I wrecked my bike, need advise on a new one.

[Cowchip500]

Ok here's my crazy story:
I hit a hole in a construction zone and it looks like they're going to call it a "total". The crazy part is that I didn't even lay it down! I'm kinda new to sport-bikes (mostly dirt bikes) and would like some advice on what to get if need be. My bike was a 89 Katana 750 that was "tuned up" by a pro. I LOVED that bike and I've been sick ever since. It feels like my wife left me, or my right arm was cut off, you know what I mean.
I figured I'd get a newer GSXR but I wanted to see what anyone else had to say about it. I want it to be a daily ride but I don't want to be limited.
What should I look for in a new (used) bike? What should I keep in mind? Would I be happy with a 600 or should I stick to 750 or more? What should I expect from different size bikes?
Thanx for the help,
Rob

[piper907]

Gsxr 600 :D

[Mr Sunshine]

CBR600F4i :)

[pscook]

Well, what kind of bike you should buy depends on a couple of points.
I loved my 1991 Katana 750, and I still miss it, so I know where you are coming from.
What I liked about that bike was the bottom end grunt, and the top end howl. 12,000 RPM for a 1986 technology bike is pretty heady stuff, and I could easily keep up with the new GSXR 600's.
So, if you want top end, go for a more modern 600. If you want lower end grunt, go for a larger bike, 750 or above. But, if you like quirky bikes, look at the SV650, as they have a nice bottom end for street riding, and they have a great chassis to make it interesting on the track or in the twisties.
The nice thing about the newer Katana's is that 1998 and newer have the 3.5" front and the 4.5" rear, so you can fit decent rubber. Too bad they look like poo.
My point is, most modern 600's have screaming topends, with bottom ends that may be lacking in grunt for comfortable town cruising, so you probably want to look for a larger displacement bike, or possibly an older 600, like an F3, which has most of it's power centered around the lower end.
Ride as many bikes as you can, and don't compromise!
phil

[gazman]

one that isn't wrecked, i'd say the 06 gsx 600. thats what i ride

[Cowchip500]

That's good info. It looks like the state is going to make good on this even though I expect to get less than I'd like. I wonder if I should make the Katana a track bike. Would it be worth it? Does anyone run anything that old? Would my wife leave me when I drain the bank account?

[Cowchip500]

The frame checked out okay. No cracks, and it's not bent. Now I could use some advice on fixing this bike up. Most sportbike riders stick their nose up at a 89 Katana but it takes a corner better than many of the guys I ridden with who have pretty new CBRs, GSXRs, etc (I think that's because they don't know what the're doing).
The bike was built by one of the mechanics at Downtown Harley who wanted to try going metric. He had to unload the bike when his girlfriend got pregnant. I know he tweeked it and it was clocked by the police at 183 (he's a member of the Iron Pigs (cop/biker group)). I dropped the ratio some to make it more fun around town (just under stock). What mods should I consider? What's a waste of time? Does anyone run their daily ride at a track day? Should I even mess with this bike or save my pennies for a new ride?
Thanks to everyone on the help earlier

[pappawheelie]

I'd buy a vfr800 for my street bike, sell the katana for $wahatever, buy an f2 or some cheaper more modern,water cooled sport/trackbike.

[whtnxt?]

Build one using a Harris, Spondon, or Moko-GSG frame for your engine. These are too darn cool, plus you built it. As a MSF instructor, I've used the clout to ride many different bikes to see how they handle and which ones seem interesting for street use. Basically they boil down to three distinct areas, and three distinct engine configs. Feet forward, under, or behind. Single/twin, triple/six, four.
Feet forward(cruiser) is not natural, under is like walking(Nighthawk 750, FJR, etc.) and behind is sprinting/sport(R6. Daytona 675, VFR, etc).
For street use, the torque curve of a triple has been the best compromise for torque (acceleration on/off-ramps) and speed maintenece.
And cost is always a factor.

[justintime2]

I know he tweeked it and it was clocked by the police at 183 (he's a member of the Iron Pigs (cop/biker group)).
I don't know about the other stuff but that thing doing 183mph sounds sketch. :eek:

[Mr Sunshine]

I don't know about the other stuff but that thing doing 183mph sounds sketch. :eek:


I don't believe 183mph on a Katana 750 for a second.

[pappawheelie]

I think your friend is dislexic, and really meant 138 !