Im sure Im not the first new rider to face the above dilemma.
Having sat on and test ridden quite a substantial number of bikes I have now whittled my long list down to the final two: Fazer or Bandit.
Id love to hear from others about your expereinces with these bikes, expecially from people with experience of both. Im looking at the naked versions. Any joys, frustrations or general wisdoms about these two models to share?
Many thanks, Franko
hornet 
SV650:cool:
I have owned both! But I’m not a great representation as I got the bandit 2nd hand and it was screwed - oil leaks, collector box rusted away and repaired by a one-armed monkey, 3 weeks into owning it the can chain tensioner went and shreaded the engine.
Then I got a brand new Fizzer 600 and I love it (although shes a bit revvy).
That said, my mate has 2 bandits and he swears by them, I just bought a duffer
Either way, they are both solid bikes, just be carefull who you buy it from - take someone who knows what they are looking at.
Buying new, I would say the fizzer but I am bias, - the bandit 650 does look sweet, that extra 50hp goes in to the low end so the torque curve is a bit more stable than the fizz.
I vote Hornet too, even though it’s not on your list.
I had an 06 Fazer and it was just OK. An absolute b*gger to get into first or from first to second, but apparently that was common that year. I found it tedious to ride after just 3 months.
The Bandit is a superb bike and I looked at them recently for a second bike, but plumped for the Hornet. It gets rave reviews everywhere it goes and, having ridden one, I see why. My only reservation was it is a bit small compared to my Blade, but it is a doddle to ride if you want it to be, or quite exciting.
Horny, Horny Hornet! 
I’ve had an old shape (oil cooled) Bandit and I currently own an SV650s. The Bandit was a very worthy commuter bike, but it’s a bit dull to be honest, and ridiculously heavy for a ‘middleweight’ bike. The Sv650 is a lot more exciting and fun. I’ve ridden a fazer, and it’s a better bike than the Bandit, but they cost more, and is not, in my opinion. as much fun as my SV. So buy an SV. You know it makes sense.
yeah the sv is a good choice. especially if you have a field to plough 
hornet
Hornet - genius bike - looks ace - will make you ride like a hooligan
Go for an older Fazer (FZS600), '02 or '03 models are best. They look like this:
Bar the Hornet, I’ve ridden all of the above-mentioned bikes quite extensively (either owned or had as an insurance bike…), and this is my take on them:
Bandit (650) - quite possibly the most boring bike I’ve ever ridden. It’s a perfect urban commuter, but it’s completely bland and uninspiring. I had more fun on a CG125. It’s the kind of bike you can’t really find anything wrong with, but at the same time there’s nothing right about it either. Entirely forgettable.
SV650 - great fun, handles well, nice low-down power and a very capable and enjoyable machine - much much better than the Bandit. Uniquely compared to the other bikes here, it has a pretty sporty riding position and is quite uncomfortable. That’s a big issue for me, it may not be for you (though it didn’t stop me riding it for fun). Very aerodynamic though, on the flipside.
The other downside of the SV is that it’s not very powerful - 72hp iirc. Top speed of about 115mph.
The one thing I will say about the SV is that it feels very much like a toy. Kinda hard to explain, but it’s so reassuring, so capable but yet so unthreatening. It’s like a teddy bear. Strictly from a newbie-rider point of view, I’d say it’s the best choice here.
FZ6 Fazer (the new ones with the underseat exhausts) - very flawed bike. Plus points are the handling and balance - that side of things is just excellent. I can actually hold it steady at a complete standstill for a number of seconds with feet on pegs - I can’t do this with any other bike. And it corners very nicely indeed.
The engine completely destroys it though. It’s horribly snatchy at low revs to the point where I kept stalling it for a couple of days, felt like being back on my CBT - it just feels like it constantly wants to stall. I believe they fixed this on the '07 model however.
Also, it feels very asthmatic on the power. I know it’s theoretically the fastest bike of the lot, but it just doesn’t ever feel like it wants to go anywhere. All the acceleration seems to disappear outside of first gear. And when you twist the throttle, there’s a noticeable delay between your input and the bike responding. It’s extremely irritating.
The handlebars are also angled very strangely and give me instant wristache. I was very disappointed with the FZ6, but I’d also take one over a Blandit any day.
However, by far the best bike here IMO is the FZS600. Very powerful considering the kind of bike that it is, has instant grunt in the first three gears as well as a sweet top end rush, handles well, stops well, will sit at 100 all day long and is comfy to boot. The '02 and '03 Foxeye models have a 200 mile tank range too.
It’s like a sportsbike but with none of the disadvantages. It does everything well and is also exciting.
Hornet is the best out of the lot, suzuki`s just rust and fall to bits , my brother had a bandit 12 , after a few hundred mile it started fueling all wrong and not running right but the bandit has alot of bottom end grunt but its a pain in the arse setting the carbs up all the time.
I ride a Fazer 600 for work and it’s the second one I have had. I have done 25,000+ on it and not a problem. I thrash the butt of the poor little thing, pegs scratched, stoppies and wheelies, I jump speed bumps with glee and it has never missed a beat. I cannot sing its praises enough for what it is, a fab little all rounder.
I have the 06 version with the screen and would recommend it in case you want to do a few longer trips. I have Batalax BT021 fitted and they offer plenty of grip and good mileage (knee/pegs down no problem).
It is a bit revvy but keeps you engaged and gets you used to using the gears to be sure to get into the corner in the right one do drive through and out, on anything but the straightest road I can hold my own against the litre crew and even beat a few…
Fazer everyday.
Thanks a lot everyone. This all really helps.
Very interesting that the Hornet gets so much support. I had discounted it as Im 6’4" and found it just a tad smaller than the other two.
Some of the other bikes mentioned here I had discounted as Im not really into a forward position. I prefer the riding position of the Fazer/ Bandit.
My impressions of the two test rides I did were that the Fazer had a bit more personality. Yes I also felt the lack of power at low revs (it nearly caught me out when taking a slow corner) but I got used to it quickly and actually I quite enjoyed that feeling of really driving the bike with the throttle.
My impression of the Bandit was great bike - but I think I can relate to what you posted below about it being less unusual. Would it be unfair to describe it as a better, faster, more excitiing CB500? It felt somehow like a “common denominator”.
Having slept on it, and listened to your advice, Im leaning towards the Fazer. My only concern would be the gear box. It felt a bit clunky to me - kind of hollow sounding - and somoeone mentioned here they had trouble with the gear box…
I think there was something wrong with your one…my new one which is still very tight and only just run in has already recorded 130mph on the speedo (…on a private closed road obviously;) ) - I realise that speedos are not necessarily the most accurate, but I am quite experienced at speed and it felt about right:)
Well I quite like the Bandit
Had an 06 FZ6 before and it looked nice but wasnt a good piece of kit. As a previous post mentioned its really bland and you have to rev it to get anything working.
Go and test ride a new Hornet. Its fabulous, easy, light and quick enough for most.
I’ve had mine just over a year, done nearly 6k and it still looks in great condition. Still enjoy riding it every day both to work in town and out in the country
OK, OK, due to popular opinion I will now go and test a Hornet…
(and a Kawasaki Z750 for good measure?)
good lad. try and test an older shape too (f5 or f6 - upside down gold forks and digi display will identify it) as they look better than the new ones
Ok, so I just spent my afternoon testing the Hornet. I appologise sincerely for my cynicism. Loved it. Much lighter and nippier than both the Bandit and Fazer. My only downside is was it a bit too small/light? I quite like the butchness of the Fazer. Also the engine was a very different feel. Not better or worse, just different. Much more high pitch with a lot of vibration through the seat and grips.
So now Im down to Yamaha vs Honda.
Ill let you know how I go…
