Need help finding right bike

[silentx]

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.

Is this gonna be the last/Only bike you will ever buy? (yes/No)

if answer is NO

then REad this --> from top to bottom, EVERY word of it.
viewtopic.php?t=11866

If you need something to train on dont spend more than $3000. Unless your are one those rich guys.

[HomerSimpson]

This is the reason I have been looking at the Katana 600. I have looked around and can find a used one for less then 3K. Also I have read it to enough power for my height and weight and a passenger(after much experience). I do plan on upgrading but I plan on using it for many seasons before upgrading. So it will not be my last but the upgrade will come after a while. Also I am also thinking about the Ninja500r but like you said I havent found too many to begin with as well as the Ninja650r.

[Kal]

If it's developing more than 50bhp it's got enough power...

In fact to be honest if it's developing more than 30 bhp it's got enough power to carry you, a pillion and a weekend's kit...

[silentx]

This is the reason I have been looking at the Katana 600. I have looked around and can find a used one for less then 3K. Also I have read it to enough power for my height and weight and a passenger(after much experience). I do plan on upgrading but I plan on using it for many seasons before upgrading. So it will not be my last but the upgrade will come after a while. Also I am also thinking about the Ninja500r but like you said I havent found too many to begin with as well as the Ninja650r.

I hear you man. I really do. A month ago I was on your shoes. Every day looked on the Craigslist.com, recycler etc. Every time I found one I called the seller, but guess what, it was already sold. By the time I finally bought the bike I was exausted. I was the first one to call the seller and had to buy it that same day or would have lost that one as well.

I don’t know where you live but sometimes Craigslist has good deals; depending on your location. Hope you are already looking at craigslist for bikes.

I was also looking at Kats but I didn’t really like the bike, heard not so pleasant things about it, and it felt more like a cruiser than a sports bike. I heard YZF is a pretty good bike; have you thought about that?

well Good luck with your new bike.... and keep searching

[DivideOverflow]

This is the reason I have been looking at the Katana 600. I have looked around and can find a used one for less then 3K. Also I have read it to enough power for my height and weight and a passenger(after much experience). I do plan on upgrading but I plan on using it for many seasons before upgrading. So it will not be my last but the upgrade will come after a while. Also I am also thinking about the Ninja500r but like you said I havent found too many to begin with as well as the Ninja650r.

Honestly, at your size, you shouldn't have any trouble with the Katana. Just be safe

[HomerSimpson]

I was also looking at Kats but I didn’t really like the bike, heard not so pleasant things about it, and it felt more like a cruiser than a sports bike. I heard YZF is a pretty good bike; have you thought about that?

well Good luck with your new bike.... and keep searching

I live in Chicago but I haven't looked at craigslist much other then a glance, but i'll give it another look. I was told the YZF would not be a good bike for a beginner. Also since I am going to be using it in the city I think having a pure sportbike that can take off will not be a good idea. Plus Every two or three weeks I will need to make a two 2hr trips. And according to other forums the main cons of the Kat are its wide turning radius and weight other then that its a great bike with a affordable price tag for college students. I feel i can handle the weight and I don't even do U turns with a car so I don't know when I will need a real tight turning radius. But again i am just getting into the world of motorcycles.

[VermilionX]

I live in Chicago but I haven't looked at craigslist much other then a glance, but i'll give it another look. I was told the YZF would not be a good bike for a beginner. Also since I am going to be using it in the city I think having a pure sportbike that can take off will not be a good idea. Plus Every two or three weeks I will need to make a two 2hr trips.

depends on which YZF you're talking about.

the YZF-R6 is the RR bike.

the YZF-600R is a sport tourer like the katana. it's more powerful though than even the katana750.

[accoutred]

Homer,

What you need is a Used >10 years old with low miles Honda Nighthawk 700-750.

First off, You weigh 220. 500-600 bikes are gonna be screaming if you try to do 80 mph on them. Honda 700s are nice bikes for the heavier rider. The only complaint I've heard from their owners are "Why the f*** did Honda stop making these" Second off. You're tall and Honda's usually have a taller height seat. I've heard people with Hondas always asking the best way to mod and lower their seats cause they're 5ft to 5ft-5in. Third off. You said that you are gonna want to have a passenger someday. Go into a Honda dealer and look at their sports bikes and check out their seats. The seats are built for 2 people unlike other bikes.

I'm not Honda's unoffical spokesman. Hondas are good bikes but they're not the best bikes in the world. Usually Honda's are out performed by Yamahas and Suzuki's and the new suspension on the sports bikes for Honda is crap and alot of people go down on them. Hondas ride like a dream, not like a rocket.

[silentx]

I was also looking at Kats but I didn’t really like the bike, heard not so pleasant things about it, and it felt more like a cruiser than a sports bike. I heard YZF is a pretty good bike; have you thought about that?

well Good luck with your new bike.... and keep searching

I live in Chicago but I haven't looked at craigslist much other then a glance, but i'll give it another look. I was told the YZF would not be a good bike for a beginner. Also since I am going to be using it in the city I think having a pure sportbike that can take off will not be a good idea. Plus Every two or three weeks I will need to make a two 2hr trips. And according to other forums the main cons of the Kat are its wide turning radius and weight other then that its a great bike with a affordable price tag for college students. I feel i can handle the weight and I don't even do U turns with a car so I don't know when I will need a real tight turning radius. But again i am just getting into the world of motorcycles.

I am sorry dude.. I meant the FZR NOT YZF !!!.

Sorry again for confusing you. I guess that crack was too strong

Ya.. again FZR

The bike that’s in this site
http://www.fzrarchives.com/index.php


they come in 250, 400 and 600. Anyone of them should be fine; if you can find one that is.

FZR 600 is a katana Equivalent

[HomerSimpson]

the YZF-600R is a sport tourer like the katana. it's more powerful though than even the katana750.

So would the YZF-600R be considered a good beginner bike? Because I have heard that the Katana600 is barely beginner friendly and so if the YZF-600R is more powerfull then the Katana750, wouldn't it be more of a second bike type deal?

thanks