Does riding a Katana "make" you become a better ri

[Texas Blonde]

Taking into account the negative aspects of the Kat, wouldn't it make sense that overcoming these obstacles could help one (especially a beginner) to actually become a better, more skilled rider?

[BISQ]

I think so. At least in my case.

I found that I really had to learn about cornering and proper technique in order to stay in the same zip code as a lot of guys at the rally. I think that a person can get "lazy" as a lot of new riders with supersports do, and play "catch-up" on the straights.

Then again, I certainly have learned the finer points of throttle control from my R1. You don't want to whack THAT hornet's nest, I'll tell you.

However, I learned WAY more from the people I rode with (and the roads I rode on) at rallies than "just" riding the Kat would have taught me.

So...in the end, just like everything else, it's the people, not the machine.

[md86]

Yeah , it's harder making a so-so machine go fast , so when you get on a better one it comes WAY easier .

[JDS]

The only concern I'd have with saying that riding a Kat makes you better is that the Kat is much more forgiving than a more powerful sportbike.

So we may be making small mistakes and not really knowing it, but when we move to a lighter, more powerful bike we make the same mistake and it's magnified.

[JesterGfx]

I think so. If for nothing else, it's sheer weight will more or less force you to have to be more controlled with your riding, especially at low speeds. I also think it's more forgiving nature will help prevent new riders from trying stupid stunts b/c the power delivery just isn't there. And if they try it anyways, then they'll get to learn the maintenance aspect a whole lot quicker!

Yes, lighter bikes w/ more power are more of a handful, but I think learning on a Kat will provide the skills to "step up" to one of those machines instead of trying to start on one. Just my $.02

[the wind]

it can be more than a begginer bike.i've been riding my kat for 6years now and still haven't learned it all

[midqetsex]

I'm personally using a Kat600 as a beginning bike. I was thinking how the weight will really help out if I move to something lighter. I'm getting good at keeping the Katana steady at low speeds. Once I'm used to that weight, a lighter bike will probably feel like a feather. I'm sure that you're going to learn a lot of things with each bike that you ride. So yes, the Katana makes you a better rider, but I think that any bike is going to improve your skills in some ways.

[The CyberPoet]

Actually, I think the Kat won't do nearly as good a job as a smaller, more nimble, less powerful bike with a narrower powerband (such as an EX250, EX500 ninja, Bandit 400, etc), but it will keep you from killing yourself as readily.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[Lagmo]

Yes, there's a lot of smaller bikes around with a lot more forgiving low-speed handling than the Kat(just try a U-turn on a CB500 or GS4XX/500 or EX250/500).

They're also a lot more forgiving on the wallet if you screw up and dump the bike(the fairing equation)

I'd say try to get atleast 3 months on a smaller bike like the aforementioned ones then swap for a Kat.

Kats are heavy compared to current generation supersports, but still very managable compared to say a 80's Z900 or CB900F and even a lowly 600 Kat will likely have comparable peak HP to these bikes which where among the supersports of that era.

Personally i consider a Kat an 'intermidiate' bike(espcially the 750's and 1100's).
It might work as a beginner bike for some, but for someone with absolutely no experience i.e. 'noob' it could be a handfull :/

But that's just what i think... Most people don't care anyways heh

[crypt dog]

Actually, I think the Kat won't do nearly as good a job as a smaller, more nimble, less powerful bike with a narrower powerband (such as an EX250, EX500 ninja, Bandit 400, etc), but it will keep you from killing yourself as readily.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

+1 my first and 2nd bikes were kawi 500's used to throw them around all over the place feels more like the r6 i rode last year (but the kat looks twice as nice as the ninja 500)

[SweetLou]

Worked well for me. Had I had a supersport in a few instances, I would have gone down as I was learning.

[BISQ]

The only concern I'd have with saying that riding a Kat makes you better is that the Kat is much more forgiving than a more powerful sportbike.

So we may be making small mistakes and not really knowing it, but when we move to a lighter, more powerful bike we make the same mistake and it's magnified.

Exactly! Totally on target.

For me, it was throttle control. I really could be ham-fisted with the Kat, and have no ill effects. With the R1, a millimeter of throttle is the difference between good speed and disaster.

[tdrcomm]

I think it depends on what your next bike is planning to be. If you're going to bump up to an R1, Gix1000 or and RR bike it's going to be a whole new world. If you're going to go the sport/tourer route I do think it can make you a better rider if for nothing else, the weight. Honestly, I would have had a harder time with a ZX-10 or Gix1000 than with my Busa.

[Tito750]

Texas blonde: I think that dominating the weight of a kat being your first bike helps you alot, It gives you more confidence on smaller bikes if you ever need it.

[WildKat]

With a Kat, becuz its forgiving to a new rider, it allows to you learn and become proficient on ur techniques without worrying about getting out of control w/ too much power while you learn. And even after you've gotten used to ur kat and even if you've been riding for a long time. The kat is still a fun all around bike to ride.

But yes, u always need to guard against becoming complaicant when u ride, no matter what it is.