Newbie questions

[iams1234]

Hey guys this is a great site! I just bought my first bike a '01 Kat 600, and have a few questions. First is there any good "basic" books about katanas I already bought the suzuki service manual but it doesn't answer my basic questions. Secondly, how do I get the bike on the center stand? I've tried holding it down with one foot and rolling the bike back maybe I'm doing something wrong. Lastly, what are the average shift points for just normal commuter riding? This is my first bike so I will be taking it slow for quite awhile . Thanks for all your help, Ryan

[ThAzKat]

The True Katana book should be on shelves soon, CyberPoet is the man. Put your foot right where you had it and put your left hand on the handle bar, right hand under the fender for guideance and roll it back. Practice, it will roll back fairly easy, you shouldn't have to struggle. Yes, take it easy and slow, don't try to push the limits.

[BearKat]

Well you have come to the right place for basic Katana information.

Welcome to Katriders

I don't know if the service manual is any better or worse than a Clymer Manual. Yes Cyberpoets book should be full of tasty Katana goodness.

Bike on the center stand, I find it is easier to push down on the stand with the one foot and lift up on the rear end with your right hand and steady the bike with your left on the handlebar.

Average shift points. The bike really wakes up after 6-7k but normal everyday cruzing I would saw 3-4k depending on the demands. Take it easy and keep the rubber side down.

-The BEARKAT

[tzortn]

Here is my procedure for getting my bike on the centerstand. First lower the stand until the first leg contacts the ground. Then while applying pressure to the stand straighten up the bike untill both of the stand's feet are contacting the ground. Then keep pressing down and lift the passenger footpeg. It does not take a lot of force, just a little practice. I found it helpfult to have a friend on the other side of the bike the first time I put it on the centerstand. That way I knew that it would not drop.

[duff daddy]

shift points are about 200 rpm below red line, thats where you wanna shift

[ThAzKat]

shift points are about 200 rpm below red line, thats where you wanna shift

sure, unless you have a passenger, but if that person is ugly the shift at redline.

[WildKat]

duff's shift points are corrupted by his porn star mind

center stand is a bit tuff till u get the hang of it. I stand to the side of the bike (clutch side), stand it straight up, (keeping the side stand down as well, just in case ) then push down on the center stand ur right foot till it touches the floor, and lift up & back by grabbing the tie bar under the rear plastic and lifting up and u push down on the center stand. She come right up for u, but its odd at first till u learn it. Also, Definately have someone else helping you till u get the hang of it, cuz if u lose ur balance and the bike starts the lean the opposite direction, you're not gonna be able to stop it from falling.

Welcome to KR !!

[thurockk]

My bike came with a V&H slip on, the center stand was gone, can you put the center stand on with a yoshimura slip on? I was thinking of trying to find a center stand to put back on the bike

[iams1234]

Thanks for the responses I'll have to try the stand tomorrow after the wife gets home, for a little insurrance. Hate to drop it before I get it out of the garage. Great to know about the shift points too, just signed up for a local ridding class, it not till the end of June though. I guess that gives me some time to practice and get some gear. Any recomondations on ridding gloves? I was wondering about some of the mechanixs wear gloves with the padded leather/kevlar on them what do you guys think? Thanks

[SweetLou]

If your big enough, you can pretty much just grab the rear handle, grab the bar, and just step down on it, and it will pop up itselF!!!

[md86]

Well , where in Ohio are you ? Maybe I could just SHOW you how the centerstand works .... As for gloves , those mechanix gloves probably aren't worth much in a crash . I picked up a pair of decent leather gloves for relatively cheap (Firstgear Carbon Race about $50) . Look around , you'll find some . And I HAVE crash tested these gloves BTW , and they work as advertised ! Oh , and Lou , you don't need to be big to get the bike on the stand , just gotta know the "trick" . It's all about technique !

[WildKat]

Thanks for the responses I'll have to try the stand tomorrow after the wife gets home, for a little insurrance. Hate to drop it before I get it out of the garage. Great to know about the shift points too, just signed up for a local ridding class, it not till the end of June though. I guess that gives me some time to practice and get some gear. Any recomondations on ridding gloves? I was wondering about some of the mechanixs wear gloves with the padded leather/kevlar on them what do you guys think? Thanks

good call on the riding classes, thats a great way to start out on the right foot !

riding gloves...it all really depends on how much you wanna spend to be honest. I have 2 pairs of Icons, and 1 pair of rockets. I love them all.

The icon tarmac gloves, basic gloves w/ reinforced knuckles and palms, and fingers, go for about 35.00 or so... my rocket phoenix gloves are about 50.00..and really a step up is my icon gauntlet style titanium gloves.. normally 150.00 a pair but got them on ebay free, when I bought my jacket from some guy.

my rocket gloves look similar to this one..

[iams1234]

Hey Guys thanks for the info. I got the centerstand figured out now, just waiting for spring so I can get out and start practicing.

[Range]

ok...next week we show you how to wheelie!

[WildKat]

Let range be the first to show you on his new triumph and neato new red helmet!