top fun, top tool, top bike.. (Suzuki Bandit GSF600)

Member Name: silmarillion

Product:	Suzuki Bandit GSF600
Date:	22/02/01 (8944 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: price, styling, reliability, fun-factor

Disadvantages: vunerable to the elements

Top fun, top tool, top bike...
I've owned a bandit 600 for 3 years now. What a great bike! And I'll tell you why...
I bought it from new. In black. Totally naked, no half-fairing. O.K., so it keeps off a bit of wind,so what? Why spoil those fantastic lines? Beats me. It looks the business standing still, never mind when cruising down the high street, or caning it around the lanes..But this is sounding like a biased view(which it is of course), so I'll try and give you the nuts and bolts of owning one,(and working on one) for the last 3 years..
I bought it in the middle of a cold February(is there any other kind?), when prices are low(ish). Straight cash gave me a £200 discount, which was nice..First thing I noticed, was that the susook doesn't like the cold. It can take a while to finally kick over, even with full choke. The choke, situated between the clutch and the clocks can be a bit fiddly. Especially with gloves on. It's also hard to find a middle setting with it. It's either full choke or nowt..I find letting the bike 'idle' at about 3,000 revs, for a few minutes(with a few blips of the fun handle, just to hear that sweet metallic whine) seems to do the trick. Keep the choke at this setting when you first start off for the first mile or too..the bike can stutter a bit when cold with no choke, especially at that first junction, when everything's still trying to warm up(yep, you as well).
The riding position tends to push you toward the tank. It's upright but comfy. Bars are nicely placed for reach as well. I advise investing in some tank-pads ASAP, since the riding position can lead to scratches on the tank from zips. And black shows up scratches and dirt like a beacon. Also, because your knees are grabbing the sides of the tank, make sure the flanks are covered as well. Leather jeans seem to be the worst culprit for this.
On my bike, the front headlamp was tilted to far toward the ground. I had troub
le seeing the far ahead of me the first time I rode at night, even with the main beam on. But the problem was easily cured with a few turns of a spanner on the headlight bolts. The clutch is still light to use, even after 3 years. I've replaced the plates once, after the first year. Piece of cake. Gearchange is precise - typical Susuki -
though again, the first couple of changes can be slightly notchy on cold mornings. (It hates getting up - same as me..). The suspension setting on the rear I found to be a little too soft. I'm 12 stone, about the average rider's weight and I found the bike a little wallowy when I first rode it through a fast sweeper. A 'c' spanner did the trick on the shock..I firmed it up with 1 and a half full turns. Before I adjusted the shock, I took a mate on the back, and it did ground out once on a bumpy road.
There is a slight hole in the rev range between 3,500 and 4,500. Especially in top gear. But, don't forget, it is a 600 - knock her down a couple and give it a fistfull..as if you need an excuse...Apart from that, throttle response is very good.
Handling is pretty good too. When I first had it, I thought it felt a little light on the front, but this is due to the bike's quick steering. You get lots of 'feel' through the bars, even on bumpy roads. Pillion comfort is good,(as the missus will testify), although taller riders like my mate said he felt a little cramped after about an hour in the saddle. It's not the best bike to ride in windy conditions, but it hasn't got a fairing, and it's not exactly aerodynamic to begin with, so what'ya expect. Top speed? Well, I've had 125 on the clock. It felt a bit vague on the front, but other than that it she stayed planted. Wind resistance really does become a pain then.(literally). My neck and shoulders took a pummelling after a few miles at that speed..great.
Give it a big twist in 1st and 2nd and the front will come up. J
ust like it's big brother, the 12. loverly..
Brakes do the job well enough. I thought they felt spongy when I first had it, but a mate 'sold' me a good tip. Bed the pads in straight away with a couple of hard stops. Sorted. The pads did wear quite quickly during the first year, but then I did put 16,000 on the clock in those 12 months. I replaced them twice. I got a whole year on the lastest ones. I always buy Susuki's own O.E. pads, though it might be worth experimenting with other makes.
The second year I used the bike as a work-horse. I did 8 months of courier work on it, all over the country, distance and town work. Never had a problem. Apart from the obvious - tyres, servicing, bulbs etc., the susook came through it all unscathed and mechanically sound. The cam chain needed ajusting after 4 months, but that was all in the way of 'major' work. I used Avon roadrunners front and back, getting 3,500 miles out of the back. Take it easy and expect to get 50% more. Even in central London in June, the bike never missed a beat.
So there you have it. The bandit's still with me after 3 years. The only other bike I've owned that's come close reliability-wise is a CX500. But for the overall package, I haven't owned better. Like I said..top fun, top bike.
ps..I rode my mate's new 1200 the other day....oh yes!!...bigger is definitely better!...More fun?..I'll let you know..

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