[zleviticus]

Hello all.

I am new to riding and just got my permit and signed up to take the rider safety course in July. (3 month wait list in my area) I am a car nut so I know a ton about cars but have not been on two wheels since I was a kid (3rd grade). I am interested in getting a bike and looking hard at the katana. I took the time today to go to the honda/yamaha and suzuki dealerships to check out the bikes and see what I like... I really like the style of the GSX-Rs but i don't really want to lean that far forward or go 100 MPH on a bike. So I am looking at the 600 or 750 Katana.. I like the fact that it is a heavy bike and large... I am a big boy (6 foot 270) but I want more of a street style bike. With my size should I look at getting the 750 over the 600cc engine? Or will the 600 cc be enough for both my size and my exerience level. Thanks for any help you can give on this.. oh the local dealer has a 2003 with 5000 Miles and minor scratch on the back from being tied down... for under $5000 US...

 

[Louis]

I believe you should be fine with a 600 because of your experience. The Kat 600 shouldn't have trouble carrying a "big boy" like you.

As for the scratches, make sure it really was he told you and that the bike was dropped.

 

[pitbull76]

You really should also consider an Kawasaki EX500 or Suzuki GS500. I realize that you are a big guy, but you'd be suprised by the power of even a small 500 if you haven't ridden before. If you must get a 600, the Katana better suited to beginners than most other 600 sport bikes.

 

[StmnBmN]

you mentioned the EX500 to me also...i went to Bikez.com and i couldnt find it! i also went to kawasaki.com and didnt see it there either!! help me!

 

[pitbull76]

you mentioned the EX500 to me also...i went to Bikez.com and i couldnt find it! i also went to kawasaki.com and didnt see it there either!! help me!

EX500 AKA Ninja 500 (just checked their site and that's what they call it now)

 

[zleviticus]

I looked at the gs500 but did not like it compared to the Kat 600... I think it was a size issue I liked the bigger tank and such of the Kat. So i guess I will stick with the Kat then. Thanks...

 

[StmnBmN]

lol...thx pitbull :wink:

 

[MR. Ice]

Honestly, I would go for the 750 with you size. That will not be a popular opinion with most of the people on this forum. But you will out grow that 600 because of your size in one year. Unless youdon't have a problem with replacing after one year. THis also goes back to the aptitude thing. Regardless of your size you may never be able to handle more than a moped. But if you are responsible and ride using your head you will be ok on the 750. The bandit would be a great bike but is only available in 600cc or 1200cc. I don't recommend a 1200 just yet.

 

[87gsxrnut]

Size has nothing to do w/corner speed. Corner speed on an EX-500 will CRUSH any of the big bikes on the street. You just need to learn how to ride it.

- Nut

 

[rteichman]

If you can wait until you get your class M license (I assume you are in the US and in PA you get it when you complete the MSF), I would recommend renting a Buel Blast first. Especially since you have never ridden before. That's what I did last summer and very happy that I did it. A lot of Harley dealers rent, and the blast is the perfect first bike to rent (notice I said RENT and not buy ). Its also cheap. $40 for the day + insurance. Ride it a few times and you will get used to a bike period. After a few rental rides, I would go shopping and see what I liked. For me the ideal bike to buy was a Ninja 500, but I couldn't find one at the price I wanted. Well, I found one, rode it, fell in love with it (it seemed like a very forgiving bike), and then had the deal fall through. I ended up with a 95 Kat 750 because it was the only sport looking bike in my price range that I could find. Its bigger than what I wanted, and feels much less forgiving, but having ridden the Buels for a summer, I felt I could handle it. I don't think that would have been the case if I bought it without ever having ridden, or even after the MSF class. The bikes in the class are 250s.

That's just my 2 cents

 

[Louis]

you mentioned the EX500 to me also...i went to Bikez.com and i couldnt find it! i also went to kawasaki.com and didnt see it there either!! help me!

EX500 AKA Ninja 500 (just checked their site and that's what they call it now)

It used to be referred to as GPZ 500 on bikez.com

 

[zleviticus]

So go with a 750 because it will be better in the long run.. i know that no matter what I decide to do.. I am keeping the bike for at least 4 years.. then upgrade or not.. depends on what I want and feel like doing.. for me I do not want to go 80 pMH or more on a bike I jsut want something that looks good with me on it and is sporty... a 600 might be the ticket or a 750... the only thing I do not like abou thte 750 is the colors.. they are boring.. give me bright yellow any day...

I plan on riding for a while before I buy my bike... I am probably the most cautious person out there.. I would be more than happy to start the first couple of months riding the subdivision before takling traffic.. :twisted:

 

[crayonjota]

As an expert on buying things.. I have bought everything from eggs in the supermarket to race cars, listen to this pearl of wisdom:

If you are buying for you, and its for you alone, for pleasure rather than a profit, buy for LOVE. If the bike you fall in love with is a 50cc, 125cc, 500cc, 1300cc or 5.7litre, and you can just spend hours poking, polishing tinkers or just looking at it, then my friend, you have found your bike.

If you dont love it, you will not be happy, and like the man who married the prom queen who shagged all her friends when she got fat, you will be moving on and looking elsewhere fast. Which hurts the pocket.

CJ

 

[TINMANSGLOCK40]

me 5 7 , 190 lbs

no problems with the 7 1/2 ... leans are great :lol:

 

[saleemas]

Size has nothing to do w/corner speed. Corner speed on an EX-500 will CRUSH any of the big bikes on the street. You just need to learn how to ride it.

- Nut

And just where can a young Padawan acquire such skills Master joda??

 

[87gsxrnut]

Take a look at your local racing club lap time results. I think CCS and WERA race where you are at. Look at the lap time discrepancy between the big bikes and the small bikes, especially on a tight, technical track. The difference is not much usually. On tracks with long straights and long wide-open sweepers, the times are a bit more spread out.

Then hook up with your local racing club. Do some track days on the bike and get familiar with it. Then find a KFG (known fast guy), pay him for some one-on-one lessons. Do that several times. Then do some racing.

Big bike street riders make up for lack of skill by goosing the right hand on straights. While I don't recommend "racing" on the street, next time you ride with a group, watch how these riders spend more time on the brakes, and not enough on the gas, especially in the corners.

They brake way too early entering the corner, and get on the gas way too late exiting the corner (hint, hint).

- Nut

 

[Gixxerdale]

Big bike street riders make up for lack of skill by goosing the right hand on straights. While I don't recommend "racing" on the street, next time you ride with a group, watch how these riders spend more time on the brakes, and not enough on the gas, especially in the corners.

- Nut

Something I practice and our club as well, is to ride with out brakes. Or better put , try not to use them. When we are in the canyons, we push our bikes hard, but try to only use the gearing and the throttle. This forces you to read your bike, the road, and your ability. It makes for a challenging day of riding as well. Definitely ups the skill level.

 

[Mykle]

I guess I'm in a simliar boat...

Last year, I bought a CBR1000f (Yes, I know this is a Suzuki site, but bear with me). After riding for about 3 weeks, I found something remarkable...a patch of gravel. When I picked myself up, I counted up the damages to self and bike. Both seemed pretty cosmetic. To make up for this totally lacking expirience I took the MSF course. I am now shopping for another bike. I like the looks, sound and feel of the TL1000R. Should I be looking at another bike as well?
I have some friends who are riding, but their advice is "whatever feels comfortable to you". I haven't ridden the TL as yet, but like I said, I like the way it feels.

 

[98corona]

How did you get your hands on the CBR1000 last year? I thought they were just released in March. Unless you are referring to the 954rr. Anyways good to hear you're still alive.

Anyways the TL1000R being a twin is a good bike if you are looking for torque. If you like high revs and shifting get a gixxer. I love mine. Just one thing to invest in if I were you. Frame sliders.

 

[saleemas]

Thanks for the hints Nut and Dale. Still going to the track this summer. Hope to make it alot. Still riding alone though, haven't found the right group yet.
PEACE
G-