Need help finding right bike

[ninja79]

Katana has a 4 cylinder air cooled engine (the only bike I know of that uses air cooled inline-4). Four cylinder engines have steeper power curve than the twins. You have to rev them up higher compared to same-displacement twin. This requires much better clutch and throttle control. For that reason they are not recommended for newbies.

In return you get better peak power. However, air cooled engines essentially have to be detuned to prevent them from melting down. Other things being equal a liquid cooled engine will be more powerful simply because more consistent cooling allows you to squeese more power out of it. As a result Katana 600 engine combines all the disadvantages of 4 cylinder engines (lower torque, harder to control) without any of the advantages (greater peak power). Add to that the fact that Katana is extremely heavy (458 lbs. for Katana vs 393 lbs.for ninja 650 vs. 372 lbs for SV650S) and you get a bike that doesn't really have a place: it's not good for a newbie and not good for an experienced rider either.

[HomerSimpson]

So according to you guys and researching some other forums and sites, I have currently decided to go with the Kawasaki Ninja 650r. Since it sounds like the best bike for 6'2" and 220lb beginner rider. I have to admit i like the look of it but mainly it seems like it will suit me best, my dream is in the areas of Hayabusa. (i have riden a little before, but still a beginner). (If any more suggestion on this or any other bike would be appreciated.) I will probably decide for sure after visiting a dealer and sitting on it. Algthough I have been looking at the Ninja500, I have read that for a person of my size and weight it will bore me too fast and not be a very suiting for me, in comfort and enjoyment of riding (suggestions appreciated). I had a few other general questions too.
1) I heard that the ZZR600 and the Ninja 600r were also a good beginner bikes, T/F?
2) I got quote from SPIC (i think) and they said for the 650r its about $1200 per year. I have a clean record so far and will am 19 right now and soon to be 20 years old. Is this high/low/good?
3) Can any of you let me know of any good places for the MSF course sites around U of I or Chicago area or St. Louis area? I really want to take it but everywhere I look they are full.
4) I AM NOT SCARED or WILL BE OF RIDING but I just want to know if there is a site where i can obtain accident records for an area or overall? My friends have told me of recent accidents that there friends have had or that they have seen involving motorcycles and cars, so i just wanted to get info on that.

I think thats it for now. I have free time so I like doing research on bikes. I have wanted to get one since 13yrs old and finally have the chance to get one.

Aprreciate the help, thanks a lot

[VermilionX]

1) I heard that the ZZR600 and the Ninja 600r were also a good beginner bikes, T/F? False

4) I AM NOT SCARED or WILL BE OF RIDING but I just want to know if there is a site where i can obtain accident records for an area or overall? My friends have told me of recent accidents that there friends have had or that they have seen involving motorcycles and cars, so i just wanted to get info on that. If i were you, i woudn't bother too much with statistics. just enjoy the ride.

Aprreciate the help, thanks a lot

[tchaftantouri]

How about the triumph speed 4?

[HomerSimpson]

Hey everyone. First of all I want to thank you all for helping me by sharing your wisdom. Second of all I still need more help. While I am waiting to get a spot in the MSF course, I have been researching bikes. Although I had decided to go with the Ninja650r, I recently had to look for another one because my limit is 4500 total and is hard to find a used Ninja650r under 4K. So I have started looking at the YZF600 and the Katana650(again). I was wondering what is the difference between YZF600 and YZF600R? Are either good beginners? Also I know people have said that the Katana is bad but on other forums I have heard that they are pretty good bikes. So are they really that bad? Being that I am not pro or will be I probably won't notice a difference between air cooled and liquid cooled and things like that. Also the reason the Katana650 appeals to me so much is that it has the look I like (i know it shouldn't matter but can't help it), also I have seen in forums that its a pretty good beginner bike if you have a little experience on a bike (I have aobut 2 months on 150 cc bikes). One big factor is that I can find one used for about 3K.
Thanks a lot

[Ray]

If you'r not gonna listen, then just do what you want. The Katana and the YZF are NOT begginer bikes for various reasons...the Ninja 250, 500 and 650R, the Suzuki GS500, the SV650 are!

[HomerSimpson]

I meant to say Katana 600 instead of Katana650. For some very stupid reason I had confuse the YZF with the GS500F, they look very similar.
Sorry

[DivideOverflow]

Definitely check out the GS500F and the Ninja 500. Those are great beginner sport bikes.

I would recommend the GS500F personally, since I like it better. Stay away from the gixxer 600. The katana is a top heavy pig.

You can find GS500's for good prices used.

[silentx]

So far my favorites are the Katana600, YZF600R, Ninja650r, and GSX600(good beginner?).

The GSX600 and the Katana600 are the same bike. YZF600, no. Ninja650, yes. Kat600, grey-area. So maybe.

....

I heard bad things about KATANA. Too heavy, hard to take turns and YZF is better at Handling/cornerring etc.

well I haven't ridden any of the so I dont know..

check out the link. It will tell you about KAT and FZR.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/value600s.html

Anyways... If you are 6 2 and 220 lb Plus a passenger... 250s not going to take it.. (if you are alone u would be fine. I am about 6 and 200 lb 250 is more than fine). Ninja 500 would be the choice.
Only thing is 500s are hard to find. I was looking for a 500 also but couldnt find one thats fits my budget and Year( in CA)

GOOD LUCK

[HomerSimpson]

I have sat on big bikes before and feel confident that I can handle holding the heavier bike, so the weight of the Katana is not the biggest of my concern. The main reason I started to think of the Katana again is because many other forums and websites like Epinions, TwoWheel froums, motorcycle journal, and some other places have given it convincing recommendation for a biginner with some experience and reviews. My heart was set on Ninja650r but a used one in my budget is hard to find.