First, let me set the scene.  I had been riding a well-past-its-best GSX550ES for just over 3 years (given the time it spent in workshops during this time, more like 2.5 years), which had, within the last year of ownership, begun to cost me more than it was worth to keep going but, due to the loan I had taken out to buy it in the first place, I had to stick with it for a while.  Once the loan was cleared, I didn't immediately start all over again; I waited a few weeks...

I saw the Bandit in a local bike shop, and immediately decided I wanted it.A test ride only confirmed this.  A 3.5-year old Bandit N600, R-registration, with less than 2,800 miles on the clock?  The asking price was £3100; I drove him down by £200, and got another £300 off for part-exing the GSX.  Mr. Barclays didn't object, and it was mine...

Yes, I still probably overpaid.  The damn thing was almost utterly mint (apart from having Renthal bars and a sports rack fitted), and it was blue.  What could I do?

Well, in the 7 months I've had the bike, I've put another 2,500 miles on it. I'm still getting used to having a bike which can reliably do decent mileage, so no flames please.  Handling is pleasantly neutral; I don't know if the Renthals make a huge difference, as I've not ridden with standard bars on.  I know it goes where I point it, which is what counts.  The front suspension is definitely a bit soft, though; I'll try thicker oil, then if more is needed some new springs.  Being a porky sort I think I'll have to go for the latter.  The rear suspension seems fine to me; as far as I can tell the preload is standard.

Power-wise it's nothing special; an air-cooled 600 in a relatively low state of tune means that if you want to go fast, expect to have to wring its neck until it screams.  It's quite happy to do this, though.  With a redline in the 11,500 rpm area it seems to give most at about 8,000, but even in town it pulls well enough from about 2,500-3,000 rpm.  I have seen the needle pointing at 120mph, allegedly; air resistance is obviously a limiting factor on a naked bike.

The brakes are more than adequate for the machine; compared to the old GSX brakes they're bloody incredible.  I'd say the same for the lighting and ancillary electricals.

I've only had the OEM Bridgestone Exedras on it, which have occasionally slipped here and there on Autumn's wet, greasy, leaf and diesel-coated roads.  Next year, cash willing, I'll be trying 020s, or maybe the 010f/020r combination beloved of so many.

I gather that the finish on Suzukis can leave something to be desired; mine seems fine so far, but I get the impression that this is going to be its first active winter.  Stay tuned...

Running costs seem reasonable; £85 for a rear tyre (fitted and balanced), about 130 miles to a full tank (which currently fills for £12-ish from just-hit-reserve).  Insurance is not bad either; I got £149 tpft, or £250 f/c, with 5 years experience and 4 years no claims, rider aged 30.

In short, ideal for newly-qualified DAS types, or just anyone who doesn't want/need/sexually desire the biggest, fastest, shiniest bike on the block. Excelling at nothing, but perfectly adequate for just about anything on tarmac, it doesn't for one minute make me wish I'd bought something else.

Being the older model, it has that curious design flaw that has the potential to write off the frame in even a low speed drop.  Just keep it upright...