your thoughs... first bike.

[spartan985]

mispelled the title.. sorry.

hello.
i'm looking to buy my first bike and my local dealer has a 93 katana 600 with 15,000 miles on it.

would this be an ok first bike?
i have experiance on dirtbikes and quads, so i'm not a total newb.

Also they are asking 1999.99 for it. from the pictures i have seen it seems to be in very good condition... will go see in person in a few days. is that a good price?

Any problems that i should know about with these bikes?

[VifferJim]

Bike good; especially for someone of your prior experience... make sure it's what you're looking for, though. It's a heavier steel framed, sport-tourer bike, not a SS crotch rocket.

Price, though... a bit high. A buddy just picked up a 96 Kat 600 around the corner from me, bone stock except for the exhaust and in exceptional condition - paid $1,800. I'm a cheap bastage and would have probably offered less. A 93 Kat 600 - I'd say no more than $1,600.

Only rear problems are that the carbs get dirty pretty frequently - put a set of inline filters in and you'll be okay. AND, if it's been beat on, could have 2nd gear slippage issues... otherwise, the motor is bullet proof.

[steves]

Jim pretty much summed it up.

If you are okay with the drawbacks as a starter bike... you'll probably grow into the kat without a problem.

[BIGKAT1100]

Bike good; especially for someone of your prior experience... make sure it's what you're looking for, though. It's a heavier steel framed, sport-tourer bike, not a SS crotch rocket.

Price, though... a bit high. A buddy just picked up a 96 Kat 600 around the corner from me, bone stock except for the exhaust and in exceptional condition - paid $1,800. I'm a cheap bastage and would have probably offered less. A 93 Kat 600 - I'd say no more than $1,600.

Only rear problems are that the carbs get dirty pretty frequently - put a set of inline filters in and you'll be okay. AND, if it's been beat on, could have 2nd gear slippage issues... otherwise, the motor is bullet proof.

I'm on board with that. It's a good bike to get used to riding on the street. I'd say that the dealer will probably go 1700-1800 on the price. Check it out.

[fireman1724]

I agree, try to get the price down alittle more and you are in.

[JBLUE]

yeah I agree that price is too much a couple more dollars and you can get a 98+

[chinto]

yeah I agree that price is too much a couple more dollars and you can get a 98+

why?


I do agree though, you'll get the price knocked down a bit, but if it is in great shape you'll still get a great bike at a great price.

[#1 Moses]

New bike

Before you go to look at it stop at you bank get twenty (20) hundred dollar bills. Put five(5) in your pocket. The other fifteen (15) in you wallet. If you like it start pealing off the hundreds Money talks!!! tell them that all the money you have Deal or no deal! Good Luck! Let us know how you did.

[Londob5]

I agree that the price is too high as well. I bought my '93 last year for $1100.00

Don't forget to take the MSF course before doing any serious riding. Riding a dirtbike or a quad and riding a street bike are totally different, IMHO.

[asianflip06]

Well it depends on the condition of the bike...KBB is $2,300.00 I paid $2,200 for my bike but also they included new front and rear tires, New chain and sprocket, new front & rear brakes, D&D exhaust, custom paint and a great motor/trans..Plus some other random stuff...Now if needs work done just deduct $$$ whatever problem it has to get it fixed...

[Sirhcrod]

I'd say the price is just a tad too high. I got my '00 for 1200, and she's in great condition. Though I did buy it from a honda dealer...

I'd make a list of things to look for on the bike, go in and run through that list. If everything clears and it seems to be in great shape, it's still a good price for a working bike.

[Zepp]

The price is too high. The Kat would be a good starter bike for you

[Fox Fader]

why?

Resale reasons, and that would be it.

[chinto]

Resale reasons, and that would be it.

ahh gotcha. If your contemplating resale reasons though an 88+ Kat probably isn't the best bet. They don't seem to do well on the used market.

[whitecl0ver]

nice 1st bike, talk him down on the price as has been stated several time already