what are the main differences in the GS500F and the Katana 600, I was out for a ride today and seen one and just wondered how they compare, handling,power etc

Thanks Ron

i have not personally ridden the katana, but im sure the 600 would offer more power, much more than the GS has to offer. more power also means more weight, so depending on the suspension, it could either be smooth or ride like a brick.

ive heard that they aren't the most comfortable things in the world either.

I pondered the two at length two years ago as I was shopping for my first bike. Here's what I recall:

In favor of the GS500:

• Generally a better value (you get a GS in better condition than a Katana for the same price, or in the same condition at a lower price)
• Lighter, more maneuverable at low speeds (the Katana feels like its center of gravity is higher--a little less reassuring for a noob like me)
• Better fuel economy
• A little cheaper to insure

In favor of the Katana:

• A better all-around bike with better protection
• Better performance
• Probably wont't outgrow it as fast as a GS

Note that I deliberately left out the horsepower question because we don't know rpm121370's experience level. Both bikes are a class apart: 47 hp for the GS, 86 for the Katana 600 and 95, if I recall correctly, for the Katana 750. I'm a noob, so I took a pass on the Katana because 86 hp is a little much to start with IMO and I didn't want the big plastics bill if the bike went down.

Another bike I'd give a good look at is the Bandit 600. With 74 hp, it's a better all-around compromise than the GS and it's still manageable for a noob.

Feel free to add items I left out!

I've ridden lots of bikes. For the most part unless they are a lot different than the GS500, like a cruiser or large touring bike, they 'handle' like the GS. Cruisers steer slower because of their steering geometry, and the biggest touring bikes are less tolerant of aggressive riding due to their extremely large size and weight.

The biggest place you will notice the difference in a bike in when you have to go slow, or get off and physically manoeuvre it around. The GS500 is a ightweight with mild power delivery compared to almost everything else on the market. A bike that is a little bit heavier takes a little more effort to steer while underway but not much.

My wife has had difficulties on various bikes trying to moderate throttle at low speeds and deal with moving them around due to their weight ~ finding an appropriate bike for her has been difficult. Some time I think what she really needs is an 65hp CBR125 LOL.

It's hard to know exactly what to tell someone in this situation, and there are bikes out there that defy convention ~ bikes that are heavy and big and handle (Honda ST1300, BMW K1200/1300/1600), 1000cc superbikes that are lighter than your GS (Suzuki GSXR), and others.

'ggg' got the majority of the specific points regarding the Katana vs. the GS500. As mentioned the Katana motor was used in several other bikes from 600 to 650 in Suzuki's lineup with carburators in early models and fuel-injection and ABS later on depending on what you were looking at.

One of the things the Katana has going for it (and many Suzuki's in general) is a long production run of a relatively popular bike. For the frugal out there, this means used parts are generally plentiful, easy to find and inexpensive to purchase ~ like the GS500 

Overall, I have come to prefer to compare bikes in terms of the following criterion ~ rather than what they are 'supposed' to be ~ in the following order based on its importance in daily riding for me:

1. Weight
2. Seat Height
3. Engine HP and torque
4. Fuel Injection vs. carburation
5. Overall size

@SAFE-T, short sidebar: Your wife's requirements seem to call for a light bike with a not-too-torquey engine at low rpm so that any throttle manipulation issues have minor consequences only. The Ninja 250 comes to mind, although a well-tuned GS with clean carbs would do fine too, bringing us nicely back on topic

If she wants the HP, I'd strongly recommend the suzuki SV650.

I wouldn't bother with the Katana. The GS500 is neat because it's a small, lightweight, manageable twin. If you're looking at an I4, you might as well get something modern like a FZ6.

@rpm: What's the motive behind the original question? Are you thinking of upgrading? If so, for which purpose? (Commuting? Weekend riding? Other?) The focus of the topic will depend on the answers to these questions.

Quote from: ggg on August 27, 2012, 09:09:30 AM
@SAFE-T, short sidebar: Your wife's requirements seem to call for a light bike with a not-too-torquey engine at low rpm so that any throttle manipulation issues have minor consequences only. The Ninja 250 comes to mind, although a well-tuned GS with clean carbs would do fine too, bringing us nicely back on topic

Actually, she needs to ride more and remember/learn how to use the clutch better, and in some cases the rear brake. Longer arms might help as well. And learn when to get off and turn the bike around properly, instead of paddling along on her tip toes. And know when to ask someone else to help instead of just about dropping the thing over the other side and catapulting herself over the bike.

Bought her a 2007 GS500F in 2009 ~ not fast enough to travel with anyone but hubby, who is willing to modify their riding appropriately. Ninja 250 would have been worse.

Quote from: lee500 on August 27, 2012, 09:59:24 AM
If she wants the HP, I'd strongly recommend the suzuki SV650.

Sold the GS500 and bought a low-mileage 2009 FZ6R in 2010. As fast if not faster than the SV650 I had this summer. Nearly as fast as my (heavier) VFR800 up to about 180km/h.

She still needs to ride more, but doesn't have to worry about keeping up. 

can usually sell a gs @ profit. dont forget. especially if you get into her right

Quote from: lee500 on August 27, 2012, 09:59:24 AM
If she wants the HP, I'd strongly recommend the suzuki SV650.

the horsepower would be great, but the overall seat height and higher center of gravity would probably throw her off and make things extra difficult, especially if she's already having a hard time getting flat footed right now.

She would never fit on an SV650 ~ we'd have to lower it 5" ~ I think it only has 5.5" of suspension travel to begin with LOL.

The FZ6R is significantly top-heavier and awkward than the SV650, and it felt like it had more jam right off the bottom and everywhere else as well. 

I'm 5'10" and I was surprised at how tall the SV650 was. It also has a long reach to the bars, which is a complaint for people who might otherwise like it. For me, the footpegs were just too high ~ I have an L5 disc injury from when another driver backed into the side of my truck in a parking lot that has permanently affected my hips and left side. 

I seriously doubt an SV650 could outrun the FZ6R ~ I ran it up close to redline a couple of times and my wife's comment following me on her bike was "Is that all it's got?"

Is it a SV650N or S? They have different sitting positions and the N is significantly more comfortable with lower footpegs and a more upright posture.

Re: SV vs. FZ6, check out this comparo: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/122_0404_2004_yamaha_fz6_vs_2004_honda_599_vs_2003_suzuki_sv650/viewall.html

It was an 'S'. The 'N' model also had different gearing since Suzuki thought people were more likely to ride it in the city instead of travelling longer distances on it.

The FZ6R is somewhat different than the FZ6 ~ it uses the same motor but it's internals are set-up differently. It has better midrange than the FZ6 but redline is 3000 rpm lower and it makes 20hp less. FZ6 owners will tell you the 'R' stands for 'reduced', but I've ridden both and the FZ6R is as good or better up to 180km/h ~ beyond that I don't really care if the bike goes faster. 

The SV650'N' had lower pegs ? Never heard that.

Personally, I would avoid anything dubbed the 'KanaTuna', particularly since they were kind of homely to begin with, and there are newer and better fuel-injected alternatives from the same manufacturer using many of the same parts that otherwise made the Katana worth buying.