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| Sportbikes & Sport-tourers Got a supersport, sport-tourer or streetbike? If you prefer the twisties to the open road, this is the place to talk about it! |
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| | #1 (permalink) |
| Newbie Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
| Hi guys, I'm a noob. Heh. I am wondering if the Katana 600 is a good bike. I sat on one today at the dealership and it is the "best fit" of all the sport bikes for my 320lb a**, while not breaking the bank or going too big on engine size.... I had gone in to look at Kawasakis, but I didn't find a reasonably priced Kawa that was anywhere near as comfortable as the Katana. Why do some people call them "Can-o-tuna's"? Is there some reason for using a derogatory term for this bike other than that it's heavier than some of the little 600 sports? The big-ness of the bike is what makes it comfy for me, so I don't consider that a negative at all. How about reliability? Fuel mileage? Affordability/availability of parts (after warranty)? Power? Brakes? Resale? I noticed some great deals on used Katana's online. They seem to drop in value faster than the Kawasakis or the GSX-R's, is that typical? I was considering a used one, if the price is right and I can come up with the money... but only if it turns out to be a good bike. The next choice is probably to step down to a Suzuku GS500 (sits very nice!) or a Kawasaki (Ninja) EX500 (500R), which also sits very nice. Not looking for a race bike... just a fun bike that I can ride 200 miles without having to get an azz transplant or a back brace. Thanks, Michael |
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| | #2 (permalink) |
| Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst. ![]() | I' d suggest not buying a bike right away but take the MSF class first. You'll learn a lot about riding, safety and bikes. Then decide what bike fits your needs. You'll be much better informed to make a buying decision. Kats are good bikes, just depends on what you want from 2 wheels and a motor. Oh Ya, Welcome!
__________________ Proud Father of a U S Army Soldier... The key to life is to die young...at a very old age... Ride like you own the road...and...someday the road will own you.. My Favorite Ride? Tomorrows! |
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| | #3 (permalink) | |
| Newbie Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
| Quote:
I will not be buying a bike until after the class, which is one month from now (I'm already signed up). As for what I need? Nobody NEEDS a motorcycle However, shopping for a big-$ purchase should take a lot of time/reading, etc, hence why I started sitting on bikes even though I have no license yet. I'm considering everything from a Ninja 250 up to an SV650, with a strong "lean" towards either a 500cc (Kawa EX500 or Suzuki GS500) or the Katana 600, both used. It seems like for a couple hundred more than a 500 Ninja I can get a 600 Katana and have a more comfortable, better highway cruiser.... Hence the quest for advice. I'm not buying anything tomorrow, just info gathering. -Michael | |
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| | #5 (permalink) | |
| Seat Tester | Quote:
I love the bike. Mine is a 750, and has plenty of power to it, I highly doubt a 600 would be underpowered. Brakes are pretty good, reliability I can't speak for, as mine's only got 4400 miles on it as she sits hiding under her cover right now. Fuel mileage has been mid 40s, although I'm sure it can get better, but hey, I've only been riding bikes since I picked up this one a couple weeks ago As far as prices of parts, when I bought my bike it needed a bit of work, a new windshield, headlight, taillight, turn signals, and mirrors, as well as a fluid change and a good carb cleaning. All done in a couple weeks for about $400. Don't know if that gives you any idea of prices for stuff, or if you were looking more for prices of performance parts, but that's my experience thusfar. Welcome to the forum | |
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| | #6 (permalink) |
| U.B's LoveChild ![]() Joined: Aug 2004
Bike: GSXR600K4 + D&D = DSRPTV!!!!!!
Location: San Angelo, TX
Posts: 1,083
| There are better opinions than mine on this board. If your looking for a sporty, inexpensive, and forgiving motorcycle then buy it and ride it. Should make a good starter for you. Its got a fair horsepower to weight ratio. That just means when you have a tendency to lose your mind, the Katana will compensate much better than a full-blown race bike. Have fun and enjoy. The MSF course you're going to sign up for is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
__________________ I can see you... MK86: The US Navy Sends Its Regards... FIVE INCHES AT A TIME!! |
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| | #7 (permalink) | |
| Newbie Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
| Quote:
Hey! I recognize you from the ColoradoFans.com forum Thanks for the info. So it seems Katana's can be a really good deal... It seems some of the Ninjas are overpriced in some people's minds... for instance, it seems almost silly to buy a used Ninja 250, when a new one is $2,999... (and used ones seem to be asking 2,500?!). Whereas, I saw at least two Katana 600's for $3500 in the trader and they were individuals, so I'm sure that's somewhat negotiable. Even if I have to pay 3k, that's the price of a new Ninja 250 and less than 1/2 the price of a new Katana. I'm also looking to find maybe a used 500cc, but they seem to be hard to find?... Where are some good online classfieids? Cycle Trader seems fairly slim on some models that I know sell very, very well (e.g. Katanas, Ninja 500's). Michael | |
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| | #9 (permalink) | |
| Seat Tester | Quote:
Katanas and Ninjas can usually be found all over ebay, cycle trader is usually pretty good...I'm trying to remember what site I found mine on...ah, I found mine on carbuyer.com Good luck with the search & be patient, you don't have to buy the first one you find (but you can if you want to...I did Nick | |
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| | #10 (permalink) | ||||||
| What makes you say that? ![]() Joined: Dec 2003
Bike: 2002 Bandit 1200 S
Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA
Posts: 888
| I think that would be a good choice. You'll still need to take it easy, since there will be some surprises during the learning process. You could ride that bike for a number of years and still enjoy it and learn on it.
__________________
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| | #11 (permalink) |
| Ditch Magnet ![]() | I've had a Kawasaki Ninja 500 and I ride a Katana 600 right now. Available parts are plentiful and fairly inexpensive. Its "better" looking than the Kawi (my opinion) and you're right, the Kat is a comfier sit. And...if your @$$ is really 320lbs you have NO business looking to get on a 250cc bike anyhow (that's just asking for trouble in my humble opinion). If the Kat is comfy for you right now then that's the most important thing for a beginner. In fact, for all riders, because trust me, if you're not comfy on the bike, you lose focus, your mind starts to wander and do other funny things that lead to bad judgment on the road. Take the course, get the bike, be comfortable on it as you get USED to it. Performance-wise, its a powerful enough bike. You won't outrun any Gixxers (at least, not until you've ramped up some experience points), but that's not what you're getting the bike for anyway. As you feel more comfortable, you can always jet the engine and install a performance pipe for more zip. Ride Smart.
__________________ **Those who flee from temptation often leave a forwarding address** |
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| | #12 (permalink) |
| Ditch Magnet ![]() Joined: Jun 2004
Bike: 2004 Katana 750
Location: Cocoa Beach, FL
Posts: 162
| I have a Katana 750 and love it. It's a sport-touring bike, so the riding position is not as aggressive as one of the super sport bikes. For me, that makes it a lot more comfortable. It's an older engine design than the new super sports, so it doesn't have nearly as much horsepower as say a GSX-R (I think a Katana 600 has 80 hp compared to a GSX-R600 that has 115). On the other hand, it's a very solid engine design that is pretty easy to work on and is very reliable. It has plenty of power without being too much for a new rider (in my opinion). As soon as you hear that kan-o-tuna remark, you know what kind of person you're dealing with. They want a bike to impress their friends and maybe even do a little stunting in front of McDonalds on Friday nights. Their minds are still in high school and they're probably upset because their VCR just ate their favorite skateboarding video. If they don't like your Katana, then don't ride with them. Trust me, you'll be better off. |
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| | #14 (permalink) |
| Sit speling cheker ![]() Joined: May 2004
Bike: 2003 Marauder 800
Location: Fairview Heights, IL
Posts: 1,668
| I had a '01 Katana 750 as my second bike. I loved it. It was very comfortable. The seat was very plush and the riding position was more upright. I could ride it for hours and not get tired. Plus, it came with a fuel gauge, which is really nice. As far as power goes, it had more than I needed. It accelerates very quickly from a stop, but tops out sooner too. I pimped it out with some aftermarket parts and it looked pretty nice. It was a very reliable bike. Bikes like the Katana, Bandit, and SV650 are often overlooked because just about every newbie wants a gixxer. That, and most motorcycle magazines only cover supersport bikes and/or cruisers.
__________________ "Rome didn't win wars by holding meetings. They did it by crushing those who opposed them." - unknown Everyone has a dark side. Mine's just a little closer to the surface. |
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| | #15 (permalink) | |
| Newbie | Quote:
__________________ __________________ The OG '05 SV650S Blue (the fast color? who cares, it's F'in gorgeous!) | |
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| | #17 (permalink) |
| Seat Tester Joined: Aug 2004
Bike: 94 GSX600F Kat
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 83
| I bought my 94 Kat from my friend who was the second owner. It had 24K miles on it when I bought it. I have almost completely restored it and painted it. The parts were well within the realm of resonable and it is turning out great! As far as reliability, she is an old woman but she still wakes up in the morning when I want her to (with a little coaxing via the choke). I take good care of her and she takes good care of me. It is the first (and nowhere near the last) sport bike that I have owned and I can say that it was the perfect starter sport bike, even with my 235 lb frame.
__________________ ScottDog129 |
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| | #18 (permalink) |
| Ditch Magnet ![]() Joined: Oct 2004
Bike: '97 Suzuki GSXF600
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 166
| Or, if you want totally UNBIASED http://www.katriders.com/ BTW, I have a '97 Katana 600. |
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| | #19 (permalink) |
| Seat Tester Joined: Mar 2006
Bike: 1999 katana
Location: AZ
Posts: 83
| i just bought my 99 kat 600 and absolutely love it. i had logged a few miles on a friends ninja 900 before he broke it and had considered rebuilding that bike as my first when i discovered that kawasaki's keep their value because there are so few left - seems they keep self-destructing. long story short: i paid for my 99 kat 600 what i would have had to spend on PARTS to get the 95 ZX9R running again, no labor for assembly or installation or tuning, just parts. i am 6'4" 260lbs and find my kat fits me well, and moves me very quickly. i thought she'd be a first bike and i'd move onward and upward but i can already see i'll be satisfied with this one for a long while. i'm still in the honeymoon period with this bike and sometimes just look at it and trip on the fact that she's so damned cool and all mine! even so, i do see the value in starting with a 500 or 250 as a first bike because the mistakes that i make are amplified so much, its sometimes frieghtening and often discouraging to a new rider. you can only go as fast as the cage in front of you, and usually, even a 250 is faster than that guy. thats just what i've found |
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| | #20 (permalink) | |
| U.B's LoveChild ![]() Joined: Aug 2004
Bike: 2004 GSX-R600 (Blue/White)
Location: ALABAMA
Posts: 1,113
| Quote:
Honestly speaking, I've heard a few riders say, "Katana's don't/wont ride w/us."
__________________ "I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way." | |
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