Going from a GS500 to a Katana 600

[Teecegirl]

Hi all!  I'd like advice from anyone on this Board who has gone from a GS500 to a 600 bike.  I currently have an 04 GS500, but am REALLY considering trading it in on a Katana 600 (I like the way the Katana fits).  I have less than 3,000 miles under my belt, but have never had a problem handling the GS500.  If anyone out there has upgraded from the GS500 to a 600 bike, I'd be really grateful if you could share with me what you thought about the difference in horsepower.

Thanks much!   

[TragicImage]

one piece of advice, I've never met some one that was happy with a Katana....

[Jarrett]

My advice, ride as many different bikes as you can before you trade up.  Go to a dealer that allows test rides and ride everything they'll let you on.  Including 600cc supersports.  If you can get your hands on a superbike, ride one of those too.  Also, do some mods to your GS before you decide to get rid of it.  A slipon, k&n air filter, and rejet will cost you far less than the price of a katana, and those mods will change the characteristics of the bike for the better.  I'd pick my slightly modified GS over a Katana anyday.

[bettingpython]

Pass on the katana seriously they are a joke.

[natedawg120]

Here is my opinion.  The katana is a good reliable bike.  However it is heavier and not all that much more powerful than the GS, hence why all those above say it sucks.  If you love the katana then by all means it isn't a bad bike but if you can ride one then ride it first.  Also you might conside the katana 750 if you can find one.  They are about the same weight as the 600 but have more power which balances it out a little better.  Another bike that is a good step up would be the SV650 or the ninja 650.  that is my $.02.

[Teecegirl]

Thank you all for your thoughts.  Riding another sport bike won't work for me.  I'm short (5'2"), so have trouble reaching the handle bars on, say, an SV650.  This is why I chose the GS500 to start with -- because the handle bars are higher.  But now I'm a little bit bored with it and feel like I get no respect on the road.  haha.  The Katana's handle bars are slightly higher than most other sport bikes, so that's the reason I was going that route.  To hear that the Katana doesn't have that much more power than the GS500 kinda makes me happy.  I'm not trying to be a superstar on the road, just trying to have fun and get a bike that's sportier than the GS500.  I'll definitely try to find a dealership that will let me ride one first, though.

Again, thank you all for sharing your thoughts.  I really appreciate it!

[jen_]

I'm all for moving up, and if you like the looks of the Katana, then cool.  Lots of Katana riders swear by that bike.  It's basically a detuned GSXR, so power wise, it's probably not too tought to handle.  Seems like an awfully bulky bike, I'm amazed you can touch the ground on it at 5'2".  If I was going to ride something that bubbly looking, I'd get a Busa.  As for getting a bike that gets more respect...well, only the wrong type of riders disrespect the 500, imho.  At bike nights, the GS gets disdain.  Girls on R1's look down their noses at me.  I'm amazed they can even see me over the glare of the reflection off their chicken stips.  At the track, the GS gets compliments.  So it just depends if your scene is riding or posing.  From the comments above me on this thread, you can see the Katana's not really a respect grabber either.

I don't agree that modding the GS is required before moving up.  GS mods cost money, for minimal HP gains, and subtle "character" gains.  If you want to learn to wrench, then go for it.

[GeeP]

You say you're bored?  Have you taken the GS to a track to see what the little bike can really do?  The street is not the place where riding skill is measured.  In the parking lot doing low-speed manuvers and on the track is where it's at.  Why not do a few trackdays on the GS and see what you think?

I can't comment on the Katana, but I can think of a couple of bikes you should look at before you make a decision.  I'm 5' 3", so I have an idea where you're coming from.

Honda 599:  It feels just like a big GS500, perfect fit.  It is an upright naked standard, the seating position is more relaxed than my GS, but I have the '89 style "clipons".  Yes, it's the most expensive "standard" in the 600 class.  That's because it is made in Italy for the EU market rather than Japan.  If you can see past the pricetag, I think it could be a great all-around bike.


Moto Guzzi Breva 750:  If you're into going on long trips, this might be the ticket.  It too feels  like a big GS, with a short reach to the bars.  You sit almost upright, but not quite.  Muchos style points, shaft drive, orgasmic V-twin sound.  I've talked with owners that have over 100,000 miles on their Guzzis, so I think they're solid touring bikes.  Oh, you can get a lower seat for the 750.  It lowers the seat height to around 29"


SV650:  I know you have already looked at this bike, but I have a few comments on it: 

First, the SV is one of the most popular and modified motorcycles out there.  Parts are cheap and plentiful.  Even the bikes are cheap if you know where to look.

Second, the SV seat has a massive amount of foam in it.  It is close to 3" thick near the nose of the seat.  This means you easily lower the seat height by at least 1.5" without affecting your comfort or adjusting the suspension.  You can gain another half and inch by lowering the rear slightly and sliding the forks up until they hit the underside of the bars.  I know of a 4' 11" woman who rides an SV.  She removed the seat and replaced it with a gel pad which allows her to flat foot it.

Third, have you sat on a naked SV?  The SV650S with clipons feels quite a bit more "sporty" than the naked with bars.  Bar risers could help even more.

Anyway, I suggest you check out those bikes.  I'm interested to hear what you think.   

As far as "respect", ride your own ride and ignore the rest.  The kind of people that look down on you because you show up on a GS are the same kind of people who would look down on Nicky Hayden if he showed up on a GS.  (Minus the numbered leathers, of course.)  The bike isn't what's important, it's the rider.

[l3uddha]

how about the:

Yamaha FZ6??






Kawasaki Ninja 650R??






You should assess your riding & what you're comftorable on. I read over on a different forum that a guy got a daytona 675 as his first sportbike, hated the ergonomics but loved the bike and figured he should get a Ducati 999 to help his back. That wont help squat. If you're uncomftorable in supersport ergonomics, then consider the bikes above or something similar. (BTW I've seen the Ninja 650R in action & IT IS NIIIICEEEE. Very well-crafted bike)

If you're into fully-fared sportbikes, I'd look at a Honda CBR600 f4i, the Kawasaki ZZR600, or the Yamaha YZF600R. All are the previous generation designs of supersport bikes and are a tad bit better ergo-wise.

You passed it over already, but I'd think the SV650 with the raised bars would be a dead hit, but I think it's also unfared.

If you absolutly MUST have a fully faired bike that's great; you have some great options. You could also get a set of lowering links which would open even more doors to great bikes. Just please stay away from the Katana600. It's been nominated for "ugliest fared bike" many times over.

[makenzie71]

The 650R is a nice looking bike but it's sub-par compared to the SV650...it'll catch up, thuough.

[TragicImage]

did anyone else find the 650r oddly narrow?  especially the Handlebars?


and I agree, the fitment and quality isn't there... YET.

[makenzie71]

I didn't really find the bars narrow...but the bike it's self is actually wider than an '05 GSXR 1000.  Still pretty narrow but I really dig that any more.  As much as I love my TL, her fat ass tends to get in the way.

[Jace009gs]

I had a very positive experience with my Katana bike a few years ago when I upgraded from the GS. Power wise it feels the same. BUT the katana it so much more confortable....I would not hesitate to name it as the most confortable bike I have ever sat on and drove for 150miles. If you like the look I would suggest it. HOWEVER, I would also recomend an FZR 600 as it on the power curve compared to a katana, but still has a low seat height and is alot lighter. Depending on your trade in value FZR's go for about $2000. The K600 has I think 58hp...or 68hp...don't remember off the top of my head but either way the FZR (fizzer also know as) has 86hp. I rebuilt mine last year with 1 over bore and it it'll crank out 93hp and 96.2 with my stage 1 jet. (let you know later this summer with stage 3 and filter) It's the type of bike that isn't overly crazy on hp (like gsxr's and r6's) but it can hold it's own.....

The SV is a nice bike too, but I didn't like the way the the std. one (not sport edition) felt, I would have only gone with the (s model) w/ clip-ons....

THe 650ninja- I just hate parallel twins......I"m so spoiled with 4cyl and the V-twin rumble....

Someone mentioned the honda 599- very good bike. I got to take a little put-puttt around the parking lot on a friends, it's very nimble, but I can't see pass the price.....

[FearedGS500]

the gs is a blast . i love taking it down twistest and showing the bigger bikes there not so big and bad . it comes down to rider skill .. look at the 06 or 05 ZX6R you can drop the shocks on it to fit someone your size ( guy here did that .. looked like a low rider but it fit him very well . i'd say he was about your says .. give or take a inc. )  i just dont see taking a mini step up when you could take a full step .. you can alway change the handel bar set up . look around there should be some kind of setup so that you can rase the postion and set it back so you dont have to reach

[bettingpython]

Someone mentioned the honda 599- very good bike. I got to take a little put-puttt around the parking lot on a friends, it's very nimble, but I can't see pass the price.....

What you pay for with Honda is a very well finished product, and one of the most durable longest lasting bikes on the road. When you've had to work on a couple of different bikes you can see the differences, Suzuki is one of the most common and no doubt the gixxer is a power house but when you tear into one it's fiit and finish is not as nice as the Honda's. Just my .02

[rangerbrown]

the kawi 650 is a great bike, short, smooth, light, and powerfull

[ducati_nolan]

What you pay for with Honda is a very well finished product, and one of the most durable longest lasting bikes on the road.

I thought the 599 had the old CBR600f3 engine. I'm sure it's reliable and fine, but the bike shouldn't be so expensive. No R&D went into the engine at least. It's just a way for honda to get some more use out of their old tooling and unload some leftovers 

[makenzie71]

What you pay for with Honda is a very well finished product, and one of the most durable longest lasting bikes on the road.

I thought the 599 had the old CBR600f3 engine. I'm sure it's reliable and fine, but the bike shouldn't be so expensive. No R&D went into the engine at least. It's just a way for honda to get some more use out of their old tooling and unload some leftovers 

exactly.

[Alphamazing]

I had a very positive experience with my Katana bike a few years ago when I upgraded from the GS. Power wise it feels the same. BUT the katana it so much more confortable....I would not hesitate to name it as the most confortable bike I have ever sat on and drove for 150miles.

150 miles? That's a morning ride... Heck, I could probably tolerate my DR-Z's seat for that long, and it's practically a 2x4 with vinyl.

[bettingpython]

What you pay for with Honda is a very well finished product, and one of the most durable longest lasting bikes on the road.

I thought the 599 had the old CBR600f3 engine. I'm sure it's reliable and fine, but the bike shouldn't be so expensive. No R&D went into the engine at least. It's just a way for honda to get some more use out of their old tooling and unload some leftovers 

It may not be new R&D on the engine but the 599 as well as the 919 both had to have frame, suspension, etc... designed specifically for the naked bike group. If you want cutting edge buy a race replica bike. If you want damn near bulletproof dependability and excellent fit and finish in a product buy a Honda.

The biggest problem with pricing is it is designed and built in Italy and fluctuations in the value of the Euro have cased pricing problems.