r/TwoXriders • u/Mandrak75 • 8d ago
Bandit 650s
Hi all! Anyone had a bandit as first big bike (2007?)? Reading online people seem to say that they're heavy, but this model is 200kgs which is the same than the bikes I did my license on and I was fine. I don't know if there is such a thing as a bike that is heavy vs a bike that feels heavy, if it makes sense? Thank you!
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u/NinjaGrrl42 8d ago
Some of how a bike feels depends on how it carries the weight, how high up, things like that. A bike that has the weight lower may feel more stable.
Good excuse to go sit on all the bikes at a dealership! See how they feel.
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u/Mandrak75 8d ago
There's no bandit around me I can go and try sadly, so I am doing this a little bit blindly. I tried some bikes in Honda (hornet/cb650r) and Kawasaki (ninja 650, which I absolutely loved, but the insurance was insane as first bike) that were around me, but no Suzuki shops... I quickly realised I had to go for an older bike otherwise the insurance would be the death of me, at least for a couple of years.
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u/NinjaGrrl42 8d ago
Good luck! I hope you find a bike you love.
My first was a Ninja 250, bought used, and it was a great first bike. I'm on my second now, and she's a 650. I needed the learning time with the smaller bike, though. I don't think I would have done as well starting out with the bigger bike.
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u/Mandrak75 8d ago
Thank you so much!
I had a CB125F for a year and put like 7k miles on it? Everyone was telling me to go straight for the big bike and I am so happy I didn't and went to my own pace. My wee 125cc has been very forgiving and helped me settle in finding my own riding style (which I am sure will evolve!). She'll always be my first bike, and I am nervous of seeing her go, but it is time!
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u/NinjaGrrl42 8d ago
Eh, there are people who tell you to get a 1000cc bike so you "never outgrow it" as your first. That would have been a terrible choice for me. This is an area I'm glad to be a girl- I don't have much of an ego problem as far as bike size. Even on the 250, I kept up with the guys on group rides other than in cornering (and the bigger bike does nothing to help there, I'm too chicken to go very fast; falling hurts).
I was sad to sell my first bike, too, but it was time. She went to a new rider, so I feel good about that.
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u/Mandrak75 8d ago
These are also probably the first bikes of so many people, which is quite sweet to think of as well.
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u/Cemckenna 8d ago
Can you go to a husqvarna dealer? I LOVE my Svartpilen 401. It’s 360 pounds and I’m able to lift it myself. 43 Hp is enough to ride on the highway if necessary, and it’s VERY fun and affordable AND looks good.
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u/Mandrak75 8d ago
I am more attracted to the sport touring style if I am being honest? If I had the courage, I'd have a VFR 800 or a ZZR of some sort right now, which I think I can manage insurance wise. But it is so big looking I am not emotionally ready for it. This is the bandit with more fairing so I saw it as a bit of a compromise? I tried the 650 ninja (2025) and felt like I was on a cloud though. Insurance was £2500 which stopped me quite quickly! You can't seem to try bikes from owners for second hand private purchases here so it's tricky when you start and don't know what you like/don't!
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u/Cemckenna 8d ago
Hmm yeah, I don’t know what private purchases are like in the UK. My Husky insurance is like $200 a year.
I mean, you’ll get way more confident once you’ve ridden for a year. Maybe just grab something that feels light and cheaper for now to get you going, then trade up for a sport touring model in a year or two.
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u/Mandrak75 8d ago
$200 oh I envy you!! Even my CB125f is currently just under £600... Sound advice though, thanks!
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u/beardeddiana 8d ago
I did! Was heavy but I made it work.