Suzuki 600 Bandit N motorcycle test

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• Conclusion

The day starts well … beautiful sun. In short, the ideal weather for
ride the new Bandit 600 and swap my Bandit 600 S for the Bandit 600N
of the 2000 vintage, especially since the end of May arrives and with this end of
month, the sign also of the end of the tests. And yes, Suzuki delivered 220 red motorcycles
in Naked version, reserved for testing, for all of its dealers and the
period ends at the end of May, all the Test Bandits in France in front of
to be sold on occasion.

The dealer is waiting for me. This makes
several weeks that the rains had made me postpone the date of this test, in order to
take advantage of the best conditions and take the opportunity to take some pictures
memorable … under the tropical sun (Paris). It’s finally time … papers and
keys given for several days of happiness to find fault, or not, the news
version. The Bandit comes forward … Just a nose screen, for this N version, which otherwise
is completely original.
We will be able to judge on the spot, get her out of her prison and her bars and
unleash…

I start by settling down and especially sliding my large lock (France
Anti-theft F90) for the first time under the saddle. There is still no system
electronic anti-theft system at Neiman as at Honda, but hey, at least, this year,
the lock finds its place. And I close the saddle.

I turn the key and the needles
panic … promise? or quite simply recalibration each time you start the
speedometer, tachometer and digital display. And there, I appreciate more
of the usual totalizer, the double trip and the clock. There are decidedly days
happy. Finally, the partial will be used for something other than checking that we do not arrive
soon on the reserve. On the other hand, still no fuel gauge. It’s okay, there are two trips, which are recovering
easily zero thanks to two push buttons. And in addition, the reservoir was made
more curved and now contains a liter more. Added to the new carburetion,
the news turns into a desert ship. Was this the reason why the
journalists from the motorcycle press had gone to try it in Morocco for a week ?

First turns of the wheels and always the
same surprise as during the express test at the passage of
speed and acceleration: a little kick. Oh it’s not about big
thing, especially compared to other motorcycles, but a very clear plus compared to the
model 99. Would there be more torque? On the other hand, the box is always so soft and
precise. Getting started is easy. The tour of the neighborhood is therefore
quickly before grabbing my sandbag. And let’s go for a little tour in
city ​​… easy. The steering seems lighter, the position easy, no real
surprise. The comfortable saddle, really more comfortable. The
kilometers will confirm it to me again and again: new shape, reinforced padding and
above all, the non-slip coating means that the passenger does not get you stuck
each braking on the reservoir. Too bad we can’t adapt it to the old one
model. And for the comfort of the passage, the detail goes as far as footrests lined with
lead against vibrations, still hardly present anyway, except in the surroundings
of the 6000 laps. New suspensions are added to the saddle, both at the front
than at the back. We complained a lot about the old model. The 2000 version receives
a new rear monoshock, articulated via rods, while the
combinations are now adjusted not only in preload but also in
relaxation. This will delight a lot of people. It is these improvements that make the
best bike is appreciated even more. Starts at red lights are more
easier and faster, even for two. There is no need to say, there is more couple, to
so much so that I hardly feel the difference when my passenger is behind or not.
Whereas with the old 600, it was rather the opposite: as soon as it went up
behind, I felt it well, all the time! In short, I have the impression that there is more than
the 5% more power and torque announced compared to the model 99. I will put
this on the account of the new TPS ignition, the role of which is to optimize the ignition by
report in advance. The engine remains flexible and available from the first laps. The
Bandit is an easy motorcycle, easy to learn.

Ring road and exit from Paris, for
Highway. The Bandit climbs the towers and swallows the kilometers: happiness! I have
yet need to slow down the pace quickly because I feel like I’m playing the
role of a sail and my arms hold me to the handlebars. When the weight, it seems to me more
light, more manoeuvrable than my S. Yet the N has gained weight and must have the same
weight than my usual S; the new framework has apparently made it possible to lower the center of
gravity. I will not do long runs at high speed with this model. It will be necessary that
I am testing the S version. The departmental ones suit him better and I therefore quickly get out of
the highway to titillate the national and especially the departmental in all
tranquility. The Bandit becomes more playful and the needle of the tachometer comes
quickly lick the red zone without making me feel unsettled. Bluffing! I catch
the brakes and the motorcycle complies immediately. The touch is more precise than on
the old model. Braking is therefore also on the rise. I curb my ardor and
thread the turns one after the other, faster and faster, always in complete
security. I will almost wonder if finally, the 2000 version … No, I
prefer the drawing of the old tank 😉

I still have time to admire all the details that
make the identity of this new vintage, profoundly revised compared to the old ones
models and in particular with regard to:

• the fork tubes which receive spinnaker seal protections,
• on-board instruments,
• the rear headlight, which looks a bit like the SV,
• the lugs on the sides of the saddle (and not under the frame) to secure luggage,
• passenger footrests mounted on removable plates and no longer directly
  on the frame,
• the rear handle, more aesthetic, but less comfortable,
• the wider saddle, with a drop, and two non-slip surfaces, different
  for pilot and passenger,
• the new reservoir, which allows you to tighten the thighs around…

Conclusion

The new Bandit 600 version 2000 saw
its price increase, twice: the first time when it arrives in the store,
second time two months later to tease the 40 and 43.000F for the N and S versions.
Is the increase justified? alas, yes: braking, engine, tires,
general equipment, finish … you get what you pay for. On the other hand, as much as I
I would recommend the old Bandit 600 to a beginner without qualms, I would hesitate
today. She is now more nervous, more playful from the first rounds and
although she easily forgives driving mistakes, she asks for more
circumspection and calm. It is less than before the ideal motorcycle for young permits.
I will even be almost tempted to advise a Diversion for example … unless I am
wise and to stay several thousand kilometers below the 7000 laps mark, the time
to apprehend gently all the qualities (and the weight) of a roadster, better than
never.

Datasheet
comparative (old / new model)

Thanks to the MotoChampion Store – Paris 18th –
and to Erick for the loan of this Bandit
(no, it is not the motorcycle which is on the photo on the right).

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