GSX650f vs Katana 750. Who's ridden both?

[FJCharlie]

you cant compare sv650 with bandit, 2 totally different types of motorcycles.
first off i hate that V2, it just sucks, when it should kick in it just does nothing then you have to shift. low rpm awesome and fun, after 5000rpm nothing, 0, dead..
have riden, 600F 750F sv650 650F gsxr600 and bandit600. not even 600 and 750f are the same, they are close but not the same. 750 has higher clipons and bit upright seating position.
sv650 is more like gsxr position, all on hands, my croutches couldnt bear with that, no comfort at all.
bandit and 650F are pretty close.
the only thing on 650F that is better than kat is that FI because i hate cold starts in the winter with carbs.

[rk97]

Originally Posted by FJCharlie

.
sv650 is more like gsxr position, all on hands, my croutches couldnt bear

I found seating/bar position on the naked SV quite a bit different than any GSXR I've ever ridden.

And if it's such a turd of a motor, why has Suzuki sold so many of them, while the 650F wasn't very popular?

[Kreylyn]

Originally Posted by rk97

And if it's such a turd of a motor, why has Suzuki sold so many of them, while the 650F wasn't very popular?

Can't answer that except for my personal pass on the 650F.


Suzuki released a 500f model. The 650f lookes exactly the same, just larger engine.


It looks to me like a "small" bike. Sure, it has plastics, and they are more "updated" than the Katana, but I look at it and go "meh". The newer Ninja 250 and CBR250Rs look significantly sportier with the same seating position as the 650.


Basically their updated look was still 10 years behind.


Krey

[numus]

Originally Posted by Kreylyn

Can't answer that except for my personal pass on the 650F.


Suzuki released a 500f model. The 650f lookes exactly the same, just larger engine.


It looks to me like a "small" bike. Sure, it has plastics, and they are more "updated" than the Katana, but I look at it and go "meh". The newer Ninja 250 and CBR250Rs look significantly sportier with the same seating position as the 650.


Basically their updated look was still 10 years behind.


Krey

I really wish they had stuck with the Katana style and just upgraded it with the FI gsxr600 engine. Rode a buddies GSXR750 and not only did the thing start up on the first shot, it was warm and ready within a few seconds. I didn't have to play with the enrichment level to get it at that "just right" position to start the bike up and let it bump the RPM to 4k and didn't have to try a couple times to get it to turn over without bogging down before it could bump up the RPM (granted I just found out my SLA battery is pretty much toast and recently fixed a serious issue with the fuel filter(was melted and leaking) so that could have led to my start problems).

I didn't notice an amazing increase in throttle response that I have read others state, but I felt the riding style was not comfortable for long periods.

Same buddy rode mine and was surprised by how comfortable it was on his marbles. Another buddy (who rides a CBR1000RR) was really against my getting the "can-o-tuna" until he rode it a couple months later. He was surprised by the throttle response and the acceleration (guess he wasn't expect it to be what it is). I have since realized most people who make fun of the katana have never actually ridden one.

Really think a post Katana with the FI liquid cooled engine would have been a no-brainer for those that want a more comfortable "sporty" bike with an Inline 4 and that suzuki really dropped the ball on that.

[konigralph]

The Katana is definitely an all around better value though, I wouldn't get the 650 just because of the price alone. The acceleration shouldn't be the same or even close.

Sure the people who talk down on the Katana are also the people who tend to not wear gear..