Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: TarzanBoy on October 11, 2005, 10:52:56 AM
Post by: TarzanBoy on October 11, 2005, 10:52:56 AM
A friend side-graded from a burgundy '96 FZR600 to a black '99 Katana.
I rode it the other day for a bit and this is what I think:
The engine is vewwy vewwwy quiet! (it must have been hunting wabbits). The thing just purrs like a kitten at idle. I couldnt' even hear the engine once I got it up to ~40mph.
The katana seems like it was definitely designed with the tall rider in mind. It has a pretty long wheelbase with very forward placed mirrors (which gives you a pretty good view of behind) and a long seat that lets taller folks sit a bit farther back to make reaching the handlebars more comfy.
The power was extremely..... not there! I put my friend on my gs500 and chased him up a lightly twisty uphill road. I could NOT catch up to pass him even though I had the throttle wide open. Granted he started off ahead of me, but I should have gained on him because he did NOT have the gs's throttle on full.
What the bike DOES have that I like is:
-A fuel gauge
-A windscreen that screens the wind (wild concept, eh?)
-headlights that GLOW LIKE THE FRICKIN SUN (his low beams illuminate almostt as much as my high beams do).
All in all... it was a very 'blah' bike. NOthing very disappointing, but not enough bike for me to consider it an upgrade from my current bike.
Your thoughts?
I rode it the other day for a bit and this is what I think:
The engine is vewwy vewwwy quiet! (it must have been hunting wabbits). The thing just purrs like a kitten at idle. I couldnt' even hear the engine once I got it up to ~40mph.
The katana seems like it was definitely designed with the tall rider in mind. It has a pretty long wheelbase with very forward placed mirrors (which gives you a pretty good view of behind) and a long seat that lets taller folks sit a bit farther back to make reaching the handlebars more comfy.
The power was extremely..... not there! I put my friend on my gs500 and chased him up a lightly twisty uphill road. I could NOT catch up to pass him even though I had the throttle wide open. Granted he started off ahead of me, but I should have gained on him because he did NOT have the gs's throttle on full.
What the bike DOES have that I like is:
-A fuel gauge
-A windscreen that screens the wind (wild concept, eh?)
-headlights that GLOW LIKE THE FRICKIN SUN (his low beams illuminate almostt as much as my high beams do).
All in all... it was a very 'blah' bike. NOthing very disappointing, but not enough bike for me to consider it an upgrade from my current bike.
Your thoughts?
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: My Name Is Dave on October 11, 2005, 11:10:50 AM
Post by: My Name Is Dave on October 11, 2005, 11:10:50 AM
The Katana was designed to be sold to guys like this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/all_out_of_gum/untitled.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/all_out_of_gum/untitled.jpg)
Title: Re: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: pantablo on October 11, 2005, 11:13:04 AM
Post by: pantablo on October 11, 2005, 11:13:04 AM
Quote from: TarzanBoy... a black '99 Katana.... it was a very 'blah' bike. NOthing very disappointing, but not enough bike for me to consider it an upgrade from my current bike.
Your thoughts?
Yeah, Katana's suck.
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: JetSwing on October 11, 2005, 11:17:12 AM
Post by: JetSwing on October 11, 2005, 11:17:12 AM
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXThe Katana was designed to be sold to guys like this:and this:
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: My Name Is Dave on October 11, 2005, 11:19:56 AM
Post by: My Name Is Dave on October 11, 2005, 11:19:56 AM
Whatever, that guy rules. Look at his face! It's funny!
Dave :cheers:
Dave :cheers:
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: pandy on October 11, 2005, 12:15:26 PM
Post by: pandy on October 11, 2005, 12:15:26 PM
What are you talking about!? That's a picture of moi! And I'm not a guy!! :nana:
P.S. Even PURPLE couldn't save a Katana.
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXThe Katana was designed to be sold to guys like this:
P.S. Even PURPLE couldn't save a Katana.
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: JetSwing on October 11, 2005, 12:19:33 PM
Post by: JetSwing on October 11, 2005, 12:19:33 PM
pandy is a guy who doesn't know she's a guy...
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: My Name Is Dave on October 11, 2005, 12:22:37 PM
Post by: My Name Is Dave on October 11, 2005, 12:22:37 PM
I knew it! I had a theory that he merely added a "p" to his name to get to Pandy...
So Andy, anything else you wanna say?
So Andy, anything else you wanna say?
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: JetSwing on October 11, 2005, 12:27:26 PM
Post by: JetSwing on October 11, 2005, 12:27:26 PM
don't push her too much...she...he may be bit confused...
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: pandy on October 11, 2005, 12:49:18 PM
Post by: pandy on October 11, 2005, 12:49:18 PM
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXI knew it! I had a theory that he merely added a "p" to his name to get to Pandy...So Andy, anything else you wanna say?
Yeah, you look almost as dorky as I do!
Love,
Andy :mrgreen:
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: Jace009gs on October 11, 2005, 02:58:45 PM
Post by: Jace009gs on October 11, 2005, 02:58:45 PM
Ya I owned a katana 750 and drove the 600. The 600 is like you said nothing exilerating. Very relaxed and mellow. I think of it as a big crusier with plastic. It's bulky and long. Very comfy tho. ....Having sold that katana 750 I had [still a 750 is weak on power] I bought an FZR. Having compared all the bikes the FZR does the best for the bottom line. It has just as much power as the 750katana but is a 600 :mrgreen: I really like the water cooling too as I know the katana was cook'n in the fall weather here in traffic and what not. However the FZR is only comfy for about an hour...Ya the seat starts to numb your behind after that. It's a little more upright than the katana but much more nimble...point and shoot unlike the katana's swing wide like a semi truck :bs: ... Given ALSO THE FACT THAT my FZR's "testing" and comparsion was done with 2 cuped valves, 14kmiles and orginal everything w/ floaty stuff in the carbs....Overall I feel the katana has no woooo-hooos or zings to it. Just a solid riding bike
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: Blueknyt on October 11, 2005, 06:18:12 PM
Post by: Blueknyt on October 11, 2005, 06:18:12 PM
Quotebut I should have gained on him because he did NOT have the gs's throttle on full.
ok, keep in mind it is heavyer with diff wheelbase and steering geo, its got alittle more power but its only 100cc more then the 2 500, twins have alittle more tug in lower to mid range then the inlines (specialy if untuned inline4) but they peak at a higher RPM. ive owned an 88 kat600 and now have a 94 kat 600, it takes me less time to reach 100mph on that 600 then my twin, and peaks out higher. my 500 is unrestricted the 600 is bone stock. the 500 missing the pounds the 600 has will flick through the turns much faster with less trouble then the 600. but once you got comfortable in knowing the 600 i bet you can whip it round better. but being heavyer makes all the diff in the world.
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: Roadstergal on October 11, 2005, 06:54:00 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on October 11, 2005, 06:54:00 PM
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXWhatever, that guy rules.
I love that pic.
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: airbrush on October 11, 2005, 06:56:24 PM
Post by: airbrush on October 11, 2005, 06:56:24 PM
what do you mean katana suck....at least their rear shocks are good for somethin....puttin on a GS ;)
Title: +1
Post by: The Buddha on October 11, 2005, 08:18:53 PM
Post by: The Buddha on October 11, 2005, 08:18:53 PM
+1 bluknyt and airbrush ... :lol:
Kat basically is fully faired like a Repli racer, and watered down like a commuter ... I like the 89-97 - was it, body style ... with the non Pamela Anderson inspired tail light ... The were actually shorter and a shade narrower than the GS I thought ... but the weight and all of it high in the frame ... yea like Salsa dancing with queen Latifah ... sooner or later you gonna have to pick her up ... :lol: :o :lol: ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Kat basically is fully faired like a Repli racer, and watered down like a commuter ... I like the 89-97 - was it, body style ... with the non Pamela Anderson inspired tail light ... The were actually shorter and a shade narrower than the GS I thought ... but the weight and all of it high in the frame ... yea like Salsa dancing with queen Latifah ... sooner or later you gonna have to pick her up ... :lol: :o :lol: ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: jomei on October 11, 2005, 08:37:58 PM
Post by: jomei on October 11, 2005, 08:37:58 PM
The 88/89 Kat6 was not bad. I rode one for about a week 1/2. It was owned by a friend of mine, and I rode it when I was staying at his place on vacation instead of renting a car. Overall, yea.. it is really a absolutey completely and totally watered down non racing gsxr6 with commuting in mind. Nothing really too sporty about it. Just a "pretty good" commuter bike with a tiny little bit zip. The FZR6 on the other hand.. ooo.. now that was my first love.
You always remember your first kiss, the FZR is no exception in my mind. If it was not for the bad tranny, and less then ample seat padding, on those wonderful pieces of engineering. I would get another one.
I would take the FZR6/YZF6 over the Kat6 anyday.
Here is a old but really good article from Motorcycle Online comparing the two "value 600s". Very good reading, totally rconended.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/value600s.html
You always remember your first kiss, the FZR is no exception in my mind. If it was not for the bad tranny, and less then ample seat padding, on those wonderful pieces of engineering. I would get another one.
I would take the FZR6/YZF6 over the Kat6 anyday.
Here is a old but really good article from Motorcycle Online comparing the two "value 600s". Very good reading, totally rconended.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/value600s.html
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: Gisser on October 11, 2005, 10:04:39 PM
Post by: Gisser on October 11, 2005, 10:04:39 PM
The Katana did win the inaugural AMA 600 Supersport title in the hands of Doug Polen over worthy contemporaries such as the CBR600F1, Ninja 600, and the FZ600. :o
To put things into perspective, not even Valentino Rossi could achieve that feat on a GS500. :roll:
To put things into perspective, not even Valentino Rossi could achieve that feat on a GS500. :roll:
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: Blueknyt on October 11, 2005, 10:24:12 PM
Post by: Blueknyt on October 11, 2005, 10:24:12 PM
if im not mistake, the 600 and 750 are the same engine just bored and stroked alittle, you could probly shoe horn the early oilcooled gsxr 750 into the frame
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: Blazinjr on October 11, 2005, 10:41:46 PM
Post by: Blazinjr on October 11, 2005, 10:41:46 PM
Yes you can fit a GSXR engine in the Kat frame, also the Bandit 600 frame also if I remember correctly.
www.katriders.com
I have been visiting over there for a couple months now. My next bike will be either a 600 Katana or 600 BanditS. 80ish HP will be plenty for me and they are just as comfy as the gs to ride. I recently borrowed a 95 750 Kat for a couple hours and loved it, original owner and less than 5,000 miles on it.
I have rode a couple different 600 Katana's and they are NOT a blazingly fast bike but more umph than the GS.
Only thing I don't like is having my knees farther apart due to the extra width of the bike due, but after a 1/2 hour of riding I got used to it.
www.katriders.com
I have been visiting over there for a couple months now. My next bike will be either a 600 Katana or 600 BanditS. 80ish HP will be plenty for me and they are just as comfy as the gs to ride. I recently borrowed a 95 750 Kat for a couple hours and loved it, original owner and less than 5,000 miles on it.
I have rode a couple different 600 Katana's and they are NOT a blazingly fast bike but more umph than the GS.
Only thing I don't like is having my knees farther apart due to the extra width of the bike due, but after a 1/2 hour of riding I got used to it.
Title: Rode a '99 Katana 600
Post by: 500rider on October 12, 2005, 05:01:07 PM
Post by: 500rider on October 12, 2005, 05:01:07 PM
I am the proud owner of an 89 Kat 750 although I have not logged very many miles on her. I don't know how they are stock because I bought this one with a Yosh pipe. This one pulls harder than the GS 1-5K and is just picking up speed at 10k+. When the GS is starting to gasp this bike is still pulling hard.
The 600 is a bit of an enigma because it's basically a sleeved 750. Why they would do this I don't know but the 600 actually seems more popular.
She's definitely no CBR600 and she is a whole lotta woman at 460lbs but I intend to get to know her. There are tons of parts still available and will continue to be because even the new Kat750 motors will bolt right in with absolutely no mods required.
The 600 is a bit of an enigma because it's basically a sleeved 750. Why they would do this I don't know but the 600 actually seems more popular.
She's definitely no CBR600 and she is a whole lotta woman at 460lbs but I intend to get to know her. There are tons of parts still available and will continue to be because even the new Kat750 motors will bolt right in with absolutely no mods required.