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Thread: Suzuki Katana

  1. #1
    What I do? SHines-IT's Avatar
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    Suzuki Katana

    What do people think about them, I seen a few for under $1,000 around town. I am thinking about picking one up next month or so. Just as a cheap learner bike, as I am sure I may lay it down one day. No need to get something pricey.

    I am going to take a course though, so don't think I am just going to get on it.

  2. #2
    Impounded
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    just an old design they continued making... should be fine. I'm partial to ninjas and sv 650's for a baby bike

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    What I do? SHines-IT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wheeliE-maxx View Post
    just an old design they continued making... should be fine. I'm partial to ninjas and sv 650's for a baby bike
    These are cheaper, I think after 6-8 months. If I enjoy it, and get the basics down. I will try and move into the R6 or GSXR 600-750.

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    Senior Member 1MileCrash's Avatar
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    katana...can-o-tuna. i wouldn't get one. it's an ancient design by today's standards. air cooled 4 cylinder...no way.

    great starter bikes are sv650s. they've got good torque and power, they're light and nimble, 2003 and newer are all fuel injected plus they're water cooled and have a respectable aftermarket.

  5. #5
    What I do? SHines-IT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1MileCrash View Post
    katana...can-o-tuna. i wouldn't get one. it's an ancient design by today's standards. air cooled 4 cylinder...no way.

    great starter bikes are sv650s. they've got good torque and power, they're light and nimble, 2003 and newer are all fuel injected plus they're water cooled and have a respectable aftermarket.
    Can they be had cheap?

  6. #6
    Impounded
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    ^ toulja

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    Senior Member 1MileCrash's Avatar
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    http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Motorcyc...uzuki&Model=SV

    i picked up an '02 in '03 for about $5k...about a thousand less than retail because it was the previous years model.

    what makes the sv better than a katana for a starter bike is that you will be able to build up the engine with cams and big bore or stroker kits, exhaust systems, suspension systems, etc etc etc...to fit your taste as you grow into the sport. a lot of people use the sv as a track bike because it's well balanced. the katana...well...it's a katana. it's an old design that isn't used really anymore especially in racing so the aftermarket really isn't there for them.

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    What I do? SHines-IT's Avatar
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    I am not really want to spend that on a first bike, $1,000 is about my limit if I do. Mainly because, when I am ready to buy something nicer. I want a GSXR or R6.

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    Senior Member 1MileCrash's Avatar
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    ultimately the decision is yours. i looked at a katana for a friend for a starter bike and turned it down. there's a reason they're cheap and easy to get a hold of and if you go to resell it you won't get what you paid for it.

    if you are looking for a starter bike take a look around for a honda cb or a suzuki gs in the 500cc range. you can get the basics on any bike and these are the precursors to today's sport bikes and super sports bikes.

  10. #10
    Member LimeNine's Avatar
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    I'm partial to the green bikes.


    But you've heard some wise advice. SV650 would be a good learning bike.
    If your funds only let you get the Katana, then get it, pass your driving test with it.

    First bike I bought was a ZX6, rode it for 9yrs accumulated 18k miles with it,
    bought the 900 9yrs ago and I've got 41k on it right now.
    bought my Harley 1450cc (88ci) fuel injection, lots of custom stuff, 21k miles


    Last edited by LimeNine; 12-12-2009 at 12:25 AM.

  11. #11
    Tire Smoker Jeff2002WS6's Avatar
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    I would stay away from them as a stater bike. The chassis design is poor. If you're worried about wrecking one and wanting something cheap you can't go wrong finding an old Honda CBR F2 or F3.

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    Senior Member Rhinohuey's Avatar
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    yea not a fan of the katanas either. My cousin had one and I hated it. My first bike was a 98 F3 and it did me well. I believe the hondas are the easiest bikes to keep running and most reliable

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    used and abused at wot ibanez7's Avatar
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    if you need a starter bike and learning about riding for the first time; START ON THE DIRT WITH A DIRT BIKE...

    Dirt and grass give in when you fall, pavement/concrete dont!!!

    the best riders started on dirt, or grew up as kids riding dirt....

    or if you want to hit the street right away, get a 250cc street bike, work up to the 650cc or liter sport bike. I started on yz80, then a 125 then 250, then tt500, then a r6 and r1

  14. #14
    Member LimeNine's Avatar
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    I neglected to mention that I also started riding dirt bikes, when I was in my teens, I crashed a yz80 plenty of times. Then the yz125.

  15. #15
    What I do? SHines-IT's Avatar
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    I've rode a few smaller dirt bikes when I was little, rode 4 wheelers allot (but different principle for sure). I also rode a Ninja 250 I think it was, once. Just throwing that out there, I will look at the other bikes.

  16. #16
    Impounded
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    You also learn alot of control and avoidance skills on the dirt. Basically all you're going to learn in the mc license courses is how to run a bike

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    Senior Member 1MileCrash's Avatar
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    that's the other thing. take the msf course.

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    Senior Member Transamws6's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LimeNine View Post
    I'm partial to the green bikes.
    Click for full size

    But you've heard some wise advice. SV650 would be a good learning bike.
    If your funds only let you get the Katana, then get it, pass your driving test with it.

    First bike I bought was a ZX6, rode it for 9yrs accumulated 18k miles with it,
    bought the 900 9yrs ago and I've got 41k on it right now.
    bought my Harley 1450cc (88ci) fuel injection, lots of custom stuff, 21k miles
    Click for full size

    Click for full size
    Nice ZX-9, love that bodystyle. We have a 96, it's a heavy monstrosoty, but i like it, one of the quickest bikes of it's time i believe, i think the fireblade was a little faster, not quite sure.

    Shame they killed em off in 03, love those things.


    But shines, i think a katana would be a good learners bike, they are slow compared to alot of other bikes out there, but would be great to learn on imo, you'll get bored of it quickly but they are cheap so it really doesn't matter.

  19. #19
    down in it 310stanger's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ibanez7 View Post
    if you need a starter bike and learning about riding for the first time; START ON THE DIRT WITH A DIRT BIKE...

    Dirt and grass give in when you fall, pavement/concrete dont!!!

    the best riders started on dirt, or grew up as kids riding dirt....

    or if you want to hit the street right away, get a 250cc street bike, work up to the 650cc or liter sport bike. I started on yz80, then a 125 then 250, then tt500, then a r6 and r1
    high 5 for being a Yammmy man! Yamaha ftw!


    Yz80's are strong lil fuckers. Kids bike that'll put a 200 lb person on their back lmao

  20. #20
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    I would say go for it esp if its a starter bike. I had two as starters, a 97 Katana 600 & a 98 Katana 600! They went to a new style in 98, so had to buy it also! Then I went to a 99 GSX-R 600 and let me tell you, WOW what a difference! But the Katana was great for a starter, and I want to say, I think I paid $4995 for the 97 brand new!! And as you can see, I was always trading them in and my latest bike I think was the best I ever had and it was a 05 GSX-R 1000! That thing was insane!!
    2008 Lincoln MKZ - AWD
    2008 Pontiac G8 GT - Wifes car
    2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP - Sold
    2004 Pontiac GTO M6 - Sold

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