CB500 v Bandit 650

[Glory Hunter]

You may have seen in another thread that somebody ran into my bike while it was parked the other day.

Well, Bikers Legal Defence are dropping me off a Bandit 650 tomorrow morning

Seeing as how I've only ever ridden three bikes (my old 125, my CB500 and a KTM 690SM I took for a test ride), what can I expect performance and handling wise.

I'm thinking that I'm obviously going to notice a huge difference in power output, but what about lower down the revs? I'm going from twin to a 4, so will I notice it in town or will it be all about the twisties? Also, anyone got any advice on the Bandit - you know pitfalls and foibles, that sort of thing. I remember taking out the KTM and being afraid to touch the brakes as they were too sharp!

I realise that, as a biker with six years riding experience, I should know the answer to these question; however, I'd appreciate any thoughts.
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2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[yuri2085]

I have a bandit 600 (99) I am not sure what is different to the 650 but bandit engines in general are pretty reliable, and I admit I have ridden it hard when not properly warmed up too.

I find they are very easy to handle and I am not a 'large' person so to speak but I find its weight very managable.

You would never need to go above 4k revs, and to be honest could prob manage below 3.5k so yes it can move at low revs; for legal speeds/sensible acceleration you never need to go above 6k but I quite enjoy 11k =]

[P.addy]

your gonna love it
its like me bonking up from my 500 to a 650...fantastic.. 1000 was too much

[Glory Hunter]

Yeah, I'm worried I may fall in love, last thing I need right now is getting a new bike on finance
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2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[theopj]

I've ridden both and I don't think the 650 has loads of low down grunt (although I normally ride the 1250 which has loads) - but it does make it easy to ride around town. It will rev higher when you want it to though, and is much more suited to out of town work than the the CB.

Least Bandits are cheap
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Suzuki Bandit SA 1250 & Honda CB750F2T

[TheDonUK]

I owned a GS 500 and an original Bandit 600, so kind of similar.

The difference will be flat out down a long hill you can probs nudge an indicated 130 on the bandit whereas the 500 will run out of puff at 95 and chug up to 110 ish

Loan bike though, you should deffo use this opportunity to practice wheelies, stoppies, or just randomly bounce the revs of the limiter... from cold obv...

have fun
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[chris-red]

I've had a few bld bikes, bandit 650 and 1250 amungst. The 650 is heavy with poor suspention, coming off a CB500 you may think it a slight improvement mind, there will be loads more power and it will have a kick of power at 8k or so. The main difference is it will be very heavy compared to cb probably more juicey on fuel too.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[P.addy]

[njd27]

[metalangel]

Less engine braking, much smoother feeling engine, and a hell of a pull when it hits 7k or so. You'll love it!
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[Glory Hunter]

Well, it arrived this morning and so far I've done about 6 miles on it (work and back twice).

First impressions are:

A lot calmer than I expected low down - I was anticipating having to be very gentle with the throttle.

Cornering is awesome

Suspension feels really firm

No vibrations (I guess the 4 cylinders iron those out)

Can tell it's just waiting to fly, just haven't had a few hundred yards of clear road yet.

Liking the extra seat height (I'm 6' 4")

Extra weight doesn't bother me - I think we're suited to each other.

Gonna wait 20 minutes for the traffic to calm down and take it for a proper spin!!
____________________
2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[P.addy]

glad to hear you like it....now rag it
probably be good to take down 1 junction of the m'way.. just to "test the tyres"

[TheDonUK]