months. If you want affordable biking, look no further, get a bandit.
I remember hankering after a Bandit when I did my CBT as a 16 year old in the nineties, but was out of reach at the time. Was looking at a few after I did my DAS in the mid naughties but ended up buying my mates 550 Zephyr. Loved that bike, though it was soon upgraded to a ZZR600 for commuting. Great days! While you’re doing “classic” bikes, you could do worse than trying out the Zephyr!
I’ll add it to my list!
Very nice review TMF. A modern classic classic & looks like an amazingly well kept example.
Thanks for watching!
Aye, Suzuki do sell well engineered good value reliable bikes. The SV650 is one of my favourites.
Yes, mine too…
Nice! I did try out a friends Bandit back in the early 2000's and I loved it. So much that when I first started to contemplate getting back on a bike it was something that resembled the famous Bandit that tickled me most. Not too expensive (actually rather cheap as a 2nd hand bike), you could spank it seriously if you wanted to, and you could have loads of fun while deciding what you really wanted to do on two wheels.
By the way: That white Schuberth C5 and the blue riding gear might render you a new nickname: Papa Smurf.....
….except it’s not blue riding gear
@@TheMissendenFlyer Come on Andy! Don't mess with my desillusions (or my colour blindness) ;)
I've had a couple before moving on to a VFR. Then I stopped riding for a few years and guess what I'm going back to get going again. Yep, a bandit. I'm going to do my advanced on it.
Nice one!
Ooops, late to the party again! Another good one Andy.
Great bike. Never owned one myself but ridden plenty. As you say, an honest, decent, no nonsense bike. A fine example of 'old school', for sure. Typical of the machines I cut my teeth on way back when dinosaurs roamed about.
Can't beat a well tuned bike with carbs, either. A well fuelled machine will dispense with 'power modes', too. The grey matter between one's lug holes, in combination with those spherical things that reside in front of the face, will decide whether 'soft', 'road' or 'sport', via the right wrist, is required surely. (They've certainly served me well for the last 46 years of riding). Honestly, some bikers appear to be quite happy in having their botties wiped for them.
Excellent review. Keep these 'Classics' coming. 👍
Will do Mark!
Still have a 97 B12, awesome no nonsense comfy bike, it can purrr, and it can rip, with a few simple mods you could get them to 140-150bhp.
I passed my test on a 600 bandit in 2017 much more comfy than a hornet 600 looking at buying my first bike this year and seriously looking at a this 650 for work and ride outs
Cheers Andy, great hacks. Had the 600b
Bandit, apart from oil leaks on higher mileage bikes around the oil seals on the pipes under the cylinder heads. Had 600 srad, another good engine. Thx Brahhh
My pleasure!
What are the chances you've just reviewed my current/first and only bike. I've been looking for a decent youtube video on it and to be honest couldn't find one. Excellent! Thank you 👌👍
Glad to help!
Thanks Andy!
No worries!
@@TheMissendenFlyer I love these silky smooth soft 4 -cylinder engines.
Me too...
I have to say I used to love my Suzuki bandit, I had 2006 with abs for nearly 4 years and I think it was my best bike, I started with Suzuki gs500, Kawasaki ninja g2, then j2, zzr600 and after that Suzuki bandit 650 k6, all of them carbs and I have to say bandit was smoothest, but I have to say seat is ok for couple hours but after that my ass was on fire, same with passenger, abs version had slightly different swing arm and brake was on top
The first big bike I owned was a Bandit S 600. As a novis rider, I always found it to be top heavy. I dropped it within 10 minutes of collecting it at the dealer. If I recall, I dropped it about 5 times during the first year. Year 2, I sold it and bought a Kawasaki ZX6R 636, and that was a REVELATION! It's been Kawasaki ever since.
But have you dropped one?
@@TheMissendenFlyer The Bandit. Yes! Any other bike, nope. I really wouldn't want to drop my ZZR1400, I'd never lift it on my own. I'd also 'cry like a baby'. I love my big Z.
Suzuki hit the nail on the head with the Bandit, cheap motorcycling for the masses. We could do with it coming back the price of bikes now.
A bike for all seasons and a bike for anyone, very simple and always at a bargain price.
These ones are very very affordable used where I live. I'm actually considering getting one for my first bike to be honest
Great idea!
I had a Bandit 1250. Great bike, had it for many years. However I always found the leg room a bit cramped on it.
Ha...currently renovating one and turning it into a naked/streetfighter style...had the usual rusty oil return pipes!(weigh the seat for a laugh,unbelievable?).
The Bandit was one of the first bikes I looked at...but went for the Honda Deaville.
I got a 1999MK1 600 bandit lurking in my garage somewhere, had it years , brought as a run about but it's spotless,I'll get it on the road again I think , ....with all the others 🤣
My era of motorcycle...
Born in 1981
First bike in 1997 a Kawasaki AR-50
Second Bike in 2000 Cagiva Planet 125
Third Bike in 2004 Suzuki SV 1000S
Was going to purchase a bandit 600 but thought I might outgrow it in a yr so went with a 1000cc as my first big bike ROFL...
Would like to see a 600 bandit reviewed
Great review. What a bargain.
I had a 2008 650 SA, the first fuel-injected version, a few years back.. A great bike, just a bit heavy and the brakes were trash but a great bike nonetheless.
Great reliable bikes and considered the go-to middleweight in it's day. Personally I've never rated 4 cylinder 600's as an all-round road bike and especially not as a commuter where the lack of torque meant far to much cog swapping and revs below 50 mph just to keep up with traffic making them feel gutless, unresponsive and just hard work.
I remember testing one back to back with an SV650 and it was night and day, the SV was far nicer to ride at anything below 60mph, unless revving the nuts out of an engine is your thing of course. Then Triumph brought out the 675 triple engine ( IMO one of the great engines of the past 30 years) and it was game over ! .. the best of both worlds.😁
Yes love that triple me!
I'm not sure where you get that from David,the Bandit has more than enough grunt at low revs to deal with the city traffic I ride in,even the peaky 600 Hornet is a really easy commuter ride that can more than hold its own with anything on 4 wheels in traffic,or anywhere else come to that, Just what you're used to I guess. Bandit doesn't have a power band,nice and linear.
@@dave8204 It's not a secret that twins have more torque than fours at low revs. Have you ridden a v-twin like the SV? the difference in low down grunt is instantly obvious, its not a small difference. No need to hold onto revs and clutch slip from standstill like a four, as I said it's night and day in traffic. Yes you can go just as quick on a four its HOW you have to do it.
I've got the faired red K5 version. Smooth as butter and like you said, enough power to play with.
Good fun on trackdays too when you stuff it up the inside at Shell hairpin :)
I keep thinking of selling it and getting summat newer but every time I ride it I wonder why ..
Great review on the classic bandit TMF . Good old no nonsense bike great for a first bigger bike especially in its day preferred the MK 1 and had the 1200N many decades ago 96 model 😮😮👍 Still looks a decent commuter the 650 .
It is!
Great review, thanks as always
My pleasure - thanks for watching…
I’ve had two 600 bandits , great bikes. I past my test on a naked red one and then soon after I binned it 😂 live and learn huh 👍🏻
Oops!
A good review and it’s refreshing to see reviews in everyday bikes not just top of the range high spec heavy expensive toys. I’m a bit confused by your use of the word fun when you’re talking about fours especially when you imply that they’re in some way more fun than a twin. I rode four cylinder bikes for over 20 years but now have a twin. There is no way that the fours could be described as more fun. More complicated? Yes. More refined? Possibly. Smoother? Usually. Fun? No! Going even further I think I could probably argue that my 125 single is more fun than any four I’ve ever ridden because that’s it’s purpose in life, supplying fun each and every time it’s ridden.
Great video. Just shows how it used to be no gismos proper bike!
Exactly!
A nice old bike that will do most of what people ask of it. We get swept up in the horsepower and tech races when a lot of it really adds nothing to the riding experience. Great jacket, by the way!
Thank you
Interesting review. It made me think... this is a 17 year old bike, which was a basic, budget bike even back in its day, yet even with nearly two decades of technological advances, leaps forward in electronics, TFT screen and all the rest... have manufacturers actually improved the fundamental practicality and enjoyment of riding a bikes in that time... probably not that much.
I’m with you - no they haven’t, but then you could say the same about cars…
I do like these used-bike-reviews! Keep them coming! Maybe test an "old" Triumph Bonneville? The ones that came 2001, I mean. 790 and 865cc. Or what about an older Ducati Monster? Can they still move around? 🙂
Glad you like em and thanks for the suggestion!
I always thought the 650 was water cooled with fuel Injection ? They must have just used the 600 with maybe smaller pistons or different stroke for a year or 2 before they did the water cooled
Hello, love your videos especially these classic bike reviews. Can I recommend the Honda NT700 Deauville for one of these videos? (Baby Honda Pan European / Goldwing)
Yes - it's very much on my list!
BTW I don't know if you have the GSX-S750 in England, but I always thought of that as the modern evolution of the Bandit. It's still available in Canada, although I can't help but thinking that the GSX 8S was designed to replace it.
Classic bike Andy 👍
Indeed it is!
Can't go wrong with a bandit
The original Bandit 600 was a great bike as it was based on the GSF400 which was classed as a naked sports 400, so the original was both more powerful and way lighter (20 kg) than the porky 650, unfortunately Suzuki have form for starting of with light bikes and piling the pounds on, for example the 1985 GSX-R750 started of at 185kg dry but the 1995 ended up at 209kg dry prior to the SRAD model , like wise the SV 650 which started at 190kg wet and the present bike is 202kg wet.
Any chance of a GSXR 750 Suzuki on Classic Bike? Its an amazing bike and has no electronics at all to save ya sorry ass, give it a blast Andy, you won,t regret it
It’s on the list!
I had a Bandit, briefly. Gutless, uncomfortable and sub 50mpg.
I actually preferred the GS500F.
I passed my test on a GS500!
Being controversial I think Suzuki have always made better bikes than either Honda or Kawasaki. All my Suzukis have been 100% reliable, my Hondas CB160, big end failure, CB250 vague front end but reliable, XBR500 swinging arm rotted out, Bros multiple electrical failures and my Kawasaki's KZ400 handled badly and ground the foot pegs/ frame far too early, my ZX9R has also been troublesome with head gaskets, fuel pump issues and alternator chain tensioners not working as they should. No real experience of Yamahas except TD3 and TZ350 which required parts and money to be spent every 150 miles, but I expected that. All the other Japanese manufacturers have made dogs, not often but occasionally, I struggle to think of a Suzuki dog
Good to hear!
i had a 650 for years, loved it. Kind of regret getting rid of it. Looking for i winter bike maybe a 650 will do again but also thinking of a 1200 or 1250 because i want to take a pillon on it to. What do you think?
Yea go 1200 or 1250….
Until recently I had a GSX750F which has the same bulletproof engine - wish I'd never sold it. I disagree with your comment "you're not going to get in too much trouble" - I think that a non abs/traction control bike with 84hp that weighs 215kg and capable of 130mph could get you in plenty of trouble 😆
Hi Andy hope your ok with asking this here but any chance of a review of the 04 sv650s? Would love to hear your opinion on it . Many thanks and stay safe out there Dave
I’ll see what I can do Dave!
@@TheMissendenFlyer cheers mate 👍
I know I'm late but I wanted to get your opinion mate: I am going to take the big A license, and the only 2-wheel experience I have is on a bicycle. Would you recommend this bike? I've also been looking at the Ninja 250R, because it's a lot lighter and less powerful. Thanks in advance :)
This would be a great starter bike!
Never owned a Suzuki.
Gilera, Triumph, BSA, 2Honda’s , 3 Kawasaki’s, 1 Yamaha, 2 Benelli’s and 2 Ducati’s, I’ll need to get one one day.
You do - for completeness if nothing else…
If you could choose between the gs or the goldwing what would you choose?
GS
I don't think rider modes were necessary with these engines. They had very little torque at low rpm, so traction wasn't really an issue unless you rode around town at 9,000 rpm, although some did of course. They're needed on big twins now, but seem to have filtered down to smaller bikes unnecessarily. I blame the biking press for constantly calling for them in a similar way to how cars get bigger with every model change because reviewers can always cite an example with a bigger boot.
Time you had a 4 cylinder bike in the garage...
Tell me about it!
Wind buffeting around your helmet? Well, I never!!