You have $2,500 to spend on a used bike. What do you buy?

[yamahonkawazuki]

a basket case buell. would take maybe a day to assemble AND RUN

[SAFE-T]

Pre V-tec VFR ? is that pre 1999 ? I love those, they are the VFR750's. Yea maintenance is a pain though.

The 750 was before '98.

[Flux Maven]

Is there absolutely no honda love on this forum???  haha

I would be all over a cbr if I could find one that ran for less than $5k. Most of the ones I have seen for sale are either overpriced and bro'd out with extended swingarms and chrome and stuff, or are sold with no title as stunt bikes with no farings. Granted Gixxers are usually in that same boat so if I had the money I wouldn't pass up a good f3 if I found one 

[adidasguy]

I LOVE this design. Nice clean lines. Doesn't look like a squished up bug or something a 10 year old designed on kiddy-CAD as a toy ( too many new bikes really look like that!)
If there were one for the price and I had room - I'd buy it today.


if Suzuki sold the RG-125 in the USA or there were a used one like this -----

[bombsquad83]

I think you should start selling your GS's and give the Adidasguy treatment to some different bikes!  We all know what an Adidasguy GS looks like, and now a TS-185.  There are so many more bikes out there that need some love!

[dougdoberman]

I've got street bikes pretty well covered,  (CBR900RR, GS500, Katana 600/750, Ninja 600) but haven't had a dedicated track bike in quite some time.  So that'd be it for me.  In fact, that's exactly what I'm planning on doing next spring. 

I'll be in the market for an R6 (with the other 600's as possibilities, but the R6 would be the first choice.) or a GSXR-750.



Next on the list would be an enduro that's all the way on the "serious dirt bike with lights" end of the spectrum.

[jestercinti]

1979 Yamaha RD400 Daytona Special.  For $2500, it would need some work obviously 

New top end, maybe some expansion chambers...

[Juan1]

I've got street bikes pretty well covered,  (CBR900RR, GS500, Katana 600/750, Ninja 600)...

Out of curiosity, is the Katana 750 much better than the 600?

[john]

I've got street bikes pretty well covered,  (CBR900RR, GS500, Katana 600/750, Ninja 600)...

Out of curiosity, is the Katana 750 much better than the 600?

Without doubt. 8 pounds heaver and acceptable power.

[dougdoberman]

Much better?  I suppose that depends on what you need it to do.  As mentioned, it's got more power (roughly ~20-25 hp ish), and is heavier (the numbers I'm familiar with say ~20 pounds, not eight).  Most performance results of the day showed it to be about 3/4 to a full second quicker in the 1/4 mile than the 600.

That weight shows itself in the twisties.  Neither of these bikes is what one would consider featherweight, particularly by today's standards.  The extra pounds are noticeable when you're turning in or flicking side to side.  Of course, the extra horsepower is noticeable when you're throttling out of the corner. 

The majority of the bodywork is the same, with just the seat & the tail light area being different.  The 750 seat is a little better for two-up riding, as the passenger sits a little lower on a wider perch.  The 600 seat is designed to keep the rider situated, with the rear seat being stepped up considerably. 

The major downside of the 750 is, to me, the horribly unattractive tail light.  It's a big huge plank of a thing that makes the rear end look terribly ungainly.


My solution to the question is to put the 750 motor in the 600 frame.    (Which is why I labeled it as a 600/750 above.)    All of the early Katana engines 600/750/1100 are based on the 1st-gen GSX-R 750/1100 motors which share the same cases.  The only difference in the lower end is the bore & stroke (and the 5-speed transmission for the 1100's).   They're straight drop-ins.   And these motors are nigh-bulletproof.

My original 600/750 (my current one is my second) actually used parts from all three sizes.    750 racing internals, 1100 heads (which gave slightly higher compression), 1100 endurance racing cams, 750 GSX-R brain box for higher redline.  Dynoed at 109 HP.  In a package that looked identical to the stock 600 Katana engine.  More than one guy was surprised when that doggy Katana that he gave lenghts to because it was such a boat anchor beat him through the 1/4 mile and took his money.   

My current one isn't tuned nearly as severely.  It's just a straight swap from a 750 Kat to a 600. 


If choosing between the two stock bikes, I'd likely choose the 600 if the majority of my riding was solo.  It's perfectly stable droning along on the highway, makes more than enough power, and is more fun when the going gets tight.  If I were looking for a two-up bike, the 750 would be the better choice.  No matter what the choice though, today's purchaser needs to be aware (just like people who bought them new actually) that Katanas are not super-sports.  Even in their day, they were closer to the sport-touring end of the spectrum than they were the repli-racer end.  (The '88 Katana 600 did win an AMA championship, but that was the only year.  CBRs & FZrs quickly surpassed it.)  Personally, I think they're a nice step up in-between a GS500 and a serious sportbike.

[ninjeff]

WIthout question i'd try and chase down a good condition 02+ CBR600f4i.

I almost considered selling the GS for one.....and i havent even ridden my GS yet! (stupid carbs)

[shonole]

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/mcy/2949443118.html

[dougdoberman]

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/mcy/2949443118.html

That's not too bad a price for a low mileage 750 if it's nice & clean.

I spent a couple seasons racing GSX-R750's way back in the Suzuki Cup days.  I don't have any particular desire to have an older one, but if I had an extra 12 Grand laying around, I'd be hard pressed not to spend it on a new yellow 2012.    It still remains probably the best hard-edged sportbike made.

[john]

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/mcy/2949443118.html

Do not underestimate the power and handling of this bike.  Respect it and it will offer some really thrilling riding.  I knew a guy with one and it would hit almost 120 in 3rd gear and get there FAST.  Less insane than the 1000 and more punch than a 600.

[bill14224]

Oooh, in that price category there are several.  SV650 comes to mind first.  Ninja 500 would be next.  GSX650 also.

[Kijona]

Depends on where you live...here in Atlanta everybody wants 3.5-4k for their Katanas. Believe me, I've been looking for a long time. The cheapest one I saw was 2800 and it was pretty beat up and had over 30k miles on it. Same thing goes for SV650's. It's absurd.

[Flux Maven]

Depends on where you live...

Step 1. Find a place where they are cheaper.
Step 2. Fly there and treat it like a vacation.
Step 3. Buy cheap bike.
Step 4. Ride that bad boy home!
Step 5. Brag about what a great deal you got and how much fun you had riding it home. 

[Kijona]

Depends on where you live...

Step 1. Find a place where they are cheaper.
Step 2. Fly there and treat it like a vacation.
Step 3. Buy cheap bike.
Step 4. Ride that bad boy home!
Step 5. Brag about what a great deal you got and how much fun you had riding it home. 

Or get stuck somewhere. LOL

[shonole]

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/mcy/2961407846.html

[dougdoberman]

http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/mcy/2961407846.html

Damn.  That's a great price.  I wish I could spare the funds (both for the bike and the trip to get it.)  It's exactly what I'm looking for as a track bike.  Hopefully I can find something similar when I get serious about picking something up next spring.

"Great starter bike" though?  Idiot.