So I had a look at one of these bikes today, an 01 model to be exact, at a dealership.
I loved the look of the bike and the price wasn't too bad.
I don't know much about the bike though. My friend, who's really big into bikes, says it's basically a de-tuned GSX-R, really de-tuned he says. Can you guys give me any specs on this bike?

Also, the better part in my opinion, what stuff can I add to get some more power out of this thing? Ihear that the Gixxer engines can be swapped in, does anyone know something about this?

Also looking at getting a Joe Rocket Ballistic textile jacket, anyone ever have one of these? How did/do you like it?

Thanks!

 

Joe Rocket Ballistic - Nice jacket. Good cold-weather protection. Not as crash-worthy as leathers (abrasion resistance), but still good. Personally, I'm not a fan of how the jacket hits at the hips. But that's just me.

Katana - Very decent bike. Your friend is right about the Gixxer engine part. If the price is good, then it's a decent buy. But I would suggest looking into getting a Yamaha YZF600R before buying a Katana.

 

Thanks for the info man

I would looking into that Yamaha but as soon as my insurnace sees that'R' at the end I'll be screwed. My insurance is pricey as it is and I can afford the Katana easily and if it's mod friend then I can have some fun. Price of the bike is around $6000 Canadian.

 

Insurance looks at the motor size more than the "R". I would also go with the YZF600 or a F4i. As for the jacket, I'd go with a leather(my Dainese jacket is perforated) jacket instead of a textile jacket.

 

why would you buy a kawi, and then swap a gixx motor into it? that would be a hella big waste of money. either buy a kawi, or buy a gixxer, dont mix them up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by big pete &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Insurance looks at the motor size more than the "R". I would also go with the YZF600 or a F4i. As for the jacket, I'd go with a leather(my Dainese jacket is perforated) jacket instead of a textile jacket.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This will be my first street bike soI want something that doesn't have nuts power.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SLATER97EX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why would you buy a kawi, and then swap a gixx motor into it? that would be a hella big waste of money. either buy a kawi, or buy a gixxer, dont mix them up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Kawi...wtf?

A Katana is a Suzuki not a Kawi.

 

oops, sorry read to fast....thought we were talking about a ninja

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by big pete &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Insurance looks at the motor size more than the "R". I would also go with the YZF600 or a F4i. As for the jacket, I'd go with a leather(my Dainese jacket is perforated) jacket instead of a textile jacket.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I agree with big pete. When I was talking to Geico, they asked for both engine size and the representative also told me that if there's no "R" in the name, then insurance is cheaper. So it's probably a cumulative effect...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The G2 Racer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
This will be my first street bike soI want something that doesn't have nuts power
</TD></TR></TABLE>

But a F4i/YZF600R doesn't have nutso power. Well, almost ANY sportbike will have nutso power if used incorrectly. Either the F4i or YZF600R is an extremely competent motorcycle that has much higher limits than the Katana. I understand your concerns regarding insurance. If that's the case, then go for what you can afford. I would suggest not modifying the engine of the Katana. It's probably more hassle than it's worth for a few extra ponies. That money is better spent on a trackday event where you can improve your skills.

FWIW, I have three jackets - one textile and two leather. I find that I wear the textile almost everyday for commuting (never more than 40mph) and the leather jackets (and pants) for more spirited riding or highway speeds.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and don't forget to put up some pictures up here! We're all suckers for pics....

 

SLATER97EX: No problem man.

marmaladeboy: I'll get pic up for sure. I'm going to go with the Katana for insurance purposes. Should pick up pne of these babies next season.

 

There's a lot of bikes I would suggest over the katana. Especially a new one. The 600r is a good choice but since you mentioned insurance as a major deciding factor, might I suggest an fzr600? Or perhaps a zx6/zz6. It has the bubble styling that you seem to like yet has a superior chassis and powertrain. Maybe even an f4i? An 500r/ex500 wouldn't be far off either... that's how "detuned" the tuna is. Don't forget gloves and boots too.

 

i've been twisting over the leather vs textile thing for a couple of months now, and now that the season is about 99% over I will ponder it over the summer...

1. textile is lighter, cheaper, slightly cooler (vs mabyee a solid leather), better weather resistance(synthetic), and much more abrasion resistant

2. leather will offer more protection in a crash, but if you have ever seen a tex jacket after an excursion, some of the thicker cordua, acutally holds up better in a slide (synthetic again).....

this is how a shop owner who's son had gone down a couple of times explained it to me....for street riding, any street riding, textile is the way to go since it "stops" you quicker, say you were sliding down the road cause your jack *** just fell off the bike at 200 mph (just an example) a textile jacket would stop your slide much quicker than leather, thusly keeping you from running into anythign else.... now same slide only your on a track, well you want to keep sliding to get your *** off the track before you get run over....


that kinda makes sense to me, so I am really leaning twords textile, I have been eyeing the new joe rocket alter ego jacket (both a full mesh, and a textile, but I dont always like the way the joe rocket fits around the hips (I have a big fat ***)....

 

what about the sv650, i think its a much better bike than the katana.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sohc_boy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what about the sv650, i think its a much better bike than the katana.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I gotta agree with that, but I'm partial to that bike

 

i'd say look to a zx6e, my first bike, and i'm still enjoying it. but the sv650s would be my first choice if i could do it again. realtivly cheap and they look so bad *** with the 2wheeljunkie.com full fairring kit.
plus twins are just more fun