The new K7 650 Bandit S is a peach of a bike for the money. Before you even get aboard it looks fantastic and has the appearance of a much bigger 1 litre bike (indeed it looks almost identical and has similar dimensions to its 1255cc bigger brother). In the saddle, the new liquid cooled, fuel injected engine is silky smooth, purring quietly like a cat in slow traffic and pouncing like a tiger whenever you need to accelerate fast. You can certainly feel the power in the engine and (I’m told) 120mph and beyond is achieved with ease! Despite its 220kg weight, its upright riding position makes the bike feel perfectly balanced at all speeds and this generates a lot of confidence in the bike. And when you need to stop, the ABS brakes do the job very effectively. The two clocks, analogue tachometer and LCD speedo, are all very clear and the 6 speed gear box works well.
Minor niggles are the lack of a gear position indicator, the very limited under seat storage, the very occasional slightest of judders from the fuel injection at very slow speeds and a screen that could have done with a few extra centimetres in height. But these are all minor points and none of them is worth worrying about whatsoever.
Of course the Bandit doesn’t have the speed or shape of a GSX sports bike. But for the majority of riders it does everything you need to it in a superbly refined and enjoyable way and for the money your smile will get bigger and bigger the more you ride it. Highly recommended.
