Classic Suzuki GSF650 Bandit: A Comprehensive Review

Get 5% off your ABR Festival tickets with "TMF5" at checkout!

Links to my channel sponsors:-

I'm now on that Twitter thing! Join me @MissendenFlyer
and on Instagram @missendenflyer

Don't forget your other TMF Discounts!:-

I use the following equipment to record and edit my VLOGs:-

My current motorcycles are:-
BMW R1200GS
Ducati 899 Panigale
Triumph Speed Twin
Royal Enfield Custom 650 Interceptor
Honda GL1800 Goldwing Tour DCT (Airbag)
Suzuki GSXS215 (OK, that's the Mrs bike!)

Please be aware I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way in motorcycles or anything else. I'm just an ordinary biker like you probably are. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is important to you, please verify it via a knowledgable third party....the videos I post are just my opinions and are no more valid than anyone elses.

[Jim-nmen]

I bought a GSF650S in 2005 and did a lot of 2 up touring round the UK with camping gear etc. I never found the bike lacking power, what it had was easily adequate for the job. The GSF was traded in for a GSX650F in 2012 and I still have it. Took it on camping trips round England, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Mann. I am currently 69 years old and still like to exploit the surprising performance of this bike. Lofted the front wheel on a few occasions, within legal speeds and on quiet roads of course. The bike is pretty much bullet proof. only gripe is the fuel injection is a bit on off at low revs but is easy to ride round that.

[flatcapcaferacer]

I think motorcycles like these are very underrated and have been bypassed by the rush towards electronic wizardry and bigger profit margins.

[Mitchstep]

I've been watching this channel for a couple of years now and have always loved the reviews! But I have always pondered that the Missenden flyer would never review a bandit 650, why would he?!?! *Sighs* So great that you are now reviewing bikes like this, for 2 reasons, 1 because it's affordable, secondly because it's my exact bike! :D I'm 28 years old and buying a brand new bike is an impossible task and always feels like a pipe dream, so when I see reviews of a new Ducati etc I only watch it with the hope that great aunt Gladice leaves me 1 million pounds because that's my only hope! Thank you so much for reviewing this bike! No funky bells and whistles, true honest machine that you need to choke in the morning to listen to you....ride safe!

[ColonelBandit]

600 Bandit S was my first bike when I passed my test in 1997 - and I still own it! 😀

[Vegesaurus]

I do like these retro reviews. Nothing wrong with these older bikes and they have a different kind of character compared to newer bikes.

[bobstiff]

Bandits are great bikes. I've had 2 @ 1200 and a 1250 Bandit and they have all been spot-on. My current one is a K3 1200 and 20 years old.
I've been riding bikes (legally!) for 54 years and have had countless machines from 250 to 2000cc and still return to my Bandit for my fun!

[moonrakercbr]

Thanks for the nostalgia. 600 Bandit was my first bike after passing direct access in 2001, spent hours agonising it, the Fazer and the Hornet, but went Bandit. Loved it, rode everyday for 3 years, put 40, 000 miles on it! Sold it in 2004 to move to Oz, wish I had put it in the shipping container!

[stuartbailey]

I'm 73 and have owned many bikes from a Harley road king to a Honda super blackbird, touring the UK and France with my wife. These days I have a 2005 650 (no fairing) and love it. Never mind "winter hack" it's brilliant all year; comfortable, easy to service and maintain (a full carb strip down and clean in a couple of hours) and more than fast enough for todays roads - (especially in Wales). Heavy enough to cope with crosswinds but light enough to "manhandle" and park on it's centre stand (another plus) for chain maintenance or renewal. No gizmos to go wrong so you actually have to ride it instead of relying on electronic aids. Ride safe and always return home in the same condition you left. All the best.

[cyborgbadger]

Doing my DAS this year I'm 50 this year too. This review was spot on for me.

[bazm]

I had 2 600s back in the early 2000s, an absolute bullet proof of a machine. It was fantastic to ride with no frills and never let me down.
Brilliant bikes!

[ttrguy]

My buddy has 3 Bandits and absolutely loves the bike. His are pristine and he is always on our tours around the USA. Great review Sir!
Cheers.

[midnightrider]

First big bike was a naked 600 Bandit (which I later found out was a faired bike before someone binned it).
A very forgiving bike with a nice riding position. Helped me decide whether to go cruiser, naked or sports. Wish I’d kept mine and always have a sneaky look for a cheap local one now and again.

[markh]

I learned to ride on one the year before last, a great bike.

[Chambers_]

When I first started thinking about getting my bike licence, circa 2009, this was my absolute dream bike. Finally took the plunge and passed my test in 2020, seriously considering this as a cheap option 'second bike' now....I may get to have a go yet!

[simonnolloth]

Great review, I bought a 22 year old 600 with only 7000 miles on it last year absolutely love it

[mindspinn]

I wish bikes like this were still produced. 2016 Suzuki brought back the Bandit 1250S for one year and I wish I had bought one.

[MoroMagrew]

Great video! I have to say the planning and thought that has gone into this one really shines through! Keep these classic reviews coming!

[peterhague]

Got a 600 bandit myself mate, brilliant bike for work reliability is second to none, ride safe mate the fev rider.

[johnlenart]

The 600 Bandit was a beautiful looking bike. Had the style I always loved. Most of your followers seem to be of the age to remember the simplicity but I'm sure wouldn't give up modern technology now that most are bullet proof. Always a pleasure to chime in. Pure pleasure to watch Andy in the morning. 👍👍🏍🏍🏍🙋‍♂️

[donalharrington]

At 48 I've just started out on a 2006 bandit, exact same as this one. Absolutely fantastic machine. Will do everything you need. I've done local runs in all kinds of weather and covered 600km on a run a few weeks ago. No bother and very comfortable. Absolutely love it.