[Jenya]

Hello,

I am looking for a bike and was wondering if this would be a good bang for a buck.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/47055852.html

Franctly, my heart is in CBRs. I want a bike with the best handling, not necesseraly with the most power. 500-600cc is what I was hoping for.
This one is 750cc and a fairly old one, so I am afraid it will be on the heavy side.

Any advice is greatly appreciated,

Jenya

 

[inspiron]

That's a tough question to answer.

Do you want a street racer, a more comfortable traditional bike, or a cruiser? If you are looking for good handling - what kind of riding do you do? Twisties through the canyons, on-track racing, long hauls on the freeway, or just riding around a city? Will it be a recreational bike, or will you use it to commute to school or work?

 

[Jenya]

Not a cruiser. I used to have a cruiser and want something with a better handling to go on twistie mountanous roads. I need a bike comfortable enough to be used as a daily commuter. No track. I am not going to become a harcore racer. Basically, come down a twisty road from our house down to a highway, take a highway to work and then in the end of the day go home is mostly what I will be doing. I may need to haul a passenger once in a while.

Jenya

 

[inspiron]

The Gixxer is a racing / street-racing bike. It's designed for speed, not necessarily for comfort, and it looks like s**t if you put a Givi or other sattlebags on it.

In your case, I would look at the V-Strom DL650. To steal some of Suzuki's marketing text:

Suzuki's new DL650 V-Strom is a middleweight package that delivers in-town versatility and sporty on-road performance with low seat height, wind protection and outstanding touring comfort and range.

This bike is designed for what you want - it's not too heavy, and it's comfortable (not a tank-humper like a Gixxer). If you want something a bit more sportly, look at the SV650.

Since its introduction to the UK in 1999, the SV650 has proved itself to be the ideal machine for riders looking for versatility. It is a well-balanced and adaptable all-rounder that is as stable and confidence-inspiring to the newly qualified, as it is exhilarating to the power hungry experienced motorcyclist.

The SV650 has a slightly more upright riding position, with tubular handlebars and repositioned footrests.

Our Moderatrix SuzukiGirl1 rides the SV650S - the "S" is a bit more sporty and has a more forward-leaning riding position.

Hope that helps...

 

[State]

The bike looks to be in good condition but do you know anything about the engine? If the engine is in good shape it sounds like a good deal.

 

[inspiron]

[note to self: look at pictures before posting]

Okay ... that's a GSX-F not a Gixxer ... (damn I hate it when work distracts me from my posting here) ...

Like State said ... if it's in good shape mechanically, then go for it. You can put a Givi or sattlebags on that bike !!!

 

[Braada]

Hello,

I am looking for a bike and was wondering if this would be a good bang for a buck.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/47055852.html

Jenya, Let me begin by saying that I am a big Katana fan despite their shortcomings and my businesses directly involve them so I am somewhat biased.

Is this a good bang for the buck? Yes. That bike at that price is a good deal. '95 with 24K in that shape cosmetically is worth about $2400 - $2800 depending on region and running condition

Franctly, my heart is in CBRs. I want a bike with the best handling, not necesseraly with the most power. 500-600cc is what I was hoping for.
This one is 750cc and a fairly old one, so I am afraid it will be on the heavy side.

Kat's are not the best handling bikes in the world so depending on your riding level you may be dissapointed. They are notoriously undersprung (progressive springs fix that BTW) and because they are steel framed they are on the heavy side. That being said, do not be fooled. They are still plenty capable of carving up the twisties and "draggin a knee" if you so desire.

I need a bike comfortable enough to be used as a daily commuter. No track. I am not going to become a harcore racer. Basically, come down a twisty road from our house down to a highway, take a highway to work and then in the end of the day go home is mostly what I will be doing. I may need to haul a passenger once in a while.

Given what you said there, that Katana is an excellent bike for your needs. I railed my '89 750 through The Dragon at Deals Gap 2-up with my wife. Half way through it I got passed by a guy on a new SV1000 (go figure),when we pulled into the CROT at the bottom of the run, I casually said "I hope I didn't hold you up too long back there" to which he replied..."are you kidding me? you were riding the "phuk" out of that Kat and 2 up no less. I debated on whether or not it was even worth passing you." So, it will handle any twisties that you occur on any public road with no problem and because it has that steel frame and extra weight it smooths out the long highway miles without need for a chiropractor. I am in Indiana so I have to ride about 100 miles to find anything twisty. It is not uncommon for me to put down 300 miles in a day, and other than the fatigue that just comes with spending 8 hours on a bike, my body (and my booty) don't pay the price.

The Katana is a true "Sport-Tourer". It does neither job excellent but both jobs well. The next bike that immediately comes to mind in that category is the Honda VFR which does both jobs VERY well, but good luck finding one in that price range.

Hopefully my ramblings will help you in some degree. If you do choose to buy that one, visit the link in my sig and you'll find all the info you could ever want on them. If you decide that a Katana is just not right for you and you are going to pass on that one, let me know would you...I know several people who would like to have that one.

 

[pitbull76]

Having owned a 95 Kat750 myself, I have to agree with pretty much everything Jim (Braada) said about them. I heard so many bad things about their handling etc, but I found that it could take corners a lot better than some people give it credit. I even considered getting another when I bought my current bike, but there weren't any good ones available for an acceptable price at the time.

One other great item about the Kat: It's easy to work on (IMO). It's definitely easier to do valve adjustments, spark plug changes, and other basic maintenance on the Kat than it is on my Ninja.

 

[Jenya]

Thanks everyone!

The guy still didn't respond to my e-mail, so either he sold already it or just isn't around.

I appreciate all the great info everyone provided. It helps a lot.
If the guy reply, I will go check it out and perhaps buy right on the spot.

Cheers,

Jenya

 

[ElBandito]

Aaah yes, the early model Kat,
Very reliable with the tested GSX R oil-cooled engine.
had a 600 for a few years, handling did improve with suspension mods and good tires, so that's not a real issue.

mmmm, the headers did corrode though, and so did the mufflers. check for holes onder the muffler, where the stainless coverplate meets the raw painted metal.

the 750 was introduced after the 600 to give more oumpf with two-up touring, the handle-bars were raised too.

comfy touring at a sporty pace

 

[Braada]

Aaah yes, the early model Kat,
Very reliable with the tested GSX R oil-cooled engine.
had a 600 for a few years, handling did improve with suspension mods and good tires, so that's not a real issue.

mmmm, the headers did corrode though, and so did the mufflers. check for holes onder the muffler, where the stainless coverplate meets the raw painted metal.

the 750 was introduced after the 600 to give more oumpf with two-up touring, the handle-bars were raised too.

comfy touring at a sporty pace

Leroy is that you ?! Wassssssuuupppp! Lost touch with you after that assbag ran you off the road and then, well, you know...... Good to see your name on a board......anywhere! You ridin again yet? I know you lost heart there for a minute.

 

[ElBandito]

Leroy is that you ?! Wassssssuuupppp! Lost touch with you after that assbag ran you off the road and then.

Sorry Jim,

That's not me, the times I went down is only due to my own stupidity (or a diesel patch)

 

[plasticweld]

If you are a Honda fan it sounds like the VFR 750 would make you a nice bike, the V twin is a nice motor great sound, the bike is very comfortable and still good in the twistys

 

[pitbull76]

If you are a Honda fan it sounds like the VFR 750 would make you a nice bike, the V twin is a nice motor great sound, the bike is very comfortable and still good in the twistys

VFR's a V-four and yes, it sounds sweet. It also costs a lot more than the Kat.