Bandit 650 to GSX-R600?

[RC Fan]

Hello!

I have only ever had one bike, an '07 Bandit 650S, so please bear with me on what is probably a silly question. How much crazier is the GSX-R600? If I did OK with the Bandit, would the Gixxer be too much of a jump? I realize the Gixxer is much lighter, more powerful and has better brakes and sharper reflexes, but I have read that the bike is fairly sedate at low rpm.

Any advice would be great!

Thanks!

[storysunfolding]

When did you buy the bandit? How many miles did you put on it? How would you rate your riding skills on a 10 point scale. 1 is can't ride at all 10 is rossi?

This is a very hard question to answer since none of us know you or have seen you ride. That said the bandit is a zippy bike and the gsxr isn't going to feel like that big of a bump up the later. It'll definitely have more power, oomph and "oh my f-ing God" but it's a better jump than say to a liter bike.

To be blunt I say it's a series of personal questions. Are you ready for a gsxr 600? What kind of riding do you want to do? How's the insurance increase going to effect you? What do your riding buddies say? etc

[RC Fan]

When did you buy the bandit? How many miles did you put on it? How would you rate your riding skills on a 10 point scale. 1 is can't ride at all 10 is rossi?

This is a very hard question to answer since none of us know you or have seen you ride. That said the bandit is a zippy bike and the gsxr isn't going to feel like that big of a bump up the later. It'll definitely have more power, oomph and "oh my f-ing God" but it's a better jump than say to a liter bike.

To be blunt I say it's a series of personal questions. Are you ready for a gsxr 600? What kind of riding do you want to do? How's the insurance increase going to effect you? What do your riding buddies say? etc

I bought the Bandit last July and put about 1220 kms on it.

I guess I would rate my skills somewhere it the middle.

Yeah, I realize it is hard for you guys to judge my abilities. I guess what I am looking for is whether this would be too much of a jump for the average rider. I have never had any problems with the power of the Bandit, I just find it too heavy. Since both bikes are I4's, I assume the power delivery will be relatively similar.

As far as what kind of riding I do, I mostly will ride the bike to work and back. It is a 10 minute drive. I will also take the bike out for the odd 1 to 2 hour pleasure trip. I don't do any touring or two-up riding. I mostly want a light, powerful fun bike.

As far as insurance, I am insured by State Farm. The Gixxer will actually be cheaper than the Bandit as State Farm goes soley by cc's.

[storysunfolding]

Cathy-

Personally I'd hold off on the jump for now. Real quick, you can add where you're from to your profile and it'll show up with your posts. However, since you mentioned kilometers I can guarantee you aren't close to me

I recommend that riders get at least 2000 miles or roughly 3,218.688 kilometers (thanks google!) under their belt before considering upgrading from their first bike. Even then it depends on how long it took the rider to get that mileage and how well they ride. I'm going to go out on a ledge here but I don't think you're quite ready for the race replica.

Inline fours deliver power in a similar manner. Most I-4's are sedate at low rpms as you asserted earlier especially compared to how they react at higher rpms. It's one of the characteristics of that motor design. However, the gsxr has a much more powerful and carefully tuned engine than your bandit. Finer movements have larger reactions. With roughly 100 miles a week under your belt I have my concerns that you've moved much beyond gross motorskills into fine motorskills.

Really the best way to ween yourself onto a gsxr is to get more accustomed with your bandit. Once you've gotten to the point that you don't notice the weight, you're riding great lines, and the bike seemingly responds to your thoughts then it's time to move up. Be one with the bike

For inspiration- check this out. Imagine college= gsxr 600
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xNFPaPor8A

[storysunfolding]

Ps-

danny= cathy

[RC Fan]

Cathy-

Personally I'd hold off on the jump for now. Real quick, you can add where you're from to your profile and it'll show up with your posts. However, since you mentioned kilometers I can guarantee you aren't close to me

I recommend that riders get at least 2000 miles or roughly 3,218.688 kilometers (thanks google!) under their belt before considering upgrading from their first bike. Even then it depends on how long it took the rider to get that mileage and how well they ride. I'm going to go out on a ledge here but I don't think you're quite ready for the race replica.

Inline fours deliver power in a similar manner. Most I-4's are sedate at low rpms as you asserted earlier especially compared to how they react at higher rpms. It's one of the characteristics of that motor design. However, the gsxr has a much more powerful and carefully tuned engine than your bandit. Finer movements have larger reactions. With roughly 100 miles a week under your belt I have my concerns that you've moved much beyond gross motorskills into fine motorskills.

Really the best way to ween yourself onto a gsxr is to get more accustomed with your bandit. Once you've gotten to the point that you don't notice the weight, you're riding great lines, and the bike seemingly responds to your thoughts then it's time to move up. Be one with the bike

For inspiration- check this out. Imagine college= gsxr 600
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xNFPaPor8A

Fair enough. It is very likely that I will sell this bike. Would a SV-650S be more appropriate? Or is there another bike you could suggest?

[Fast Eddy B]

Why change bikes? What's the Bandit not doing that you want it to?

[RC Fan]

Why change bikes? What's the Bandit not doing that you want it to?

I find it's weight makes it an intimidating bike. I have to work up the courage to ride it, which isn't what I am looking for.

[Fast Eddy B]

Yup, the bandit's a heavy one alright. Dry, I found it at about 220kg, compared to the SV650s at about 169kg dry. Big diff, one you might find useful. Seat heights could be a problem, best sat on to find out. 600 RR's only solve the weight problem, and are so focussed that unless you really want their strengths, their weaknesses can be a bit of a pain.

The 2008 Suzuki GSX650F doesn't solve the weight problem, at about 216kg dry, even though the riding position, steering, and power are all similar to the Bandit (from which it came).

Kawi Ninja 650R? 179kg dry, parallel 650cc twin, 'bout 70bhp my my recollection.

[RC Fan]

Yup, the bandit's a heavy one alright. Dry, I found it at about 220kg, compared to the SV650s at about 169kg dry. Big diff, one you might find useful. Seat heights could be a problem, best sat on to find out. 600 RR's only solve the weight problem, and are so focussed that unless you really want their strengths, their weaknesses can be a bit of a pain.

The 2008 Suzuki GSX650F doesn't solve the weight problem, at about 216kg dry, even though the riding position, steering, and power are all similar to the Bandit (from which it came).

Kawi Ninja 650R? 179kg dry, parallel 650cc twin, 'bout 70bhp my my recollection.

The GSX650F is my bike with full fairings. It is identical.

What would you say are the weaknesses of the RR's, other than being uncomfortable?

I sat on a 650R last year--it was nice.