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! :)
one piece of advice, I've never met some one that was happy with a Katana....
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.
Pass on the katana seriously they are a joke.
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.
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!
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.
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. :thumb:
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.
how about the:
Yamaha FZ6??
(http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/content/images/600/07fz6_blue_1_feac8933.jpg)
Kawasaki Ninja 650R??
(http://www.kawasaki.com/ImagesMain/Products/Action/201_EX650A7F_40103_R.scale.jpg)
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. (http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/images/smilies/puke.gif)
The 650R is a nice looking bike but it's sub-par compared to the SV650...it'll catch up, thuough.
did anyone else find the 650r oddly narrow? especially the Handlebars?
and I agree, the fitment and quality isn't there... YET.
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.
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.....
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 :)
QuoteSomeone 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
the kawi 650 is a great bike, short, smooth, light, and powerfull
Quote
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 :dunno_white:
Quote from: ducati_nolan on March 07, 2007, 09:27:31 PM
Quote
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 :dunno_white:
exactly.
Quote from: Jace009gs on March 07, 2007, 07:15:34 PM
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.
Quote from: ducati_nolan on March 07, 2007, 09:27:31 PM
Quote
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 :dunno_white:
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.
<<<I have less than 3,000 miles under my belt...........................But now I'm a little bit bored with it and feel like I get no respect on the road>>>
Yep, that's about the point where many must decide whether to get more bike or to just start learning to really ride the one they have. ;)
I started with a CB400 and traded it on a CB750 six months and 6k miles later. Now 22 years and 350k miles later I'm having a ball on a couple GS500s and have yet to be bored while riding a bike. :thumb:
Respect is earned, not purchased.
Quote from: gsJack on March 08, 2007, 10:02:03 AM
<<<I have less than 3,000 miles under my belt...........................But now I'm a little bit bored with it and feel like I get no respect on the road>>>
Yep, that's about the point where many must decide whether to get more bike or to just start learning to really ride the one they have. ;)
I started with a CB400 and traded it on a CB750 six months and 6k miles later. Now 22 years and 350k miles later I'm having a ball on a couple GS500s and have yet to be bored while riding a bike. :thumb:
Respect is earned, not purchased.
That is a great quote Jack.
Quote from: jen_ on March 07, 2007, 03:02:12 PM
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.
A lunch box and rejet cost less than $100. The power isn't increased so much, but the delivery is more linear. The change is VERY noticeable. The bike sounds and feels different. You are right, it's not required. It's recommended.
Addressing the boredom issue and the respect issue both at the same time, you will need to ride more aggressively, more assertively, make yourself more known and seen (in mirrors, moving around in your lane), use hand signals (for the left hand lane changes, point to the space that you are taking).
GSJack nailed it. 3k isn't much at all. Put more time just riding before moving up. Work on being smooth (takes more effort than you think) and ride as often as possible. Remember that it's the rider and not the bike. When I take my SO's gs out I turn into a hooligan because it is so easy to ride compared to the SV I ride daily. We also have a Ninja 250 in the stable because they are so much fun to ride WOT. Remember it's not the bike, it's the rider.
Quote from: Teecegirl on March 07, 2007, 10:05:39 AM
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! :)
My friend got a Katana GSX 600 after I'd been riding my GS500 for a few months and I got to ride his quite often.
A few things:
1. Going from a GS500 to a *Katana 600* after 3,000 miles is fine. The Katana is the cadillac of sport tourers (imo). Long wheelbase, great mirrors, good headlights, comfortable ergonomics and the power delivery is fairly close to that of a GS500.
2. The Katana is *not* a race replica bike. It is a sport tourer... and a light one at that. The rear tire is a 160, and it is just about the weakest inline 4 600cc sportbike around. (~80 hp i think).
3. Boredom - What exactly do you mean by this? When I hear someone say they are 'bored' with a bike it usually means they are looking for an adrenaline rush. What do you really mean? Are you looking for some thrills, or just a bike with a little more 'oomph'?
A Katana is not a very big step up from a GS500. If you are really ready to *start learning* on a bigger bike then you might prefer somethign more along the lines of a CBR-600, YZF-600, etc..... and then there are the race replicas: GSXR-600, YZF-R6, ZX6R, TT600, CB-600RR, but I would *definitely* ride one of those first before you get one. They are quite different from a GS500
Here's the article I've been searching for ever since you started this thread; it's about respect: http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2401&highlight=respect
check out the SV650.
Quote
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.
Ture ture, I am feeling the same, but you can keep up with them, they will soon give you RESPECT...... I got my respect in the local rider group after kicking some sport bikes ass.........
Yeah, i was riding with a recruiter I used to work with who rides a busa ( by the way that bike sucks you're better of saving a couple of K and getting the gsxr1000) And every time we hit a hard curve I dusted him. He told me after the ride that he was seriously impressed with my little GS and was thinking about getting a smaller bike because of it!!!
Quote from: spcterry on March 24, 2007, 10:33:59 AM
Yeah, i was riding with a recruiter I used to work with who rides a busa ( by the way that bike sucks you're better of saving a couple of K and getting the gsxr1000) And every time we hit a hard curve I dusted him. He told me after the ride that he was seriously impressed with my little GS and was thinking about getting a smaller bike because of it!!!
Sounds like he didn't know how to ride. I've seen plenty of Busas boogies down real hard.
It's his first bike so he probably isn't the best rider. It's out of commission right now he was screwin around and didn't check his oil popped a wheelie and threw a rod. Yeah the busa is a mean machine but I'm just not that impressed with it, at least not when you take into account the other machines out there similarly priced. the Duc monster S4RS is significantly lighter and produces almost the same horsepower and the MSRP is about the same
peak power on paper rarely does any justice to the feel and flexibility of a broad power curve that larger displaced engines put out. it's still a personal preference thing but I wouldn't be looking at peak hp/$ on paper thinking that's all there is too the comparison. If you're really interested in understanding the difference and haven't already done so, then take both out back to back and then you decide. you still may end up personally preferring the higher peak power, less broad power distribution, but understand that not everyone will prefer that and and that doesn't anything away from either machine. it's just a preference thing.
I haven't ever ridden a busa or a monster, but I have ridden a 998r, its what I learned on, yes my friend was stupid!! And i absolutely loved it. Incredible acceleration and god knows what for top-end I pansied out at 160 but he got his license revoked when he was clocked at 220. Overall the bike just felt very stable and very nimble. it was one of those bikes you just fall in love with. And i'm starting to like the naked bike look so i figured Monster. This summer I'm gonna try to get down to Miami and test one. Probably buy one too.
Quote from: spcterry on March 24, 2007, 11:45:34 AM
the Duc monster S4RS is significantly lighter and produces almost the same horsepower and the MSRP is about the same
I haven't ever ridden a busa or a monster, but I have ridden a 998r, its what I learned on, yes my friend was stupid!! And i absolutely loved it. Incredible acceleration and god knows what for top-end I pansied out at 160 but he got his license revoked when he was clocked at 220. Overall the bike just felt very stable and very nimble. it was one of those bikes you just fall in love with. And i'm starting to like the naked bike look so i figured Monster. This summer I'm gonna try to get down to Miami and test one. Probably buy one too.
Ducati claims 130HP and 76.7 ft/lbs torque on an inertia dynamometer for the S4RS Monster the original Busa was 155HP at the rear wheel and the 07 currently Makes 176HP and 98 ft/lbs at the rear wheel. So I call bullshit. I also call bullshit on the 220mph license revocation. I have friends down at the Texas Mile this weekend and it takes a lot of bike to break 200mph.
I can believe 220Kph but since your in the U.S. I assume you are stating MPH
My 954 dynoed the same night we dynoed the Busa does 138.72HP at the rear wheel and 68 ft/lbs of torque.
Busas can boogie very well our state highway patrol has 2 of them and the troopers that ride them have been to the keith code and jason pridmore schools as well as a few others and they can ride those busas to the very limits of the of the bike unlike most wanna be riders with 1 inch chicken strips that think they can ride.
At our last bike night here we dynoed a stock 07 busa cause we were at the suzuki dealership. 147.......... As far as my buddy and his lack of a license....whatever believe what you want I was at the hearing. Our State Patrol doesn't have bikes, they do however have a repoed Lambo that couldn't come near touching him. ( and several crown vics that I think they feed steroids and jet fuel, cus I've seen one reel in a porsche) Anyway as far as my buddy multiple officers clocked him and one with a high speed camera was able to identify the plate. The video from the first cruiser is hilarious you see this flash of a yellow blur then the cruiser starts shaking and the tard actually pulled out like he was gonna be able to do something......... :flipoff:
I'm not disputing that the busa is one hell of a bike, I'm just saying that there's better out there ( I have a little bias against the busa because I've seen several airmen and soldiers go out and buy one as a first bike next thing they know they lose control at 150mph and crash reconstruction is picking bits and peices of him up 3 miles down the highway. next time you're at a major military installation go to the safety office and ask how big of a problem inexperienced rider on over powered bikes is. And the most popular over powered bike that soldiers and airmen want is the busa)
Quote from: spcterry on March 25, 2007, 09:10:45 AM
At our last bike night here we dynoed a stock 07 busa cause we were at the suzuki dealership. 147.......... As far as my buddy and his lack of a license....whatever believe what you want I was at the hearing. Our State Patrol doesn't have bikes, they do however have a repoed Lambo that couldn't come near touching him. ( and several crown vics that I think they feed steroids and jet fuel, cus I've seen one reel in a porsche) Anyway as far as my buddy multiple officers clocked him and one with a high speed camera was able to identify the plate. The video from the first cruiser is hilarious you see this flash of a yellow blur then the cruiser starts shaking and the tard actually pulled out like he was gonna be able to do something......... :flipoff:
I'm not disputing that the busa is one hell of a bike, I'm just saying that there's better out there ( I have a little bias against the busa because I've seen several airmen and soldiers go out and buy one as a first bike next thing they know they lose control at 150mph and crash reconstruction is picking bits and peices of him up 3 miles down the highway. next time you're at a major military installation go to the safety office and ask how big of a problem inexperienced rider on over powered bikes is. And the most popular over powered bike that soldiers and airmen want is the busa)
It's not hard to believe 220 on a Busa, I think they can do 150 in 3rd gear...
What's hard to believe is that it's his first bike and he was doing 220... Where? Without vaporizing himself on a corner? Regardless he sounds like a REAL idiot. Hopefully he's doing it in the desert where he can only kill himself and not some other poor slob bystander.
It just absolutely amazes me that some idiot right out of an MSF course can go to a dealer and buy a frigging Hayabusa... and people wonder why accidents are common on US soil on motorcycles? Unfreaking real.
Sorry for the rant but it's hard not to get pretty PO'ed about somebody like that, those are the people that give bikers a bad name. I wish this country would do the smart thing and adopt what they do in Europe with graduated licenses and bike sizes/restricting.
I was a different guy that got the 220 he'd been riding all his life. Yeah, Europe definately has the right idea with the graduated licenses and restrictions. I know up at Ft. Benning they said they lose about 1 man a month to motorcycle wrecks, mostly because they just got bonus money and bought the meanest bike they can afford.......... :dunno_white:
I'm beginning to think that bikes are a form of natural selection. 140 plus horsepower is a little like handy fire to a baby.
As far as 220 MPH, that sounds a good deal high. I've only been 160MPH, in a slightly modified cage, but that was EXTREMELY noisy, windy, shakey, and not exactly fun. On a slippery bike on a salt flat I guess it could work, but on the street ? Damn man, make the first payment on your friends' burial plan, he's going to need it.
Nope, he's not allowed to operate a motorcycle...violates the probation guidelines so he's safe. I've done 160 in a GTI you're damn near killing it and it's a little unnerving when you realize the speed but it actually handled quite well. I've comfortably ran my gs at 115. it stays pretty solid. sure made that trip a lot shorter. what was really cool was when I looked over and saw a bald eagle flying next to me.............it was an awe-inspiring moment
Honda 599, Very nice bike, loved to ride it, but highly priced, no longer in production.
Katana: no personal experience but I know 2 people at work that used to daily drive on them and they switched to an SV and GS because they did not like the power on it.
Cheers
http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/sport/model.asp?ModelName=599&ModelYear=2006&ModelId=CB600F6
they stop making it this year ?
eather way . hes right about the military bases being high in MC accidents ... i live or did live right around fort.hood,tx and INS. right around there is higher there ,then it is in austin,tx .. its crazy dumb .. but its beacuse of all the idots that dont know how to ride ..... thats what they do . they sale more 1000cc bikes then they do any other one cuz these guys go out and by the biggest bike they can . 220 .. i can see it .. if a GSXR600 ,R6 ,CBR600RR can push everybit of 180 WITH NO MODS . ............... then i can see the duck doing it . it takes less then a mile to get a GSXR600r up to 154mph . i know .. i'v done it :) but to each his own . let him be . he will make his mistakes . all we can do is pray that he wont take anyone with him if somthing goes wrong ....
on another note .. i'v had my stock BONE STOCK eclipse up to 140 no problem had more room to go back for the lack of getting cought i backed off . but there was no one around . we all do dumb things . no ones perfect . you may have never or you may say you will never do somthing like that .. but if the chance is ever given to you most ppl will take that and run with it . ....
Yeah, that little VW GTI was about 1000 rpm shy of redline at 160 so it could probably have come close to 180. But I know for a fact that the cars our state patrol uses can tear that up. They got custom manufactured crown vics designed to reel in the new 500 hp vettes given their power and reasonable price......... I know our local station chief and he drives one it's a beast he said he's had it at 200 before and it shook but the engin still had a good bit of room. But if you ever want to see a shaZam! ton of really nice 1000cc up bikes just head to your local military installation and check out the barracks parking lot it's either a bike or a pimped out honda.........
I think you are embellishing a bit... Jetta/Golf GTI is only at about 137 MPH at the top of it's speed range. Well stock anyway.
The only thing done to it was the turbo was re-tuned. I've seen 90's golfs ( not GTI ) that'll run to 130 thats crap for a VW
the reason i bought a bike is cause i rode my cousins katana 750. it wasnt that fast to be honest. but it gave me a taste of streetbike speed and power.
i realize now that its not aabout how fast someone can go off a stopline and into a straight, but how low you can get in the canyon :icon_mrgreen:
OK my last .02 Why the hell did they name what basically is a touring bike Katana. Atleast me, when I first heard it I figured it was better than the gixxer cause it had a flashy name WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: spcterry on March 26, 2007, 01:05:59 PM
The only thing done to it was the turbo was re-tuned. I've seen 90's golfs ( not GTI ) that'll run to 130 thats crap for a VW
Sorry dude, I'm having a lot of trouble swallowing that, I had a Jetta Wolfberg 1.8t that was plenty fast but no way was it over 140 MPH, Not that I raced it (at all)... And the new ones are governed at 130 MPH. The best I know of a 98 Polo GTI the top was 120 MPH.
Anyways, to answer the original poster... the closest thing I have ridden to a sportbike was a mid 90's Katana 600, so to compare that (from memory, it was a few years ago), it felt very bulky to me compared to the GS, the GS is way easier to maneuver compared to the one I rode and I don't remember the power being that much more. Of course that was only one ride, I wasn't used to it so maybe it would handle better as I got used to it. Also the newer ones may be different. For what it's worth I looked at them(used) at my local Suzuki dealer before I bought my GS, and the sales guy I deal with steered me away from it pretty hard... the guys in his service shop call them "Kanatuna"... LOL They do have a big following though and the guy who's Katana I rode loved his (and still has it).
ive known 2 people with katanas. 1 returned it after a week and the other went to an f4i within a year. she's selling it for 1800 and its a '92. not sure on the miles
You're funking kidding about the governer right??? It took like 3 minutes to bridge that!!!!! All you have to do is find it on the electrical schematic and snip the top wire then bridge it into the left hand side if your facing the front of the vehicle it took longer to get all the f%$king engine covers off than it did to actually bridge it!!!!! Damn things are on almost every car these days and no reputable shop will bridge it, some shaZam! about, making the car unsafe for street use??? You can make a neon run 130 if you kill the governor :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
This post is off topic... but I wanted to respond regarding the speed of some of the vehicles mentioned in the thread. I have to say SPCTERRY is exaggerating the speed capabilities of some of the vehicles. I also have a turbo'd Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX and it will reach 140 MPH but no more in its current configuration (Stage 1 Mods). HEAVILY modified and after sinking a LOT of money into it, it may reach 160+ MPH as I have seen some GSX reach that speed, but the car was worth $60,000 or more at that point due to the mods that were needed to make it fast. I drive quite a few different vehicles in my assignment and I can assure you, no VW in stock configuration I've ever driven has gone past 130 MPH. Whether it was due to speed governor or just lack of available power at that speed (I tend to believe it was the LACK OF POWER), I was never able to get a GTI or Scirroco past 130 MPH. My last VW was a Jetta... top speed 115 MPH. As for a "souped up" police cruisers, I have been fortunate to drive a "souped up" police car... a Chevy Caprice with performance package including a Corvette engine. Top speed was around 130 MPH. The vehicles aren't exactly the most aerodynamic vehicles to begin with, then add the lightbars, the added weight from the police equipment, spotlights, push bars, suspect cage... etc and the vehicle just gets slower and slower. It did smoke the tires very nicely from a dead stop, though, but top speed? Not that impressive. It certainly will not catch a supersport motorcycle. The current crop of FORD Crown Vics come with one engine choice for "performance" police package... the same engine used in the Mustang. While it is powerful from a dead stop acceleration, it still will not keep with with a high performance sportscar such as a Porche or Mercedes or BMWs. 200 MPH Crown Vics? Please let me know the name of the department with the Super Crown Vics so that I can advise our department's master mechanic how to modify mine so that I can also go 200 MPH. Honestly, I don't think so. That's why we still need airships to follow cars (and motorcycles) that can out run us. To simply "snip" a speed governor and make the car fast... into the realm of the super sportcars is ludicrous. I'm reminded of a young driver that told me that his Toyota Matrix made 450 HP and swore by it... The mods on the vehicle consisted of a bolt-on exhaust, new performance muffler, air box swap with K&N filter charger, new platinum spark plugs and "high performance" wire set. And lots of impressive looking stickers on the body of the car. He swore that his Toyota could out run, out accelerate any car on the road. Ok...
It's Georgia State Patrol. They had a very limited number custom modified and it is by far not a mustang engine. It howls at anything ever 2k rpm. They are the only Agency in this locality authorized to pursue at high speeds ( County Ordinance states 'High Speed' as any speed in excess of 100 mph). There's one of these Crown Vics around here, and something like 15 of them in the state. I've seen him off the line stay right on a heavily modded 01 vette.. Make no mistake, I'm not saying it would touch a supersport bike. I've seen a stock 'busa' make a new vette look like it was standing still. But this cop car runs down BMW's and Benz's and a porsche once ( boxter aka POS ). I'm not trying to tell you it'll take down 911 s turbo's just that it can reel in any readily available sports car on the market :thumb:
I didn't read all 4 pages so excuse me if its been said but, don't rule out the ZX6E. It has lots more power than the 650 ninja and sv and has a low seat hight. Heavier but well balanced, It also has sport touring bars so they might fit your reach better. Its a great bike with a bullet proof motor.