I just finished the MSF course and got my M1 endorsement. My daily commute takes me 22 miles from my home in the Santa Cruz mountains through the Silicon Valley freeways to my office in Mountain View. I also intend to do a few track days beginning next summer because I know fro my car experience how much I can learn there. (Going faster on the track isn't my priority, learning better riding skills for my commute is my priority.)
A neighbor has a very very clean 1996 Katana GSX750F with 7900 miles and plates that expired in March 2003, and he's interested in selling. It sounds as if we'll be able to agree on a price between $2-2.5K. I'll need to change the oil&filter, bleed the brakes, and mount new tires - basic maintenance stuff. Its only drawback is the dark blue-green color, but the yellow stickers go OK with my yellow textile jacket.
I've been lurking on Northern California forums. Why do other riders diss the Katana? I see pejorative comments like "I'd rather be riding a pink Katana" or "that's one fugly bike". What's wrong with Katanas? I know it's not an awe-inspiring literbike or the sexiest Duc, but that's not what I need for my current level of skills nor for my intended uses. Is there any reason I should avoid this neighbor's bike and keep shopping?
(Other types I'm considering in my under-$4K price range are Honda 90-97 VFR750F, BMW K75C or K75S, Suzuki 99-02 SV650S.)
Thanks for any insight!
A neighbor has a very very clean 1996 Katana GSX750F with 7900 miles and plates that expired in March 2003, and he's interested in selling. It sounds as if we'll be able to agree on a price between $2-2.5K. I'll need to change the oil&filter, bleed the brakes, and mount new tires - basic maintenance stuff. Its only drawback is the dark blue-green color, but the yellow stickers go OK with my yellow textile jacket.
I've been lurking on Northern California forums. Why do other riders diss the Katana? I see pejorative comments like "I'd rather be riding a pink Katana" or "that's one fugly bike". What's wrong with Katanas? I know it's not an awe-inspiring literbike or the sexiest Duc, but that's not what I need for my current level of skills nor for my intended uses. Is there any reason I should avoid this neighbor's bike and keep shopping?
(Other types I'm considering in my under-$4K price range are Honda 90-97 VFR750F, BMW K75C or K75S, Suzuki 99-02 SV650S.)
Thanks for any insight!
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