I definitely plan to take a course. I'm 27 and weigh 215 abouts, so I'm not a small dude. I was thinking like a 600. Prolly a cheap one that I won't worry about messing up too bad. I'm a pretty paranoid driver with the stang, so I'm not too worried about that. It's been a while since I've ridden a dirt bike, but was fairly comfortable on one. I want a bike primarily for urban riding, maybe a little highway to and from work.
So I think I got my choices narrowed down 1- a 98 suzuki katana 600 2- a 94 cbr 600 What do you guys think with my weight and everything? I'm 6'0" too I'm kinda long torsoed with mid length legs
We can't make that decision for you. Those bikes are about equal in quality, and handling, but get what feels best when YOU sit on it. Have someone straddle the front tire, and sit on it in a normal riding position, with stand up, see how they feel.
I guess I was more curious if anyone's heard horror stories about either one or reliability issues. One of my friends said the suzuki is notorious for having tranny problems and the bottom end being "junk" but that is just heresay
Well, the Katana is more of an entry/mid level bike below the GSXR600 in Suzuki's lineup while the CBR is the top level Honda in the 600 class. If it were me, I'd go with the Honda.
The CBR's from back then, don't know how far back, but with the F2/F3, they're comparable to the katana.
Id go Honda cause they are just really easy bikes to get along with. If the Suzuki was a GSXR then that would be the route but I never cared for the Katana. If you really had balls you would get a Hayabusa and slap a turbo on that bad boy.
I looked at em both last night and the katana was in better shape and I think a better fit for me. Any good places for aftermarket parts, a cover, or anything else I need for a bike. Anything like Summit for bikes? and the hayabusa.... I'm crazy, but not that crazy! .........Ok maybe when i'm more comfortable on two wheels
Dennis Kirk is a good place to start. This is a good place to look for bargains. First thing to buy are a decent helmet (HJC for quality at a budget price), jacket, gloves, and boots. Remember, the brain, toes, and fingers don't grow back too well when injured, the rest can be fixed reasonably well.
Dennis Kirk is good, you might also try motorcyclesuperstore.com although I think they tend more toward gear rather than bike parts/accessories. Of course, there's also ebay, and by searching on google you should be able to find lots of stuff.
Sweet guys! Thanks. I actually picked up the Suzuki last night. Haven't really gotten on it or anything as I'm a beginner but my buddy test rode it and said it was way too good a deal to pass up. Got a loaner helmet, jacket, and gloves from the same guy until I get my own. We seem to have pretty much the same dimensions so things fit perfect. Thanks again for the info fellas!
Like others said Get what your comfortable with. I started out with my Honda Shadow 750 aero. I really like it. I wish now I would have gotten a bigger cc bike though.
Late to the party. I think you'll have fun on the 'Zuki, and at a good deal at that! For crotch rockets I like the Hondas. They seem to be a little more refined than the others but will still have more than enough performance to get you into a whole heap of trouble. Just be careful with that right hand until you get used to it. I can't complain about my Nightster though. Performancewise it's no crotch rocket, but for a bike that lives in a world between a standard and a cruiser it's a lot of fun and enjoys its badass styling. With my mods it should still 1/4 in the 12's too while getting ~50mpg on my commute.
