Any Bandit 600/ Hornet 600 owners out there?

[Kris]

Anyone?

I've narrowed my next bike down to one of these two and I'm after owner's thoughts and views on both. I will be looking to get the 1998/9 models of either, although both are mostly unchanged since then anyway.

I'm also interested in any views on what would be most suitable for myself. For those that don't know, I'm pretty lanky (6'5) weigh 16 stone, the DVLA hate me (many points) and the bike will be used most days come rain and shine. It'll be doing 80 miles a day commuting duties, a lot of scratching on weekends, a bit of touring (not much though), maybe a trackday (££), and will be kept outside, so must last. Also, it will be a nekkid - I hate half fairings with a passion. Also, if some mod is needed in a certain area to make it better (new shock for example) then suggest it and I can consider all options..

So, which would you recommend out of the two I've chosen?


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[Sadie]

I own a Bandit and I've ridden a Hornet. Both are lovely.

Is the Bandit you are looking at an older model or a new one? The new ones are not as tall, and I felt kind of cramped when I sat on it, but the old one is taller and more comfy if you are tall.

Reliability on the Bandit is fab, and petrol consumption is about 45mpg.

Insurance is reasonable as well.

I'll let someone else review the Hornet!


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[JonB]

I own a Bandit (faired-sorry) and my Dad owns a Hornet (faired again)

My Dad's is a 2000 version and mine is a K4 2004 model.

Dad says the only real difference was that the Hornet is much more powerful, but the Bandit had a smoother clutch.

You say you want to do trackdays, it's gonna have to be the Hornet because it is more powerful. But then a Bandit can be bored out somewhat.
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[Adam_P]

Jay will probably be able to tell you tales of the Hornet.

Just to be a pain in the arse (and hark on once again!) Have you considered the Fazer in your 600cc thinking?

Cracking bike an the older ones are apparantly great commuter machines.
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[Dr Nick]

Go for the Hornet, Bandits oil cooled, puts out about 70bhp and isnt the same build quality as the Hornet. Hornets are 90bhp, Liquid cooled and generally better made. Plus with the Hornet you get proper wheels (180 section rear) than the nsr wheels they put on the Bandit.
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is that it

[Kris]

[Dr Nick]

Mines a 2001 model picked it up for 3k in september 2003, on standard gearing was getting about 100 miles before i hit reserve, reserve lasts about 25ish miles, now its downgeared and how i ride it i get about 70-80 before reserve, but i do ride it quite hard.
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is that it

[Kris]

Nick, don't suppose you know what revs it sits at at 80mph on standard gearing do you?
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[Dr Nick]

about 6-7k im guessing, downgeared it indicated 70mph at 7k
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is that it

[swaffs]

Sister in Law looked at both and went for a hornet due to more power and comfort.

She has said however that it does use more Fuel.

Last easter she seemed to use more fuel than my CBR6.

Aparently there is a relatively cheap/common upgrade for Bandit's to 883 cc.

Swaffs
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[MarJay]

[lurker]

ive got a hornet 600 naked and its the most fun ive ever had on two wheels.
turns on a sixpence and dunno if this is because of the diablos that are on it or not but its certainly not slow turning in.
great fun on twisties and a license saver on the motorways cause anything over 90 gets painful very quickly.
also got a 636 and when you kick down the gears and open them up there isnt that much between them(cause its unfaired you actually get a better sensation of speed on the hornet).
id deffo buy another and as a second bike its an absolute hoot.

[Kickstart]

[Knisis]

I've got a naked 2000 Bandit 600. At 5'11 it's just about ok, though you'd find it easier to flat foot it as I have to sit back a bit.

I commute 60 miles a day and re-fill every 3rd day.

I've just fitted an aftermarket fly screen to take some of the wind of my chest (will find out how good tonight)

[bish777]

Buy an older bandit 600, then swap the engine for a GSXR 750 slingshot lump! Then it'll be a bit pokier than a hornet!
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[Key67]

I've got a 1998 Hornet and think it's great. Took me a while to get used to how it turns in, (most probably me as I'm a bit of a shiverer!) but once you master that it's fantastic. I've never sat on or (pushed for that matter) a Bandit, but I can say that during my DAS training I got off a CB500 and sat on the Hornet and could feel the lightness and low C of G right away.

Apart from the quick turning in the only other criticism I would level is the front forks - they're a bit soft (might be age on my bike, but I have read other posts on this). This may be more of a problem for you (I'm nigh on 13st and sometimes feel it on heavy braking).

Mods - on mine, a Honda flyscreen, hugger (a must) and some bobbins. See it here: https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=29138&highlight=

The tank range is poor, I have run to reserve a couple of times now and managed around 105 miles tops.

All said though, the Hornet is a quality bike and I don't regret for one minute buying it. I don't plan to change bikes for a while neither as I still love it. The first time I wound it on confirmed this for me! I paid £2300 for mine April 2004.

Hope this helps!

Key
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[Funky Monk]

I've was thinking of getting a 600Bandit as my first bike. I understand they dumbed it down in 2000, more fun riding the earlier models? I'd spend a little more money on getting a pre 2000 mint one...........if you go for a Bandit. I agree with your non-faired comments.

Also you can spend the money you save on picking up some nice little mod's for it, eBay/Bandit heaven!

[jay12329]

I ride an F2 model Hornet on a 03 plate.
I tried both the hornet and bandit when i was looking for bikes and i found the bandit to be signaficantly heaver, and it seams to hold its weight a lot higher, this pushed me to wards the hornet as i'm not very big and weight was a concern.
I'm 6'2+ and light, i find the hornet very confortable for long journies, i did 300miles on monday a little sore due to ~100 of those being on track. But nothing a good nights sleep didnt sort.
I fill up at the first opitunity after i pass 100miles, i hit the resurve for the first time today cus i didnt have chance to fule up, I'd done 100m'way miles at 80-100mph and about 15 town miles so not the most fuel efficent rideing.
The finish on the bandit is known to be a bit iffy, and as you will be rieding all weathers and keeping it outside thats another point to the hornet.
If you are looking at the hornet I would sugest you spend a little more and get a 2000 model, as the 17inch front wheel makes it more stable and gives a wider tyre choice. This may cost a little more but will also hold its value better.
The hornets shock is a bit exposed so a hugger is realy a must have, but it makes cleaning easer. R&G crash bungs do a great job and are also a must have IMO. The hornet has very good brakes as stock but i have upgraded to Hel braded lines (with a 25% hornets nest discount) which give better feel and control.
One last mod i will be making is to change the fork springs for ohlins. I have found that when rideing hard on the track the front has a tendancy to skip under extreame brakeing, this has been most noticed down the hill into mansfeild at Cadwell Park.
Mods have cost, £60 for brake lines, £80 for suspention and £30 each for a screen and hugger.
I think i've covered everything.
If you want to know anything else you know where i am.
J

[jay12329]

As adam p says if you do want a half faired bike older fazers are resonable bikes and quite cheep. I've nver had anything to do with them but everything i've read says they are better than the new ones and adam will tell you how good the new one is.
J

[Kris]

Righto, thanks for all your replies people.

I've got some guy coming round on the weekend with a '98 Bandit S in red with 20K miles on the clock. Can anyone give advice on what to check on it please? What's it worth if in good nick etc? From the sounds of it it's been modded a bit (getting nervous here) by adding renthals, can, anodised bolts galore (yuk) etc...

Ta muchly
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[JonB]

A Bandit S is a faired model, thought you didn't like the half fairings?
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Check the rear caliper. The pins seize in place so you cannot change the pads. Check the frame paintm especially around the footrest hangers and also underneath where it becomes badly chipped. Check the steering head bearings for being trashed from too many cack handed wheelies. Lift the seat and check the tabs are not broken that hold the side panels on.

All the best

Keith
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[Kris]

[El_Bandido]

Hornet is a more modern bike but Bandit is cheaper to insure and better on fuel!

[Motkram]

My mate is a similar size to you and had a slightly older bandit which he commuted on etc. He said the suspension wasn't up to much when giving it some, the rear especially so. Cant comment on the Honda but I would imagine it is the better budget bike.
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