im looking at getting a katana rear shock but i cannot find any info for older yr bikes like mine. its a 97. all the info i read for newer bikes be relevant  to me?

Pretty much the same on all GSes.
Katana 89-96 - 600/750 is usually the simplest and best. The Later years had some remote reservoir that I am not sure is better ... but it is also a direct fit.
Cool.
Buddha.

thank you once again buddha. i like your simple and informative posts. it helps alot. ive been searching for a while now an came up empty handed.

Don't forget about the R6 option if you can't find a cheap katana or are wanting more adjustable rear shock. I have an r6 on my 06 gsF and its a great match for my sonic springs.

Hi

I got a GSX 600 shock off Ebay and imported it from the US for less than I would pay in the UK its far stiffer in terms of spring rate.   I think this is ideal for me at 200lbs.

NB suspension mods are normally notifiable to your insurer.  At least they are in the UK.  Its hard to see fork springs but rear shocks are obvious.

With the stiffer shock you may need to change the fork springs and the suspension needs to be balanced.  I got mine from Sonic Springs 0.85kg/mm again for less than I could get them in the UK.  You have no idea how much more things cost in the UK if I can import and pay duty and still get stuff cheaper.  There are plenty of GSX500 shocks on Ebay.

Dirtbox

I have had a couple of R6's lying around from some yocals dragging em through here ... I am not that impressed with that on a GS. R6, B12, RF900/600 and the first gen GSXR 750 non remote reservoir work better IMHO.

But well, the R6 generally rends to be 08 or newer if I recall, hence you may get one that's not beat to hell. As a shock goes I'll rate it as inferior to the Kat6 and its ilk. But condition and $$ and availability may trump just the shock, after all we could be talking about anything from 10 to 30 year old (in case of the non remote GSXR 750) crap that's been lying under some guy's bike holding up his butt ... over something that should be under 6-7 yr for sure.

Cool.
Buddha.

yeah i was reading up on the r6 shock when i was searching the forum and came to the conclusion that its not for me.  i will be getting the sonic springs as well. at the beginning of last yr i was fine with how the bike rode but now i want something a little more stiff. the front end drive my bike is bad it feels dangerous to me anyways. i dont have to worry about any mod needing to be reported to my insurance or anything like that. where i like we have very very lenient motor vehicle laws