[engineer151515]

Soooo... I've been reading up on threads about starter bikes. I'm a first time owner but I'm no kid. At 43 years of age I don't need a thrill ride. At $2.00/gal and climbing, I'm looking for a ride to work and an occasional 45 minute trip to the beach. The ride to work is a fairly long ride 65 miles and 1hr 15 min along wide open country roads. This ride is not permanent, but will go on for another 6 months at least.

I read up (from multiple sources) that a Suzuki GS500F is a good starter bike. I head out to my local Suzuki dealer to check it out.


Well, he's sold out. OK, that's understandable. He quickly sizes me up and says that "I'll be a little big on that GS500". I'm 6'-1", 215 lbs, average looking slightly tall guy. He shows me over to a Kantana 600 and says that this bike will be a much more comfortable ride, more powerful, more stable, you won't "outgrow" it's capabilities in 4 months time, and its a little more money. $1000 more money.


OK. I don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish. Is it really worth the extra grand for the next larger model, or am I being target practice for good salesmanship? Maybe if the GS500 wasn't such a good deal, he wouldn't be sold out of them and I can try one on for size. I have a source that will sell me a 2005 GS500 for $4788.50 delivered (minus local sales tax and tag). Seems like a sweet deal but if I'm gonna regret the smaller bike, I'd pass.


Let me know your opinions.

 

[axel_2078]

The only real way to tell how you will really feel on the 500 is to find one and sit on it. Never, ever buy a bike without sitting on it first. (I like my gixxer 600, but looking back, I wish I would have gotten a cruiser just for the comfort factor.) Maybe you are too big for it, but you won't know for sure until you can sit on one and get the feel for it. A Katana 600 is a good bike but I definitely wouldn't recommend anything bigger than that for a first bike. 500cc bikes are the norm for starters, but a Kat 600 will treat you right and it doesn't have the unnecessary power of a super sport.

I'm not sure how much riding experiencing you have, but if you are new to riding, you may want to consider getting a used bike for your first purchase. Nearly every new rider will drop the bike a few times when learning. You don't want to see a brand new bike hit the pavement because you did something foolish or slipped up. That also brings me to my next point...I highly recommend taking a course endorsed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It will greatly enhance your riding skills and give you more confidence.

As for the salesman, I think he was trying to push you into buying a bigger bike for the profit. If he was really concerned about your experience and needs, he would have told you where to find a 500, to help you decide. Good dealerships do that.

 

[jaydog19833]

Go for the Katana 600. I had a Ninja 500 last year (Almost exact same bike dimensionally) and I wanted to sell it mostly because it was too small. I am 5'8 and about 175 lbs. That was my first bike and after about 4 months, I seriously wanted a bigger bike, not entirely for power, but I was flat footed both sides with my knees bent.

For lack of a better phrase, you might look like a bear on a tricycle. Just be careful, Katanas can be fast

 

[Nexus242]

psst........ SV650(s) pass it on!

 

[svhooligan]

psst........ SV650(s) pass it on!

:bluethum:

 

[engineer151515]

psst........ SV650(s) pass it on!

I've been hearing that a lot, lately.


hmmmm.

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

I had a GS500 as my first bike. I've now got the SV650S. I loved my GS, but outgrew it quickly...especially after trying to ride a fairly long distance at highway speeds...there wasn't enough power for that type of riding...

Did you sit on the Katana? Have you tried out any cruiser style bikes? If you're planning on using the bike for mostly commuting, etc, you're probably going to want something more comfortable. Believe me, you don't want to be sitting on a "rocket style" bike when your stuck in traffic...you'r back, shoulders, neck won't take long to start complaining.

I've never sat on Katana, so I'm not sure what the positioning is on the bike, but the SV650S has a pretty aggressive riding posture. If you looked at the Naked version of the SV650, that has a more upright posture. Same w/ a 600 Bandit.

I think first you need to go and sit on a BUNCH of different bikes. See what starts to call to you.

 

[Louis]

The Katana 600 seems like a good choice for you. It is considered by lots of people as a good sports-touring bike because of its comfort.

Have you taken the MSF?

 

[axel_2078]

My first bike was a Ninja 500 and then I moved up to a Kat 750. The Katana is a VERY comfortable bike. It's sporty and quick, but lacks the aggressive and tiring ergos. I enjoyed mine a lot.

 

[KatanaMatt]

My first bike is a 2004 Katana. I love it. I sat on the GS, but at 6'2", it was a little short for me. (I found out that almost all the sport bikes are gonna be a little short for people our height...) But the Katana is a great starter bike, IMO. It's not overly powerful, but it's got enough to get you into and out of trouble. As stated above, though, sit on a bunch of different bikes and see which one is the most comfortable. The Katana (and, yes, I'm biased here...) is comfortable to sit on for long periods of time. It's not as leaned forward as much as most sportbikes, but it's definitely not an upright seating posture. Don't limit yourself to sport style bikes. Try some of the cruisers as well. There IS a bike out there for you, you just have to search. (And, I'm probably gonna catch heat for this, seeing as where we are, but don't limit yourself to Suzuki's either... Not that they're not the best bikes around, but there are a LOT of different bikes out there. Try them all!) Happy hunting!

 

[Beneldor]

I can easily ride for hours on my Kat without getting sore.

 

[Uncle Bob]

Although I would prefer a 500 for a beginner, if you're really planning on using it for a 65 mile daily commute the Katana would be a great choice.

 

[badkitty]

i bought a 600 for my first bike. Mostly because of the comfort when i sat on it.Seat is large and soft not small and rock hard like gixxers. I am 5' 5'' so i have half my feet on ground when i use both, but i usually balance on one foot anyway while holding rear brake.I have ridden it 2hours str8 without getting off. Only problem i had was cramping in my hip, but a quick hop off for a min to stretch it and i was back on the road.

As for position while riding. If i sit alittle closer to the gas tank i can basically be 80% upright, but i usually sit back alittle so im bent over alittle but not nearly as much as i see on other bikes.

I have not out grown the power yet and doubt i will.I had it rejetted for alittle more torque on bottom end.So its pretty nice now.The bike is heavier 485lb which some people think is bad, but for beginners its good.Keeps you from leaning to far to fast around corners.

I wished i had waited till '05 model cause i like the red more than my yellow, but the yellow is still cool.I took off all my stickers so its nice and smooth.

 

[LayinLo]

Definitely look into the sv650. The 500 is GREAT on gas. But you would benefit later from the extra horses a Kat or the SV have to offer.

 

[jaydog19833]

Yeah man look into the SV650. Sometime I wanna pick up the SV for the road, and keep the GSXR for the track. Thats my way of saying its a beautiful sexy bike.

I know I told you about the Katana above, but I forgot about the SV)!

 

[katana04]

I was also in the same position first looking at the GS 500F to purchase after doing research on the bike I began looking at other options.
I looked at the SV 650 S and also the Katana 600 and was happier with the fit and feel of the Katana since the riding position was more comfortable.
Also the dealer gave me a far better deal on the Katana over the other two bikes... The GS 500F best price was $4800.00 plus tax, tag & title. The SV 650S best price was $6000.00 plus tax, tag & title. The Katana was $5700.00 out the door including tax, tag & title - PLUS the first oil change and maintainence was free, along with HJC color matching fullface helmet.
The other thing that caught my eye was the insurance was equivalent to the cost for the GS 500F.
Act quickly on purchasing an '04 since the '05 models are coming out and you'll save even more money - AND if you like the color YELLOW the savings will continue even more - GOOD LUCK & SAFE RIDING!!!

 

[fireblade1]

vs

Unfortunately, I have had the privy of sitting on a GS500F and all I can say is YUCK! That thing was as hard a 3 pieces of plywood! The dealer said "it's designed to be a beginner's bike and they aren't worried about comfort." Well, if a newbie is having to shift around because their lower extremeties are numb from a hard seat, can they concentrate on controlling the bike? The Katana on the other hand has a multi-cellular foam seat and some have gel that is extremely comfortable. My girlfriend borrowed a friends Kat to take her test on and then got back on the rear of my gixxer 750 and said "I want his bike back it doesn't hurt my butt." Figure that one out! I've ridden the Kat and like the feel, but still prefer my supersport over turning like a cruiser.

 

[engineer151515]

My thanks for all the great posts.


I'll update when I get my bike. Tell all how it worked out.

Thanks - and ride safe.