If there's one thing I've noticed about sport bike opinions, it's that almost every bike has a wide range of opinions about it, except for the Katana, which is almost universally hated. I understand that they're heavy bikes, and they're not going to keep up with a modern 600cc sport bike, but is that all people hold against them? I'm told that they're as reliable as any other bike, they're comfortable to ride, and for a beginner bike they have plenty of power, so why all the hatred?

 

They look like poo.

 

If they're done right, they look pretty much identical to every other sport bike I've seen. Put a $70 solo seat cowl on the ass end of it and get the plastic painted, and most people probably wouldn't even recognize it as a Katana.

For as much shit as Katanas and people who ride them get, there has to be a better reason than that.

 

"Pretty much identical to every other sport bike [you've] seen"?!

Maybe in the same way that an S2000 looks pretty much identical to every other 2-seat sports car in existence.

If you don't know sports cars, yeah, the S2000 is another Miata or (never understood this one) Porsche.

If you don't know bikes, a Katana is just another sport(y) bike.


They're not bad bikes, but they are kinda awkward-looking (in a way that a seat cowl and paint won't fix), they are heavy, and they are slow (still WAY faster than most cars!).

But they do make MUCH better street bikes than the hardcore repliracers.
But I'd still sooner go with an SV

 

katanas are ugly

they are also just a gixxer with an extra 100lb

why not just get a 500 as the first bike?

 

Because I have an opportunity to buy a Katana with 19k that's in pretty good condition for about $800. There's no way I'll find a EX500 for that price. I vastly prefer the looks of the Katana I'm getting to just about any EX500 I've seen. I'm not a huge fan of Katanas, but the one I'm looking doesn't look as bad as I was expecting it to look.

For what it's worth, I wouldn't have even considered a Katana had I not checked one out that's local, and until I actually saw the bike in person and took a seat on it, I assumed it'd be something I'd take a glance at, say "not interested", and walk away from. I guess it has kind of grown on me.

 

I can never comprehend why so many people are so eager to spend literally 10 times that much for a newish bleeding-edge 600 that they will likely drop and won't enjoy the ergos eough to ride it often.

The Kanatuna's no beauty queen, and it's not the fastest at the track, but IMO it's 100 times more suitable for the street.

Cannot argue with a good bike in good condition (assuming it is) for $800! What year, what displacement?

 

[QUOTE=ZDan,Mar 7 2010, 08:54 PM] I can never comprehend why so many people are so eager to spend literally 10 times that much for a newish bleeding-edge 600 that they will likely drop and won't enjoy the ergos eough to ride it often.

The Kanatuna's no beauty queen, and it's not the fastest at the track, but IMO it's 100 times more suitable for the street.

Cannot argue with a good bike in good condition (assuming it is) for $800!

 

did not know about the 800 bux... at that point; who cares?

 

The cheap factor's probably the best thing about them. I can ride it until I can afford (both in terms of money and riding experience) to get a newer, faster bike, and keep it in case the newer bike breaks down or someone wants to go riding with me.