Need Advice on Bike Deal from Experienced Riders

[mvspeed101]

Hey everyone,

So as of this coming Sunday, I might be able to consider myself a motorcycle rider. It's really exciting and I hope to learn from a lot of you on the forum. My friend is offering to sell me her bike, 96 Katana 600, 15000 miles, one owner. She purchased it from Coleman Sports here in Northern VA and wants to get something else. Her asking price for me is $1100...What do you think? bad price for a first bike? Thanks

E

[CheapBike]

I just picked up a 2000 katana and always drove cruisers prior to that and I love the bike. Wish I had a tire on it right now..

1100 sounds fair to me. I'd say if it'll pass safety, give it a good run through on fluids and ride it.

Is it hammered?

[Warputer]

Welcome to the site and yes, I'd say that's a good deal .

[Tab B.]

Sounds like a good deal. At 15,000 miles, I'd have the valve clearances checked, and maybe have the carb synchronization checked as well. Those motors are this side of indestructable. To beat a horse that should be beaten often, have you taken the MSF course? If not, please do.

[Clint]

I agree with the above, but any bike of that age should be well checked by someone who knows bikes. Look especially at the tires.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I agree with the above, but any bike of that age should be well checked by someone who knows bikes. Look especially at the tires.

Especially look at the tires? Tires are the least of your worries. Odds are you'll be replacing one or both of them within the next 5,000 miles anyway.

I'd see if there are any maintenance records on the bike. Look for an oil change every 2500-3000 miles. If offered, ride it and make sure the clutch is in good shape (if it feels weird it may need adjustment, or it may need replacement).

Make sure you feel a nice, top-heavy power surge (over 6 grand or so that bike should really wake up). Look for evidence that the bike's been dropped/wrecked. If you think it may have been dropped/wrecked, make sure the handlebars are straight.

See if anything's been done to the bike, like rejetting the carbs, new tailpipe, etc. Sometimes these things get done and the proper tweaking is never completed.

Check the chain to see if it's stretched from use. For a quick check, there are adjustments on the swingarm . . . see if it's near the end of the adjustment range (i.e. the bolts are tightened until they are at the back of the swingarm).

If it's a friend you trust, odds are it's in decent shape. No one wants to sell a clinker to a friend and then have to hear about it for the next ten years.

[cvillechopper]

You said this was a friend selling the bike to you, right? $1,100 sounds good to me but, until you've taken the MSF course (it sounds like you've not ridden before) I'd be cautious of taking it out for a spin and putting it into the power band as recommended above. Get a friend with some experience to do it for you or just ask her if there's anything you should know. If it's been taken care of you shouldn't have to worry about the mechanics except for the regular maintenance listed above.
Good luck and remember to factor in the cost of gear into your purchase. Helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots with an option on riding jeans or pants. Don't just use your leather jacket from the closet and your winter gloves.
Ride Safe.
James

[mvspeed101]

Wow!

Guys, I want to first start off by saying thanks for the overwhelming responses and concern!

cvillechopper- I am definitely going to look into the MSF course (I have actually ridden my friends cbr f4i a handful of times), but I do still consider myself a beginner. I am not taking any chances with that. As far as the condition of the bike, she had mentioned the dealership that sold her the bike (Coleman Powersports Honda Yamaha Suzuki Kawasaki Ducati Motorcycle ATV Dealer in Northern Virginia - Coleman Powersports), NEVER trades in bikes that have been put down. This is her quote. I have already factored in cost of equipment which I can purchase on Ebay/ Craigslist for a fraction of the cost.

themeatmanlandry- The tires have 70% tread left. I will definitely be looking into the historical maintenance. The only mod that was performed was new exhaust. I reiterated to her if there was anything else I should know and she would have told me.

Tab B.- Again, MSF course is on the priority list! Thanks.

I have been looking for a beater bike to learn on for a while. I initially wanted to go to the supersport level and get an 03 cbr 600 f4i, but when I saw this deal I figured to grab it, learn on it, and hopefully get something by next summer.

[themeatmanlandry]

That bike had carbs. If it got a new tailpipe, it *probably* got re-jetted also. New pipes generally allow more airflow, requiring new jets. Ask about that.

So far, it sounds like a nice, safe (economically) deal.

[Tab B.]

Trust me on this, I think others will agree. While the 600 Katana isn't the latest and greatest compared to what is available now, if in good shape, it will be FAR from a "beater bike". It will still have plenty of usable power, and it's chassis is known to be neutral handling, stable and forgiving. A good platform to learn and grow on, or as it is for many, a good bike to just plain pile the miles on. An experienced rider on a good Kat can embarrass less experienced riders on MUCH faster and newer bikes on twisty roads or even on a trackday. If you get it, don't sell it short and let it help teach you.

To be fair, the same could be said for the Kat's contemporary peers also!
I just like sticking up for good machines that get overlooked in favor of newer stuff.

[palanon]

Hehe...defender of the down trodden.

[Easy Rider]

> The tires have 70% tread left.

Tread is only one consideration. They start to harden and crack after a couple of years if stored inside and about one year if left out in the sun all the time. ASK how long they have been on the bike AND inspect the sidewalls for cracking.


> I have been looking for a beater bike to learn on for a while.

This is a VERY good idea and unless YOU are large and strong, it probably should be something small. The 600 you are looking at is OK if it fits you AND you can muster a little disipline with the throttle!!!

> I initially wanted to go to the supersport level and get an 03 cbr 600 f4i,

This is NOT a good idea! Supersport + Newbie = Hospital (or worse).

Performance wise, the Katana is not far behind a 600 SS so if you get it, treat it with respect and be careful.

[mvspeed101]

Thanks for the input guys. So, I will be seeing her this Sunday. She is bringing the bike over. Again, to my assumption the bike has not been put down until she dropped it and broke the mirror in idle (it's too big for her; primary reason she is selling it).

So to sum up, in order, from top priority, what are the list of things I should be checking for?

Thanks,

E.

[themeatmanlandry]

My opinion:

-Carbs rejetted? If not, why not?
-Maintenance Records. When was the last valve adjustment? Oil changes regularly.
-Ride it and check the clutch operation. If she's riding it daily (or so) it's more than likely okay.
-Check for that power surge I spoke of at 6 grand. Someone indicated that you may die instantly if you do so, but don't be scared. It's just a motorcycle. Point it straight down a nice long road and take it up to 9 grand at full throttle. Around 6 you should feel a nice surge in power.
-Check the chain (if you even care). Chains wear out continuously, so a spent chain's not a deal breaker (especially at that price).



A word of advice: Bikes cost a lot of money to keep going if you can't do some things yourself. Buy a Haynes manual and a set of tools. I can do pretty much all routine maintenance myself and I save a ton. For what you pay the mechanic to replace your chain, you can buy a chain tool and do it yourself. Find a Katana forum (if you can) or a Bandit forum. Lots of helpful folks with good hints (like don't drop the metal dowels into the engine when you remove the valve cover . . . stuff like that).

[Tab B.]

Hey Meat, you could've put in a shameless plug for maximum-suzuki.com.

There, I did it for you.

[mvspeed101]

Meat,

Thanks for the insight. I'll definitely make sure to look into everything. The good thing is I have a friend of mine who's an avid rider and he does his own maintenance on his bike (2000 TL1000), so I know he'll be giving me a hand. Just another thing, what gear am I best expecting to feel that "surge"? Thanks again for the advice!

-E

[themeatmanlandry]

2nd or 3rd. Any gear, really, but use second or third (NOT FIRST!! ), that way you're not going a buck and a half when the surge hits.

The surge isn't that big of a deal, I just thought that it might be a decent way to judge the strength of the motor. It's not really as important as some of the other stuff mentioned.

Take the MSF. Seriously.

[mvspeed101]

Hey guys,

Ok, for those of you who have followed my initial post about the 'steal' Katana, I have an update. I got the chance to ride it yesterday. One thing I noticed was the clutch seemed 'hard' which challenged my shifting. I still need my friend to take a look at it and take it out before I decide on it...Just wanted to fille you guys in. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions!

E

[cvillechopper]

Check the lever when you look at it next. If the mirror that's broken is on that side it's likely the lever was bent as well. Easy to overlook at first but a bent lever will deffinately feel "hard" to use if it's dragging on the pivot. Just one place to look.

[mvspeed101]

Originally Posted by cvillechopper

Check the lever when you look at it next. If the mirror that's broken is on that side it's likely the lever was bent as well. Easy to overlook at first but a bent lever will deffinately feel "hard" to use if it's dragging on the pivot. Just one place to look.

As a matter of fact, the mirror is broken on that side (clutch lever). What would it take to repair and how much?

E