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Big-iYse wrote:hey one more question.....i was up at cycle world today n i was lookin at some gs500 but he told me that a katana 600 would be a good starter bike for someone of my size sound off on that for me...

The salesman is thinking of his commission and wants to sell you the most expensive model he can. Also thoughts of what they have in stock and want to push influences what they will tell you.

Recall from another post you are about 6' and 250# and that's about the same as I am. I'm probably a few decades older though.

After wearing out four 400-750cc Hondas, I bought a 97 GS500E new in 99 and when it was totalled in 03 I added a slightly used 02 GS500. I now have ridden over 110,000 miles on the GS500s since 99. I have ridden a number of 400-500 mile days on the Interstates at 75-80 mph indicated to get to the mountain twisties to play. So don't think you are too big for the GS500.

Actually a well ridden 500cc is all you will really ever need, but not all you'll ever want. I went the same way as most, traded in my first CB400 after 6 months on a CB750. Without even harping on the dangers of a modern 600cc or larger sportbike for a new rider, I just like to point out that you will become a better rider faster on a 500cc twin to start with.

I agree -- the salesman is just a sleazeball trying to get more commission. Go with gs500 -- it's very easy to learn on, which is the whole point of the first bike. And it has more than enough power to run on highway (I rode it myself).

Besides weight and plastic, the other big difference between the two bikes is the engine. gs500 has a twin engine, while katana has a somewhat detuned inline-four. From everything I read, I gather that newbies should stay away from 4 cylinder engines. They are much more difficult to ride and require a very precise throttle control. Also, a 600cc inline-4 engine on a typical supersport (R6, GSX-R600, ZX-6R, etc.) is about 2.5 times as powerful as gs500. Katana 600 is a slightly weaker version of a supersport.

oh, btw, is this the cycleworld in toronto?

The gs500 is a good bike to learn on, but ultimately you have to live with that bike through the life of your loan. Most people on this board will give you conservative advice, but they are not the ones who are financing your bike.

You might get bored with the GS500 3 years before your loan expires, you might not. If you do, you will probably end up trading it in for a big loss in 6 mos. to a year. So read all the stickies and make a decision you can live with. If you going to be financing 5k+, then consider getting a bike with better longevity. Consider a Ninja650 or an SV650s, they are decent beginner bikes with enough power to keep an average sport rider happy for awhile.

Just another view to consider...

swatter555 wrote:The gs500 is a good bike to learn on, but ultimately you have to live with that bike through the life of your loan. Most people on this board will give you conservative advice, but they are not the ones who are financing your bike.

You might get bored with the GS500 3 years before your loan expires, you might not. If you do, you will probably end up trading it in for a big loss in 6 mos. to a year. So read all the stickies and make a decision you can live with. If you going to be financing 5k+, then consider getting a bike with better longevity. Consider a Ninja650 or an SV650s, they are decent beginner bikes with enough power to keep an average sport rider happy for awhile.

Just another view to consider...

I think a smarter view is to pick up a cheap used GS500 or Ex500 or whatever, as opposed to shelling out a ton of cash for a brand new bike.

Sevulturus wrote:

swatter555 wrote:The gs500 is a good bike to learn on, but ultimately you have to live with that bike through the life of your loan. Most people on this board will give you conservative advice, but they are not the ones who are financing your bike.

You might get bored with the GS500 3 years before your loan expires, you might not. If you do, you will probably end up trading it in for a big loss in 6 mos. to a year. So read all the stickies and make a decision you can live with. If you going to be financing 5k+, then consider getting a bike with better longevity. Consider a Ninja650 or an SV650s, they are decent beginner bikes with enough power to keep an average sport rider happy for awhile.

Just another view to consider...

I think a smarter view is to pick up a cheap used GS500 or Ex500 or whatever, as opposed to shelling out a ton of cash for a brand new bike.

I agree.

+1 Buy used.

Buy used, don't buy the Katana.

Buying used will save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Not buying the Katana will save you even more money and let you have an easier time learning how to ride. Being so top-heavy makes interesting handling characteristics at times.