Craigslist naked bike: Is this a Katana or a GSXR?

[professorman]

I am looking on this bike on craigslist, the guy claims that it is a 98 GSXR 750, and I was VERY interested, but then, when I am looking on the picture, it looks very much like a Katana to me. I want your opinions. He is 1 1/2 hrs away, and I wanted to go after work. It would be a decent deal if it is a GSXR, but it would not be if it is a Katana.

The seat looks like a 750 PRE-98 katana 750 to me. Did all GSX-Rs come with only the 2 piece seat or could you get this seat as well? The gas tank looks like a katana too.

What do you think?

[HexKrak]

Is that the biggest pic? Looks like a kat to me though..

[mreedohio]

it looks like a 98 katana

[kidblooper]

looks like a gsxr to me. not so sure about the 98 part though.. sure its not an 88 ?

[katanawarrior]

That is a katana. You can tell by the frame support coming down diagonally across the side of the motor. The GSXR's had a large solid (trellis) style frame (many polished ) coming down parallel with the tank bends and then down to where the swingarm pivot point met the sub-frame, pegs, etc.

98 GSXR 750 =

[md86]

Just look at the VIN plate on the headstock .

[steves]

That is no GSXR.

http://www.bikepics.com/suzuki/gsxr750/98/member-pics.asp

[professorman]

Looking on a picture of a 98 Katana, the seat and tank looks to be the exact same to me.

[HexKrak]

Def not a 98 gsxr

[mreedohio]

looks like a gsxr to me. not so sure about the 98 part though.. sure its not an 88 ?

they didnt make an 88 750 katana atleast in the US

[professorman]

Okay. I am pretty sure this is a 98 Katana now. With his lack of knowledge of bikes I am not even sure if its a 750.

The bike has 29k miles, it is jetted with the exhaust. He says it runs crappy before it warms up, which takes less than a few minutes, but once its warm, it runs good.
He says he has all the fairings for it and everything, they just need to be put back on. I am not sure what condition they are in though, they might need a paint job I guess.

Would this be worth $1k in that condition?

I currently have a 92 Katana 750 (not running as yet), which I am pretty sure I can probably get $1k for it when it gets warm. This 98 might be more trouble than its worth though, if this guy doesnt know much.

[kidblooper]

i stand corrected .. no shocker there.. but it definitely resembles a 98 pos.. may want to check that out ..

[HexKrak]

Okay. I am pretty sure this is a 98 Katana now. With his lack of knowledge of bikes I am not even sure if its a 750.

The bike has 29k miles, it is jetted with the exhaust. He says it runs crappy before it warms up, which takes less than a few minutes, but once its warm, it runs good.
He says he has all the fairings for it and everything, they just need to be put back on. I am not sure what condition they are in though, they might need a paint job I guess.

Would this be worth $1k in that condition?

Expect some carb work and some tuning, but I'd say if you can get him down to $750 it'd be worth putting back together again.

[steves]

If it looks as crappy as it does in the picture... he should pay you to haul it away.

[Sky]

If it looks as crappy as it does in the picture... he should pay you to haul it away.

ditto