Advice on 2nd bike (600cc-650cc restricted to 33bhp)

[Mr White]

I ride 125cc on the L plates. I have decided to take my test soon and move on to a bigger but restricted bike.

By that time I should have £1500 saved for the bike.
I like sport bikes and streetfighters.
I think the problem with sport bikes is that there are not comfortable to ride (esspecialy on longer distances), thus I would prefer sport tourer

So far I have found 2 motorbikes I like
Suzuki Bandit 600
https://www.gtrb.co.uk/images/Bandit800.jpg
Honda Hornet 600
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Honda%20CB900%20Hoornet%2002%20%204.jpg

I dont like the big circle lamps I would change it to a demon or predator and add a belly pan to compete the streetfighter look.
https://www.bike-spares.co.uk/acatalog/demon%20headlight%20-%20black.jpg
https://www.amotostuff.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pyramid_bellypan_dl650.jpg


I have noticed that hornet is tipicaly a 1/3 more expensive that same year bandit. Hornet Is also lighter than bandit by ~30kg
Thats a lot, I am a strong lad, at the moment I ride 145kg bike, hornet is a 175kg, bandit 205kg.


What is your oppinion on these bikes?

Can anyone review these bikes for me?
Are there ok to ride in the winter, rain doest bother them?
Is restricted bandit not too slow to overtake (as it is 30kg heavier than Hornet).

Anyone how much does it cost to get these bikes restricted?

And also can you suggest any other 600-650cc bikes in that price range?
I really like the look of 4 down pipes so has to have 4 down pipes (if naked)

[deanoet]

Got the Hornet myself. Not restricted though.

Good bike, will happily trundle around town all day, but when you get into the twisties it will happily scream its head off all day.

Use mine all year round, will run on abuse, mine is starting to show a few rust areas. Yokes and clutch arm thing. Not much and will likely autosol / t-cut off which i will do when the weather picks up.

Large following for both the hornet and the bandit. Mods a plenty.
Hornets Nest is a good place to start with the hornet, but they will be very biased.

Build quality on the Hornet is said to be better than the Bandit. How much it is in the real world i dont know


Consider the SV650, comes in Faired, Naked,

Semi Faired
V-Twin so restricts better than an IL4. Look nice. Large following for mods / help and advise
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[Alex A]

The Hornet is definitely the pick of those two - will last better (especially if you don't keep your bike pristine clean - Dean ) and holds its value much better too, so whilst the same year will cost a little more, you're not likely to lose any more money if/when you sell it on.

Good suggestion with the SV650 though - a little more sporty than the hornet/bandit, the faired version has reasonably useful weather protection so works well as a sports tourer. Not quite as powerful as the Hornet/Bandit, but should handle the restriction better, and can be very capable in terms of handling (has its own race series).
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[deanoet]

Just to add, not sure where you got that pic of the Hornet from but they do NOT come with a centre stand.

Says that one is a CB900 Hoornet[sic] in the properties. Pretty sure the 900 doesnt have a centre stand either. Main difference being twin exhaust (apart from the bigger engine of course )

Also worth noting the Hornet has a small petrol tank (17 litres), you are filling up every 100 miles or so.

To add as well you can get a 250cc hornet. Which wouldnt require restricting. Grey import though. Charlie (was ds55) on here has one. Rev to 15k as well. Sound like a really peed off sewing machine.

Fine specimin of a 600 Hornet
https://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn87/deanoet/side.jpg

*coughs*
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[Katier]

I ride a GSF600S (the faired Bandit) on a T and in terms of reliability etc. it's great. I've had her for a year and am now considering replacing her as the weight is noticeable. That said I don't think I'd get the Hornet either.

100 miles is quite low range, I get nearer 150 miles on my Bandits tank so of the two I'd choose the bandit.. But probably look elsewhere.

Restricted, I assume, your range would go up but still I think I'd look elsewhere.

Might, however, be above your budget, but I'd personally be taking a look at the Triumph Speed Four. According to MCN "Far pricier than Hornets, Bandits and Fazers but it’s way above their league."

[Kickstart]

Hi

I wouldn't be surprised if those headlights you are looking at are pathetic at night.

Bandit build quality is pretty poor, and the Hornet is a better bike (although with a lousy tank range in relation to the Bandit or most other bikes).

Hornets don't seem to crash well. Seems pretty common for them to bend the frame and / or snap the front engine mount off.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Villers]

I loved the hornet. Not sure how much I would have liked it with its balls cut off though. My mate had a Bandit and I didnt like it at all.

[Katier]

[Villers]

The quote simply says it is far more expensive but better. The same is true of pretty much any bike regardless of style. If its taken out of context then fair enough but when it comes to bikes comparing two that are not similar in price is completely unfair. For example the SV is awful but you get a lot of bang for your buck, mine was just over 4k brand new. Its not a patch on a hornet or triple but if it was priced the same as those two it wouldnt have sold unit 1.
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Katier]

[Villers]

The used prices do tell a different story altogether! I'd be interested to know why the Triumph starts out more expensive but drops quicker.

Either way it goes back to my original point, MCN are ridiculous.
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Katier]

[Villers]

Perhaps reputation (from many years ago) for the Triumph is killing it off. Ive got experience of all the bikes mentioned but nothing of the triumph!

Like I said I wasnt arguing over what was the better bike, I just hate MCN and their logic that one bike is far better and more expensive makes no sense to me.
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Ditto]

The weight is pretty irrelevant, you will struggle to overtake much with 33bhp anyway, considering most overtaking happens on National Speed Limit roads where the 33bhp really cuts down the power at high speeds.

Ive got a Bandit and am perfectly happy with it. Would probably have gone for the Hornet if they were the same price though, but as they aren't i settled for the Bandit.

I would also recommend against the street fighter headlights, as they can be poor performers in the dark, and often cut down the resale value. I know when i was looking for mine i avoided any bike with the twin headlights.
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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

[Mr White]

[jay12329]

I had a 33bhp Hornet, was still quite nippy. Did a couple of trackdays with it restricted too, only started to slow up above 90mph or so. Was fine for normal road riding, overtaking was fine.
If you don't like big round headlights buy a speed four. I'd avoid a bike with any streetfighter lights when buying, not just incase it was a cheap crash repair, and the butchery of the loom required to fit them!

Also crash damage as mentioned by keith, you can easily snap the engine mounts as the engine is a stressed part of the frame. R&G bungs are great in a low side. Mine saved the bike after a 80+ mph get off at sliverstone.

HTH
J

[Mr White]

[adama]

I have a restricted GSXR so....anything is possible!
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CBT Passed - 24/04/08 - Theory Passed 18/07/08 - Practical Passed 2/04/09