600 Bandit S was my first bike when I passed my test in 1997 - and I still own it! 😀

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Very cool!

@semidelta7756

Жыл бұрын

Got my naked one used ten years later but also still got it :D

@RRRRefuelRideRace

Жыл бұрын

I would keep it bro. :)

@jdan35

Күн бұрын

Just got an 03 model for my first bike and love it

I think motorcycles like these are very underrated and have been bypassed by the rush towards electronic wizardry and bigger profit margins.

@Geshmaal

Жыл бұрын

The numbers must continue to go up!

@Geshmaal

Жыл бұрын

@@WyreForestBiker ah yes, those government mandated keyless start systems.

@glynhannaford7332

Жыл бұрын

​@@Geshmaal 🤣

@chrishart8548

Жыл бұрын

​@@birchwoodbiker £210 for a rear tyre now £200 for a service £100+ ved. Just a rich man's toy now. And rubbish mpg considering most bikes are 1/10th the weight of a car and often get the same mpg.

@flatcapcaferacer

Жыл бұрын

@@chrishart8548 Last summer I put two sets of Michelin Road 6s on two of my bikes we were taking on a trip and it cost almost $2000. We just finished the trip and the night before heading home thieves stole both of the bikes .

I bought a GSF650S in 2005 and did a lot of 2 up touring round the UK with camping gear etc. I never found the bike lacking power, what it had was easily adequate for the job. The GSF was traded in for a GSX650F in 2012 and I still have it. Took it on camping trips round England,Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Mann. I am currently 69 years old and still like to exploit the surprising performance of this bike. Lofted the front wheel on a few occasions, within legal speeds and on quiet roads of course. The bike is pretty much bullet proof. only gripe is the fuel injection is a bit on off at low revs but is easy to ride round that.

@stuartbailey9941

10 ай бұрын

Hello youngster! I'm 72 and just bought a 650 for my twilight riding years. I have ridden a plethora of machines, from Francis Barnett to Super Blackbird and now looking forward to a more "gentlemanly" approach - with the odd bit of adrenalin - mini touring and "Sunday" rides. Love your review (and TMF's of course). Ride safe, regards.

@BLG80

20 күн бұрын

Yeah a common criticism of the gsx650f but these bandits are good old carburetted models. Just missing abs imo

I do like these retro reviews. Nothing wrong with these older bikes and they have a different kind of character compared to newer bikes.

Great video! I have to say the planning and thought that has gone into this one really shines through! Keep these classic reviews coming!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much!

First big bike was a naked 600 Bandit (which I later found out was a faired bike before someone binned it). A very forgiving bike with a nice riding position. Helped me decide whether to go cruiser, naked or sports. Wish I’d kept mine and always have a sneaky look for a cheap local one now and again.

Bandits are great bikes. I've had 2 @ 1200 and a 1250 Bandit and they have all been spot-on. My current one is a K3 1200 and 20 years old. I've been riding bikes (legally!) for 54 years and have had countless machines from 250 to 2000cc and still return to my Bandit for my fun!

@4418CARLOU

Жыл бұрын

I bought a 1200s new in 2000, had it for 13 years till it got written off in a crash. Bought a2007 1250s in 2013 and still have it. Both great bikes. The 1250 pulls like a train.

@RRRRefuelRideRace

Жыл бұрын

This is nice to hear. Some bikes are just very well made and are always exciting and fun to ride. You can check my channel bro. You may find it interesting.

Thanks for the nostalgia. 600 Bandit was my first bike after passing direct access in 2001, spent hours agonising it, the Fazer and the Hornet, but went Bandit. Loved it, rode everyday for 3 years, put 40,000 miles on it! Sold it in 2004 to move to Oz, wish I had put it in the shipping container!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Nice one - what did you replace it with?

@moonrakercbr1649

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMissendenFlyer life intervened and it took me 17 years to replace with a BMW F750GS - which thinking about it, is probably today’s equivalent of an easy going mid sized bike

@RRRRefuelRideRace

Жыл бұрын

Among all mentioned I just rode the Hornet, but would lo to try also others. Mostly the Bandit. :)

@Davidlouis3

Жыл бұрын

Same I had a 650 bandit then a 1250 fa brilliant bikes

When I first started thinking about getting my bike licence, circa 2009, this was my absolute dream bike. Finally took the plunge and passed my test in 2020, seriously considering this as a cheap option 'second bike' now....I may get to have a go yet!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

You should!

@semidelta7756

Жыл бұрын

Do it 🙌🏻

Had the GSX 1250 fa it’s big brother and a GSX750F similar in many ways and absolutely loved them both owning both for four years each simple easy to service and very reliable and solid machines 💕👍

Got a 2008 GSF1250 and totally love it, does everything I need it to, loads of torque and very comfortable 😎👌 keep up the good videos 😃

My buddy has 3 Bandits and absolutely loves the bike. His are pristine and he is always on our tours around the USA. Great review Sir! Cheers.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Very cool! Thanks for watching!

The 600 Bandit was a beautiful looking bike. Had the style I always loved. Most of your followers seem to be of the age to remember the simplicity but I'm sure wouldn't give up modern technology now that most are bullet proof. Always a pleasure to chime in. Pure pleasure to watch Andy in the morning. 👍👍🏍🏍🏍🙋‍♂️

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Very kind of you John, thanks…

Another great classic review, I do love these. As a hobbyist biker on a modest budget they are all right up my street😁. Keep em coming Andy.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

@RRRRefuelRideRace

Жыл бұрын

This classic "series" is just wonderful. I also like it.

I've been watching this channel for a couple of years now and have always loved the reviews! But I have always pondered that the Missenden flyer would never review a bandit 650, why would he?!?! *Sighs* So great that you are now reviewing bikes like this, for 2 reasons, 1 because it's affordable, secondly because it's my exact bike! :D I'm 28 years old and buying a brand new bike is an impossible task and always feels like a pipe dream, so when I see reviews of a new Ducati etc I only watch it with the hope that great aunt Gladice leaves me 1 million pounds because that's my only hope! Thank you so much for reviewing this bike! No funky bells and whistles, true honest machine that you need to choke in the morning to listen to you....ride safe!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the vid and same to you!

Very nice review TMF. A modern classic classic & looks like an amazingly well kept example.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Going to see one of these on Saturday. Thanks for the review it my first bike so good to know it does what i need and is a good bike to learn on.

Great review I had a 600 and a 1200 bandit I loved both of them. Take care.

Doing my DAS this year I'm 50 this year too. This review was spot on for me.

Did not own one but had one as a courtesy bike for four days while my GPZ11 was being worked on. I can genuinely say it had the smoothest engine I have ridden to this day, when the time came to give it back I really did not want to hand over the keys! Great review as usual, keep them coming!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Thank you - will do....

Just bought a Bandit 600 from superbike factory after your video as I need something just to commute for work. I have been looking for a while so thanks again and keep up the great videos.Cheers C

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

Another great classic review! Can't wait for the cbf's (both).I remember you've driven one in the Grand Canarias!

I had a 2001 Bandit 1200 from new and it was an absolute beast when you wanted it to be but docile when you needed! The 4 cylinder plant is so versatile and epically smooth! The Bandits were also the bike of choice for the early stunt riders!

I've just bought one and doing my test for it, it's a cracking blue. Absolutely can't wait to get out on it... Great review as always 👍

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Good choice!

I learned to ride on one the year before last, a great bike.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Crikey the year before last! Nice one!

Nice to see a retro review on the bandit TMF 👍 i passed my das last yr n i had thought about a bandit but went with an sv650 , but i was close to buying a bandit . Even 20yr old bandits are still making good money , says alot about them.

Loved my first bandit. Great bike.

Brought back memories of my first ‘big’ bike. 2007 version that I had from new and rode every day from East Herts into the City for a daily commute. Rode all year round in all weathers through the delights of London traffic for 3 years. It was bloody fantastic!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Sounds good!

Great review, thanks as always

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure - thanks for watching…

Australia here. 2007 1255 water-cooled bandit. Sold my first one and bought a cruiser. However, missed the Bandit so I bought another 2007 1255. These bikes are absolutely bullet proof. I do big K's on mine and these things will put out whatever you put in. They are pure magic and I love the fact that they don't have all the Gismos!

At 48 I've just started out on a 2006 bandit, exact same as this one. Absolutely fantastic machine. Will do everything you need. I've done local runs in all kinds of weather and covered 600km on a run a few weeks ago. No bother and very comfortable. Absolutely love it.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

Great video! I got my full license in October. Brought an 04 Bandit 600S with 12k on the clock for £1,400. I love it, it’s so easy to ride and puts a smile on your face. Great first bike

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Nice one!

Got a 600 bandit myself mate, brilliant bike for work reliability is second to none, ride safe mate the fev rider.

Sounds gorgeous from the minute you turned it on

I never owned one, but I had several pals that owned the 1200. What transformed them were the Dynojet Stage 2 kits and exhausts that they fitted. They were smooth as silk and were much faster than the police were happy with! Suzuki have always made the poor man's Kawasaki, were always priced well and were as dependable as the Sun rising. Great review bud 👍

When I 'returned' to biking, at the grand old age of 54, this was the bike I used as my refresher. Excellent bike and I would agree with all the comments made by your other contributors. Who needs (or can use) a 200bhp bike on the great British roads today ? Now in my 71st year and riding a Street triple 765 R, which reminds me so much of those days on the Bandit. Keep up these excellent reviews Andy.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Will do David - thanks for watching

Love these older bike reviews TMF 👍🏼 I considered one of these when I passed my test in 2008, decided on the er6-f in the end as Kawasaki were doing them new for £4100!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Those were the days eh?

My first bike after passing my test was this model bandit . Loved it 👍

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Great 👍

I have a 22 year old bandit 1200. it's had extensive modification. a re bore, Kent cams, fork and shock upgrades, puts out 142/92 at the wheel. i've test ridden all the usual modern suspects but not yet found something to pull me off this bike. it's taken me all over europe for 20 years. brilliant bike. with the engine upgrades it's a very raw power delivery. insurance and maintenance cheap as chips.

I bought a 650S liquid cooled K7 last year as a 2nd bike / winter hack etc, and ended up liking it so much it’s still in the garage and currently my only bike! There’s just something about a good, solid, honest motorcycle. It might not be the best at anything but it’s certainly one of the best for everything…

I had the later but very similar looking 1250s. Nothing fancy but it shifted! Mine was black but the layout was almost identical. Excellent machines

I had the 1250 N naked version in black, what a bike I did a lot of touring on it and wish I had kept it. Loved the review of the 600 may even look at buying another as a second bike.

Back in the early 90s I had 4 bikes one if which was a 600 Bandit which I bought just to ride to work and back, as I only had a bike licence. Liked it so much ended up doing some touring on. Great bikes.

My 1st big bike was 2004 N version of the previous "600" model.. Loved it!!

Mmm I wonder who would be daft enough to name their KZread channel after their much beloved 600 Bandit they owned years ago? So many riders will have owned one of these. Totally dependable and at the time cheap.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Indeed!

@Banditmanuk

Жыл бұрын

Owned the 1200 as well, brilliant engine and very similar size and weight to the 600.

@flatcapcaferacer

Жыл бұрын

I was wondering how you came up with your channel name.😁

@4418CARLOU

Жыл бұрын

@@flatcapcaferacer He lives in Missenden and is a pilot.

@kevinspalding5470

Жыл бұрын

@@Banditmanuk great bikes on my opinion.....watch your channel as well mate ....you and your missus do some great adventures .

My first bike back in 2015 I purchased a '07 GSF650. Good times. Nice in-between riding position. Upgraded to a '16 tracer 700 last year

Brilliant bike 😊

I’ve owned the liquid cooled 650 and 1250. This morning I am wondering why I sold them 🤔 Tinkering and servicing is where the fun is, riding is the the satisfaction that you have done a good job and kept an older bike on the road. My favourite type of review, keep ‘em coming 👌🏻

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Will do!

Great bikes, fast enough, reliable, great handling. very popular for all those reasons , much better than the sum of its (parts bin) parts. I had an early naked one back in the very late nineties, really liked it. Wouldn't mind another one now as a neo classic for high and dry days...Hmmm got me thinking lol

Love these classic reviews. Still a bike I'd like to try out but the naked version.

I ran one of these for 2 years… initially I bought it purely to put through winter but it was such fun I ended up using it for everything, track days (hilarious on one of these), light touring, longer rides. Everything… fantastic bike that has a good swing at everything, rather then excel at any of them. Sadly not many left like this now, with a 4cyl engine. Cheap as your proverbial fried potato as well. 👍

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for stopping by!

This was my first big bike. I loved it!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Good choice!

@clum262

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMissendenFlyer as of this year I’ve no officially moved onto a 21 tracer 9 GT and that thing is a total hoot to ride!

Just put a deposit down on exactly this model - it's silver as well 😊. Loved this commentary - yeah this is my step upto a big bike and just love the sound of an inline 4

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Congratulations and enjoy!

I always forget the first couple of years of Bandit 650 still used a carburettor. Would be great to see a follow-up video looking at a Bandit 1200 or 1250, a ~100bhp bike but still very quick in reality. Also I think the only bike we have of this body type now is possibly the Moto Guzzi V100?

My first big bike, I own the exact same one in mint condition, silver 2005 K5. I will never part with it, a good all rounder, lovely engine, up graded the brake hoses to stainless, to get rid of the sponge feel. TMF you did a great review/justice to a future classic.

I have had 3 of the GSX 650 f , a fully faired version of the later water cooled, fuel injected bandits. They are brilliant little bikes.

I own this exact bike, except mine is Suzuki Blue, as all Suzukis should be. I've owned mine since 2013. I was thinking of updating this year, but at the price of new bikes, the bike in my shed that's already bought and paid for looks pretty attractive, especially for a pensioner on a fixed income. When the new Trident came out I was surprised to see that the power and weight figures were more similar than I would have expected. Not only that, the Bandit is also much better looking. I find the Bandit to be very comfortable to ride and the midrange response is quite good. Your review is pretty much spot on. I can vouch for the fact that the rebound damping on the rear shock is also adjustable.

Great review, I bought a 22 year old 600 with only 7000 miles on it last year absolutely love it

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Sounds good!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Sounds good!

My first big bike was the bandit 600 😊 brought back some memories

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that - a great first bike eh?

@millsonwheels4528

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMissendenFlyer perfect first bike! 👌 😁

Ummed and ahhed over MT07, CB650R and SV650, but was recommended one of these at the 11th hour so I'm on the verge of buying a 2005 model. This was a lovely comprehensive review that makes me think I'm doing the right thing. Thank you!

@TheMissendenFlyer

10 ай бұрын

My pleasure

The Bandit is a classic. I brought a 2006 GSF 650 secondhand when I got back into riding some 12 years ago and though at times I have thought of changing to a more modern flashy bike, a quick ride soon changes that idea. Great riding for both long and short distances, it may be basic but its honest in every way. P.S. The videos are great, and nostalgic. I grew up in that area of Bucks. I now live in N.Z.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Cool!

I was looking to get a bandit when I first passed, and ended up with an fzs fazer. A very similar bike, funny enough reminds me very much of it. Also a 4cylinder carburetor and and similar looks. Both very good bikes and very good all rounders.

Great review...brought back great memories of my naked 600 bandit which is still my favourite bike I've owned. Looked great, simple and more than fast enough. As you mentioned the smaller capacity 4 cylinder engines always sound awesome when your not going stupid speeds. I later had a 1200 bandit because I liked the 600 so much but the bigger engine didn't make for a better experience (IMO). To get the fun factor you would be going much faster and the extra weight made it less chuckable. So for me the 600 or 650 was better. Thanks for sharing Andy

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure as ever!

@mcbridephysioandperformanc1527

7 ай бұрын

Just bought a 2006 1200 Bandit, and my immediate thoughts are it's just not as much fun as my 600 bandit! I absolutely loved having to go up and down the gears on the 600 and keeping the revs high to be rewarded with the 'fun'. The 1200 is just lacking something for me.

@skillzraider

2 ай бұрын

@@mcbridephysioandperformanc1527 if the 1200 isn’t enough go get an H2 If handling is important get a gsxr 750 They come on a 600 frame and it will outride any other bike on the twisters except a super moto that’s built (dirt bike on slicks)

Great video, im looking to get back into biking, my last bike was 2002 triumph trophy 1200, a great bike but a heavy one! I was looking for 600cc for the trip to work and back. About a 20 mile round trip on thr east lancs and the m6, this bike sounds perfect.

I have owned both the 1200S and 1250 versions of this bike and would have another one. They are simple, fun, comfortable, practical, reliable bikes with bullet proof engines. Perfect for commuting or touring, with plenty of get up and go when you need it!

I had a 2005 1200 bandit s, loved that bike!

I've had 600 &1200 mk1 bandits i absolutely love them superb bikes .

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Good to hear!

I had the XJ600 (pre-Diversion) as my "get back to biking" mount (after 8 years off when the boys were born) which was a useful steed with which to reacquaint myself. After a year, that was swapped for a '97 1200S Bandit, which I absolutely loved (huge grins every ride): clocked up 40k miles, including 2-up and touring: I still have it, but now receiving some much needed tlc in the form of a replacement oil cooler and stainless exhaust. The upside-down calliper on the back needed new seals every 2 years as it collected all the road grime from commuting (but simple enough to do all the work myself). Awesome bike, the Bandit. Much underrated.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Agreed!

My first big bike but had the one with the electronic speedo . Great bike and bullet proof

Passed my test on a ER5, loaned from a dealer. Rode off on a Bandit 600 after dropping the loan bike back. More adventures on that bike than I have had since.

Just bought one! Beautiful condition, looks like it’s been garaged it’s whole life and riding it back home for an hour I was grinning from ear to ear at that inline 4 soundtrack! I had not ridden one since my test bike 8 years prior (fazer 600 from 2001), since then it’s been twins. Sv650, Street twin, both of which sounded great, and most recently a ktm adventure 790. Coming from the ktm which, to give it its due has all the mod cons, ride modes, sharper brakes and better torque, it just felt a little soulless. The bandit is deffo down on power but that growl turning into a scream as you wind up the rev range is addictive! I hope we don’t see inline 4’s disappear due to the euro em standard..

I love all Suzukis. My next bike will be a Suzuki. Great video. Thank you Sir............Sal : )

Cheers Andy, great hacks. Had the 600b Bandit, apart from oil leaks on higher mileage bikes around the oil seals on the pipes under the cylinder heads. Had 600 srad, another good engine. Thx Brahhh

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

I had one of these for a few days from Fowlers in Bristol back when they must have first come out in 1996/97? Liked it a lot, very smooth engine and timeless classic styling, but I was looking at other bikes too. Bought a Honda VFR750 instead which had a full fairing which was a great bike as well. Loved the Honda V4 engine but the Suzuki Bandit engine was so much smoother.Thanks for the ride down memory lane.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

My first (and only) bike, a naked R reg ‘98 bandit in that teal/aqua blue colour. I’m a newbie and just found out it was registered 4 days after my own birthday (25) Awesome little thing. Bulletproof, simple and plenty of smiles per mile so far. Starting to feel the itch but don’t think I could ever sell it now 😂 Great video, love the detail in these reviews

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Thank you - delighted to hear that!

I bought a Bandit 600 mk1 in naked form .....12years ago to get back into biking after some serious illness . Still got it !....so much fun for not loads of money . Put a Scorpion shortened pipe on , ignition advanced ,braided hoses with upgraded brake pads , Pirelli modern tyres . Very reliable ,sounds great and goes like stink , 50 to 60 mpg . Keep looking at more modern bikes but then I look at my old Bandit and it always wins me over . And you can do all of your own servicing . Can't beat them in my opinion.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Cool!

If you wanna go for a classy classic, well made and good-looking, then the Bandit is the one to consider. I especially like the completely naked model with that round light. That is gonna be a forever classic. That is why I had the SV 3rd gen. :) Very good video bro, like always. Got my full watch and like.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@RRRRefuelRideRace

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMissendenFlyer Always. You are welcome bro.

You said all the right things! I've had loads 600s and 1200s. They're my go to " I'm skint" need a bike,bike. I can work on every part. Nothing is beyond the home mechanic. The parts are cheap and readily available. They're not totally infalable but generally mechanically very simple and solid. You will learn how to clean carbs and change coils on older models but again, once you've done it once it's simple. A great platform to learn bike maintenance too. ✌️🧡🤗

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Well said!

Love this series. Affordable beauties from not so long ago. ED: I had the 1250 version, an absolute torque monster and one i hope you test.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Delighted to hear that!

The Bandit is a legend.

I miss my bandits,, must get another

Back then there were two bike rivals. The Suzuki Bandit 1200 and my Honda CBF1000. There were 600/650cc versions too. Both are big sport touring bikes, my favorite type of bike. You’ve ridden the Honda CBF650. The Honda has fuel injection now but I don’t know if the earlier versions had that as well. Both liter bikes were on my list and the Honda was chosen because that one was for sale.

My first proper bike was a Kawasaki GPZ550. Loved that thing, even though problems with the carbs icing, made it a nightmare to start in damp conditions. I've owned a couple of 600 & 1200 Bandits. Simple but great bikes, preferred the unfaired version though

Thanks Andy!

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

No worries!

@AK-xu1fx

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMissendenFlyer I love these silky smooth soft 4 -cylinder engines.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Me too...

Great review on the classic bandit TMF . Good old no nonsense bike great for a first bigger bike especially in its day preferred the MK 1 and had the 1200N many decades ago 96 model 😮😮👍 Still looks a decent commuter the 650 .

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

It is!

I owned a 2009 Bandit GSF1250SAZ for a few years, a reliable, effortless all rounder with comfort for two.

I not only still ride one, but I also travel a lot with It with full baggage set up and a passenger. More than 25k kilometers the past 18 months. Very honest bike. You just need to pay a little care and it will travel you everywhere with zero problems. You get a great easy of mind traveling feeling secure. Oh I have the one with the ABS.

My first big bike a T Registration 600 GSF which haad the Bikini Fairing ........Absolutely loved it...😁

i bought an unfaired bandit 650 after passing my test. other bikers were always commenting that they'd had one in the past. I did loads of miles the year i had it, toured ireland....kind of still miss it. Got bigger gruntier bikes now but really that bike did everything well enough

Had an 04 600s for about 8 years and only changed it last summer for a Moto Guzzi Breva 1100. Great bike and the person that bought it is lovin it.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Great!

Classic bike Andy 👍

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Indeed it is!

I had an 05 naked version the k6 model it was my first big bike and was a brilliant bike to learn on and for me as I was just basically unskilled on big bikes was perfect kept it 10 months and moved on to tracer 900 gt

Love those old oil/air cooled Suzuki engines . As you rightly said, you can easily do ALL of your servicing on them, saving loads of your hard earned......feeling all nostalgic 🙂👍

@Ijusthopeitsquick

Жыл бұрын

Let's not get carried away. There are 16 of those valves to adjust, and removing the valve cover involves taking off the tank and unplugging quite a few tubes. Then you'll need vacuum gauges and a bit of patience to balance the carbs, carbs which will need stripping and cleaning every few years thanks to the ethanol in modern fuel. The rear caliper also needs regular maintenance thanks to its low slung position.

@andrewgibbs5135

Жыл бұрын

@@Ijusthopeitsquick That’s the fun part…….riding is just the end game. 😉

@peterwilson8039

Жыл бұрын

Have you ever tried to change the air cleaner filter on one of those things. It's wedged in so tight, I don't know how you do it without moving something.

Nice! I did try out a friends Bandit back in the early 2000's and I loved it. So much that when I first started to contemplate getting back on a bike it was something that resembled the famous Bandit that tickled me most. Not too expensive (actually rather cheap as a 2nd hand bike), you could spank it seriously if you wanted to, and you could have loads of fun while deciding what you really wanted to do on two wheels.

@JEmmertz

Жыл бұрын

By the way: That white Schuberth C5 and the blue riding gear might render you a new nickname: Papa Smurf.....

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

….except it’s not blue riding gear

@JEmmertz

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMissendenFlyer Come on Andy! Don't mess with my desillusions (or my colour blindness) ;)

I had the original naked 600 bandit in candy fairy orange with carbon micron exhaust.My best bike ever. I so miss it

I often hear they don’t have character. Don’t know about other Bandits, but I‘m mid 30s know, had other (bigger, more modern) bikes but I still ride my naked 90s GSF 600 that I bought as as a teen when getting the license 🤩 You feel like a Moto GP rider ripping through the gears with a screaming engine and end up at 105 km/h having time to look at the landscape - love it 😁 Edit: It’s even on my profile/„channel“ from when I did a few vids maaany years ago 😆

Great review I still have a 14 plate GSX 1250FA version of the bike - Fast enough for the road - Fantastic Engine - Comfortable and no fancy electronics to go wrong. IMO Suzuki missed a trick when they dropped these bikes from the range I am sure they could have updated the engine for Euro compliance like they did with the K5 engine. It's a keeper

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Philip!

I rode a Bandit 1250 for summer 2010, and loved it. Solid build, great bottom end and mid-range. Excellent for touring. I liked it better than the Yamaha 1300, but the Kawasaki ZX14 (ZZR1400) is the king of the big sporty touring rigs. I'd love a go on the new Suzuki 1000GT...Suzuki has always made fine bikes, and satisfied millions of riders.

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Yes good solid and dependable machines!

I returned to motorcycles during lockdown after a 10 year gap. Picked up a mint low miles 2005 K5 Bandit and although I constantly look to at shiny new bikes, I really doubt I'll ever get rid

I have the 1250s and love it. All the bike i’ve ever needed. Did the NC500 on it last year too

@TheMissendenFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Great ride that isn’t it…

@TheSzefer

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMissendenFlyer incredible. Would like to do it again with some good weather next time 😂