[JOhnE1000]

I posted this question in the beginner section, however I didn't get many responses...sorry for the dup.

My question is regarding the Katana 600. Is it a good beginner bike? Or it is too much power?

I am looking to get a used one. I don't have any experience riding a motorcycle, but I am going to take a motorcycle drive class in few weeks.

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

First welcome to TWF. I am not a Kat rider but here is something from a Kat rider to help you in your choice.

The kat 600 is a very good bike for beginners and veteran riders alike who prefer to ride a sport bike that is more comfortable than most other sportbikes, has decent power, looks good, and is reliable. Depending if if you have any riding experience at all, you could do well on a kat 600 either way. I'd recommend though an Ninja 500 or gs500F as a better starter bike. They are lighter, and very userfriendly just like the kat, but they have less power so there is less tempation to be squidly, or simply get in over your head.

If you have experience, you can most likely handle a kat 600 w/ no problem. they are very stable and forgiving to new riders. Even if you have little or no experience, you can still get one, just be careful, they have more power than you might think until u actually get on and ride one.


Hope this helps.

:welcome: :twfrox: :cheers:

 

[Bandit 6S]

I have a Bandit 600. This is my second bike. First was a 81 Yamaha 550 Seca. The 600 is not overwhelming with power but it will move when pushed. You should be fine as long as you respect it. Under 7000 rpm it will be pretty tame but if its your first bike other than what they give you at MSF it will feel like a rocket! Take your time and enjoy it. Also look at some protection for the fairing because you will drop it. Maybe more than once. At 500 lbs full of gas when they tip too far they going to fall. My bike has been on its side twice. Both zero speed accidents. Good luck.

 

[XtremeRacingDiva]

Katana's could be a good beginner bike...but compared to what?

Yeah its good compared to a 600, 750 or 1000 CC SS bike.

There's also the ex500... Ninja 250 also good bikes to learn on

Moped..scooter..etc etc :dthumb:

 

[jeeps84]

I would never recommend a scooter to a beginner. Those things are dangerous. The little wheels will tuck under you at nothing. If you want to learn to balance, ride a bicycle.
Take the MSF class and get that Kat.

 

[Jester]

Yeah a Kat is definately a good starter bike, thats what I am currently riding. I recently got into the sportbike scene with in the last 2 yrs, and thats what everybody recommended me to start out on. So I purchased a 2000 Katana 600, and I couldn't be happier for my first sportbike.
It handles well, and keeps up with most of the other sportbikes on the road. As everybody else mentioned it is pretty tame under 7000 rpm, but once you open it up it will run (fast enough to get the red & blue lights flashing behind you...bad experience) So I highly recommend a Katana to anybody that is first staring out, plus you can pick them up pretty reasonably. However I recently got the chance to test ride the 05 CBR 600RR and I beleive that will be my next bike this coming summer.

 

[Heath3n]

Katanas are great bikes. I've owned 3 different Katanas, so I should know. However, unless you are highly attached to the way a katana looks, nowadays you can buy better technology/performance at roughly the same price.

Just off the top of my head, the SV650S and FZ6 come to mind. Also the YZF600. Regardless, you can't really go wrong with any of those bikes, and they are newbie friendly as well as being an appropriate bike for more experienced riders.

 

[R1up0n1]

I posted this question in the beginner section, however I didn't get many responses...sorry for the dup.

anyway. The Kat is an excellent starter bike. My friend KatanaMan here in TWF has a 94 Kat and he loves it. He wants a new bike already, but it's a great bike to start with. Take the MSF course!

 

[Need4Speed]

Im the Kat rider that DJ mentioned in the first reply. Kats are great bikes u'd do well with it. The fact that is heavy is actually a plus. Its very stable.