[Vehement]

Hey guys

Im going to a dealer today to look at Suzukis. The Katana 750 really catches my eye for looks, decent power, and price. However, although I do read good reviews about the bike, everyone says something like "most people say the katana is a waste of money".

What is so bad about the katana? I know the GSXrs arent that much more money but the katana seems more my style.

Also, this guy in my area is selling a GSXR-1000 from 03 or 04 with 4k miles, a few scratches on the side and the little ball broken off the hand grip brake on the right side. Other than that, its in great shape, hes asking 6k for it. Is this a good deal? I just dont want to get it and find out that since he dropped it the steering column is bent or something.

Thanks for any info! Ill be waiting here for replys!

Andy

 

[Superbird]

dude..... a 1000 will kill you it will flip you over end over end.

 

[Vehement]

Yeah i thought of that, i only weigh 135 so maybe a nice new katana 750 is more than enough. What do they usually haggle down to in price?

 

[Gixxerdale]

MSRP out the door.

 

[Vehement]

? what?

 

[Gixxerdale]

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price. The asking price, but including all additional fees, taxes etc.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GSX750FK5/Default.aspx

 

[Vehement]

Well whats my chances of reducing it to say 5.5 or 6k if im payin cash on a katana 750 new? I know it depends on the dealer, and my haggle skills suck but all you have to do is tell them what your willing to pay, and walk out the door if they dont meet it, they could call me back or ill just find another bike thats all.

 

[Gixxerdale]

They usually won't go below MSRP out the door this time of year. Maybe at the end of year when next years models are available and they need to move this years. But shoping that way you have to work fast because they blow them out in a hurry to make room.

Why the Katana 750 to just commute a couple miles? (read your other post)

It's a lot of bike for a first bike. A smaller, lighter bike would seem a better choice? Forget the Gixxers though! Look at getting a used bike for a year then upgrading to a nicer one once you discover all the types of riding you might like, and get your skills up a little.

 

[Vehement]

Ive moved jobs since that last post, my job is 30 min away now. Is the katana 750 that much bigger than the gsxrs? I know its damn near 500lbs but it doesnt look bulky.

Also i saw some guy on a little *** bike and he looked like just that, an ***. Im a small guy so a cruiser is out for me but i think most any sportsbike is ideal for my size. Engine size is another story, the more i think about it, the more i dont want to go over 750cc.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Gixxers are 380 or 400 pounds these days. The Horse Power and Torque are enough to scare a new rider away from motorcycling should a slip of the wrist occur. Even the Katana 750 is a lot for a new rider.

Cruisers are much lower and easier to maintain the balance at a stop for a smaller rider.

You seem fairly set on a sport type bike, but the in line four motors are a lot of power for a new rider. But then I don't know how you would be a controllng it. It's very hard for most new riders to not explore the higher speeds their bike is capable of, and there is the problem. It's easy to twist and go. Being skilled safe and smart about it takes time to learn.

Have you considered an SV650s?

 

[c50tiger]

Im a small guy so a cruiser is out for me..

Huh? Dude, I'm "almost" 5'10 and depending one what I had for breakfast somewhere between 145 and 155. That ain't big. And I feel fine on my C50. There's a couple guys in my riding club smaller than me, and they don't look like an a$$ on their cruisers. And a couple of the riders in the club are women... one of whom is just a RCH over 5' tall, and she handles her 883 Sportster just fine.

 

[Vehement]

I wouldnt get a SV because of the looks mainly. I dont like that bare front tire thing. I know gixxers are powerful but I am a safe driver (atleast in a car) never gotten in a wreck, but ive only been driving 5 years.

I went to a local dealer today and sat on a katana 600, gsxr 600 and a gsxr 750. I decided on the gsxr 600, the katana is too big, 500 pounds is a bit much, the 380 pound gsxr would probably take me and one other person to lift up if it falls. Anways, is it that easy to drop a bike? The one im getting is brand new so I will be careful but im not going to wait to take an msf course and practice first.

Would it be best to just pedal the bike with my feet around a parking lot first to get used to the balance?

Thx for help!

 

[jsvickers]

The one im getting is brand new so I will be careful but im not going to wait to take an msf course and practice first.

Is this really what you meant to say? The bike is brand new so you're not going to take the MSF or practice? That makes no sense.

If you've read much on this board about new riders and first time bikes, you know what kind of feedback you're about to get on your choice of a GSX-R for a first bike.

 

[stevie c]

If you've read much on this board about new riders and first time bikes, you know what kind of feedback you're about to get on your choice of a GSX-R for a first bike.

+1

 

[Vehement]

Im sayin im not going to wait to take the msf course. But the bike is brand new so I will be extra careful and take my time to learn, i have some friends to help me.

Whats wrong with a gsxr for the first bike? Ok so its powerful but its the weakest in its class, 600 750 1000 1300

Why would i waste money on a dirt bike type of motorcycle when im just going to have to sell it a month down the road. Im not made of money and you only loose money when you drive a new vehicle off the lot. So im going for the mid-low powered suzuki cycle.

 

[Gixxerdale]

:roll:

 

[c50tiger]

Whats wrong with a gsxr for the first bike? Ok so its powerful but its the weakest in its class, 600 750 1000 1300...
So im going for the mid-low powered suzuki cycle.

Dude, you really haven't read alot of the threads in this forum, have you.

That "low-mid powered" bike still has way more power than you have the experience to handle well. And if you're making the call on which bike to choose based on weight, and you think you can't pick up a 500 pound bike on your own... well, you need to do a bit more research and educate yourself a bit further on motorcycling in general before you put your butt in the saddle.

 

[stock28]

Here we go again. Look, just do a search of first time bikes and save everyone the trouble of typing the same old replies again. It really is an old arguement.

 

[inspiron]

:roll:

 

[Vehement]

The katana 600 is 500 pounds, thats one reason i am not getting it. The gsxr is 380, i can handle a lighter bike better.

Does everyone drop their first bike? Is there some sort of protective covering u can put on the body? Id hate to drop a brand new bike.