I know this has been discussed before.................but no one has asked about "good looking" starter bikes ?

Do you think Katana's are the best looking starter bikes ?

 

Prepare for a long list of posts hating on the kan-a-tuna. However I have a '93 750 and I actually kind of like it. I bought it as a starter sportbike (upgraded from an '84 Honda 500 Ascot)11 years ago and still ride it every day. I have only this year been thinking of upgrading again. It is definitely not in the same category as a GSXR750 (which I have ridden many times)but you have to remember that it is not supposed to be. I have found it to be a great transition from an ordinary style motorcycle to a sportbike and of all the starter bikes it looks the most like a sportbike. The low end and mid range power is excellent and the handling is sporty but easy to control. Also very reliable. If you want to save money and get a used one you will probably not have any maintenance issues. Now I am going to get flamed but oh well I am just telling what I think after owning one for 11 years.

 

I'm an MSF instructor and I get this question all the time. If you're more into sport bikes, my 2 personal favorites are the suzuki SV650, or suzuki GS500.

 

So a 600cc Katana would be a decent starters bike ?


Manageable ?

 

that would definitely be a good bike to learn on.

 

i learned on a katana 600, and have to say it is a good starter bike but definitely not close to being the best starter bike. for one thing that is a heavy bike... around 420 pounds (figure?). id go with the sv as a starters bike, but the katana should be just fine.

 

the reason i would like to get one is because of insurance purposes


im only 18 so jumping to a Suzuki GSX-R would not be in my best interests (safety, insurance)


Should I get a brand new katana and keep it for 4-5 years...........used one ?


If I jump to a GSX-R in a few years my insurance is still going to be crazy....should wait until im in my mid 20's


any suggestions would be great


thanks

 

It would be much more economical if you are going to get a katana to buy a used one. They seem to last forever and have changed very little over the years.

 

Oh and one more consideration. If you buy a used one and don't finance you can just put liability insurance on it instead of full coverage. That will save you several hundred dollars per year.

 

thanks for the help