Author Topic: FZ6 or GSF600S (Bandit) 2005 models (Read 5450 times)

mwall · « **on:** June 25, 2005, 09:16:52 PM »

This question has probably been asked before but I'm ready to buy so I just want to get the latest opinions. I was ready to buy a FZ6 last week but the voice told me to hold off one more weekend to make sure. I came across a GSF600S (The 600 Bandit with fairing and 2 oval front headlights) that I really liked at a dealer but don’t know anything about it (have been searching net and have seen this bike called different things and its not on Suzuki’s web site??) It felt really comfortable alittle better than the yami. I could get this 2000 g’s cheaper than the FZ6 (can afford but why pay more) So can anyone please tell me the good and bad of the Bandit 600 with the fairing or give me opionions of why i should spend more for the FZ6. I’m 30 years old new street rider, laid back, just looking for a daily commuter (125 miles a day) mix of country roads, interstate and small towns, looking to ride year round except heavy rain or snow days but will want to have some fun on back country roads, do aggresivley race quads so im not totally docile, I’m Mid Atlantic, USA if this matters for the way the bike is built for different countries.
Thanks for any info
Mwall

PeteSC · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2005, 09:46:44 PM »

What year is the Bandit 600?
The Two oval headlights is confusing me.....
If it's a used bike, it could be somebody bolted on some aftermarket lights.
Regardless, the Bandit 600 is a good commuter, and decent for touring.
The FZ6 will be a little more 'peppy', and it's a good bike, also.

The Bandit 600 is not being sold as a current model in the US.
It's still sold elsewhere in the world, as well as the new Bandit 650, which may/may not come here.

With a few exceptions, the US model 600 looked pretty much the same from 2000-2004.
The older versions ran from '96-99, and look different.
You may be looking at a used bike, or a leftover 2004.
Whatever you do, do some price shopping. You may get a bargain if it's a leftover '04 or older.

mwall · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2005, 11:39:26 PM »

Its a new 2005 model, odmeter has less than 1 mile, never been titled before. The front end looks just like the 2005 1200 Bandit on Suzuki's web site, i guess the two lensens in the fairing are more rectangular than oval. Its on sell for ~4500 us dollars-has a couple of minor scrathes from shipping. How could they have this if its not avaible in US?

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2005, 12:01:44 AM »

It may be new, but it is HIGHLY unlikely an '05 model, unless your dealer got one from Canada. There is no '05 model in the US (which is why it doesn't appear on the US Suzuki site), and most other markets that do get this class, get a 650 version, bumped up from the earlier 600. (I believe the UK still gets the 600 and the 650.)

Pete may be right, but I was thinking that '03 was the last year for the B6 in the USA.

PeteSC · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2005, 06:50:09 AM »

Yeah, I'm not sure if the 600 was last sold in the US in '03, or '04.

The price doesn't sound 'bad'.
Usually the bikes don't get scratched up during shipping, since they're crated up pretty well. I'd bet the bike was scratched up during the minor assembly they have to do from the crate, or from sitting on the showroom floor for a couple of years....being moved around...sat on, etc.

I'd verify what year the bike is. There is a data plate on the frame, top, right...near the steering head. You should find the date of manufacture there.
The year will determine what's a fair price for the bike.
It may be 'new', but if it's an '03, the bike is worth less.

mwall · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2005, 09:57:08 AM »

Ok, thanks for the info I'll be calling monday morning to verify year and model-sells person may have been confused or I may have misuderstood, store was very busy yesterday.

"It may be 'new', but if it's an '03, the bike is worth less."

If the bike is an 03 youall would recommend staying away from it? What, did they have a lot of problems? If the bike is an 04 model then you would recommend? If so I'm assuming whatever problems the 03 had were resolved on the 04 models.
Thanks again
Mwall

PitterB4 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2005, 10:23:49 AM »

Quote from: "mwall"

Quote from: "PeteSC"
"It may be 'new', but if it's an '03, the bike is worth less."

If the bike is an 03 youall would recommend staying away from it? What, did they have a lot of problems? If the bike is an 04 model then you would recommend? Mwall

Not at all. It's just that the bike is older and the moment you ride it off the lot, it's a used '03 with the resale value of a nearly 3 year old bike regardless of the fact that it was just titled. Therefore as "new" it would be worth less than a current-year model (if an '05 were available). That's all.

PeteSC · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2005, 11:17:45 AM »

That's it.....
It's mostly a matter of financing, insurance or resale value, and not that there's anything wrong with the bike.

Like Rob said, the value of the bike drops in reality as you roll out of the showroom, and with every model year it sits in a showroom, getting dusty.
Just use this as a point to research an offering price on the bike.
Sometimes you can get a real deal on a leftover new bike.
It's been a while, but I remember seeing new Bandit 600s in the Chicago area going for $4600. They might have been last years models....

The 600's don't have any problem areas.

Red01 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2005, 08:13:11 PM »

Quote from: "mwall"

Quote from: "PeteSC"
"It may be 'new', but if it's an '03, the bike is worth less."

If the bike is an 03 youall would recommend staying away from it? What, did they have a lot of problems? If the bike is an 04 model then you would recommend? Mwall

Just that is worth less (two words) - not worthless (one word).

The only difference between a 2000 model year B6 and any of the newer year 600's is color changes - and I believe they added a gas gauge to the mix around '02 or '03.

mwall · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2005, 08:16:35 PM »

Hey thanks alot guys...uall really helping me out. I'll let you know if things work out and if I get it Ill post a pic.
Thanks again
Mwall

jared1970 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2005, 12:47:40 AM »

Could it be a case of mistaken identity? Sounds an awful lot like a Katana to me.

NCBANDIT · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2005, 01:04:07 AM »

Quote from: "jared1970"

Could it be a case of mistaken identity? Sounds an awful lot like a Katana to me.

I believe you know your bikes, from the description he gave, it does sound more like a katana than a bandit.

Red01 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2005, 01:45:45 AM »

I hope the guy can at least read

Katana 600:

Bandit 600:

Both bikes blatently advertise what they are in decals...

tacoman · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2005, 02:42:44 PM »

I'm thinking this guy may have found a "new" '03 model thats been sitting in the showroom awhile. I'd push for more than a $2000 discount. I'd start at $3k under and go up from there but not much. I'd take a B6 and $2-3K savings over the FZ. You can do a lot with $500 on a B6 and it will be everything an out of the box FZ is.

DaveG · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2005, 02:57:07 PM »

the 05 b6 here in Canada is a b6.5 now
looks almost idntical to the Bb12

it has a half fairing and the tuna has a full fairing.