I need everyones opinion

[marcrx5]

I don't know a lot about bikes, but my friend told me about a bike for sale by his house, and I've been sorta looking for one lately. It's a 93 Suzuki Katana 750. It's red, it has some mild scratches, my friend says it looks like have been laid down, and I think he said about 15000 miles. I know the miles are kinda high, and other things aren't the greatest, and I also know that some of you don't think that a 750 is for a beginner (but I've ridden similar older bikes, and they aren't anything I can't handle). I just need to know if you guys think that $1900 is a good deal, and if I should even think about it. I don't know bike values very well so I really need some help.

[GimPin]

$1900 IS WAY TO HIGH for a 93 katana... the katana was and still is a low line crotch rocket I am not even fond of the new ones.... you can find a much better bike for that price.... I wouldn't pay over $1100 for that bike ... depending on how bad it was laid down.... I would only pay $1100 if it was laid down lightly and only had scratches. if you are going to buy a suzuki buy the GSX-R ... My personal opinion is buy an early 90s CBR

[jontflesh]

Originally posted by GimPin
if you are going to buy a suzuki buy the GSX-R ... My personal opinion is buy an early 90s CBR
IMO the GSXR is an awful bike to start out on. It is a race bike not something to try and learn on. Many people have differn't opinions but I am a Admin on a motorcycle site with 200,000+ members and I see a lot of newbies going down on brand new and older GSXR's. Get something with little to no plastic because it is really sad when you drop your bike and you find out that new fairings cost 700+dollars.

How much money are you looking to spend?
I would suggest looking at the following bikes. Buy a used one, ride it for at least a season then get what you want.

Suzuki:
SV650 - Vtwin, mostly naked bike. They are toned down stock but as you improve you can mod these really easily. Places like hammerit.com offer full fairings for them also. These bikes after modded are huge on the race track. This bike kicks ass for newbies and racers alike.
GS500 - Standard type bike with good power. YOu can score them SUPER cheap used.
Bandit 600 - Naked bike, sport tourer. Really nice bikes and can be modded up a bit. Easily found for cheap

Kawasaki
EX500 - This bike is a mainstay for newbies that want to ride a sportbike for thier first.

Those are pretty easily found bikes that are cheap. Don't forget you will need some extra cash for a SNELL rated full face helmet, gloves, boots and a nice leather jacket that has armour in it.
If you have not rode before I HIGHLY reccomend taking the MSF course. It is a great class and if you pass you get your M endorsement without going through the DMV


When looking at a used bike look for this stuff to hopefully get a good bike:
Look at the rear sprocket. If it is missing teeth the owner is probably a stunter and I would stray away from it because of the abuse they dish out on the bike
Look at the forks, if there are oily rings around them they will need to be rebuilt soon.
Try and bs with the guy for a little bit. He may have warmed up the bike before you showed up so it starts quickly.
When the bike starts up pay attention to the exaust and hopefully there is not a huge ploom of smoke that is puked out from it.
Feel around on the fairings. If there are a lot of stickers on it, feel them closely for hidden cracks and road rash.
Look at the tires and make sure that they are in good shape.

:)

Flesh