New member

[Bikes4Life]

Hello everyone, just thought i would introduce myself. I have been riding dirtbikes since i was a kid, up until a couple of years ago when i took the plunge and got my license. I have been riding a gs500 for two years and i am now looking to upgrade to either a 750 Kat or gsx650f. I have to stick to sport touring and under 1000cc. Anyhow i look forward to posting here and learning more about Katanas.

Cheers.

[shpielers]

Welcome!
Why the restriction? And no worries, you still get a plenty capable bike within that range. Personally I'd go 750. I don't care for the looks of the "new" 650. Can't base it off anything else as I really dont know much about them.

[Bikes4Life]

Welcome!
Why the restriction?

One word, insurance! lol I will be paying around $1700 a year for the 750 kat and about $1600 for the gsx. Personally i like the looks of the gsx better, however i like the numbers for the kat more.

[rottenpixies]

What year is your GS500? We got my girl a 1980 GS550 for her first bike last year.

[Bkohs]

Welcome. One thing to consider is how well you know your way around carbs and how mechanically inclined are you. I'm assuming, because you have been on dirt bikes, you know a thing or two about wrenching. The reason I say this is because you will eventually have to work on the bike regaurdless of your choice. I'm not saying you cant learn or shouldn't try to learn, but it's something to consider. Your carbs will also play a part in the numbers you like on the kat. On the 650F, it's fuel injected and computer programmed to give you pretty much the same results no mater climate, elevation, or, for the most part, age. Either way, as long as the bikes were taken care of you will be happy with your choice. I've now been on the kat 600, 750 and recently the 650F and they were all very nice.

[Bikes4Life]

What year is your GS500? We got my girl a 1980 GS550 for her first bike last year.

My 500 is a 2004. It really is a great bike, however I ride the highway a lot and could definitely use more power and weight.

Welcome. One thing to consider is how well you know your way around carbs and how mechanically inclined are you. I'm assuming, because you have been on dirt bikes, you know a thing or two about wrenching. The reason I say this is because you will eventually have to work on the bike regaurdless of your choice. I'm not saying you cant learn or shouldn't try to learn, but it's something to consider. Your carbs will also play a part in the numbers you like on the kat. On the 650F, it's fuel injected and computer programmed to give you pretty much the same results no mater climate, elevation, or, for the most part, age. Either way, as long as the bikes were taken care of you will be happy with your choice. I've now been on the kat 600, 750 and recently the 650F and they were all very nice.

I am quite familiar with carb engines, and for me maintenance and wrenching is part of the fun. The 650f being fuel infected is nice, however looking at the numbers makes me worry that I may get bored quickly with it. I realize that the 750 Kat does not make much more power, but there is def more torque. Obviously I am just going by the numbers here, and I will be trying before I buy. I am kind of leaning towards the 750 at this point. That is if I can find an 06 in Black with low KM's lol

[Wild-Bill]

Welcome. Keep in mind that an 89-97 750 Kat makes more power than the 98+ bikes. (Looks better, too!) Even if you go with the newer model Kats they're liable to need some work. After all, they're not new, either.

[Slofuze]

Welcome to KR! Insurance rates for a young rider in Ontario are insane for any Gixxer, but the Katana is classified as a sport\tourer and would definitely be a better choice. Be sure to find a company to insure it first. You may want to check out TD bank's rates (Primmum Ins.)

[JIB]

Welcome to KR

[KatanaGSX92]

Welcome!

[Bikes4Life]

Welcome. Keep in mind that an 89-97 750 Kat makes more power than the 98+ bikes. (Looks better, too!) Even if you go with the newer model Kats they're liable to need some work. After all, they're not new, either.

I def like the looks and numbers for the pre 98 better, however they are likely to need more work and have higher mileage. This is not always the case, sometimes really good examples of pre 98 kats can be found, however in my area I am more likely to find the later versions. Even if I do find a nice 06, it will more than likely need some minor work being over 8 years old.

Welcome to KR! Insurance rates for a young rider in Ontario are insane for any Gixxer, but the Katana is classified as a sport\tourer and would definitely be a better choice. Be sure to find a company to insure it first. You may want to check out TD bank's rates (Primmum Ins.)

Yup, TD/primmum is the only company who would touch me. I am 29 years old with a clean record, 6 star driver, MSF course and last year I payed $1596 for my GS500. This year I am paying $992 for the GS, and quoted $1700 for the 750 Kat. I priced out some SS bikes like the gixxer, cbr, etc and they ranged from $2100 to $4800 a year depending on the model, year, cc and so on. In the end I do alot of highway riding,2 plus hours or more, and feel that the Katana is better suited to this anyhow. ymmv

[raidinmd]

dear god those are crazy prices. i paid under 400 for a years worth. I'm 27 ride a 99 750 kat and MSF qualed, and a pretty clean record in California and welcome to KR!

[Wild-Bill]

...Even if I do find a nice 06, it will more than likely need some minor work being over 8 years old...

That was kinda my point.

As for the insurance, I really feel for you guys north of the border. I pay $75/year for liability insurance. Full coverage would raise it to $126. You're allowed to cry now.

[raidinmd]

That was kinda my point.

As for the insurance, I really feel for you guys north of the border. I pay $75/year for liability insurance. Full coverage would raise it to $126. You're allowed to cry now.

I think I paid about 180$ for a year for the minimum

[Bikes4Life]

That was kinda my point.

As for the insurance, I really feel for you guys north of the border. I pay $75/year for liability insurance. Full coverage would raise it to $126. You're allowed to cry now.

Well, that goes hand in hand when buying anything used. As for the insurance rates, that is just crazy cheap. I pay more than that to insure my snow machine.

I think I paid about 180$ for a year for the minimum

I will be paying about $240 a month 7months. With a clean record!