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How is the Katana as a first bike?

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  • How is the Katana as a first bike?

    I have been getting interested in getting a bike in the future, gotta save up some funds . Until recently I was thinking of getting a GS500f but I saw a katana up close the other day and I really like the way it looks. I had some people mention that the Katana was an ok first bike but that they GS was better. Whats everyones opinions here? BTW it would be a 600

    Edit: Other question is, how is the insurance on this bike?

  • #2
    it depends

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    • #3
      Personally I do not think that the Kat is a good first bike. It's weight and high CG make it a handful at low speeds. The GS500 is a nice light bike with a low seat hieght. It offers enough power to allow you to ride on a highway, but not so much power that it would get you into trouble.

      That being said the Kat was my first bike and I have been happy with it, but if I knew them what I know now I would have went for a usedGS500.

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      • #4
        I agree with tzortn, a good used GS500 without the fairings is a great learning bike with enough power that you will not be bored with it to soon, and in the event that it does get droped there is no expensive fairings to fix or replace.. Then you could move up to a Kat 600 or 750. But that is just my opinion..

        Help Support Katriders.com via Motorcyclegear.com

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        • #5
          Ok, well since these guys already dissed the Kat, I'll throw in another choice...

          The SV650s is faster than the Kat6 and handles MUCH better on a twisty road...(if your into that kind of thing). On top of all of this, it's WAY lighter, and cooler looking too (in it's full fairing)...

          NOW, even tho the SVs has a more upright seating than a true sportbike, it isn't as comfy as the Kat on the looooooooooooooooong ride. My wife has one, awesome bike, we ride about 200-300 in an outing, she does ok.....but I wonder about the 500mile stuff......

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          • #6
            Guess I'll go against the grain alittle just cuz nobody else did

            I'll take the the Kat 600 as a first bike any day. The weight of the bike actually makes it more stable IMO, especially when you're learning. Its very comfortable, its got useable power when you need it, looks good, bullet proof for the most part, and just generally very easy ride.

            The GS500 is great choice too, as is the Ninja 500 or the SV650. All of them are good learning bikes, and will treat you well. It really all depends on what you like and what you are comfortable sitting on and riding.

            Insurance on the Kat 600, GS500 and the Ninja 500 are all very affordable in general. Aside from some insurance companies that just love to hear the cash register in their heads when they hear you wanna insure a sportbike..overall its much more affordable than most sportbikes. Alot of it depends too on your driving record, tickets/accidents, and also your credit history too. Some insurance companies will check ur credit score.

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            • #7
              I bought my first bike few monthe ago. It is a kat 600. IMHO, it is a great bike to learn on. It is powerfull at 7K+ RPM. As long as you keep the RPM low, you should have it under control. The biggest draw back, which everyone above already addressed, is the wieght and size. It is harder to balance in a very low speed U turn.

              But, what do I know...I never had any other bike befor..

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              • #8
                I think that the kat is not a great bike to learn on. I started on a Seca II, and think a Kat will overwhelm most newbies. The steering is a lot quicker, and the engine is much more responsive than a beginner bike should be. Couple that with the fact that its a bit top heavy, and you have quite the handful of a starter bike.
                93 Suzuki Katana 750 (V&H supersport system)

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                • #9
                  i say go with the gs500 with a few minor mods like tires and a lil practice they make great bikes im 285lbs and use one for track uses and it does jsut fine

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                  • #10
                    NOTE: STANDARD REPOST

                    Standard advice:

                    As a newbie, my advice is to look at cheap used bikes in the 400 to 500cc range. Find a bike that fits your build well, where you can put both feet on the ground and lean the bike between your thighs left and right a bit. The bike should be cheap -- $1k - $2k price range (preferably something you can afford in cash), physically light and nimble, and not all that powerful. If you wreck it during your learning curve, you won't cry at the financial penalty of it, and if you don't wreck it, you'll be able to get out of it whatever it cost you in the first place... It'll also teach you better riding habits.

                    To quote myself:

                    Originally posted by The CyberPoet
                    the Ninja 250 & 500's, Bandit 400's, Suzuki GS500 are an ideal starter bikes... [Newbie "riders"] would learn far better habits on the smaller bike than on a typical Katana (for reasons I'm about to explain):

                    There are certain great advantages to starting out on a small, nimble, high-rev'ving bike with a low total cost. Among others, you will learn to use the handling and power with far more finess and far more skill than you would on a larger, more powerful bike like the Kat. To put that into terms that make sense to someone coming from the car world:

                    When Colin McRae, the world-champion WRC (world rally cup) driver first started to drive (age 12 - 14), he did so swiping his dad's 1972 Ford Fiesta/Escort with a miniscule 1.2 or 1.4 liter engine. It had power nothing -- manual steering, manual brakes, and high-rev'ing engine with little torque. This taught him everything from precise handling to carrying speed through corners, finess and control, matching shift-speeds and proper gear selection. If his father had owned a Cadillac Eldorado with a 501 cubic inch engine and automatic-power-everything, he would have never had the opportunity (or the need) to learn proper gear selection, finess in handling, traction and handling loss of traction, etc. -- the huge engine and huge car just never require it of the driver. In the same sense, a larger, heavier and more torque-rich bike never require you to learn certain fine nuances of riding... you can just punch out in whatever gear for a passing maneuver, you don't need to carry speed through corners, etc. And there's the crux -- if you learn these skills as habits with your first bike, they go with you for the rest of your life. On the other hand, if you don't learn them at the beginning, unlearning mediocre and poor habits and learning the better/advanced habits later is very difficult and something many never master...
                    Thus, for all the same reasons that McRae went on to be the winningest rally champ in history, I say to you, get the Ninja 250 or 500, or a bandit 400, a nighthawk 450, etc., and start there. By the time you move up in a year or three, you'll be riding circles around at least half the guys who started on a Katana, and doing so with great confidence.
                    Just my two cents worth.
                    Cheers
                    =-= The CyberPoet
                    Remember The CyberPoet

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                    • #11
                      I'm a really big guy, so the Katana is extremely easy for me to handle at low speeds. Also, I look like a clown on a pocket rocket when on little bikes. I though the Kat was a fantastic learning bike, so once again, it all comes down to you. Other than that, listen to CP, he generally knows what the hell is going on.

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                      • #12
                        As a newbie rider that started this year (July '05) I have the following contribution.

                        I started on the Katana 750 and after 8000km on it would have to say it has been a fun learning experience. When I was first looking at motorcycles, I was looking for something in the 500cc range. I did my research for a few weeks as was thinking of the GS500. Without exception, everyone that I spoke to that rode said I would be bored after two weeks. At this point in my riding career (as short as it has been) I acknowledge they would have been right.

                        I purchased the Katana because it looked good and I was comfortable on it. For once genetics was on my side because at 5'9" and 155 pounds I wasn't a big guy but I was able to plant my feet firmly on the ground because I have long legs. I was able to sway the bike back and forth while maintaining balance, which was critical to me as a new rider. So, I knew what I wanted and bought it. I walked out of the Suzuki dealership with a sense that I made the right decision.

                        I took the riding course and got my comfort level up on being on a motorcycle (I never rode before). After I passed the course I took out the bike for a ride. I was scared a little at first because that bad boy was so much bigger than the bike I learned on but as my confidence increased, so did my ability. I bought some riding books and practiced my technique. After a few weeks, I was tooling around on that bike with confidence (except when it rains and then I ride like a granny ). My chicken strips are down to one inch and hopefully, I'll get better as time goes on.

                        The big advantage of the Katana is that it isn't a super sport and doesn't have a twitchy fuel injection system so you'll bucked off or lose control. However, you can rev that baby up to wring out the ponies and ride with force. You'll have enough power for years to come. It is also a versatile bike so you can ride in a wide range of conditions and uses, maybe just not as well as specialized motorcycles.

                        I was glad I got the Katana because it challeged me and through challenge I was able to improve. However, there is a diffence between being challenged and biting off more than you can chew. Some bikes are too big, powerful, heavy etc...and the Katana can fall under those categories for some people. It is not a bike I would recommend to everyone that is starting to learn, despite my experience with it.

                        You are probably the best judge of what you can handle and your innate ability. Go with your gut but if you are unsure then I would err on the side of caution. Buy a used bike, ride the crap out of it and then get what you want.
                        "The secret to life is to keep your mind full and your bowels empty. Unfortunately, the converse is true for most people."

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                        • #13
                          The Kat was my first bike. I had planned the whole time on getting a gs 500 with the fairings. The whole point at looking at it was the sportbike appearance. I am sure I would have loved it as I do my Kat. I do not think that either bike will be a bad decision. The GS500 might be a better bike to learn on, but once you have the basics down, the Kat is an overall better bike. I do agree with the other post, the SV is a great all around bike. They get a lot of respect.

                          Do not do as I did and buy new. Get a good used bike with low miles. Everyone will drop there bike for some reason or another. It hurts less when the bike is used. I know.

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                          • #14
                            My Kat 600 is my first bike and I love it. I bought it in March and plan on keeping it for a long time. No "upgrading" for me. It is heavy, but if you use your head it's not a problem. I like the weight when it's windy too. It's as fast as I want plus I can ride all day and not hurt/be sore. To me it's the best of both worlds. Everyone is different so get what feels best to you.
                            > Vince <

                            05 Katana 600
                            97 Mustang GT
                            95 GMC K2500 4x4

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                            • #15
                              I started on a 93 Kat 600. I am extremely happy with it, aside from the DAMN CARBS!!!!! But I've learned so much this summer alone about bikes and riding, I don't think I could have on a newer R6 or CBR or something.

                              Overall, the Pre98 is a great bike to start out on if you have a little bit of self control. If you are honest with yourself and don't have too much restraint, go with a smaller bike without plastics.

                              -sam

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