Hornet vs SV650 vs Bandit vs CB500

[Mord]

I need a commuter but I don't want to spend to much money on it as the bike will be parked on public car parks (days and late evenings sometimes), ridden in summer and winter, fuel economy not that important to me. The most sensible option would be a naked bike, especially for winter.

I'm considering 4 bikes as mentioned in the topic. My budget let's say 1000-1800 quid (I really wouldn't want to spend more) and I'll be buying privately this month. At the moment my favourite is unfaired SV650 03 for its fuel injection. But I love the look of the Hornet to be honest.

Any suggestions? Is fuel injection a good way to go? There will be periods of time (i.e. 2 weeks) when the bike is not going to be used at all so I'm a bit afraid to buy carbed bike. Carburettors are usually fine as long as you ride your bike every day, when you stop all your problems start. And cleaning i.e. 4 carbs is not the best perspective.

Are the bikes mentioned prone to rusting?

I'm really lost I don't know what to buy If it was a bike for fun it would be so much easier to choose.

[ms51ves3]

I'd just go for whichever one came up in the best condition/least miles/cheapest etc.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I'd buy a Hornet. Leaving a carbed bike sitting for a couple of weeks shouldn't hurt it.
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[Blau Zedong]

[N cee thirty]

hornet
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

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[Paxovasa]

Bandits, are prone to rusting at the welding joints on the frame (if not looked after). I have owned my bandit since October 2007 it is a 53 plate. Up until January (when I borrowed an XT600 of a mate) I used the bandit for my daily commute all year round. Apart from the occasional carb icing it handled it well. I borrowed the XT600 due to how bad the weather was (and fell in love with it and bought it of my mate).

I would not recommend the more modern 650 bandit as there build quality is worse.

SV650N, had a go on a friends. They are good fun, decent bike and plenty torque, seemed decent enough build quality.

Can't comment on hornet or CB500 never rode them and they never appealed to me.
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[instigator]

[G]

No worries with carbs not working - most of my bikes have periods where they aren't run for many months at a time and still start up fine after.

I'd go for an SV or Hornet - I'm not a fan of the SV, but think it'd be my choice as it's a bit lighter than the Hornet (though not as powerful).
However, the SV is I reckon more prone to corrosion than the Hornet.

[L4Isoside]

I ran my 2000 SV through the last winter and handled it pretty well (i think the cold killed off the battery though )

Just give it a long time on the choke (full choke for 40 or so seconds, then leave on half choke etc) otherwise it will struggle abit, being carbed.

[ram_doom]

When the SV came out in 1999, PB raved about it; and in a group test with the SV, a ktm duke, and a hornet, the sv was the most fun to ride. Obviously things have moved on to fuel injection, but I dont think they tweaked the basic formula too much since (besides a new frame and adjustable preload on the forks).

When I rode one, I found it light, revvy and decent handling, particularly on B roads.
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[Mord]

Cheers guys for your suggestions.

I think it's going to be a choice between fuel injected SV650 and carbed Hornet now.

I found this.. it stretches my budget a bit but it's within 60 miles from me..
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/Honda/CB600F-HORNET/2002/_/R-NXGN-7548376

This stretches my budget too, but it's tempting..
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/Suzuki/SV650/2003/_/R-NXGN-7548323

[rac3r]

For carbed bikes you can use that Silkolene stuff to stop them icing I think.

I would say try both out and see if you like a twin or an IL4
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

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[L4Isoside]

[garth]

What about a Fazer? Owned a Bandit and an SV and prefer the gen 1 fazer over them both.

Cheap, 60mpg commuting, and quick.
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[dodsi]

[m0l0t0v]

[craigs23]

I'd probably go for the SV if it was my choice.

The Hornet's the better bike, but I just didn't gel with mine when I had it. The SV should be cheaper, which could leave a few quid to get the suspenders sorted, fit a fruity can...

[Slacker24seve...]

[Welshd1k]

that hornet is miles overpriced ....

i paid £1100 for a mint 1999 model with 1 owner from new and 21k on the clocks.....


i reckon its worth 1500 ish max . hells i saw an 04 model (usd's) go for 2100
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Current >Cb600fx hornet, ns125rk90 21.7bhp@wheel<
Sold >,zxr400 h2 (33bhp kit) rd350 n1 rd350 lc2<

[Mord]

[Welshd1k]

keep an eye on ebay they pop up alot just sell verry fast F me a guy sold a 1999 model with nitron shock and fork internals. wavey front and back . solo cowl belly pan. race can. dyno jet , k&n and 17k miles i think it was on the hornet forums for 2k....

so dont tell me that that stock bike for £1900 is good value. just keep your eyes open.
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Current >Cb600fx hornet, ns125rk90 21.7bhp@wheel<
Sold >,zxr400 h2 (33bhp kit) rd350 n1 rd350 lc2<

[Welshd1k]

why no older than 2002..... there all the same minus the 98 and 99 bikes have a 16" front wheel.
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Current >Cb600fx hornet, ns125rk90 21.7bhp@wheel<
Sold >,zxr400 h2 (33bhp kit) rd350 n1 rd350 lc2<

[Welshd1k]

sam year less miles less money ...
just look around.



https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/Honda/CB600F-HORNET/2002/_/R-NXGN-7547680


as for value for money you will get a newer sv / bandit / fazer for your money than a hornet
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Current >Cb600fx hornet, ns125rk90 21.7bhp@wheel<
Sold >,zxr400 h2 (33bhp kit) rd350 n1 rd350 lc2<

[Mord]