I've been lookin into bikes for awhile now, and I have just about narrowed my search down to about a 2000-2001 600cc Katana, or a new GS500F, based on the cost of insurance.   It will be my first bike and i've tried to look at cruisers like my dad has and his friends but a sport bike def. suits me more.  Since insurance is killer on any new 600cc bike for me, i'm seriously thinkin about the GS.  That leads me to these questions.

Does the Katana absolutely run off and leave the GS?  I know it is heavier, but has about twice the HP.

And will my dad and his buddies be able to smoke me on their 650, 1100, and 1700 cc big cruisers?  I know their range will be greater and they will have more comfort on longer rides, but i'm not concerned about the longer rides, maybe one every once and awhile.

My major concern is the 500cc motor, sure my insurance is cheaper, but is the newer lighter bike worth the sacrifice of power?

lastly I am a new rider, but I do not want to be put in the category of wreckless kid on a sport bike, seeing as how i will be paying for it, and i am extremely responsible with my things, and my dad will rip me a new one if i do something stupid.

Sorry for the lengthy post i'm just trying to do alot of research before i make a purchase.

Thanks alot, Josh

for take-offs...they're almost equal...the GS might even have a slight advantage...

top speed and high speed cruising the katana is much better...

i just don't want my dad to be able to say he can smoke my "sport bike"

i have a 500f and i ride with my father in law all the time he has a 1600 yamaha silerado edition and my will smoke his in take off but he burn me on top end

my pops has an 05 1700 RoadStar

You've NEVER ridden a bike?  Then yes, get the GS.  It's a GREAT beginners bike.  It won't bite you if you make a stupid mistake due to it's lack of HP.  Buy a used one and after a year you'll be ready to move up to something bigger.  You'll be able to keep up with the cruisers unless they're TRYING to dust you.  The GS will do 80 comfortably, about 100 tops.

Quote from: JoshPlastly I am a new rider, but I do not want to be put in the category of wreckless kid on a sport bike

Oh, that's the category you want to be in!  Just don't be reckless.

The GS is fast enough to get you in trouble.  Take a motorcycle safety course.  Get the GS.  Ride a lot - there's absolutely no replacement for seat time!  Take some track schools.  Then you'll see how pointless straight lines are.  

My SV is much faster.  On the street, the GS is more fun.

Quotei just don't want my dad to be able to say he can smoke my "sport bike"

this is the wrong thinking from jump, a bicycle can go fast enough to hurt you and its human powered.  first bike ever? new to riding, GET A USED GS500E, they hold up well, you wont cry NEAR as hard or long when you drop it (YOU WILL DROP IT, we all did and do) compared to a brand new bike your paying the Finance co.  once you got some time AND Miles under your belt then by all means think of your next step up.  besides, you will have to do some maint on a used bike and the  F's are just E's with a suit.  paying 1000-1500 for a used E needing alittle and i mean little TLC Vs 4599$ for a new one?(think thats going rate, plus tax,tag,title, and insurence)  besides, you get use to beating on the older E, finnaly go buy a new one for nice riding and use the E as the warrior bike and Mod it to the Gills, track days woot. and once again, if you happen to take a Dirt sample with it. the shiney boy is still at home.

ive got my 89 for corners, ive got an 83honda XL250R for dual sport riding and have a 94katana 600 coming in trade to a buddy for my KZ440 (i know dont seem fair but i aint bitchin) but it will be my go fast bike. stock is good for 130, my 88k6 did that.

only thing left i need to complete my stable is a nice 2 up cruiser, with most the works, fairing, radio, inner com, perhaps a small trailer  


but i dont pay alot for them, i fix them, and if i wreck one, i have another as backup while its getting fixed, or at best, if totaled, im not still paying off the loan for next year or so. just something to mull over

Quote from: JoshPi just don't want my dad to be able to say he can smoke my "sport bike"

Your dad has been riding longer than you have, don't be surprised if he "smokes" you on his cruiser. I've ridden a cruiser (454Ltd) and have kept up with seasoned racers on their streetbikes (Falco and others). It doesn't matter if he can smoke you, ride your own ride.

You've gotten this advice from others, but let me repeat it.  Buy a USED GS or other smaller displacement bike.  Naked is better, cause there's no bodywork to F-UP.  Like Blueknyt said everyone drops their bike at sometime or another.  Hey not to mention you can pick-up an older GS that runs like new for cheap, and save money for a year to two down the road when you can buy whatever you want.  By that time you will have made a lot of mistakes and learned a lot.  Oh, yeah TAKE THE MSF CLASS it's worth every penny.

Quote from: JoshP...............will my dad and his buddies be able to smoke me on their 650, 1100, and 1700 cc big cruisers.............

............I do not want to be put in the category of wreckless kid on a sport bike...............................



Thanks alot, Josh

...Pickin' up what you're throwin' down cheesy...

It's not like i'm gonna be racing them, i was talkin about highway riding, i didn't know if the GS would work too hard, and i would get left behind.  i know i have to be put in the stereotype, my dad thinks the same way.  No offense, but ya'll don't know me or my personality, or my habits, i've ridden bikes, just never owned one, i'm leanin towards the katana b/c i will be goin on longer rides, i am on the highway everyday to and from work.  and i will not have to buy another bike for awhile if i get the kat, that way i can mod my truck, and put new electronics on my bass boat.  i appreciate evryone's input and i still think the GS is sweet, but the Kat would be a better investment.

You'll be fine on the GS as long as you aren't riding with maniacs who like to weave in and out of traffic at 100+ MPH.

I think you would be more likely to drop the Katana as it's heavier.

You're assuming you're going to "upgrade" from the GS shortly... but it's not a buy-and-move-on bike.  It's perfectly competent to do freeway all day long, at speeds well in excess of legality, although it's far more fun in turns.  It's easy to work on and upgrade, it gets better mileage than the Katana, and IMO looks much better.

Quote from: JoshP...Pickin' up what you're throwin' down cheesy...

It's not like i'm gonna be racing them, i was talkin about highway riding, i didn't know if the GS would work too hard, and i would get left behind.  i know i have to be put in the stereotype, my dad thinks the same way.  No offense, but ya'll don't know me or my personality, or my habits, i've ridden bikes, just never owned one, i'm leanin towards the katana b/c i will be goin on longer rides, i am on the highway everyday to and from work.  and i will not have to buy another bike for awhile if i get the kat, that way i can mod my truck, and put new electronics on my bass boat.  i appreciate evryone's input and i still think the GS is sweet, but the Kat would be a better investment.

IMO you shouldn't get an F. You WILL drop it, and it WILL be $$$$ to fix.



A gs would keep up on the highway unless they are going 100+ all day long.  I cruise around 7k at about 90 with no problems.

I'd get the Kat, but I'm a dumbass.

IMO katana's are absolutely horrible looking.  I'd rather have a naked GS, let alone a faired gs

Yep.  Kat is a shapeless blob.  But I'd still get it.  

Note: I don't have a Katana.  I have an '89 GS.  

But given the choice, I'd take the Kat.  I just like 'em for some reason.  Maybe because it was the first street bike I ever rode.

I'd rather have a round-frame SV than a Kat.

Oh, wait, I do.

kats are more top heavy than the gs500, so for a beginner, low speed moves re harder than higher speed ones. Also cornering at higherspeed on a more top heavy bike can be 'fun'.

I dont like the katana. If i were to choose between a katana and and an SV650, i will take teh SV650. But katana and gs500, i will take teh GS500.