eventually i would like to get a bike, i've read all the posts here so i understand the concept of beginners and 600s but a katana is quite "softer" then most 600s like cbr's and gixxers. What do u guys think?

 

Everyone I talk to about a katana says not to get it. Sure its not as sporty as the gixxer's, but its also less $. I like the styling, but it is a tad on the heavy side.

 

Katana is heavy and underpowered, great for a first bike, and you can ride the katana all day unlike the gixxer, after about 3 hours all my friends want to get off and sit down or something.

 

I dunno, I've only heard **** about the katana. I can also take all the ones I've met braking relatively deep and holding the slower inside line. That was on a 250 4 stroke twin mind you.

 

Get a used YZF 600R. Yes I hate Yamaha but that is one kick azz starter bike. You can find good deals on them if you look hard enough. I rode mine for a year and bought a 954 of course after riding a 929 a few weeks to warm up my butt dyno to the new power.

 

Katanas are great beginer bikes. So are Yamaha YZF600Rs. I started with a Kawi ZX6-R, but I was originally going to get the YZF. Stay away from GSXRs, R6s, and F4is. An older F3 would be good too, as would a Kawi ZX6-E. Any 600 you get will still be the fastest thing you have ever been on in your life! I did 150mph on mine last week! Crazy fast!!!

-aaron

PS- Any other bike questions, just ask!

 

The Kantana is an excellent bike that is if anything a little big for learning on, but it will be more suitable than the latest race style 600's like Hondas CBR600F4i, or is that F5i now, it's hard to keep up.

Be prepared to drop the bike you learn on, this isn't if but when, so avoid something with lots of fancy body work.

A good idea is to get something thats a little old and cheap to learn on, if you drop it who cares? then after about 6 months move on up to something bigger. The kanatna 600 or would make an even better 2nd bike.

 

I haven't ever heard anything good about Katana. I learned on a cbr F3 and it was absolutely as far as power and weight. Don't buy something that you will want to sell in six months, buy a dirtbike or something that you can thrash around on for a while until you get the feel of clutch, gears ect. You will be bored with the "entry level" suzuki after about a week or so...get something you will be happy with for a while.

 

This may be a reflection about your own bias - however its a Honda bias Kantana's are reliable, (they are based on Suzukis tried and true GSR600 after all) and offer reasonable handling, and the riding postion is more upright than the CBR.

It all depends on what style of riding the learner rider is into, or aspires too. If it's just commuting then the Kanata is ideal, however if track days / fun riding are on the to list I agree with cbrf3 and go for some more sporting.

I briefly considered a Kantana 750 before I brough my 1st Blackbird. I rode a 750 Kantana the other day while my bike was in the shop - I am soooooooo pleased I went for the Blackbird.

 

An SV650 is'nt bad either - see other topic. Better than a Kantana!

 

I also like the sv series...friend has the 650 and he loves it...

 

dont get a katana theyre uncomfy i was going to get one but decided not to.dont go for a brand new bike cause all your going to be worried about is keeping it clean,i bought my 95 cbr 600 and i love it,handles amazing,its light and not as wide like the gsxr 600 and its fast as hell,if you think 150 is slow then get a busa or something else,but im letting my baby go(for now)if you want more info email me,my email addy is xsaonoy817x@hotmail.com.it is a all black cbr 600 f3 with a 98 tail on it,vance and hines carbon fiber exhaust,fender eliminator kit,stage one jet kit,k and n filter,and it looks and performs and is just plain mean looking,ill get some pics posted up.thanks