A2 license, Bandit 600 or SV650.

[tyler_jrn]

Hi guys, Ive been riding my 125 for 1 and a half years come may. So as you can imagine im looking for a new bike to fit the new (ridiculous) A2 license requirements. I'm planning to pass when im 19 which is in 2 months time. And im planning to get the bike in about 1 month so i will have enough time to restrict it and put a nice exhaust on and customize it looks wise to my liking, ready for when i pass my test.

Anyway im looking to get either a suzuki bandit (GSF) 600, something like a 2002 model with the round headlight version (naked non fared as i don't like the fared version :0. The restriction here is fitted to the carbs which im not too bothered about.

My questions here are if anyone has ridden this bike at 47bhp, as its a carb setup so i don't know how much the restriction will affect the way it runs. It may knock it all off balance and cause it to run terrible, misfires etc.


Or... Im looking to get a suzuki sv650 pointy shape, fully faired something like a 2007+ model.

The only problem ive had is it has to have a throttle stop restriction and from what ive read its pretty much just guess work on how much hp it takes away, which i don't like. Id like to be sure its right at 47bhp. In terms that you get the kit and there is no certain position to put the throttle stop to ensure its at 47bhp other than on a dyno. May be wrong here but its just what ive read. I was hoping to get like an ecu restriction as the throttle stop sounds a bit off to me, i wouldn't like the fact it make it seems like it will only rev about half its rev range.

I like both bikes very much.

pros, cons for me (bandit).

Like the looks especially with twin headlights. I personally really like the 4 cylinder sound to the sv650's v-twin. Much cheaper to buy at something like £2000-2500 for a nice one. More reliable than the 650 from what ive heard. Most likely a better availability of parts. Looks to be comfier with the seat shape, position etc.

Heavier than the sv650 by about 40kg, carb setup so not as nice running as a fuel injected system.

Pros, cons (sv650)

Like the looks over the bandit, like the super bike look especially with nice exhaust and fully faired model. Fuel injected. More torque. Lighter than the bandit. Super bike shape and position which i prefer.

Prefer the bandits 4 cyl sound than the v-twin. More expensive, About 3000-4000 for a nicely kept bike. Not very good dash display.



Overall im leaning to the bandit as theres just something about it i like. Theres also the fact i will most likely be riding the bike about 20 miles daily so with it being cheaper it would be more cost effective, although id like to be able to ride it at weekends to much more longer distances. I'm a little concerned about how it will run with the inlet restriction as it has a carb setup and don't know if it would need to be down jetted, synced etc to accommodate.

I love the sound of the bandit especially with a nice aftermarket exhaust. And i really like the look with the twin headlights fitted.

Then again the sv650 was my first choice but the throttle stop restriction has really put me off it, hense why i looked into a different bike and found the bandit 600.

Anyway ill stop babbling on and my main questions really is if anyone has ridden these bikes restricted to 47bhp. I'm keen to know the better performing bike really with the restriction fitted. And also things like fuel consumption, comfort etc. And what you guys would recommend me out of the 2 bikes. I'm not looking at any stock 35kw bikes. although the z800e caught my eye but then again its way to expensive at about £5500 used.

Anyway, Thanks for your time. Tyler.b

[Az]

One of my friends rode a bandit 6 mk1 on a 47bhp carb restrictor and the other on a sv650 47bhp throttle stop restrictor. Both bikes ran fine (the restrictor didn't affect the bike mechanically besides the lack of power obviously) and the throttle restrictor shouldn't put u off, as long as u have a certificate and have it fitted at a reputable dealers.
Both bikes were obviously slowed down in terms of acceleration & top speed, both had a similar top speed of 100/105mph, but they still went pretty well especially in comparison to a 125, quick enough to keep u entertained.
The Bandit was faster when the bikes were restricted and they had a race (SV vs Bandit, on private land ofc) but this could be down to the rider and not the bike so it's not a very reliable test of the bikes ability more of the riders ability I suppose.

I've ridden the SV650 (de-restricted) and it's a much nicer bike to ride in my opinion. It's lighter, torquer, handles a lot better and is just a nicer bike to ride all round but the seat is very uncomfortable in comparison to my bandit. The bandit you have to work in the higher revs to get some decent speed the SV has nice power low down in the revs (Which i liked).
I also agree with you, the bandit does produce a nice noise with an after market can (so does any il4 in my opinion).

As for fuelling, the bandit (well mine is anyway) very smooth, although at 2k revs in first it can be a bit jumpy/sensitive on the throttle when pulling off slow, it's a smooth bike overall and the fuelling really isn't that bad.

Why have you not considered a 1998-2003 Fazer 600? It's meant to be a cracking bike for the money and it's better all round bike than the bandit, it still has that big comfy seat and il4 noise, u can also take the Fazers plastics off and whack on a round headlight if you're into that look. If my circumstances change and I can't get an MT-07 as planned i'll defo' be considering a Fazer 600 next.

To conclude, i'd get a SV over a bandit as it looks better and does everything better than a bandit pretty much accept for comfort (if they're the only two options). If you haven't considered a Fazer, look into it, I wish I knew they were legal on our license before I bought the bandit as I would of got one.

Edit: The SV650, was a naked 2006 (pointy model) & the bandit was a 1999 (mk1) naked model.

[Rogerborg]

I'd have very little confidence that any restrictor, sold by anyone, actually restricts any bike to exactly 35kW net engine power, because that's a fantasy number with no clear definition that can't be tested without putting the engine on a bench.

Pre-2004 Fazer and a bit of paper saying "Is 35kW honest" FTW.
____________________
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

[tyler_jrn]

Hi, thanks for the reply! .

The first thing i wanted was the sv650 but im just so torn between the two bikes. From what ive heard the sv650 handles and rides superbly and this is what mainly led me to get the bike. Its just so hard to make a decision. The throttle stop has really put me off and it feels like i can only get a bike from a Suzuki dealer or something similar or i wont be able to restrict it. As it will be very hard getting the bike to the dealer to get the kit fitted as i would need to arrange it to be delivered at more added expense I think for a decent 650 adding everything i want to it will cost about 4-5000 for a nice condition bike, exhaust, fitment of restriction, cosmetic extras etc.

Whereas the bandit will cost me about 2-2500 maybe 3000 with all these items as i can fit the restriction myself.

Overall i really like the look of the 650 over the bandit as im more into super bikes like gsxr 600, cbr, ninja etc but i also like the bandits street fighter type retro styling very much.

if i could i would get both and or ride both restricted and make the decision based on that but its very hard to do so. Ive seen a sv650 and a bandit 600 up close and so far what ive heard and seen i have liked very much so its a very hard decision.

I was hoping for an easy ecu restriction for the sv650 but the throttle stop has really put me off as i feel it would just be too much effort to get the kit fitted correctly. And by the end quite a costly process. Something which will hurt me very much if i ever crashed or dropped it as it would be something around the 5000 mark maybe more :/.

I have looked at the fazer 600 before and the normal version i really dont like, The half naked versions of bikes especially superbike styled i really dislike it just looks like the bike has been half built and looks really odd. A street fighter version im pretty sure i would like. from what ive seen of the fazer it looks really good and something now im going to look at. It may be a decision between 3 bikes now :/. But the sv fully fared in terms of looks for me looks awesome. Im just so torn which bike to go for... if only i could have all 3 :L.

To be fair your quite correct with the restriction, you cant prove its 35kw until its put onto a dyno. If only there wasn't all this 35kw nonsense the 650 would be mine.

From what ive heard its a small chance anyone is going to dyno your bike unless you've got a really bored copper. Then again my friend at work crashed his restricted 33bhp cbr 600rr and got a right fucking as he took the restriction off the day he had it put on so its not worth the risk.

[ficedula]

I wouldn't be buying either bike without at least sitting on them first, and preferably test riding even if it was just around a car park. I was considering an SV650 right up until the point I rode one, and after 5 minutes it was clear the riding position just didn't agree with me.

Coincidentally, the place I did my DAS at last year had a Bandit and an SV650 as their two bikes (for full A licenses - neither was restricted). Bandits at least are reasonably common on DAS courses - 600cc, cheap and cheerful. Assuming you're planning on doing a DAS course, see if any schools near you have a Bandit or an SV650, then you might even be able to get on one before you start looking for a bike.

(Luckily I did my DAS on the Bandit, which worked far better for me. Possibly a height issue, but maybe just personal preference.)
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Bike history: YBR125 -> XJ600

[Az]

[NooBish-AbbZ]

i picked up my SV650S 28th feb agter passing my A2 at the start of Feb. It's ECU restricted, pointy (13 plate) and at the moment is more power than i need. (not that I haven't opened it up )

The bike runs fine at 47bhp and is still easily quick enough to ride 2 up at 90+ down the motorway, also quick enough to easily overtake cars on A roads.

I've done around 600 mile on it over the past 12 days (the bike has only done 740 total) and I've been getting around 150 mile per tank. There is no fuel gauge so be sure to reset one of the trip meters when filling up (Trip A and a Trip B)

Stepping up from a CBR125, obviously the weight was noticable but as soon as you get moving it's no problem (as with any bike I'd assume)

Hope this all helped, and if theres anything else you'd like to know, please PM me

EDIT: Restricted ECU kit cost me £280 fitted Although theres no reason why it can't be sold on once we pass our A license in two years time
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SV650S - Feb '14-March '19
XJ6N- Apr '19 -Present

[RhynoCZ]

Any in-line four cylinder would be better than a SV.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[tyler_jrn]

Hi, thanks for the replies again . I was thinking the sv would be about 4000 with all the kit and extras fitted. It would be hard getting it restricted to 47bhp. Unless i got it from a dealer who was willing to fit a restrictor. As i cant ride it to get it done.

I really like both bikes. At work a friend has a 1200 bandit ill ask if maybe i can sit on that, maybe ride it around. With the sv i might see if i can sit on one somehow. Both from what ive seen are great bikes so it will be a hard decision.

I love the il4 sound so much though .

[Az]

[Kari-On]

I had a 600 Bandit restricted to 33bhp, and it was adequate.

Coming from a 125, it'll feel like a rocket ship.

[Rogerborg]

[tyler_jrn]

[MotorbikerTom]

Thought about a hornet 600?

I had mine restricted to 33bhp, washers in the carbs (02 model so not FI). Ran as smooth as it does without them, touched on 100mph so with 47bhp it'd do a bit more.

- Lighter than the bandit
- Better build quality
- Quicker than bandit and probably the SV (when derestricted)
- Better looking (IMO )

Only downside i see is poor tank range, looking at 100 miles to fill up if you're thrashing, 120 if you're riding sheepishly.

All down to your own opinion mate
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CBT: 19/02/11 - Mod 1: 27/03/11 - Mod 2: 01/04/11
'97 GS500E > '03 Hornet 600 > '16 Street Triple 675

[Az]

[MotorbikerTom]

Oh yeah course, I'm sure if you dyno'd a 10 year old hornet though it wouldn't have anything like 94 brake. I'd love it if mine did, but surely not
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CBT: 19/02/11 - Mod 1: 27/03/11 - Mod 2: 01/04/11
'97 GS500E > '03 Hornet 600 > '16 Street Triple 675

[Az]

Actually you know what, after looking into hornet's power output, maybe you can ride one on an A2 license as long as it was produced before 2002. May start a new thread about it and see if i'm right or wrong.

[Imperial_Maniac]

[RhynoCZ]