New Suzuki Bandit test: the remedy for the crisis ?
Times are hard for everyone … and especially for us, poor French bikers. Fortunately, Suzuki has thought of our portfolio and our pleasure by unveiling this latest version of its legendary Bandit 650.. Comfort test !
The same only better !
Like good wine, Miss Bandit has improved considerably over time and this 2009 vintage has nothing to do with its 90s ancestor. That said, it also has the same main flaw: weight.
All full, the Suz ‘exceeds 240 kg. But we mainly suffer from it because of a center of gravity placed too high. So, how many badly advised young ladies have invested in a "6 Bandit" too heavy to make their debut on a motorcycle?…
Not that this bike is not made for beginners, on the contrary! But it is not recommended for apprentices who are a little "short on legs", who risk being hampered by the weight and height of the machine. What could be more annoying than dropping your beautiful, brand new motorcycle during a trivial maneuver at a standstill? Without being a crippling flaw, it is a specificity of the Bandit that it is always good to remember.
More than successful
For the rest, the Bandit remains herself but manages to improve on almost every level. The finish is on the rise: the parts are perfectly adjusted and the materials used are beautifully crafted. The ergonomics remain the same.
We find a typical roadster position, straight with relatively little pressure on the handlebars. The saddle remains adjustable between 770 and 790 mm. And apart from this question of center of gravity mentioned above, a large majority of builders should feel comfortable there
First observation once in the saddle: the mirrors have significantly lost in efficiency! We try to adjust them to our sauce, but we can hardly see in the tips of the diamond … Come on, we shift, light pressure on the starter and the 4-cylinder snorts in a very – too much sound? – felted.
Concentrated softness
From the first turns of the wheel, you are immediately at home on the handlebars of this new Bandit: the controls are soft, the steering is neutral and light. This is enough to reassure beginners! Thanks to its hydraulic system, the clutch is very progressive and easy to adjust.
As is often the case with Suzuki, the gearbox is quick and precise. But the best part is that the new liquid-cooled 4-cylinder is so smooth, supple and accommodating that it forgives all guesswork.
All these qualities make this GSF 650 K9 – that’s its nom de guerre! – an excellent city car that will be happy to take you to work every day … But not only !
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