Difficult big bike choice...

[krarkol]

Kind of stuck between 2 bikes at the moment...

1999 ER5 and 1998 Bandit 600

Both in really good condition, except the bandit is probably slightly better and only a couple of hundred quid price difference. Insurance is also a couple of hundred quid different also.

I'm really unsure whether to get the ER5 and have more money in my pocket or to get the bandit 600.

I know saving money is key, but I kind of have a feeling that I'd regret not getting the bandit as I'd love a screaming IL4 and the ER5 just sounds like a tractor to me

Any suggestions that can help me decide?
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[yaigi]

When money is the deciding factor, I never really see the money as 'gone' - I see it like this; the more money you spend on this bike, the more money you have to spend on the next bike. It's like a little savings account, providing you don't bin it

I've had a similar conundrum lately, went for the more expensive option, picking it up in the morning First big bike, woohoo! I'm sure I'll tell you all about it tomorrow
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What would you do in life, if you knew you could not fail?
Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)

[arry]

If it were me I'd go with the bandit just because the 4 is a lot smoother than the 2 and sounds a lot better. the GPZ I had sounded like spanners in a sack on idle whereas my mate's bandit with a Beowolf can sounded awesome, TBH.

There'd be no other particular reason though.

[Matt B]

Personally I would go for the Bandit.

A 48bhp ER5 v the 78bhp Bandit with better brakes and sensible sized tyres. No competition.

The Bandit was a legend in its own luchtime and with good reason, the ER5 was not...
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[janner_10]

Ride them both and get the one that you like the most!
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[krarkol]

Well power isn't really a deciding factor as I'm a good boy and gonna get it restricted to 33bhp

I love inline 4's though and although the er5 may be more reliable, I know for a fact I'll get bored of it quickly because when I revved it, the way it revs is very similar to my 125 and just seemed a bit lumpy and vibey, whereas the bandit the revs extremely smooth and quickly

Picking up the bandit tomorrow anyway, so we'll see how I go.

Found the seating position extremely strange as it has renthals on (with those sexy little bar end mirrors) and I felt like my arms where trying to do the splits but I'll probably get used to that pretty quickly
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[arry]

If you're restricting I'd possiblymake the choice to go ER5 for 2 years as it's lighter and therefore more power to weight; the Bandit is a big ol' beast of a lump really and at 33bhp it's not going to be as fast. But that depends on whether you want to change bike after 2 years or just pull the restriction out and enjoy the full fat Bandit for a while longer.

[nowhere.elysium]

An ER-5 isn't intrinsically more reliable than a Bandit 6. The Bandit 6 has the last of the oil boiler engines, which are incredibly tough old lumps. provided the Bandit's not rattly as hell, and the suspension/brakes have been vaguely looked after, it'll be fine.

I'd still change the shock, fork springs and caliper seals when you get the chance, though; they're known weaknesses on Suzuki's budget-end bikes. Braided hoses also won't be a bad idea, if it's still on the original hoses; not because they're somehow notably superior*, but because the age of the extant brake hoses will be worryingly high.

*Contentiously, I don't believe that braided lines are significantly better than stock
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[krarkol]

I found the seating position pretty similar on both, except the ER5 bars felt a bit too close to me.

I know the ER5 will restrict better but I was thinking more of a long term bike overall anyways and plus it isn't all out performance I'm after anyway, aslong as it accelerates quicker than my mates cars and can sit at a comfortable mile munching speed on the motorway I'm happy.

I'll also be honest, I think the bandits better looking and I'm a bit of a tart. I'm 19 so I want my mates in their corsa's to envy me

nowhere.elysium, engine wasn't making any strange noises and the bike looks in very good condition for a 1998. Couldn't test the brakes or anything like that due to the insurance of the local dealer not allowing it. They did say however that once it's in my name and insured I can test ride it and if I'm not happy with it I can go back and return it. I do have faith in it being looked after though as it only has 11,600 miles on it and there wasn't any serious rust patches so hopefully it hasn't been ragged for those 11,000 miles
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[iMark]

I'm happy with the ER-5 I got....
Sounds a bit shit with the stock exhaust though, that's all.

"Restricted" doesn't seem to do much to the ER-5 ... Apart from top end mostly in 6th gear, but it'll get up to 85-90 without problem, then it's like pissing in the wind.

Mileage is OK... I get between 50 and 60 MPG...

Tyres choice is limited to BT-045s pretty much


Nothing else to add


No idea how the bandit acts restricted... Maybe someone can fill in the blanks if they have had one.
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K8 GSXR 1000
"G" : you got him to have a look at a forum which seems to have established a picture of an erect penis in a cat's mouth as it's mascot and thought he might consider it ok?

[krarkol]

I do like the ER5/GS500/CB500's etc but I know if I got one that I'd always have the feeling that I should have got the bandit

It doesn't help that the first time I saw one was when my cousin shot past me on his with his aftermarket can (viper?) screaming away into the distance and I fell in love with a way

I didn't realise it would be so high though! I'm 5'9" and was on tip toes when both feet where down
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[iMark]

[krarkol]

Maybe it's raised a little then or might just be the way I'm sat Will be strange though as I've never had to tip toe on a bike so far
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[Cuchulain]

Just by reading your posts it sounds like you really want the Bandit so I would just do that. A bike isn't a sensible purchase whatever so may as well go with your heart and not your head.
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CBT 15/6/2011 Theory Test Passed 6/2/2012 Module 1 Passed 11/6/2012
Module 2 Passed!!! 19/6/2012

[krarkol]

That's the dilemma I had I was just sat there for about an hour thinking about the options, thinking things like "sensible choice would be the ER5, cheaper insurance, better fuel economy, possibly cheaper tyres etc"

then I'd think "but I bet starting that bandit and hearing that inline 4 and summer days next year will put a big smile on my face!"
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[Clanger]

[krarkol]

According to cycle ergo, in the position I was sat I have a 28" inseam, yet my jeans etc are usually around 32"-34" so I'm either wearing the wrong size clothes or the bikez been raised a few cm
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[TomGT]

personally I bought a CBR, but that was because I liked the look, smell, and sound of it and knew I would love riding it everyday. I thought Honda's where old man bikes until I fell in love with one, otherwise I'd have bought something ridiculously sensible like a GS or CB.

Shameless plug
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1992 ZXR 400

[iMark]

[Rogerborg]

Bandits have fat seats as well, it makes a big difference.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[arry]

[Jersum]

I'm pretty sure my friend owned a ER5 and a bandit, he prefered the bandit alot more.

Restricted my bandit also goes 90, so yours restricted should do the same.
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Full Licence acquired December 2011.
1st bike Honda CG125 '04 in silver, 2nd Suzuki Bandit 600S '96

[krarkol]

I didn't really notice the seat being any wider, it looked pretty similar to the ER5 as they were side by side. But an inch or so that I didn't notice with my eyes probably does make a massive difference

I see many people flat footing with both feet on them so my guess is that it is higher, it does seem a common mod.

And 90 while restricted is good enough for me The next factor is how fast it gets up to a safe motorway speed. Even if it's slow in comparison to derestricted state and other comparable bikes, I bet it still feels like a proper crotch rocket compared to the 125!
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Bandit 600 - deaded

[Billo63]

Not owned a Blandit - never appealed, however an er5 was my 1st bike after completing das/tests also on an er5.
Had it for several months & found it an invaluable learning tool which enabled me to gain experience & road savvy etc: without ever feeling out of my depth.
It put me in great shape for riding my current bike, an fzs600.
I recognise the points made re: power etc;, but after time on an er5 the step up to a much more powerful IL4 was a very easy transition.

Akin to passing cager test, driving a mini for a few months before going on to some 3L beastie.

Don't regret buying an er5 as 1st bike, why would I when it helped me so much, but ultimately the choice is yours. As suggested - try both out & see how you feel
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I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[krarkol]

Got the bandit today, it's an incredible machine and fingers crossed I get a good few months out of it without anything too expensive going wrong

Got used to the tip toeing really quickly, was worried more than anything about forgetting I'm not on the 125 and putting my foot out only to find the floors a bit further away

Made a new topic anyways if you are interested in my experience on it
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Bandit 600 - deaded