Bandit 650 to GSX-R600 or CBR600RR?

[kay]

Originally Posted by RC Fan

It is a nice looking bike, I just can't see going from a 650 to a 250, that is all.

Also look at the spec numbers. Because the size of the engine can be decieving. Like my 600cc Gixxer is more than double the power of my Kawi which is 750cc.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by Mavi

If you really want to have a sportier bike, get an SV650 with fairings, they're called SV650s for 1999-2007 and SV650SF for 2008+. I'm assuming you want a "fast looking" bike since your choices were the 600cc R bikes. An SV650 will weigh about ~80lbs less than your Bandit 650 with only ~5 less HP with similar seat height. You could even put handlebars on the S for a more upright riding position. Another alternative would be a kawasaki 650r, though I've never rode one I hear they're just as good as an SV.

Yeah, I am interested in the SV-S. It is about 110 lbs lighter than my Bandit. Even the 650R is about 90lbs lighter. I think either bike would be a good alternative, although I would prefer an I4.

[Mavi]

Quit getting hung up on Vtwin vs I4. Honestly I don't think you've rode Vtwins for long enough to give them a fair assessment.

I went from a I4 750 (~1200miles) to a Vtwin 650(~4000miles), the Vtwin has much more usable RPM w/o getting a new rider into trouble.

I'd rather slow speed drop a heavy medium HP bike in a parking lot/garage than have high speed crash on a light high HP bike while riding.

No one is going to make fun of you for riding a Bandit 650. Hell, they'll probably think it's better than a 600r bike since it has 50 more cc's.

[Clint]

One other thing that just occurred to me... I think you're being hasty in judging the Bandit too heavy. You have a mere 1200 km of experience. I've ridden that in a day! You need to work on your skills and then the bike will no longer feel heavy.

I just think there isn't a bike in existence that will give you what you want. You can't have the power of a 600-four, the easy control of a standard, and the weight of a sportbike. It doesn't exist. If I had to pick a bike for you, it would be the Ninja 650, though I'm not sure you'd appreciate the compromise between weight and power.

Bottom line, you have to learn to deal with a whatever bike you choose, and you might find yourself disappointed. See if you can get a demo on a GSXR just to see for yourself what clipons are like. If you're fine with them, you may be fine with the bike. Just remember the great advice Kay offered.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by Mavi

No one is going to make fun of you for riding a Bandit 650. Hell, they'll probably think it's better than a 600r bike since it has 50 more cc's.

No one has made fun of me for riding a Bandit. I would just like a bike I am comfortable with.

I know the SV-S has clip-ons--does this mean less turn angle with the handlebars?

[Clint]

Oh, and putting the bike on the centerstand is a learned skill. I've seen guys twice your size that couldn't do it until shown proper technique. That's something you can do as well, with some practice.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

One other thing that just occurred to me... I think you're being hasty in judging the Bandit too heavy. You have a mere 1200 km of experience. I've ridden that in a day! You need to work on your skills and then the bike will no longer feel heavy.

Bottom line, you have to learn to deal with a whatever bike you choose, and you might find yourself disappointed. See if you can get a demo on a GSXR just to see for yourself what clipons are like. If you're fine with them, you may be fine with the bike. Just remember the great advice Kay offered.

I guess the reason I feel like getting rid of the bike is that I have not become comfortable with it. I have to work up the courage to ride it.

As far as the centerstand, lowering the bike has made it more difficult to get it on the centerstand. I do know we can alter the centerstand to the bikes height.

[Clint]

Maybe your expectations were too high? I remember feeling awkward at times for many thousands of miles. It's not an "instantly good" skillset for most of us.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Maybe your expectations were too high? I remember feeling awkward at times for many thousands of miles. It's not an "instantly good" skillset for most of us.

That could be true as well. I guess I would like to try some different bikes along the way.

[Mavi]

Originally Posted by RC Fan

No one has made fun of me for riding a Bandit. I would just like a bike I am comfortable with.

I know the SV-S has clip-ons--does this mean less turn angle with the handlebars?

Turn angle is the same with clip-ons or handlebars+triple clamps. Clip-ons are usually lower, more forward and agressive. Handlebars are usually more upright and comfortable.

You really need to just ride the bike more. Like RowdyRed94 said... 1200km is nothing... regular riders will probably put 10k miles in a season... I think it takes me about 2000km to get used to a new bike. With you being new to riding it will take a while to get used to riding, period.

I would feel uncomfortable riding any bike that's not my own, even if it is another SV650. I've got my suspension set up properly, have you had anyone do yours? The entire bike is supposed to sag about 1/2" when you sit on it with full gear.

As for the centerstand, just be glad you have one! None of the bikes listed so far in this thread will have one stock. Before you lowered the bike, did you tried installing a lower seat or adjusting the rear shock at all? Between those two options I know I've lowered the tail of my bike by at least 1.5" without having to get a new kickstand.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by Mavi

As for the centerstand, just be glad you have one! None of the bikes listed so far in this thread will have one stock. Before you lowered the bike, did you tried installing a lower seat or adjusting the rear shock at all? Between those two options I know I've lowered the tail of my bike by at least 1.5" without having to get a new kickstand.

I have not been able to find a lower seat for the bike. Is there one available? The Bandit 650S only exists overseas now, as it has been discontinued here.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

LOL! Attention from whom? A woman on a racebike is about the most attention-grabbing thing I can imagine on the street.

[landry stands up, removes the live lobsters from his nipples, sets down the neon dunce hat with propeller on top, pulls the seatless unicycle from his bum, and slowly leaves the middle of the street wiping sour cream from his nude body as he goes] "Dammit! I can't get a break!"

RCfan: You most likely won't notice a difference of 50 lbs. Seriously. Keep the Bandit for a few more months.

[tricker]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

[landry stands up, removes the live lobsters from his nipples, sets down the neon dunce hat with propeller on top, pulls the seatless unicycle from his bum, and slowly leaves the middle of the street wiping sour cream from his nude body as he goes]

*vomits uncontrollably from the images in his head*

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

RCfan: You most likely won't notice a difference of 50 lbs. Seriously. Keep the Bandit for a few more months.

Looks like you have both bikes! How much does your Bandit 600 weigh?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Mavi

I am 5'3" and I've never been able to flatfoot any of my bikes. You will get to the point to where you will become confident in handling your bike with only one leg on the ground.

Just because YOU have gotten to that point doesn't mean that everybody will. I have ridden for 40+ years and have NEVER been comfortable with only one foot on the ground. You might not either if you stop someday where there is a POTHOLE where that one foot goes down !!

I'm not too tall either. The best bike I've ever had was a Kaw Eliminator 600....but it was just BARELY low enough and got heavier as the years progressed...
SO
Last year I traded "down" to a Suzuki GZ 250 and I absolutely LOVE it. All the "majors" make a 250 cruiser or standard, with Kaw making the sporty Ninja and a small Eliminator too.

Don't let the engine size fool you (especially the Ninja); the modern 250's go pretty good. They are definitely shorter and lighter and generally easier to handle. If you don't do much freeway (high speed) riding you might want to seriously consider the 250's........at least get a test ride. You might be amazed. I was....and still AM.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Just because YOU have gotten to that point doesn't mean that everybody will. I have ridden for 40+ years and have NEVER been comfortable with only one foot on the ground. You might not either if you stop someday where there is a POTHOLE where that one foot goes down !!

Yeah, I get into enough trouble touching with both feet!

[Uncle B]

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...s/Default.aspx

Originally Posted by RC Fan

No, I am not looking for fashion. I am looking for a light, powerful, fun bike. I'd certainly welcome other bike suggestions.

[JmalB]

Keep the Bandit and take it to a fairly empty parking lot and practice. Bring a friend as insurance, you want. Just practice walking it around in a couple of parking spots and getting it on and off the center stand.

[kay]

In my case, I was VERY nervous....almost in tears....every time I rode my bike up until I hit around 5000 to 6000km. And during those rides, I didn't just ride. I attended lots of riding schools, in the hope that one day, I will become more comfortable. And surprise!!! After I hit that distance, the bike suddenly felt like it had finally synched with me. And ever since then, I was never nervous nor uncomfortable.

So like others are saying, I feel that it's really not the weight that is making you uncomfortable. It's just that you are not used to riding and in that case, trading your bike (which is a great starter bike) for something else will only disappoint you. Other bikes that are lighter may solve your bike weight issue, but will bring forth lots of NEW issues that you'll have to deal with.

So, trust me. I've gone through the same feeling. Maybe worse, as I am a lot shorter than you are. You will get used to it and start to feel comfy. And after you've ridden it for a good distance (maybe more than 5000-6000km if you're not repeating riding schools), you still feel uncomfortable, then you can think about trading your bike and you will know what to get or in which direction you should go, much better than now.

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Just because YOU have gotten to that point doesn't mean that everybody will. I have ridden for 40+ years and have NEVER been comfortable with only one foot on the ground. You might not either if you stop someday where there is a POTHOLE where that one foot goes down !!

Hehe. Blackie, THAT is a learnt skill also.
I don't even get ONE foot down. If I ride on the center of my seat, BOTH my feet are in the air!!

But I had no choice but to do what I can do and now it doesn't bother me with my bikes. I still can't ride bigger bikes though. But at least, I have some that I can manage.

A pothole? Sure, that's happened. But I just have to slide my butt more. Once I even had the back of my knee on the seat cuz I had to almost fall off from my bike to reach the ground with one foot. But still, I managed not to drop the bike.

[tricker]

i guess i was blessed to be tall enough to have both feet on the ground when stopped...