Views on the Bandit 600

[binge]

Ive been offered a Swap for my rather poorley NC30.
Somebody has offered me a 1996 Bandit 600.

I was just after some bandit owners opinions, i don't want any silly children telling me their opinions, I want facts.

What sort of speed will it sit at comfortably,
0-60 times of one,
Handling, What are they like?
What sort of step from a 400 Sports bike is it going to be?

Bearing in mind it wont have the stock handle bars on it, I will be chucking some dirty great renthals on it.

I think this is a 1200, But its the same idea. This is the "look" im after. Sort of "streetfighter" (if I dare use that word for such an un modified bike).

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/binge/DSC_0170copy.jpg


I mean they aren't exactly an uncommon bike so they cant be bad can they?



<|ben|>

[binge]

Oh, and once Ive sold the NC29 as well, Im going to build something along the lines of this...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/binge/307.jpg


Ill be after a Simpson Bandit Lid too.

[Kris]

I've owned a couple of 600 bandits. Both faired versions which suit me as a commuter.

The first was a '99 T-reg in black which I put 35,000 miles on. The finish on them is a bit shit and there are a few things to look for when buying used. I found the handling was okay, pegs quite low so grindy grindy and forks quite soft so hard braking always resulted in the front hopping on the bumpstops. Power and acceleration were suprisingly good, I thought. Okay coming from a ZX9 they were shit but after a while not bad, and coming from a 400 I think you'll find it okay. It's a bit of a thrashers bike, needs a lot of revs. I also found that a cruising speed of 90mph was suitable for the French/Italian autoroutes. Top speed I had was 130ish. Consumables are really cheap IME. I stuck to Bridgestone BT45's which I found great tyres that suited it well. Mine had Renthal copies on. I found them a bit of a pain in really solid traffic but actually now I have standard bars I miss them and their leverage

My latest is an '03 in blue. Same as above really, with better wind protection, larger tank and bit more top end.

In summary then;

The forks are soft and the rear shock will be long dead. Replace it with a shock from the 1200.

The seat always tears near the tank.

Exhaust collectors rot. A lot. Budget for a new stainless system. Race cans sound awesome.

Oil coolers were built with too little metal around where the oil pipes feed it. They will split and crack over time. Check before you buy. They can be welded or a replacement is £££

Discs warp if they are old or brakes are binding.

My carbs were worn after 50,000 miles. £45 for a new set off ebay.

Insurance is group 10. Should be no more than a few hundred for even the worst cases.


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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
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[Gazdaman]

I had a faired 600.

I did a trackday in inters at Lydden on it, it pwned a TRX850 down the strip at santa podd, doing a 12.44 quarter mile.

You can get your knee down (got my exhaust down once too). They wheelie fairly well if you clutch it up in first.
Parts are cheap, tacky tarty aftermarket bits are plenty, and cheap.

They'll do 130mph if you tuck in. And they're comfortable enough to ride all day.

Gaz

[Fawbish]

One of my biking "crew" () has had a bandit for quite a while now. He thought it was going to be shite at first (he'll probably still tell you he doesnt like it loads, but i know different) and just got it as an "inbetween" bike.

But all the ride-outs weve had, the only problem he's had is a slightly loose exhaust, couple of bolts were a bit shit - i highly doubt this is common though.

All the rides we've been on, his bike sits comfortably at 90-100, though yours being unfaired, this may get a bit tedious obviously.

He got better fuel return from his bike than mine (zx6)

And (albeit, he is a monkey) knee down is absolutely perfectly possible, it seems the pegs werent a problem for him at all. His is an '04 though....so dunno what a 96 will be like? I know they havent changed drastically but..*shrugs*

Oh, and restricted, they still rev out. And they sound pretty good, even though some people refer to em as the Blandit - myself included sometimes, I just dont see the attraction - BUT, if your getting a good swap, sounds cool mate

What kinda nick is the bike (bandit) in?


And that scooter looks sick literally, because of the colour, but in a good way too
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[Louise]

I had the 99 Bandit naked. Enjoyed the bike and cant think of any faults

[hmmmnz]

i had one for a month while my zxr was off the road,
it was such a joy to ride compared to the zxr, no where near as fast, but the seat alone would be worth having one alone as a commuter,
the 150 rear wheel was very sketchy at times in both the wet and on salt, and the suspension was like an old whore, but i would buy one,
i missing it, now that i have to ride my torture rack every day
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[JonB]

Bandit is a good bike, despite what people say.

Plenty of power over 7,000RPM.

I've done a trackday in inters on one and been in the middle of the field. Done kneedown easily enough.

I'd agree a lot about the BT45's. They were sooo much better on the Bandit than the 020's IMO.

Check for general wear, you should on any bike anyway.

Get a nice exhaust for it, the Bandit has a nice burble sound on it.
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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

I have the played with 1200, but Charlotte has an early 600 she uses for commuting.

Brakes are adequate. They were a bit seized when she got it but easily sorted out (twin pot sliding calipers are pretty easy to sort out). Rear calipers are the standard quick seize Suzuki items (the pins that hold the pads in place seize).

Hers had some Renthal copies on when she bought it which she hated (being fairly short), so now has stock bars.

Finish is poor, but does the job.

Steering head bearings are likely to had taken a hit from a previous owner wheelying it.

Not really cruised on her 600. Riding position wise 90ish is fine but ear plugs make a massive difference to what feels comfortable.

Exhaust rots as mentioned above. We just got a local exhaust place to weld a stainless bit of pipe in between the down pipes and the link pipe for about £40, which fixed that. Problem is the stock system is stainless except for about a 3" section between the down pipes and the link pipe.

Seats rip. Easy enough to get recovered.

Plastics break around the front of the seat.

The 600 is quite a different bike to ride than the 1200. Far more revvy.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[snapperslappe...]

ive got a '97 ( think its the S or SV model bandit).

had very few issues with the bandit, as mentioned earlier, the oil cooler union bolt housing did crack and pissed oil all over everything, so a £100 to replace.

The front brake callipers were totally seized with road gunk, so an overhaul with new seals was needed ( about 30 - 50 quid ).

The seat had split near the tank ( free re-cover, next door neighbour!)

The rear shock is useless, i'm still yet to sort that out tbh!

The only other issue is the cold / damp starting problem i had before i replaced the coils and HT leads. As the two bikes are the same age, i wouldn't be suprised if you had the same problem, so £40 for a replacement set.

aside from these few down points, i cant fault the bike after 10 months, had my knee down once in summer, felt safe and planted in the worst of conditions, and still enjoy my 50 mile each way commute and arrive at uni giggling like a school girl!

[garth]

Rode one for a year and about 17,500 miles.

Forks are soft, sorted mine (ish) with a spacer, thicker oil and dropped 10mm.

Rear shock is pap. Get yourself an early gsxr remote reservoir one or hagon etc.

Pegs touch down early.

Lose a tooth off the front sprocket, gain acceleration but lose no top end.

Flat out will see 125 on my old 96 600n, which was 142 side by side with a new 650S. Go figure/?1!

1200 chainguard fits and looks much nicer. Def worth overhauling the brakes.

Good solid do it all bike. Miss mine.

Oh and get an undertray. One that keeps the original lights, I'll try to find an old photo.

Oli
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[garth]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=37506


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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Gazdaman]

https://www.gaz-racing.co.uk/images/vehicle_145.JPG

Bandits are a right of passage!

Rear shocks do get shagged quickly, and the oil coolers can take a bit of a battering. Cam chain tensioners get out of shape quite quickly, so listen for rattling, still a cheap fix anyway.

My seat split at the front just by the tank too.

Watch out for chains, they run quite a thin chain so it munches them quite quickly. So budget £60 if it's knackered. More if you wanna do sprockets at the same time.

I've got a spare rear wheel with a supercorsa on it if you want it too.

Gaz

[Keir]

id choose a bandit over an NC30 yes.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[garth]

[Ravo]

[Keir]

NC30 remind me of childrens toys. Over complicated too with the V4. The bandit on the other hand is a decent size, has a decent tank range, is very simple and reliable. My choice is the bandit having had the 2.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[The Tot]

No, ben just wants PERSONAL opinions as opposed to reviews since it might give him a better feedback on running costs and such like His intention is to turn it into a stunt toy of sorts and use the ped to get to his work or girlfriend(s)
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[chris-red]

If you want something that handles, don't go anywhere near bandits. I found them top heavy and crap. Great for commuting mind. They are extremely heavy 210kg+ and put out about 80bhp, so I don't really think it would be step up from your NC30. The suspension is crap too.

Since being on the S4 the bandit was nasty to ride.
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[TheDonUK]

https://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc21/thedonuk/IMG_0551.jpg
Previous to my Hornet i had a Bandit for a year.

The bandit is a solid bike.

I had some of the common problems, exhaust is shit and the original will rot away at the collector box. A full stainless system sounds lovely. Theres also the banditmania 70 quid repair if you send your pipes away.

The radiator bolt snapped on mine too...

But even with all these things the bike was always rideable bar a puncture... Sometimes limping back, but damnit, it would make it back...

The bandit is a very topheavy bike, but once your on the move it carries it well and is easily hustled through traffic or flat out round the bends. Hooliganism is also to be had if one wishes

R+G/Bars are a good idea.

For me, the bike was comfortable between 90-100 for long distances.

I once saw 139 ish on the clock down a BIG hill in Spain

120 ish to reserve, mine was running badly and was getting cained so make that 100, and another 20 to reserve (i once eaked out over 40 miles to a reserve tank in top gear at 45 on the hard shoulder of a French autoroute)

The hornet is likely quicker aorund town, but i dont have an accurate speedo, the bandit felt quicker when giving it the beans because it was very rev happy, its a preference thing.

I dont think you can go far wrong with a bandit

Edit:

BT-021's are the dogs danglies on the bandit !

Re-Edit:

Switching from a NC30 is a very big jump, just the weight alone will eclipse it. I once had a NC30 inch away from me at around 120, he was clealy out for a proper ride... i underestimated the NC30 (at the time i just saw 400 headlights) and dident open the taps up all the way. He had to bloody work for it though

To random NC30 guy around aylesbury maybe 4-5 months back

[ryder_bandit]

ive got one,love it to bits.i think it handles okish,decent mpg.nice bike overall,although i agree shock is shite and that will be next thing i replace.

[flyer]

I had a Y reg K1 bandit and a mate has a 98 bandit, both 600. Speaking for both of us, theyre great bikes. ridden properly theyll keep up with the majority of sports bikes, a after market can is a must have! I sold it and bought a buell xb9r firebolt, and actually found the bandit faster than the buell. ( Sold that pretty much straight away and got a 900 hornet, LOVE it)!

[Richard_Schmid]

[TheDonUK]

Hi Richard, i cant speak for Kickstart.

But if you cant find a local welder/fabricator banditmania do a repair for your problem:

https://www.banditmania.co.uk/exhaust_systems_&_cans.htm

Scroll half way down the page and look for "THE FAMOUS BANDITMANIA COLLECTOR BOX REPAIR."

[Richard_Schmid]

Thanks very much mate. Very helpful.

Karma coming your way