Any good? Would I be disapointed after a 1200 Bandit ? Nick
Yes, they're rubbish. What you really need if you're looking for V-twin character is a Firestorm. And it just so happens I have one for sale....
GungaDan says... I think my Firestorm was the blandest bike I've had in recent history. It is only just beaten to this title by a Suzuki GS550E I once owned. The Firestorm wasn't a bad bike, but it wasn't a great one either. For what it cost to run it should have given a hell of a lot more pleasure. I'd have been just as well off buying a 916 at the time.
Bear says... It was OK, that's about it. My words are usually "I don't regret buying it, but I don't regret selling it either". I can't see how anyone can call them exciting, because they aren't. They're average at best.
Oh well, I like/liked mine. Fruitier pipes helps, of course. Well no, but then I wouldn't descibe the SV as a great bike (Obviously I've never tried one). Firestorm running costs are high if you're referring to the amount of petrol it uses - it's certainly not the most frugal.
Bear says... I saw a half reasonable one for less than 2 grand a week or so ago. 9rs don't hold price because they are outdated and there's a new model out, also insurance is crippling. A Firestorm will hold value reasonably because they still make them, and they cosst lots less to insure than a 9R. Just look at the prices of stuff like CBR400s and NC30s etc. Over 2 grand for a 10 year old one.
GungaDan says... A couple of local friends ahve them, they love them. One owned a 'Storm before and rates the SV better. Mine absolutely ate tyres, chains and sprockets too. I don't usually count the costs of running a bike as long as I'm enjoying it. The Firestorm was the only bike I've ever owned that made me add the running costs up in that way.
Fortunately I ride like a girl so haven't had to change chain/sprockets in the 10K miles I've owned it. In fact the chain rarely even requires adjusting. And tyre wear wasn't that horrific either.
Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Bear Yes, but he hadn't yet learned to add up in those days. -- Wicked Uncle Nigel - Manufacturer of the "Champion-105" range of rearsets and Ducati Race Engineer. WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41 SBS#39 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner", Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big" Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000
Never ridden a Bandit. Had an SV1000 (the unfaired variety) as a loaner for a few days from Wheel Power in SW London, and thought it was a bit shit, really. The motor is OK, in a gradually-building-up-a-head-of-steam kind of way, but I couldn't work out what the hell it wanted to do in corners, slow or fast. Don't know if the unfaired one has a more sporty/less vague and wafty side to it
Thanks I'll give all the comments some thought. I don't want something that costs a packet to run, although I do rather like the idea of a Firestorm and the SV does sound a bit dull from the tests I have dug out, I'll probably keep the Bandit, but if I do decide to flog it, I'll say so here first. Nick
