Viewing a 2005 GSF650 Bandit tomorrow

Jackboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

Hi,

I'm looking at buying my 1st big bike tomorrow. It's a low mileage 2005 GSF650 Bandit.

Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for?

Thanks in advance....

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Make sure they have the pillow mod so you can fall asleep when bored without risk of having a sore neck.

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

Yes, one with twice the engine capacity. Bandits are boring and slow at the best of times (unless CHR1S has got his hands on it) and ther 600 version is much boringer and slowerer than the 1200 or 1250.
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Carvel · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Brendan110_0 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 31 Mar 2015 Karma :

Faster than you'll ever need. You'll overtake lots of summer power rangers on their 1000RR whatevers. Middle Finger

Get what's right for your budget to tinker/play with then get your dream bike.
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

OK, so it's the 650 air/oil cooled version without ABS or hydraulic clutch. Not quite as lardy as the water cooled version, but shorter service intervals. Some danger of collision with an anodised accessory catalogue, needs to be very cheap.

Link?
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Snowdonia Rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Oct 2014 Karma :

Faster than most cars on the road. Perhaps check for down/link pipes condition and brake caliper operation, common niggles with them.
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M.C · Super Spammer Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :

Did my test on one ('05 model). They're not that bad, I wouldn't call them boring, but for me bikes are like strippers, do you really want a fat one... really? Very Happy

As the Borg says they're heavy (iirc 220kg) and they're top heavy. Obviously I haven't owned one so don't know the ins and outs, but the one I rode had an annoying habit of slipping out of neutral, you had to let the clutch out slowly and see if it was going to slip into gear. Might have just been a shagged training school bike, but it looked in good condition. Also I agree that a Bandit has to be cheap Smile

Jackboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

Thanks all (well most!)

My plan is to have something sensible for a 1st bike until I learn how ride (have passed my test but have very limited time on the road - a few hours training) and then decide what I really want / need.

Unfortunately I don't have a link. It was on a Buy It Now on eBay before Xmas for £2100 but didn't sell.

I've spoken to him a couple of times since and am hopeful that I could get it for £1800.

It's a GSF sorry, not a GSX. It naked on a 55 plate with 4500 miles.

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

It's a cheap bike that got more sensible with later versions. Mk1 600 somehow has allegations of feeling criminal and being a hoolingan bike. Later variants have "grown up into cheap, sensible and practical commuters..."

I think they're a bit on the lardy side but their size makes them a comfy bike. My 2002 600S is really surefooted in dicey comditions, stable under braking and has reasonable projector headlights, although they were vastly improved by aiming properly and fitting osram nightbreakers. Once i'd blown the cobwebs off it has been a doddle to ride round town, it's at its best between 8000 and redline but its not sportsbike fast.

Sensible.

Not for the kind of keyboard commando who insists anything with less than 100 horses is an inadequate commuter.

Cheap and popular with cheapskates, new riders, riding schools, and high milers. Look for signs of a big crash. Wear is ok. Be suspicious of new parts, as it likely means crash or poor maintnance. Finish is typically suzuki. Bandit owners like to mod, so check for anything that could give you major insurance hastle. Some insurers will give upto a 30% loading for a shouty can, but expect major hastle if the can is not e-marked or is stamped "for off road use only" or suchlike. Check the electrics, badly grafted in heated grips, chargers or alarms will give you a headache, but is easily sorted. Look where crash bungs or engine bars would have been fitted for signs of a damaged frame after a big off.
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Val · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Karma :

Jackboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

Thanks. Been told it is mod free and has no addons (heated grips etc).

I have HPI'd it and there's nothing untoward.

It doesn't have any documented service history, but I'm hoping there will be receipts.

Yeah, that's the bike in the link with the review. I'm pretty sure £1500 would get me a slap! I haven't seen any round here (South Wales) for anything under £1750 with a lot more miles - admittedly with service history though.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Jackboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

That's the one, thanks.

Didn't see it go up for the second time. Yeah, the description did put me off a bit. I'm guessing it put a few others off too.

Apparently had new sprocket and chain and rear tyre in March and May respectively.

MOT is due in May I think.

Evil Hans · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2015 Karma :

I've got the slightly older 600 k4. Been really happy with it - I use it for my daily commute and the occasional bit of a weekend hoon. Fast enough for an old boy like me Wink

They are pretty bombproof but look out for corrosion on the frame and rear peg hangers, and especially on the exhaust collector.

1500 would be my target price unless it's exceptional.
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M.C · Super Spammer Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :

NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

A local man with a van to take the bike home in, fudge risk riding on roads than resemble an ice rink.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

I'm assuming that it's a 2nd or 3rd bike. I wouldn't be amazed to hear that it was bought for some particular purpose that it's not been used for.

It's probably all legit, but don't be too dazzled by the mileage. It's two generations old and has likely been neglected.
____________________
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

Jackboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

Yeah, I was a bit put off by being SORN for 2 years, but I've heard of quite a few since.

The seller can't explain it as he's only had it a year - covered around 1500miles in that time.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Oh, well, that's actually good news that it's been used.

Condition, condition, condition though.
____________________
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

Jackboy · Derestricted Danger Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

Thanks all.

Basically I just need to check that everything looks and feels right then. And hope there's some history.

Silver_Fox · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jun 2015 Karma :

Gut instinct sonny Jim. Trust it

Kaya75 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

Did you buy it?

I passed my mod 2 last year and got a bandit 6 2001, it's a great bike to learn on, bored? No not after 125 power for a year, I'm a believer in learning acoustic guitar before shredding on electric.. Learn long learn pure.. I'll look out for a lt bike next year, would like a blade but need 2up. I'll tell you this, blandit or not, from a 125 when you papa 6k and 9 k on the revs it don't seem boring. A big plus is I know I've made rookie mistakes on mine and its forgiven me time and time again. You can ride on the 6 k power band and have decent power on tap, or slap it in 5 th gear and cruise a big hulky thing around.

Bike sounds a bit like mine, my tyres where 04! And slippy stiff shite, stick some pilot road 4's on and love it.. I ride all year round. If you want a sunny Sunday toy to polish and take down the cafe don't get a bandit.. If you want a bike to ride anytime that's not got GS in the name in my rookie opinion, you could do worse. And out of all the 1st big bikes, bandits are the coolest a bit like the vw golf imo.. Everyone has had one, everyone knows them and although a little passé in light of current offering still a giggle..

One last thing, buy a couple of cans of acf50.. Thumbs Up

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

You won't go far wrong with a Bandit, just avoid the rust heaps and super high-milers.

And contrary to popular myth you can have fun on a Bandit. I took mine to Cadwell and had a good battle with some lads on R6s. It's also fun to deck out the pegs at every roundabout..

The centre stand makes maintenance easier and the 200 mile tank range is useful when doing distances or commuting.

I think I had more fun down country lanes on my 600 than the 1200 as the tyres were skinnier and the bike was lighter. Each to their own though.
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