Great bike, I had a Bandit 12 (1997 model) loved it, but had to sell it as the E10/E5 fuel (UK) eats the carb's, only the later versions I think 2008 onwards with the fuel injection are the ones to go for. Carb models will die, just takes a bit of time, use E5 while you can (it will last longer!) ,but E5 fuel goes in about two years in the UK, so that will only leave E10, bad news. Good luck.
Great bikes the Bandits. I've had a couple. A 600 and a 650 the same as yours. Brilliant first bike. I have a Tiger 1050 now - perfection! Nice vid. Thank You.
@@jedigeekbiker Good to know! I not the lightest or shortest so that may be visited in the future. I appreciate the videos on the bike, it's great to see what can be done at home.
@@alexhogan1 first thing to find out is when fork oil was last done as that makes huge difference. I tried all weights of oil and went back to stock 10w but with basic springs some go 15w. The rear shock was eventually done but it still rode pretty good. I'm 17st 4 and tyre pressures feel great at 34f38r but everyone is different with that.
@@jedigeekbiker I've no idea.... I have all service history at home so I may look that up. I'm guessing it hasn't been done. There 8000 miles on a 2006 model so might not have come up for the previous owner.
@@alexhogan1 if when pressed they feel really soft and the preload isn't set to low that might be a clue. i do my own but a garage may charge £70 per fork. but oil for both is about £15 and seals are £10-15. its just harder without right tools. But to see if your forks are doing ok put a tie wrap around one and see if it gets pushed all the way to the top or not. plus as said when really bad they are very soft
Bought my first bike today. Practically the same bike Suzuki Bandit 650 S. Never ridden a bike before so got a lot to learn. Hopefully the comments about it being an ideal first bike are true.
You've never ridden? are you doing your mod 1 and 2? its still a great bike. I've done around 4000 miles since November on it. My partner has a fazer 600 and Il be reviewing that soon too, a little lighter than the bandit. good luck
@@jedigeekbiker Cheers mate. No I've never rode a bike, the closest I've come to it is being a pillion on my mates 1200 Bandit & having a 49cc moped for commuting to work about 10 years ago. Obviously a big difference. I'm in Ireland where you have to successfully complete an Initial Basic Training course before you are issued a Learner Permit. The course is a minimum of 18 hours mixed between road safety training, practical compound practice and road riding. An instructor has to sign you off before you can legally ride on public roads. I am no young fella anymore so I'm hoping that my little experience with the moped in traffic and my age will help me from doing anything too stupid. I plan to take her out to a few industrial estates in my area to practice the basics, clutch control, low speed manoeuvres, breaking & stopped until I'm more confident. I was a little concerned about the weight as I'm not a big guy, only 5'6" and 11 stone. I had been looking at a Hornet or an SV, but I've always had a soft spot for Bandits since being on the back of my mates one and sure it's bought now so I'll just have to get on with it. While I'm waiting for my IBT course I've been watching loads of videos of tips for beginners and things to avoid on here. Just trying to approach it sensibly as I don't want to get hurt or hurt anyone else. Thanks for your comment man, your bike's a beaut, but then I'm biased lol 😂
@@mckiernan5417 Thankyou i do like her. lol. The hornet is lighter. But watch out for my review on the Fazer, they look similar but it's lighter. And has a little more power on paper. :)
Same here! I've been riding 125's before this. Guess it counts as experience in some ways. Anyway, I feel like it is an underestimated "beginner" bike. I wouldn't let an 18-20 year old start with this right of the bat, but for someone mid 20's and up it's a great start. Plenty of power so you won't get bored with it, also forgiving if your throttle control is not yet dailed in. Cheap 2nd hand, looks modestly ok, sounds awesome with an exhaust on it. In short, it gives you a lot to learn with,but also won' t let you kill yourself if you ride within your skill. (done a little over 3k on it now after 10+k on 125's and probably about 1k on a MT-07 Yamaha. mentioned this to give you some perspective that I'm not some bike-riding/ review god)
March '19, I had no bike Kawasaki, for 27 years, got a fuel inj. Bandit 650 one very careful, cautious owner who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles, Wow !!!, at least 58, 59 times more biking joy than in 84 my nearly new Kawasaki 750 turbo, heard first production bike any size, to do the Standing quarter mile in 10 seconds, mine did 161 mph., almost certain it wouldn't do over 80 mph., before the red line ??, in 2nd. gear ??, Bandit did. BEST bike ever, and I'm not even lying. Yours sincerely Scott Loch. Na, Professor Bandit B.T.E. Torque Enjoyment only, nothing technical out. ps. Sadly now a semi retired Crazy Mad Banditateer, FEKKIN Banditaholic, ruined for any other bike, and I ain't even lying.
@@jedigeekbiker 161mph., was my nearly new Kawasaki 750 turbo, Bandit 650 inj. 4th gear 6,500rpm., 89 mph ?, red lined at 12,000, such a biking TREAT, BLISS.
Got one, done a couple of trips to Ireland, no problem, lots of spares and add on's. Easy to service. Good first bike, it will do all you want. Oh yeah don't mount your phone on the Handel bars. Vibration will kill the camera.
Just done 1560 miles to NC500 and back, bike was brilliant. camera seems fine as the mount absorbs some of it. But I also used the beeline moto when it was raining as phone isn't waterproof. beeline moto bit annoying at times.
Ideal first bike?, my '05 650 BANDIT, one very careful, cautious owner who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles, could not want or need to accelerate faster than my 650 Bandit, ideal first bike after restricted 125 is really a Kawasaki GT550, feels like a jet compared to a 125, shaft drive, and would do about 120mph. My 650 Bandit is fuel injected and capable of just over 80mph in 2nd gear before the red-line, and in '84 I had a nearly new GPZ750TURBO, that was the first production bike to do standing quarter mile 10 seconds, so almost 2 seconds FASTER than a 1200 BANDIT S,and 160MPH, but my 650 Bandit is almost if not more fun with it's acceleration,and it pulls, fly's up steep, steep hills like its falling off a cliff. Not a Bandit S, much more torque than a Bandit S.
Just bought one,first thing i did was ripped the fairing off of it,hideous looking thing,got the fatbars on,Streetbike conversion here we come(Streetbike is a finished off Streetfighter)...can't wait to free the engine as well,pipe,K&N and a jet kit...maybe a wee video later!
This was certainly a 650, I have the manual covering this and the 600 and also bought many parts from fowlers. they changed to injection for the 2007 model
@@jedigeekbiker Interesting. I always thought that they changed to 650 with the injection-model and that all carb engines used to be 600cc - just like Suzuki did with the 1200 and the 1250.
First and last big bike, could never want or need to accelerate faster, over 4,000rpm in 4th gear, and you'll find a PERFECT STORM. of Acceleration ??, Felt like an industrial catapult fired it off totally upright, PROPELLED forward, arms LIMP, holding bars, not having to Grip, body SLOUCHED ??, All at the back wheel, Such a TREAT.
And once you learn to shift up without the clutch, it's extremely quiet and fast. Like a semi-automatic. I bought the 650s in 2005 in 2006 and never regretted my decision. Optimal for riders who are not so tall, reliable technology, solid engine. I love the lady and more importantly, so does my wife, although she does not ride it :)
@@jedigeekbiker problem, saw a video of a 650 Bandit S, freeway, motorway?, sauntering past cars, doing no more than 60mph,rev counter, not far from the red-line, my late beloved 650 Bandit, that close to the red-line in 2nd gear, about 70mph, 3rd?, going up a steep, steep hill, 40,50 yards, 3rd, 7,000 rpm, FAST forward, yeah, X4, red-lines 12,000 RPM. 4TH, first night ride in 27 years, brand new Focus ST, trying to lord it over me, and Bandit. Traffic lights, Amber, Focus is off, not really trying, I catch up, just behind it, 4th, industrial catapult got it going, had to go through a chicane, upright, could only twitch bars, left the ST for parked, never went above 6,500rpm, 4th gear, 91,92 mph, red-lines at 12,000 WHAT no, WHAT no, yes, Bandit 650 S, IS A different engine not as much torque as my late beloved 650 Bandit. I'd have a 250 Bandit, just to play with the acceleration. Professor Bandit 650 B.T.E.out., Bandit Torque ENJOYMENT only, nothing technical.
Ive heard some have done it, but the rim is meant for 160. Im not sure how it will run with a 180 wheel on it but its worth asking in the bandit group on facebook.
Great bike, I had a Bandit 12 (1997 model) loved it, but had to sell it as the E10/E5 fuel (UK) eats the carb's, only the later versions I think 2008 onwards with the fuel injection are the ones to go for. Carb models will die, just takes a bit of time, use E5 while you can (it will last longer!) ,but E5 fuel goes in about two years in the UK, so that will only leave E10, bad news.
Good luck.
Cheers buddy, very nice bikes indeed. I now have a Z1000SX. bloody awesome
@@jedigeekbiker Nice. I bought a Rebel 500 (2022) love it.👍
@@robertdrinkall8947 Nice bikes mate
Great bikes the Bandits. I've had a couple. A 600 and a 650 the same as yours. Brilliant first bike. I have a Tiger 1050 now - perfection! Nice vid. Thank You.
I do like the Tiger, awesome bit of kit. Thankyou. :)
I'm a proud new owner of the very same bike, same colour. I've still original exhaust and indicators for now.
they are great as original but loads of scope for changes if you do. depending on your weight the shock is a good start and better springs in front
@@jedigeekbiker Good to know! I not the lightest or shortest so that may be visited in the future.
I appreciate the videos on the bike, it's great to see what can be done at home.
@@alexhogan1 first thing to find out is when fork oil was last done as that makes huge difference. I tried all weights of oil and went back to stock 10w but with basic springs some go 15w. The rear shock was eventually done but it still rode pretty good. I'm 17st 4 and tyre pressures feel great at 34f38r but everyone is different with that.
@@jedigeekbiker I've no idea.... I have all service history at home so I may look that up. I'm guessing it hasn't been done. There 8000 miles on a 2006 model so might not have come up for the previous owner.
@@alexhogan1 if when pressed they feel really soft and the preload isn't set to low that might be a clue. i do my own but a garage may charge £70 per fork. but oil for both is about £15 and seals are £10-15. its just harder without right tools. But to see if your forks are doing ok put a tie wrap around one and see if it gets pushed all the way to the top or not. plus as said when really bad they are very soft
Awesome video think that's the bike il be getting for my first one
Bought my first bike today. Practically the same bike Suzuki Bandit 650 S. Never ridden a bike before so got a lot to learn. Hopefully the comments about it being an ideal first bike are true.
You've never ridden? are you doing your mod 1 and 2? its still a great bike. I've done around 4000 miles since November on it. My partner has a fazer 600 and Il be reviewing that soon too, a little lighter than the bandit. good luck
@@jedigeekbiker Cheers mate. No I've never rode a bike, the closest I've come to it is being a pillion on my mates 1200 Bandit & having a 49cc moped for commuting to work about 10 years ago. Obviously a big difference. I'm in Ireland where you have to successfully complete an Initial Basic Training course before you are issued a Learner Permit. The course is a minimum of 18 hours mixed between road safety training, practical compound practice and road riding. An instructor has to sign you off before you can legally ride on public roads. I am no young fella anymore so I'm hoping that my little experience with the moped in traffic and my age will help me from doing anything too stupid. I plan to take her out to a few industrial estates in my area to practice the basics, clutch control, low speed manoeuvres, breaking & stopped until I'm more confident.
I was a little concerned about the weight as I'm not a big guy, only 5'6" and 11 stone. I had been looking at a Hornet or an SV, but I've always had a soft spot for Bandits since being on the back of my mates one and sure it's bought now so I'll just have to get on with it. While I'm waiting for my IBT course I've been watching loads of videos of tips for beginners and things to avoid on here. Just trying to approach it sensibly as I don't want to get hurt or hurt anyone else.
Thanks for your comment man, your bike's a beaut, but then I'm biased lol 😂
@@mckiernan5417 Thankyou i do like her. lol. The hornet is lighter. But watch out for my review on the Fazer, they look similar but it's lighter. And has a little more power on paper. :)
Same here! I've been riding 125's before this. Guess it counts as experience in some ways.
Anyway, I feel like it is an underestimated "beginner" bike. I wouldn't let an 18-20 year old start with this right of the bat, but for someone mid 20's and up it's a great start. Plenty of power so you won't get bored with it, also forgiving if your throttle control is not yet dailed in. Cheap 2nd hand, looks modestly ok, sounds awesome with an exhaust on it. In short, it gives you a lot to learn with,but also won' t let you kill yourself if you ride within your skill. (done a little over 3k on it now after 10+k on 125's and probably about 1k on a MT-07 Yamaha. mentioned this to give you some perspective that I'm not some bike-riding/ review god)
@@mckiernan5417 I'm in the same boat. Waiting for the ibt then hopefully get riding then. Torn between a hornet,bandit and vfr800
March '19, I had no bike Kawasaki, for 27 years, got a fuel inj. Bandit 650 one very careful, cautious owner who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles, Wow !!!, at least 58, 59 times more biking joy than in 84 my nearly new Kawasaki 750 turbo, heard first production bike any size, to do the Standing quarter mile in 10 seconds, mine did 161 mph., almost certain it wouldn't do over 80 mph., before the red line ??, in 2nd. gear ??, Bandit did. BEST bike ever, and I'm not even lying. Yours sincerely Scott Loch. Na, Professor Bandit B.T.E. Torque Enjoyment only, nothing technical out. ps. Sadly now a semi retired Crazy Mad Banditateer, FEKKIN Banditaholic, ruined for any other bike, and I ain't even lying.
Done well to get 160 out of a 650 bandit buddy. great bikes
@@jedigeekbiker 161mph., was my nearly new Kawasaki 750 turbo, Bandit 650 inj. 4th gear 6,500rpm., 89 mph ?, red lined at 12,000, such a biking TREAT, BLISS.
Got one, done a couple of trips to Ireland, no problem, lots of spares and add on's. Easy to service. Good first bike, it will do all you want. Oh yeah don't mount your phone on the Handel bars. Vibration will kill the camera.
Just done 1560 miles to NC500 and back, bike was brilliant. camera seems fine as the mount absorbs some of it. But I also used the beeline moto when it was raining as phone isn't waterproof. beeline moto bit annoying at times.
that 20 quid to fill it hits different in 2022....
Ideal first bike?, my '05 650 BANDIT, one very careful, cautious owner who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles, could not want or need to accelerate faster than my 650 Bandit, ideal first bike after restricted 125 is really a Kawasaki GT550, feels like a jet compared to a 125, shaft drive, and would do about 120mph. My 650 Bandit is fuel injected and capable of just over 80mph in 2nd gear before the red-line, and in '84 I had a nearly new GPZ750TURBO, that was the first production bike to do standing quarter mile 10 seconds, so almost 2 seconds FASTER than a 1200 BANDIT S,and 160MPH, but my 650 Bandit is almost if not more fun with it's acceleration,and it pulls, fly's up steep, steep hills like its falling off a cliff. Not a Bandit S, much more torque than a Bandit S.
uuuuuuhhh my favourite bike....without fairing.
Sou brasileiro e tenho uma 2009 650n preta moto muito forte, a sua e linda.
Obrigado, agora tenho um z1000sx. O preto 650 também é ótimo.
Hi, how tall are you? I'm 6 foot 4 and am looking into these (haven't sat on one yet) but do you reckon I'd be alright or too cramped? Cheers
Im 5'10 and I cant put my feet flat so you would find it ok. these are tall ish bikes compared to a lot of others
Just bought one,first thing i did was ripped the fairing off of it,hideous looking thing,got the fatbars on,Streetbike conversion here we come(Streetbike is a finished off Streetfighter)...can't wait to free the engine as well,pipe,K&N and a jet kit...maybe a wee video later!
look forward to the video. I agree the fairing isn't nice at all.
Is the Beowulf exhaust a slip on or a full exhaust system?!
Its just a slip on but fits very well
I just got myself an 05 plate 650n. Where is your rear hugger from please mate. Nice bike
Hi good purchase, I cut mine down and smoothed the edges. It looks better to me lol
@@jedigeekbiker ok thanks mate
@@banditbeggers533 if you want to see more pics email me at ridepics@leearcherphotography.co.uk
@@jedigeekbiker thanks mate
Are you shure that this one is a 650? The carb-engines used to be 600 cc and the fuel injectet 650. Since your bike has carbs it must be a 600, right?
This was certainly a 650, I have the manual covering this and the 600 and also bought many parts from fowlers. they changed to injection for the 2007 model
@@jedigeekbiker Interesting. I always thought that they changed to 650 with the injection-model and that all carb engines used to be 600cc - just like Suzuki did with the 1200 and the 1250.
@@PeterBachmayer-ProDrummer yeah does seem daft but I'm sure they had a good reason or so they thought haha
Souds awesome
thankyou
First and last big bike, could never want or need to accelerate faster, over 4,000rpm in 4th gear, and you'll find a PERFECT STORM. of Acceleration ??, Felt like an industrial catapult fired it off totally upright, PROPELLED forward, arms LIMP, holding bars, not having to Grip, body SLOUCHED ??, All at the back wheel, Such a TREAT.
I agree it shifts after 6000.. Mine slips a bit at 9000 so new clutch needed soon I think
And once you learn to shift up without the clutch, it's extremely quiet and fast. Like a semi-automatic.
I bought the 650s in 2005 in 2006 and never regretted my decision.
Optimal for riders who are not so tall, reliable technology, solid engine. I love the lady and more importantly, so does my wife, although she does not ride it :)
@@jedigeekbiker problem, saw a video of a 650 Bandit S, freeway, motorway?, sauntering past cars, doing no more than 60mph,rev counter, not far from the red-line, my late beloved 650 Bandit, that close to the red-line in 2nd gear, about 70mph, 3rd?, going up a steep, steep hill, 40,50 yards, 3rd, 7,000 rpm, FAST forward, yeah, X4, red-lines 12,000 RPM. 4TH, first night ride in 27 years, brand new Focus ST, trying to lord it over me, and Bandit. Traffic lights, Amber, Focus is off, not really trying, I catch up, just behind it, 4th, industrial catapult got it going, had to go through a chicane, upright, could only twitch bars, left the ST for parked, never went above 6,500rpm, 4th gear, 91,92 mph, red-lines at 12,000 WHAT no, WHAT no, yes, Bandit 650 S, IS A different engine not as much torque as my late beloved 650 Bandit. I'd have a 250 Bandit, just to play with the acceleration. Professor Bandit 650 B.T.E.out., Bandit Torque ENJOYMENT only, nothing technical.
Is this bike compatible with a 180 rear tyre?
Ive heard some have done it, but the rim is meant for 160. Im not sure how it will run with a 180 wheel on it but its worth asking in the bandit group on facebook.
🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️✌️
Not too heavy for a first bike?
Not for someone who isnt too light or not too short