Yes people. I'm still browsing for my first bike. I want a good beginners bike and I've been reading on and test riding all kinds of bikes that are 600cc and less. I've ridden a cbr1000 and without a doubt I'm not ready for a full liter bike. Maybe down the line after I get more experience. I've ridden an older 90's Katana and I really liked it. I don't know much about the newer Kats and can't seem to find good sources of information on them which is why I'm turning to TWF. I know there's a model below the Katana 600, the GS500F. If anyone can give their opinions on these two models it would be greatly appreciated.

If you have "NO" riding skills at all I think the 500 is a twin cylinder and is gutless. It might be just what you need to get the hang of riding. Trust me the lack of power is needed when learning. You have no reflexes yet. Now if you have some Idea as to throttle controll and understand some of the basics. I would say go with the 4 cylnder in the 600cc class. You see if you have good throttle controll you can ride it like a 500 but have the 600 power when needed. Dont under sell your self. Only you know your true ability.

Go with the Kat 600. The GS500 is a real dog, you will get so board with this bike after a few months...the kat would be an excellent bike that will last.

For any one else that reads these posts the 500 and 600 should not even be in the same catagory as a begginer bike, I still feel the 600cc would make a good begginer for some but my point is the night and day power between most 500's and 600cc bikes. It is way more than just looking at the number and thinking "whats 100cc's"? It can be a lot if you choose the right 600. The 500 to me are for the I have never riden anything larger thatn a moped beginner and a persone with some offroad or shifting back ground could get away with starting on a 600cc bike.
Like I said this goes out to anyone else with the same questions that might be viewing these threads without posting. Dont fall victom to a more powerfull 600cc bike if your not ready.

+1

My main reason for considering the GS500F is due to the fact that it's cheap.

that it is.. try and test ride both of them, or atleast sit on both of them to see how it feels. Always remember you get what ya pay for.

Do you have your eye on a GS 500 right now or was it just something you thought you would look for.
I would say any of the 500s would suit you nice. Such as the EX-ninja 500 they can be picked up real cheap every where and will last you for years. If necessary.

But there is certainly nothing wrong IMO with the GS 500 if you got your eye on eone and the price is right I say go for it. Just be sure to get pics posted we all like to look at bikes too. Not just talk about em'! lol

I have my eyes on the Katana 600. I was only considering the GS model because of the attractive price tag. I learned how to ride on 600cc bikes (Ninja and Cbr) and have been riding for almost half a year now. Enough experience to say that my feet are wet. I really don't want to go any lower than 600cc's since I'm already familiar with bikes in that class, except for the newer Katanas. When I looked at the Katana the salesman said it's a great bike but didn't really get into how the ride felt. I've read some opinions about how it's twitchy like the GSX-R 600 but I've never ridden on a GSX-R so I can't really say.

The Kat is No wear near a Gsxr. It is built to be pleasurable. It is heavy and stout to take a moderate rider and make hime /her feel good on a four cylinder street bike. If you ride now you will never be happy you bought a 500. I would definatly go with a 600. And the Kat 600 is the one I would suggest to any novice rider.

any 03 and up supersport 600 is really "ballsy" i.e. CBR600, R6, GSXR, ZX6(36)....the Kat would do ya good, especially if you have "some" experience.

Just for N4S... Go with the Kan o Tuna...

I had a GS500 for my first bike and absolutely loved it. It wasn't "gutless" by any stretch of the word. I wish the F model was out because I hated that my bike was so naked. After I got good at riding my bike and stopped dropping it, Roach and the rest of the SpeedWerks guys put on an aftermarket bodykit and paint job and did a little work to it and got me a few more hp. That bike was a blast. I would buy another one in a heartbeat...especially now that it comes with a bodykit.

Laura

can't go wrong with a kan-o-tuna! it was my first bike. loved it logged 45,000 plus miles on the kat. it has a motor that u cant break i dunno care what u do to thing it would break-down for crap. imo go with the kat.

My Bandit 600 shares the motor and drivetrain of the Kat 600. It has kept me entertained for 3 years now. I had some experience before I bought it. After you get some time under your belt, a pipe and jet kit will really wake up the motor and you'll have some new found power to play with without spending alot of money for another machine. Bikes like these are really comfortable to ride and have decent wind protection too. Your Supersport buddies will be begging you to trade bikes on the ride home from a long day. Good luck.

Hey I'm not doubting that they are nice bike and will last. I just want to give N4S crap for his... that's it... no one else should pay any attention to my Kat bashing! Cool?

yeah but let me post one thing bashing a kat. and its on like donkey kong!

I rode a friend's bike on a long trip last night (180ish miles round trip). It was a 04 Ninja 500r. I was skeptical at first due to the fact its a smaller dsplacement bike from what I'm used to but it's damn good. I was really surprised with the power. After 6 grand the bike comes to life. Accelerates well and it's not scary at all. On the mountain roads I road on midway through my trip I noticed how well the bike performed around bends and sharp turns. The handling was very predictable. Myself being a new rider, it was very much appreciated. I live in the Antelope Valley here in California and 80% of the time high winds are present (You all should feel the body roll in my New Beetle when the wind blows ). When the wind blew at first I wasn't taken by surprise. The bike feels very light yet it didn't feel like I was being pushed. What little pressure I felt was cured when I leaned in more. At highway speeds the bike is very stable and comfortable. My legs and booty were fine, I didn't feel achy at all after my trip. My point is that last night I had a very enlightening experience. My hopes are very high for the Suzuki GS500f. I'll be swinging by a few local dealership this week. Hopefully within my next few posts one of which will be pictures of my new ride. By the way thanks for the information guys you've been a great help.

glad to hear you found a bike you like that fits your needs. You should be able to swing a decient deal on a GS500f since that bike is a lower displacement bike, and not considered a "high demand" bike like a GSXR, R6, or R1. with your findings!

would a sv650 rear fairing fit on a 05 gs500