After a long hiatus, I'm thinking of returning to a Katana

[BackToTheFold]

Hi guys. I started riding long ago on a Kat 600 (post-1998 style), then moved up briefly to a Kat 750. After that, I ended up riding a string of supersports and all kinds of other bikes, culminating in my current ride, a hardcore literbike.

Something inside tells me that I'm still - deep down - a Katana guy. My first "real" bike etc.

I'm thinking of ditching the liter for a new GSXF650. Not quite a Katana, but a little more practical considering I'll be using it for everything (commuting, entertainment etc.) in all seasons.

Has anyone else made the switch back to a Kat, specifically a 650, and never looked back? Or is this plan a recipe for disaster?

Cheers!

[DOCTORNITRO]

Welcome back!




THE DOC

[djct_watt]

The Kat is a bike for grown up, responsible people. The top speed is high enough to empty the tank in a hurry, and the sub 13 second 1/4 is enough to outrun any cager, aside from an exotic or a race built monster.

If you're responsible and grown up, she's all you'll ever need.

OTOH, most of us aren't. I struggle between loving the kat and being responsible, and giving in to my wild side; going for more speed and power.

[Zepp]

I could never own a Kat again after owning the ZX-14. The first reason is fuel injection. I will never buy a bike with out it again. Power is obviously another reason why.

[StevieB]

The GSF-650 IS a Katana- ignore the naysayers.

Welcome back.

[Helmet_Hair]

I did something similar. Kat6 ('88) was my 2nd street bike....over the years I went all the way up to a TL 1000 S (loved that bike). The older I get, though, I realize I just don't really need 120 bhp for the kind of daily-grind use. I'm back to a '89 Kat6. Almost back where I started 20 years ago.

[Enjay386]

I'm not responsible or grown up... but I still like it!

[izzy]

I'm not responsible or grown up... but I still like it!

When I think of the differences, and that I would only care about them on the race track (where I never am) I always end up back at the Kat.

[BIGKAT1100]

I'm responsible and "grown" and view the Katana as a fun, functional, and a motorcycle that can do a lot of things well. All that being said, It is also a motorcycle that, in 600-650cc form, is easy to out grow. The are other bikes on the market that are stonger sport-tourers than the Katana without going up to a ZX14 or Hayabusa. My Kat1100 is a good, comfy, and even kinda fast but something more up to date would be a lot smoother.

To directly respond to your question, you have to get best fits you and what you have to do. I know guys that use SS bikes for commuting, entertaining, etc and they're cool with it. OTOH, that, of course, is not everyone "thing", ya dig ?

[Slofuze]

I'll be buying another bike in the very near future simply because of the new tech that's out there.....but the one I have now isn't about to leave me. I love riding it too much and it'll stay in the family.

[eviilil0ne]

no idea how the 650 runs .. it just makes me looking at it .. but hey thats me .. if you like the feel .. go for it