Suzuki Katana 600

[ATS]

My first motorcycle purchase is coming soon and I would rather not get ahead of myself by getting something I'm not ready for. I have years of experience on dirt bikes however I have never been on a sport bike. I've always liked the Katanas and now the time is here, I'm curious how the rest of you feel. I understand everyone is partial to their own makes which is cool. Per my tastes, how do you feel about the 600? Is it suitable for a beginner? Any information is certainly welcome. :)

[GregGimbert]

Yes it is suitable. The Katanas , and Suzuki for that matter, do not have the very best rep for holding value or long term reliability. This could be good for you if you are able to pick it up extremely cheap & don't plan on holding on to it long term. My advice is buy a $1500 piece if shit & do all the dumb stuf on it (drop in parking lot cause stand is not down good, slide out in dirty corner cause you feel like Rossi on your 2nd day, ect, ect, ect...)& still be able to get you $500 back when done. Possibly a Kawasaki EX500. If after your 1st street beater bike you still want to ride street then drop the cash for the bike that you really want. My other thought is to get a dual sport bike as its characteristics & riding position suit your experience such that you could focus more of your attention to the street environment rather that an unfamiliar bike.

Finally,

you may want to spend soime time reading here http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp

It seems to be written from a cruiser & touring perspective but there is a ton of hard learned lessons there.

PS - Take the MSF course. ya might even get Courtney as an instructor if you are lucky. :wink:

[flynjay]

:up: Same as Greg said....very good advice.

My addition to that, as I am not partial to any specific manufacture, would be sit on as many diiferent bikes as you can. You may find that the bike you think you like does not feel comfortable to you, but your 2nd or 3rd choice "fits" perfect.

Just my .02

[ATS]

I definitely feel the need for something small, more beginner friendly. I will admit it's hard to battle with myself on wanting something extremely nice to look at versus something more appropriate for my skill level. I'm taking the MSF course this weekend so I hope that will shed a little light on what I am comfortable with. I find I keep reminding myself it's my first bike, not my last. I will take your advice though and sit on as many as possible. Thanks guys :up:

[DaveInDaytona]

The Katana would be a reasonable choice for a first bike. Although I agree with what Greg said (except the Honda Speak, "anything but a Honda is unreliable, blah blah blah") I think you will have to decide your confidence level when you go shopping.

I have seen new riders that buy a little bike and they are more than they can handle and never upgrade, which is cool. But I also know a few that bought the bike they wanted and had no problems learning and adjusting to it.

If you have years of experince on dirt bikes circling your grandma's back yard you may want to go on the more cautious side, but if you're a professional MX'er you may tire quickly of something too small and spend more time being frustrated and looking to trade up than riding.

In most cases you can grab a used middle class sport bike for a decent price and ride it for a while to learn. When (or if) it starts to bore you then you can usually turn it over without losing too much.

Hmm, I doubt very little of that helped. The good thing is that you have the right attitude and don't want to get in over your head too fast. Keeping that attitude will keep you safer and let you have a good time longer. Good luck.

Dave

[ATS]

you may want to spend soime time reading here http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp

By the way, that is an excellent link. Thanks

[SicFLgirlR6]

Well my opinion is start on a Ninja 250 or 500.... I know a girl selling a 2004 ninja 250 for 2k if you are interested, very resonable price. They retail for 3k.
Courtney

[ATS]

If it isn't green, and in good shape I'm intersted. :)

[RC U L8R]

My first bike and i still have it after almost 2 years is my RC51. My theroy was, you can kill yourself just the same on a 250 as a 1000, so might as well get what i wanted in the long run. I had the responsibility to restrain and use good throttle control first starting out, but thats something you really gotta know about yourself. Im no means a grandpa rider either, you wont find any chicken lines on my tires, and im not fraid to hit the rev limiter in 6th gear. Its just everyones different, u gotta find out who u are. A modern 600cc sportbike is no slower then 1000cc bikes of just a few years ago. A kanatuna is a good all around beginner bike, dont buy one new tho, they do not hold their value. My opinion a honda F3 or F4 is probably the best beginner bike known to man. Enough hp to keep up with the crowd on decent rides, very easy to ride and very forgiving, and still modern (non homosexual like the new kanotuna) styling. You can pick em up all day long for 2500-3k in very nice shape and you can resell it for just the same. Yamaha FZR's are nice too for beginners, for a yamaha. Im not biased to hondas i swear :twisted:

[Zeb]

O.K. Time for the Keeper of the Dinosaurs to chime in. All the bikes and suggestions that my wise cohorts here have put forth are spot on. Many newbies have not had this type of group to tap into and wound up hurt or stuck with the wrong bike. When you get a line on a couple of bikes you may be interested in, let me know, and since you are a fellow Palm Coaster I will help you check it out. Z

[DaveInDaytona]

If it isn't green, and in good shape I'm intersted. :)

I bleed green, I think it's time to ban someone. :wink:

[SicFLgirlR6]

I had a pic of nicey's 250, but I lost it some how, anyways I'll get in touch with her today, PM me or post up your email addy and I'll get you in touch with her :D . Also if you haven't taken an MSF course yet you should, I teach the class locally at DBCC, you should sign up for one. I'll be teaching the weekend of the 15th and 16th if you want to swing by and see what its like...
Courtney

[SicFLgirlR6]

Its not green :), anyways heres nicey's email vpayan@justice.com
Courtney

[E]

My first bike a 89 Katana 600 got it cheep and have done some dumb things ( stand not out all the way down goes bike ) the katana is a good bike to start on but you'll want to shop around first to see what feels good to you.

[RC U L8R]

My first bike a 89 Katana 600 got it cheep and have done some dumb things ( stand not out all the way down goes bike ) the katana is a good bike to start on but you'll want to shop around first to see what feels good to you.

Kanoftuna! sorry thats all i can ever think when i hear katana

[E]

KATANA was considered the ‘SOUL OF THE SAMURAI’. Often used as both shield and sword due to it’s superior strength and cutting edge gained through its meticulous construction process 0X