My cousin is selling his bike because he just got a TL1000! Haha, but anyways, I would like to know what everyone would recommend for me. I've only ridden the bike once for a few hours. I'm going to take the MSF (I think that's it) course and wear proper gear. What has everyone heard about the Suzuki Katana 600? Also, what are good places to buy aftermarket parts for this bike, as well as inexpensive gear such as helmets, gloves, leathers, etc. Most of this stuff comes with the bike from my cousin, but upgrading never hurt anyone!

Thanks!!

 

honestly, take the time to learn how to ride. The Katana series is a great learning bike, but other than a pipe and jet, there isnt much in the way of performance mods. Take the time to learn how to ride it and enjoy it. Then get a different bike and you wont have to worry about upgrading it because any new sportbike will make it feel slow.

Also watch out for traffic with that bike and never let it sit and idle for an overly long time. Thats the biggest cause of problems in that bike is the air-cooling. One would think they would strip off some of those plastics but no they dont. Anyway, take the time to learn how to ride. Then when you can turn some constant laps at a track and they are in the top 5 laps turned, then upgrade the bike. Sans a pipe and jet kit if you want. Remember this isnt a car you a playing with. There is far less around you in the way of protection if something goes wrong with a "mod." Most bikes never need more than a pipe and jet. Ive got stories about people who trade in their 600s for 1000s, and get run over by a better rider on a 600 in the way of lap times. If you think driving is all about the driver, then wait till you see how much a rider has to do with the way a bike performes...

 

Have you ridden before? The Katana is one ugly piece of machinery (IMO). So be sure to learn how to ride well, so you can show up the people who ride their Yammy-has and think they're all bad-***. Hahah! Oh, just kidding you guys. You know I'm jealous of those R-bikes.

Everything B-Diddy said is great info.

I'm not sure if there's a lot of stores in your area, but it might be a good idea to check out a local shop (or two) and try on some of their gear. That way you can get an idea of what fits and what doesn't. That goes for helmets, leathers, gloves, etc. etc. Then, if you want, you can order online. There's plenty of resources out there. Just flip thru a motorcycle magazine and you'll find too many stores to choose from.

From my personal experience, stay away from MAW. They may have pretty good prices, but their service has been pretty crappy. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one with a bad experience.

BTW, what do you mean by "inexpensive" gear? Hey, if you've got a 5-dollar melon, then get a $5 helmet. Or, to quote an overused adage, you get what you pay for. But it's the truth. Definitely don't skimp on this stuff, unless you like having skin grafts.

Unless you and your cousin have EXACTLY the same body type, I doubt some of the stuff will fit you. You don't want the bunchy, thick leather that you can get at the GAP or Banana.

 

Good gear is stuff from a place like Joe Rocket. Inexpensive compared to your Vansons and Dianese, but still awsome protection. Get a good leather jacket, good pair of gloves with the carbon knuckle and Shoei or Arai helmet and you should be set. Thats my gear, unless im at the track and It works well.

And yes, unfortunatly, IMO the Katana is pretty fugly. I didnt want to go there but... But hey, im sure you got it cheaper and its your first so, so what? At least you got a bike


[Modified by B-DIDDYR2K, 12:15 AM 8/29/2001]

 

If it's any consolation, I had a real ugly bike too, when I first started out. It was so bad, the previous owner even had pink handlegrips...!! But it was a blast to learn on, and I still spanked all the cars that revved...

So congrats, if you did get the bike!

I'm not sure how well the Dainese leathers work. I've heard them referred to as "Die-in-these," but one man's poison is another's pleasure. ****, I'm just full of quotes tonight. Z Custom Leathers are supposed to be great, and they're custom made! So you can make your own design, and it'll be custom-tailored to you! That's what I'm going to do next...

Arai helmet if you've got the head for it, because they have THE best designs. I have a Shoei because my head is too big (snicker), but I got it sprayed with a dragon graphic instead.

 

dude you so should have gotten the Duhamel graphic. it comes with a dragon on it from TLD(Troy Lee Designs)

 

I think the shoie's fit people with longer oval shaped heads and the arai's fit people with more rounded heads, pumkin head = arai

 

B-Diddy - Actually, the one I REALLY want is the Okada (sp?) design. I think it's on an Arai. It's got a great dragon on it, but my dragon is custom, soooooo, I guess you can't beat a one-of-a-kind, eh?

figment - I think you've got that backwards. From what I remember, Arais fit people that were long and narrow, but Shoeis fit those who were wider, better. Has that changed recently? If so, maybe I will get my Okada design...hehehe.

 

Ive got a pumkin head, do you have a long head front to back?

 

Thanks a lot everyone, little things help. I'm just checking around and making sure I can afford this bike w/ insurance. I can get just liability for only $522 a year and this is for a 18 year old. What do you guys think? Full coverage is going to be $1749, do I really need full coverage? That's $145/month!!! Ugh!! Also, I didn't mean inexpensive like cheap brands, but good places to purchase "quality" protective gear for inexpensive prices online. I know that the Katana isn't the most exotic looking bike, but it will be my first bike I have ever riden and to me it looks good. I'll probably get a graphics kit on it and eventually once I learn how to ride it well I will pipe it and jet it, but that won't be for a while since I just want to learn how to ride properly and safely. Any other suggestions for a soon to be bike rider??

Thanks!!!!

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=50120

 

When you finally go riding with some other people, make sure that you ride at YOUR limits. Don't attempt to "keep up" with riders who are more experienced. The MSF class will teach you a lot about the basics of riding, but you'll get a lot of experience just through riding often.

Keep a cool head when you ride. Remember, that car that you plan on flipping off weighs a LOT more. A little tap and you'll be testing out your gear. And know that sooner or later, you will drop the bike.

With regards to insurance, I got mine through GEICO, and I paid $300/year, but ONLY for liability. When they ask how big your bike is, it helps to say it's 599cc's, not 600. I believe some companies determine their rates on the size of the bike. I even had the GEICO rep tell me that if there had been an "R" in the name of my bike (there wasn't), I'd pay more for insurance...!

If you're taking the MSF class, you won't need to buy a helmet right away. They provide helmets, but be sure to bring gloves, a heavyweight jacket (denim, leather), jeans (not baggy!), and boots/shoes that cover past your ankles. The bikes you ride are real small (displacement-wise), so you won't be overpowered by the bike. And be sure to sign up for the MSF class ASAP. When you turn 21, the cost goes up by about $100.

I suggest not to bother with the graphics kit, unless you're planning on keeping the bike for awhile. Just keep it in pristine condition, and if you really want, then add an exhaust (just the muffler, not the whole system). Save your money for trackdays or what not.

Good luck!


[Modified by marmaladeboy, 11:06 PM 8/28/2001]

 

AHHHH I have the white and blue Okada and love it. And its suppose ot be Godzilla. As for the helmet fit. here is the breakdown.

Arai is the top manufactuer because they make to 2 designs. the Quantum which is roundish without being a circle. And the Signet GT which is football shaped. Most people can fit into either helmet, they just dont know the difference. You can actually look at the 2 and see they are different.

Shoei is all one shape and its the same shape from their lowend to their high end.


[Modified by B-DIDDYR2K, 10:04 AM 8/29/2001]

 

Whoa, it's Godzilla?! Well, it STILL looks badass.

 

yea i love it

 

the RX-7 is an RO shell. (round oval)

 

GSRboy....*cough* sneaky pete NOS kit under seat of Katana *cough*

enough said...

 

Yes/No its a race version of the Quantum. People who want a pure race helmut get the RX7, but for street riding get the Signet or the Quantum.

I believe that Arai still makes a chinese design which is the name for the round shape helmut(dont ask me why. I have theorys) but they are a special order. they do not do the best job of protection because nobodys head is a round melon. hence they are not massed produced


[Modified by B-DIDDYR2K, 9:22 PM 9/7/2001]

 

Check out the arai web site for the definitive answer. The RX7 is designated RO.

-Mr. F

 

I never said it wasnt. I said that its a race version of the quantum.

cant trust the website. Its not run by Arai. They pay someone to post up the info them and that stuff is old news.