Bandit400 VS GSXR400 (URGENT!)

H

HoboMincer

New member
I like the looks of both, I can get either for the same(ish) price (the GSXR is about R1k more).

The GSXR needs a very little TLC (replace some rusty screws and put brake fluid in the completely empty back brakes etc. Nothing too difficult) and the Bandit is in MINT condition 'cept that the engine floods easily sometimes.

What is now the deciding factor is, the maintanence cost. What does anyone know about general maintence costs on these bikes? Servicing costs? Spare part availability? Cost of parts? (remembering that these bikes are both grey import)

I have heard that Bandit maintenence costs will be low cuz it is such a popular bike.

I have yet to ride the Bandit because the owner popped a spark plug the day I was gonna take her for a spin. I think I will enjoy riding the Bandit as much as I enjoyed riding the GSXR. Damn that bike was fast. Oh my god.

Oh yes, Both bikes are a little small for me but I don't look big on them. I just feel like my legs are too long as I can't comfortably put my feet on the pegs while sitting properly on the bikes. But it doesn't seem to phase me while I am actually riding (I have yet to try it on the bandit but it is what I experienced on the GSXR)

The backround information behind the bikes:
The GSXR:
*35000km on the clock
*Probably a 95model if I were to guess
*Originally owned by the wife of a guy who rides for the Monarchs :O
*Custom pipe (that I would have to replace as it sounds a little like a hairdryer at the moment) and custom tubing etc.
*Now owned by a lady rider who rides for fun on the weekends (However, she doesn't know much about bikes and hasn't been maintaining her well but did get a major service on her about 6months ago)
*Horrible throttle grip that feels so weird to open.

The Bandit:
*A 2000 model, first registered in 2003 and was owned by a lady rider. Then bought by current owner two years ago
*about 14000km on the clock
*all original parts (I'd need a custom pipe put on to make it more thundery sounding as a Bandit is quite average sounding with original exhausts)
*Variable timing



So my question is, If you were in my position, Which would you go for? Has anyone owned both bikes and can give me pros and cons?

I have a week to decide.

Thanks :)
 
Bandit, it's like you said it's a very well known bike. I absolutely adore the bandit. It's just such a nice bike, specially without any fairings! I like naked bikes.

It's also a newer bike, and it's been taken are of really well. Also it'll work you out cheaper in the long run.

With the GSXR you just don't know, it's an insane bike but this one hasen't been looked after too well and you never know, something could go wrong while riding it.

I'm just a sucker for a bandit.
 
Well, on all the forums I posted this on, It seems unamimous. I am going for the Bandit. I have always had a soft spot for them anyway :P

So anyone know much about custom exhaust? Or should I build my own freeflow? :D Oooh! and it would look so cool with a shiny new air intake cone thing :D

Okay. Other than that, I want to raise the bike a little or at the very least, lower the pegs. I'm 185cm and while I don't look stupidly big for the bike, I don't have enough room between seat and pegs to be completely comfortable. Is it possible to adjust it 'em? I can't WAIT! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited!

:D Can't wait... First thing I'm gonna do is drive her to my girlfriends house and then take them to northcliff and enjoy some of those twisties :D
 
HoboMincer said:
So my question is, If you were in my position, Which would you go for? Has anyone owned both bikes and can give me pros and cons?

I have a week to decide.

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

The bandit is a quite a nice bike I would go for that (My friend has a green one)
 
Hmmm :( mechanics called and the Bandit wont stop flooding itself (which is what keep killing the spark plugs). Have done some research and basically told them what spark plugs exactly (cr8ek) to use and to check orings in carb. Anything else that anyone knows of?
 
Flooding the engine... nothing else cmes to mind at the moment. Also you oculd build a custom freeflow if you want to but htere are some really nice ones out there for decent prices. As long as it sounds super I don't really care what it looks like. A friend of mine just bought a nice new 2011 bandit 650...

This is the guy he bought, in a nice red:

2006models-Suzuki-BanditGSF650Sc.jpg


I'd remove the fairing though, and he also got a custome freeflow exhaust. Thing is when he's idling or just like slowly driving around it sounds like a oversized petrol grasscutter. Untill he opens the throttle, that thing sounds so sweet!
 
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I must have been drunk when I posted that pic, that's a 2006 model. Here's the one he has, with the fairing removed ofcourse :p

suzuki-bandit-650-2011-02.jpg
 
axon1988 said:
I must have been drunk when I posted that pic, that's a 2006 model. Here's the one he has, with the fairing removed ofcourse :p

suzuki-bandit-650-2011-02.jpg
Click to expand...

Lol. Thank god :P the first one made me cringe a little. Its not how a bandit should be :/ but the second pic is sexy! but I think I'd still prefer the classic round light. No denying that she is beautiful. But she is less of a bandit than the old models. More like Suzuki's version of Kawa ER6-N or Honda Hornet :) (All 3 of which i'd love to have if I had the money. Well not all 3. Any one of 'em)

Yep. Looks like if a carb overhaul doesn't fix it, nothing will and then its back to the gumtree board.
 
Well, the owner of the Bandit contacted me to say it was fixed. I'm just hoping its really fixed and not just patched up for the sale :/ Will be taking her for a 50point check on thursday. Also, going to pay a ZX6 a visit thursday morning before I do my license and see what condition she is in (selling for same price (kinda) as the Bandit).

I like the idea of a 400, but not the lack of support :/
 
Tomorrow, I am going to give the Bandit a ride and a GSXR750 that is in perfect mechanical condition but needs some tlc on cosmetics. Which I could well enjoy anyway :)

Will let you know how both rides and bikes go. Also, now leaning towards a SV650. Which is in perfect new condition, barely broken in at 3000km on the clock and a 2008 model. Would prefer the completely naked version. But those seam quite rare and this one especially looks cool. Gun metal grey with leather red seats and general coolness. But costaplenty. And being sold by a dealer. So not very much negotiation with the price. but good support if something goes wrong... Hmmm.... Choices choices...

In all this excitement, I mustn't forget to go do my license tomorrow. Because someone in South Africa has to get their bike license :P seems noone bothers. Just goes on learners or none. Anyone done the full bike license? any pointers or tips?
 
Tips? Just take your time and don't rush it! Otherwise I'm sure you'll do fine. And this might be stupid but do your test on a bike with a large engine, otherwise you get the baby bike license. Which is lame.

Also you shoul upload some pics for us on these bikes!
 
Lol. I failed :/ but I have no regrets. It was cheaper than getting a lesson and I got to know the tester. I'll see him again in like a week or so. Just need to bring my exam time table with so I don't book on a day I'm writing.

Failed because I forgot to check blindspot, mirror,mirror, blindspot before I pulled of... If I had just done that one more misserable time, I would have passed. Oh well. Next week or something :)

Okay, The Bandit was a joy to ride. Absolutely incredible condition. But, I'm too big for her. Like a gorilla on a tricycle at the circus. If anyone else is interested, Here is the his number: 0727264713 and his name is Wilhelm and the bike is going for 18.5k. Great guy, great bike, great price. Just doesn't come in my size :/

I then rode a GSXR750. What an incredible ride. The handling is just incredible. But it is in UGLY condition. it was like a custom paintjob horror show. but still a nice ride. Won't be buying it though. Not with that amount of body work needed. R18.5k

Then there was a Kawa ZZR400. And it fit me perfectly. Nothing too exciting, just decent solid bike for a decent, solid guy. I like it. It is what I'm getting. Just need them to lower their prices... from 22.5k to something more like 20.

I like it for various reasons, big, solid, comfortable, in brilliant condition (inside and out) and most importantly (arguabley) there are many lying around and therefore, many parts available. Cons, not incredibly quick, not incredibley beautiful.
Also, it already has a nice shiny Cowley exhaust which sounds pretty damn good. Sports tourer. Just what I need. And, If I ever feel like getting down and dirty, I'll transform her into a streetfighter and strip her down to near naked...

images
 
I had two ZZR 400's
Both of them died on me, electrical system is a mess on those, blew two coils on one and when the third coil went on the second one I gave up on thinking they were invincible
It finally cost a drunk in a 1400 Champ skipping a robot, killing the bike and nearly killing me to put an end to my biking days
And yes they might not feel particularly fast, but wind her up to 11k RPM (Which is where she likes it) and you'll be surprised :)
 
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Xero said:
I had two ZZR 400's
Both of them died on me, electrical system is a mess on those, blew two coils on one and when the third coil went on the second one I gave up on thinking they were invincible
It finally cost a drunk in a 1400 Champ skipping a robot, killing the bike and nearly killing me to put an end to my biking days
And yes they might not feel particularly fast, but wind her up to 11k RPM (Which is where she likes it) and you'll be surprised :)
Click to expand...

Ah no! Don't tell me that!!! I was sure I found the bike for me. Will I ever get it right? or should I just give up until I have enough money to buy a new, out the box whateverbikeIamfondofwhenIcanafforditatthattime?
 
Well both of mine were '96 Models and Grey Imports as at the stage when I got them they were not officially sold in SA
They are very very fickle when it comes to the electrical system, wrong battery, burn the coil, run it too hard, burn the coil etc
If you are aware of the issue though it might not be such a big problem but both of mine had the same issues and both of them cost me around 4k to replace electrical parts on at some stage of owning them.

The issue with the bike is that the Fuel Injection system runs off the elctrical system as well, which means that if your coil goes and your electrical system is DOA, you can't run it at all
lol, I recall riding through Lichtenburg once and when I turned on the indicator to turn the bike just died

I dunno dude, do some research into the model you are looking at, make sure that the year model you are thinking of buying does not have this reported issue and it might not cause problems for you
I'm also 185cm and the bike is a great ride fomr someone of that length though
 
And in regards to the crash, I rode a bit after that but I sold the boke to cover the deposit on my first car and never looked back
 
Okay, well, now that I have completely changed bike prefferences, I'm thinking its time to start a new thread. But anyway, Katana400 vs ZZR400? Both are from a shop, both going for the same price ('bout 25k)... both in perfect condition.

What does who think? :/
 
HoboMincer said:
Okay, well, now that I have completely changed bike prefferences, I'm thinking its time to start a new thread. But anyway, Katana400 vs ZZR400? Both are from a shop, both going for the same price ('bout 25k)... both in perfect condition.

What does who think? :/
Click to expand...

Never heard of either so can't help you :p
 
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