Some questions about my new bike.

[MichaelVeringo]

I recently bought a 2001 Suzuki Katana 600 with 7000 miles on it. Would I notice in the ride if my chain needs to be tightened. Like what weird things can you notice while riding?

And when i'm going straight down the road my handles are ever so slightly to the left? Any reason why?

Thanks in advance from a proud new Katana owner.

[Kreylyn]

I recently bought a 2001 Suzuki Katana 600 with 7000 miles on it. Would I notice in the ride if my chain needs to be tightened. Like what weird things can you notice while riding?

And when i'm going straight down the road my handles are ever so slightly to the left? Any reason why?

Thanks in advance from a proud new Katana owner.

The simplest way to check the chain is...

With it on the sidestand, use your toe to lift on it in the center bottom... if it moves more than about 1/2"... your probably in need of adjustment. At the least, do the official measurement check by the manual. (free to download here... )

Loose chain is noisy, and will cause jerky operation accel and deccel.

As for the pull to the left... could be tires, bearings, wheel alignment, bent front end.... lots of things.

Krey

[MichaelVeringo]

The simplest way to check the chain is...

With it on the sidestand, use your toe to lift on it in the center bottom... if it moves more than about 1/2"... your probably in need of adjustment. At the least, do the official measurement check by the manual. (free to download here... )

Loose chain is noisy, and will cause jerky operation accel and deccel.

As for the pull to the left... could be tires, bearings, wheel alignment, bent front end.... lots of things.

Krey

Thanks! It did seem kinda noisy on launches and jerky going down the road in the lower RPMs. Just checked it and it moves a pretty good bit. And it's not necessarily pulling. The handles just seem off centered. Could just be my OCD kicking in or feeling weary that I bought this bike on Craigslist. How many RPMs should I just cruise on?

[Stumpy]

How many RPMs should I just cruise on?

Depends entirelly on how fast you are going and what gear you are in - do you mean city centre, middle of nowhere backroads or motorway?

[MichaelVeringo]

Depends entirelly on how fast you are going and what gear you are in - do you mean city centre, middle of nowhere backroads or motorway?

Usually city center. Should I stick between 4-5k?

[shpielers]

Torque starts building pretty fast at about 4.5k rpm so if you're wanting to be able to accelerate in a hurry to avoid something, that's a great place to be in.

[MichaelVeringo]

Torque starts building pretty fast at about 4.5k rpm so if you're wanting to be able to accelerate in a hurry to avoid something, that's a great place to be in.

Thanks! Yeah with all the crazy drivers in Myrtle Beach I need to be able to get out of the way really quick just in case.