2006 Suzuki GSF650 K6 Bandit first impressions. review
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- čas přidán 3. 01. 2013
- This the new addition, Direct access bike for Roadcraft, a late registered K6 Bandit 650. My first ride on it. I've done this one mainly for people who may be looking at buying one. I try to ride a variety of bikes, even ones I wouldn't normally buy.
Roadcraft Nottingham is a UK motorcycle school which was established in March 1989.
I am a fully qualified professional motorcycle instructor of 35 years and offer motorcycle riding tips and tips on riding a motorcycle for the first time.
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1:07...that sound... My first love. Used to have a 97 Bandit. Amazing how 10 years and 2 generations later, not only is the tank still similarly shaped to the original from the sitting/riding perspective, but the sound (even with an aftermarket exhaust) is so recognisable to me, the memories just come flooding back.
I suppose why change what isn't broken?☺ Thanks for your comment.
I like these 'reviews' you do.
Must be great having the opportunity to ride lots of different bikes.
This is exactly the same as my bike, just passed two weeks ago. Absolutely adore it and would recommend it to anyone. Glad to see yours needs a bit of a rev when starting, too!
Had my first lesson on a ER 650 yesterday. First time on a 650, loved it! Thought I would be intimidated by power but nice, smooth and very controlable.
I'm looking at all rounder and cheap bikes to start with. Thanks for this video!
I just sold my 2005 Bandit, also in red. It was my first bike, and I have to say I liked it a lot. Really smooth and easy riding, and I never had any problems with it. As you said in the video, when properly taken care of they'll last a long time.
Thanks for a good review of the bike. Your videos are very helpful. Really looking forward to starting my Direct access later this month.
I remember watching this when it came out as a 16 year old dreaming of getting a bike. Finally got my license last year and got an S version of this bike as a first bike. Loving it so far
very nice - concise overview, thanks for sharing.
Dude im starting to really love your videos, becuase all the other motovlogers barley talk about the bike and rant about their own lives, you actually evaluate the machine.
+Ian Chesney Thanks, that's exactly what I'd want in a review so deliver that way. Cheers
Perfect video for me as iv just been looking into these as a first big bike due to passing my Mod 2 yesterday.
Good review Rus as always!
Congrats on your purchase, so glad you like it, great pic quality for sure. My Ghost may have different internals to yours so settings may not be the same. For daytime I have mic volume 1 bar, exposure -1 and the external mic tucked in the cheek pad. Night, +1
i have the k8 gsf 650 bandit :) love it, though my cowl bit above the headlight vibrates aswell at low speed. my dads got the k6 gsf 650 bandit in red, beautiful bike! ride safe, and keep warm :p
just passed my mod 2 today :D just before the new rules im so happy
Great review, thanks Russ
I have an old (1998) GSF 600 bandit and also find the throttle a bit sensitive , needing a bit of care when accelerating to not thrash it inadvertently. It's easy to give a bit too much when pulling away from junctions and the lights but once got used to it's VERY responsive!
Very good review russ and a very nice bike for your pupils
What a lovely bike. They are very beginner friendly too, very good for first big bike.
A timeless design. Got my like. :)
Yes mate, it's a sweet all rounder/commuter.
"fruity response"...haven't heard that one before! You do some really descriptive reviews! Well done.
I've just passed my test this month and have the chance of a 2009 650 Bandit. I've been told it's a very good first "big" bike. I'm test riding it this weekend.
This is a good review for me.
Thanks
Lorraine Wilson just passed my mod2 I pick one up on weds x
Andrew Mcgleish - I found the bandit too heavy and a bit tall for me so didn't go with it. I found a Honda CBF500 which fits perfect in every way. Had it a week now and loving it
I see nothing can surprise you :) Anyway it is very nice and helpfull footage. Thanks.
I hope the Students treat her as kindly mate....
Looks a good, clean example and 26000 is not that much if she's been well looked after.
Loving these little road tests Russ, cheers!
On the Carburetor model there's just a washer in each carb inlet reducing the power.
My trick with an overly sensitive throttle: keep your index finger on the switch block to add drag to the twist motion.
It affects the handling and ground clearance a bit, makes the steering a little heavier too but you soon get used to it.
I won a 1500 Aspencade in '92 in a road safety competition for the weekend and took it to Cornwall, it was BIG! lol
Very nice bike, my mate has one, not a very nice aqua blue, but he likes it, seems like a very reliable bike and I would recommend it for anyone looking for their first 'big' bike.
Love them! Rotting exhausts a poss. problem and knocking engines.
Thanks for all of the videos, helped me a great deal thro my CBT and full licence. Good review of the Bandit here. I'm thinking about a 650 Bandit with fairing, as a step up from my current GPZ500. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Would you recommend it over a CBF600S or not. Thanks. Paul
Oh okay. I watched your video on the new motoring laws and have no more questions haha.
My R6 has a delkevic exhaust and must say its a nice sound :)
The exaust sounds perfect for the type of bike
I ride on a 2010 GSF 650A for my training and it's a lovely bike to ride on. The throttle is indeed a bit unforgiving if that's the word for it. So sensitive which makes driving the slow maneuvers very challenging.
Just a couple more lessons before I'm done, already sad to leave the bike behind :)
I have the Mk1 600 and its such a beautiful bike to ride. Should be an awesome bike for the students to ride and so easy for slow control there should be no probs passing tests. Little jealous of the Delkavik pipes though :p
Mark me if I'm wrong but if it's carb fed then it should actually be a 77bhp 2006 model Bandit. All the 2007 models are FI.
congrats i was worried about the people taking there tests these past couple of snowy/icy days
Loosening the throttle cables will still have the response, just a bit later. I wish there was a way to tone it down for sure. Sprockets are not a bad idea!
Cheers mate. You KNOW it's a matter of time till someone doesn't listen to me and drops it! I've put terms and conditions up to say "you drop it, you pay for it!"
Very pretty bike :)
Lovely bike
Thanks, this is the earlier, carb model K6. The K7 is liquid cooled and F.I. Cheers.
Thank you, I just say what's in my mind (which isn't always a good idea cos I can't publish it sometimes) :-)
Looks like it might be a good deal more flexible than the old 600 Bandit. I rode a work college's example back to back with my Gilera CX (30bhp 125 with single sided suspension both ends) and found the lack of torque below 7,000 rpm really anoying.
Bandits just look beautiful in red
that revvyness..... Omg i miss my baby.. RIP Roxanne you were good to me
got the Ghost HD1080, thanks for the discount! loved it, had the first ride today and the quality on 1080p was very sharp, nice and cool, lots of wind noise though on external mic. what are ur settings?? any advice?
I learnt on the older model of this I think, the Bandit N600. I love that bike to death, it hasn't got a windscreen and I've never ridden a bike with awindscreen in the rain so I'm just curious, will that little windscreen help keep the rain off you at fast road speeds?
great videos!
nice bike...i got this week my big bike driving license...what do you think Bandit is good for a beginner?
I learnt with Hyosung GT650, it was easy handle , but i want a bike for touring and everyday use..maybe Suzuki Bandit 600 is a great deal. is it right?? or Yamaha Fazer?? sorry for my english, im from Hungary.
having ridden both the gsr 600 and the gsf650 bandit, which one would you recommend?
thank you russ ive been looking for a review/first impressions on this bike for a few days never saw this didnt come up on my feed :( im interested in the 650 and not the 600 because i have read that the 650 has more low to mid range torque than the 600
Nice review. And the bike is very nice. Do the assessors get annoyed if the bike is too loud? Is this to do the student not being able to hear them over the headset?
I don't know whether to get one of these or an sv650 as a first big bike. I just want a cheap to run reliable work horse. But I've been advised by many people to get a bandit.
It's a 2007 registered K6 model. P187 pointed it out to me. Cheers.
Did mine on a 16th century CB500. It was really nice, although the footpeg kept wanting to flip up which was annoying to say the least!
Very clean bike for the age and not a high mileage at all at 25k plus, good for 100k no doubt if looked after. I was wondering about the instant response the throttle has, is there a way to tone that down a little for your pupils? I was thinking of maybe a bit more throttle slackening off of maybe 1 tooth higher on the front sprocket?
I stand corrected, mine was obviously a late registered 06 carb model. Cheers buddy. :-)
Mines also an 07 registered carb model - caused some confusion, but I much prefer it because I can play!
Hello, love your vids . Would it be possible for you to do a video on parking. Where is best , parking on pavements , shop fronts,multi story car parking. Thanks in advance it would help .. not sure what's right at times
...and the speed limit is?...
This bike looks sick when it's been streetfightered(if thats's a word) out.So does the older honda hornet 600's.My dad has the 600 version of this and it decent has the stiffest cutch in the world though.
Hi Russ, The bike seems very smooth. I notice that you're wearing a Hi-Viz. Do you think that they help motorists to see us? I've been wearing one whilst travelling to work in the dark and I get the feeling that it makes a difference.
My Bandit is a angry wasp, sometimes fired from a catapult, nowhere near the red-line, "not aggressive"! very fun ANGRY wasp!!!.
Same in Hong Kong. Learn on 125s and after you pass the test you're unrestricted as to which bike you can ride, though you'll be on a probationary license for a year which places limits on what you can do. I've seen a Busa with P plates, which is a bit ridiculous, and some guy riding a VMax with P plates. We really ought to have a tiered system like in Europe.
How did you lower it please?
I've seen kits available but it's a lot of hassle
I have that vibrating from the clocks on mine. It's very annoying. Can't get it sorted
if its a tad to loud get an aftermarket baffle should be able to get one to fit cheap enough
About to do my DAS when the laws change over. The more powerful bikes are an advantage as you say because I'd be looking at a 650 strom/versys or similar as first bike. Bah, you lowered it. My problem is going to be finding a school with bikes suitable for my tall and big frame.
An anonymous gamer telling a riding instructor how to ride?
Priceless.
Looks like a good bike.. Pity naked bikes never really took off here..
It's a late registered earlier model.
Turn left out of that junction at 3:30 and across the road is a yellow box junction, the final resting place of my 1st Blade :(
(guy turned right across it as I approached from the North)
you're not the only one!
Dads got an 06 with 4000 miles on :) He said i can have it for Uni :')
What does lowering a motorcycle actually do other than lowering it's height? Does it compromise other aspects of the bike such as handling etc?
This bike is a tank! So heavy.
so when you do clutchless gear change it doesnt damage the bike gear box becuse i have a 125cc lexmoto vixen and i wanted to try clutchless but dont wanna do it in case i damage something,
I like it .
Some schools do that as a matter of course but it's not required. Take a look at driving school cars when between lessons.The highway code states L plates should be reomved except driving school vehicles (I hope bikes count) lol :-)
No, that was a DSA standard emergency stop
I believe there's more of a chance they'll see you but I never expect it.
failed my mod2 no longer getting it hello new laws and cbr 500 or kawi 300 which ever is cheeper on insurance+price kawi wins that battle but i want to test ride both before deciding which one or il get an old 400cc bike since restrictions on bigger bikes is becoming confusing
vertically challenged :'( is that the category i fall under now
Yes as it originally 74 ish bhp
Looks like a nice bike, not sure how it would cope against a Hornet and Fazer though.
Did you buy this for the new motoring laws? I'm thinking this becasue I'm used to seeing instructors owning no bigger than a 500cc teaching bike.
I have an 01 bandit 600 its so hard to find parts
could you do your new wired test thing on a hornet. ive got a hornet and there great bikes i got on over a bandit
Russ, what's your opinion on the 2007 Honda cbr 125cc?
Are you keeping the ER-5?
No offence, but his shifts are perfectly fine. Also this makes me question, have you ever ridden a 'heavier' motorcycle (e.g. 500cc+)?
Can you mention what the 'right price' was? I think it'd be good for people to know what kind of bike they can get for their money :)
Do you have any insurance covering the bikes all do the students pay all the money?
I have had a go one of these. As a new rider and at the time having ridden CB500s (went with a school, all a cock up with them and now doing it on my own 125, hopefully) I went onto a bandit, I think it was the 600 though. Scared the poop out of me. If I had gone from a CBT bike straight to that, I'd would of killed myself. I wanted to out-accelerate a car from a light (in a 30 limit) I did not mean to accelerate that much!
Is the weight of this bike a massive problem? a would be scared i'd drop it and never be able to pick the thing up again.
Daniel Ackerley I own one and I've dropped it before. I could pick it up with some effort, I'm 1m94 and weigh around 95kg though, im somewhat stocky. So might not be for everyone. Weighs in at about 215kg. But if you use the correct method in theory lifting from the legs should be no problem, it is heavy for a 650 but it is not a goldwing ;) late response for ya here but I thought I'd go ahead and give one anyway.
Hopefully this one turned out ok for you Russ as I’ve just bought one myself 😂
Congrats Perry, you're gonna love it.
okay so it was registered in summit like december