Need your input/advice on bike choice-Page 3| Motorcycles and Bicycles forum |

oldsaw Dork
4/27/10 10:08 p.m.

CarKid1989 wrote: might be buying a 1996 Katana600 this weekend. 2700 miles. one owner. darn near mint condition. if that falls through there is a 1998 Gs500e im looking at. first one is 2 g the second 1.5 g

Katana 600:

GS500E:

Either one is a good ride. One is more versatile but is heavier and has expensive-to-replace body parts. The other is nekkid and much lighter.

But both have great potential for mucho fun!

CarKid1989 HalfDork
4/27/10 10:32 p.m.

Thing is im not completely sold on the Katana. I have the cash but im not sure bout spending it all on a relitiely big bike just starting out. On the other hand im a big guy so the usual beginner bikes are small for me. I want the goldilocks middle ground bike.

I dunno which way is up haha.

Plus i would feel weird spending more on a single bike then i ever spent buying a car. (thats 8 cars now and 2 bikes)

Can someone gimme some advice or ideas or guidance?

MadScientistMatt Dork
4/28/10 9:27 a.m.

I'm 6'2" tall, have no problem with the GS500. Well, I did modify the handlebar mounts a bit to move the bars up for more long distance riding comfort.

stroker Reader
4/29/10 6:58 a.m.

CarKid1989 wrote: Can someone gimme some advice or ideas or guidance?

Depends on what you're going to do with it. The 500 would be a good commuter and candidate for learning at a few track days. It'll be economical and you shouldn't be able to get over your head too much too fast with it. On the other hand it's not going to be "thrilling" in terms of acceleration.

The Katana will be more sporty and appropriate for longer trips or Interstate use. It won't be as economical and if you plan on taking pride in it and making sure it stays in nice shape (which it sounds like you are) then that plastic bodywork is going to be a nuisance to remove for maintenance and it's going to be expensive if it gets tipped over (which happens to virtually every bike on the planet at some point).

If I were 20 years old I'd want the Katana more than the 500. As a 50 year old I'd recommend the 500 as a first bike and then progress to something more powerful after you've had a few years to get used to it and learn more about the type of riding that you want to do (long trips or Sunday Morning Blasts, for example).

As stated, either will do you fine, but one will match your type of riding better than the other--until you know what type of riding you're going to be doing it's had to predict.

I'm still checking for SV's for you. We missed one the other day in Cincinnati.

oldsaw Dork
4/29/10 9:37 a.m.

stroker wrote:
CarKid1989 wrote: Can someone gimme some advice or ideas or guidance?
Depends on what you're going to do with it. The 500 would be a good commuter and candidate for learning at a few track days. It'll be economical and you shouldn't be able to get over your head too much too fast with it. On the other hand it's not going to be "thrilling" in terms of acceleration. The Katana will be more sporty and appropriate for longer trips or Interstate use. It won't be as economical and if you plan on taking pride in it and making sure it stays in nice shape (which it sounds like you are) then that plastic bodywork is going to be a nuisance to remove for maintenance and it's going to be expensive if it gets tipped over (which happens to virtually every bike on the planet at some point). If I were 20 years old I'd want the Katana more than the 500. As a 50 year old I'd recommend the 500 as a first bike and then progress to something more powerful after you've had a few years to get used to it and learn more about the type of riding that you want to do (long trips or Sunday Morning Blasts, for example). As stated, either will do you fine, but one will match your type of riding better than the other--until you know what type of riding you're going to be doing it's had to predict. I'm still checking for SV's for you. We missed one the other day in Cincinnati.

Everything Stroker mentions is QFT.

Whatever bike you choose, invest in some frame sliders; they will help reduce the cosmetic/physical damage and mental anguish when the bike goes on its' side.

One plus side to full-fairing bikes is that once the plastic is removed, the important stuff inside is more accessible. The designers never had to consider how the bike looked if all the wiring and mechanicals were exposed to potential buyers.

If this is your first bike, even a GS500 will provide a nice acceleration-rush; it's going to be quicker than most any car you'll encounter.

914Driver SuperDork
4/29/10 10:11 a.m.

I bought my wife one of these, about eight different people have taken their road tests on it. Upright, slightly leaning forward seating position, easy to manuver, light enough to push around the garage, enough snot to get you out of trouble, not too much to get you into trouble, resale desirability to first timers and easier on your neck than a sport bike.

But that's my $.02