Used Motorcycle

[Arrmani]

Soo, I found a 1997 Suzuki Katana 600. Looks to be in good condition, and the guy says it runs well. I'm going to go look at it this weekend. Hes asking for $2000. What do you guys think?

[510Meeze]

Crotch rockets are dirt cheap, you should be finding 2k+ models for 2k. Check Craigslist if your area uses it.

[Arrmani]

That's what I've been looking at. There's also a weekly auto magazine that has motorcycles in it too, but I haven't seen anything less than $3000 that didn't need any work done to it.

[FNH]

Soo, I found a 1997 Suzuki Katana 600. Looks to be in good condition, and the guy says it runs well. I'm going to go look at it this weekend. Hes asking for $2000. What do you guys think?

I'd offer $1500, katanas are nice, but they are aged. also not a beginner bike.

possibly a helmet

you should have one before you buy the bike, plus a jacket, gloves, riding pants, and boots.

[Arrmani]

I'd offer $1500, katanas are nice, but they are aged. also not a beginner bike.



you should have one before you buy the bike, plus a jacket, gloves, riding pants, and boots.

Okay, that's what I was thinking. I'll post pics of it if anyone wants. My friend said he has a helmet he'll give me, but if it doesn't fit I'll buy one. What would you recommend for riding pants and boots? I was just gonna wear jeans 'cause I do anyway, and possibly look for some work boots or something.

And I'm somewhere between a beginner and experienced rider. I think I can handle a 600cc, but I wouldn't try riding it anywhere until I've gotten used to it around my neighborhood or an empty parking lot.

[Skjie]

Oh, I never get a good answer any time I ask about it. I've had a credit card for a little over a year, but all I put on it is gas, and pay it at the end of the month. Someone told me to leave a little credit on there to get interest to build credit, but I didn't like doing that if I could help it.

Having the card without any late payments gives you credit, doesn't matter if you owe or not. Meeting the payments matters.

[FNH]

Okay, that's what I was thinking. I'll post pics of it if anyone wants. My friend said he has a helmet he'll give me, but if it doesn't fit I'll buy one. What would you recommend for riding pants and boots? I was just gonna wear jeans 'cause I do anyway, and possibly look for some work boots or something.

And I'm somewhere between a beginner and experienced rider. I think I can handle a 600cc, but I wouldn't try riding it anywhere until I've gotten used to it around my neighborhood or an empty parking lot.

I'd never recommend a used helmet, go try some on see what fits see what you like, especially if he has ever dropped his. I wore jeans, I also got up off the pavement once with half of them gone and blood filling my boots, but that's up to you. Go to a shop and find some nice riding pants, mesh at the least. Joe Rocket makes some nice jeans that have steel or something woven into them, but they aren't too cheap. I wore leather boots with a steel toe, basic nothing special. Jacket: get mesh if you live in a mild climate year round, leather if it stays cold. mesh will work well but if you go down it won't survive repeats like leather. leather gloves made for riding, they are cheap.

600 4banger is on the upward scale of intermediate. katanas can do nice power wheelies if you get a dumb streak.

[Arrmani]

Okay, thanks for the good info. I learned to ride using my dad's steel toe boots but they're a little big for me. He is going to give me a leather jacket, but I wasn't sure if that would be too hot in the summer. I'll look into riding pants, but I was hoping to ride to and from work/school while its warm out. My friend is pretty good with his riding equipment though, so I don't think he'd give me a dropped helmet. I'll still look for one though because I'm pretty sure my head is bigger than his.

[FNH]

make sure it's riding leather and not fashion leather.

[Penthesilea]

Okay, thanks for the good info. I learned to ride using my dad's steel toe boots but they're a little big for me. He is going to give me a leather jacket, but I wasn't sure if that would be too hot in the summer. I'll look into riding pants, but I was hoping to ride to and from work/school while its warm out. My friend is pretty good with his riding equipment though, so I don't think he'd give me a dropped helmet. I'll still look for one though because I'm pretty sure my head is bigger than his.

Look for a quality helmet too. My first helmet was a POS 120$ helmet at the stealership and the padding had packed so bad that the thing got real loose on my head.

FNH gives good advice. I think riding with some solid boots that cover your ankles will be enough for street riding.

And even if it's too hot, I'd rather sweat then have road rash.

[510Meeze]

My friend used to get new or used motorcycle gear at a good discount.

[Zeb]

A used Katana 600 is a good starting spot for someone who has the basics down for motorcycles skills. At 86hp you're going to have to work hard for it to have the wheel come up on you without the clutch. You didn't mention if you already had your license. If you don't, I recommend taking your local MSF class. Hell, take it if you do already have it too. Some insurance companies offer discounts on their policies if you have taken the class. Which can save you a lot of money if you ever buy a new bike.

As for a helmet. Don't get a used helmet, it just won't fit right, and don't let other people borrow your helmet either. I HIGHLY recommend going to a shop and trying some on before buying. Wear the one that feels the best around the shop for 30 minutes atleast. What feels good for 5 minutes can feel like utter shit after an hour. Each line and brand have different shapes. If you like the looks/price/features of a certain helmet, and it's made for a round head, but your head is a little more oval, move on to a different one.

The jacket/glove/pants are a lot easier to get right. I would suggest looking around to see when a local Biike Day/Weekend/Week comes up, they always have a decent selection of protective apparel at those type of events. Even if you can't find a good price, you can look up on the internet for a better price for the same item once you know what size you are for a particular brand.

[Arrmani]

Well, my GF's dad is really into Harleys, so I might end up going to a bike week with her family. I did take the MSC, which is prolly the same as MSF I would think. I learned how to ride and got my license there. It was actually a lot easier than I thought, but I know it'll be different out on the road.

There's a bike shop close to my house, and 2 more in town about 10 minutes from me. I'll go look at helmets when I get a chance this week. The one I wore at the class was marked L, but I told my dad that and he said it went by numbers so I don't know.

Soo, I guess if I get this bike like I want, I'll get insurance set up and go look for some good boots and helmet. And yeah, sweaty is better than road rash, at least for short trips.

[Penthesilea]

Well, my GF's dad is really into Harleys, so I might end up going to a bike week with her family. I did take the MSC, which is prolly the same as MSF I would think. I learned how to ride and got my license there. It was actually a lot easier than I thought, but I know it'll be different out on the road.

There's a bike shop close to my house, and 2 more in town about 10 minutes from me. I'll go look at helmets when I get a chance this week. The one I wore at the class was marked L, but I told my dad that and he said it went by numbers so I don't know.

Soo, I guess if I get this bike like I want, I'll get insurance set up and go look for some good boots and helmet. And yeah, sweaty is better than road rash, at least for short trips.

You're out in Lancaster? If so we can go for a ride sometime.

[FNH]

Well, my GF's dad is really into Harleys, so I might end up going to a bike week with her family. I did take the MSC, which is prolly the same as MSF I would think. I learned how to ride and got my license there. It was actually a lot easier than I thought, but I know it'll be different out on the road.

There's a bike shop close to my house, and 2 more in town about 10 minutes from me. I'll go look at helmets when I get a chance this week. The one I wore at the class was marked L, but I told my dad that and he said it went by numbers so I don't know.

Soo, I guess if I get this bike like I want, I'll get insurance set up and go look for some good boots and helmet. And yeah, sweaty is better than road rash, at least for short trips.

nah helmets are sized s, m, l, xl for the most part. however, just like some clothing, one brands L may be a medium or XL in another. I liked scorpion helmets, they were comfortable cheap and worked well. I had personal experience on it crash worthyness. All helmets should have DOT sticker at minimum if it has a Snell sticker it's supposed to be better, it's debatable.

As for sweating I chose to get a mesh jacket, it really helped in 100 degree weather riding for long periods of time.

side note: Ive found the Harley nuts and the sportbike squids are the worst at giving advice.

[Arrmani]

nah helmets are sized s, m, l, xl for the most part. however, just like some clothing, one brands L may be a medium or XL in another. I liked scorpion helmets, they were comfortable cheap and worked well. I had personal experience on it crash worthyness. All helmets should have DOT sticker at minimum if it has a Snell sticker it's supposed to be better, it's debatable.

As for sweating I chose to get a mesh jacket, it really helped in 100 degree weather riding for long periods of time.

side note: Ive found the Harley nuts and the sportbike squids are the worst at giving advice.

I'll look into a mesh one. My dad is insisting on taking his leather jacket, but it gets pretty hot during the day. I'm going to be looking for an affordable full face helmet, prolly to match the color (which is gold but idc its a nice bike). And her dad is a Harley guy, but he knows bikes from what I can tell. Hes not recommending a Harley like I'm sure a nut would do.

You're out in Lancaster? If so we can go for a ride sometime.

I'm about 90 min from Lancaster. I like going to the Renn Faire and my friend likes going to laser tag somewhere in Lancaster, maybe we can make a day out of it sometime. The bike week they go to is usually in Ocean City, MD, but I think there's one in Gettysburg soon also.

[Quisten]

I wear leathers, but it's killer in the heat when you're in traffic. That's fine if it's a ride, but commuting it's not so good, unless it's when I'm heading home, haha. Mesh/textile is better for riding to work and school and the like.

[Penthesilea]

I wear leathers, but it's killer in the heat when you're in traffic. That's fine if it's a ride, but commuting it's not so good, unless it's when I'm heading home, haha. Mesh/textile is better for riding to work and school and the like.

Yeah, I'm rocking a textile right now, but it's still super hot. Went down to the track this past weekend, I don't have full leathers and all that, but after being there, I'm jonesin for a track day.

[Arrmani]

Well, the guy won't drop the price on the Katana I was looking at, and won't have it inspected first. I don't want to take the chance that it will need something. I saw a really good deal on craigslist but it already sold by the time I called

I'm going to go to a dealer and see how hard/expensive it would be to replace the plastic. I found a 500 Ninja with a whole piece missing, and the guy says it is prolly needed for inspection. Other than that, still looking/news to come/thanks some more.

[FNH]

Well, the guy won't drop the price on the Katana I was looking at, and won't have it inspected first. I don't want to take the chance that it will need something. I saw a really good deal on craigslist but it already sold by the time I called

I'm going to go to a dealer and see how hard/expensive it would be to replace the plastic. I found a 500 Ninja with a whole piece missing, and the guy says it is prolly needed for inspection. Other than that, still looking/news to come/thanks some more.

ninja 500's are great bikes for beginners, they are very forgiving. Try to find the fairings used, new will cost $700. find a cheap broken one Ex-500.com - The home of the Kawasaki EX500 / Ninja 500R - Index has a classifieds page you might get plastics from there, I used to be able to get tons of parts from them, plus 1994+ models use most of the same parts. Also, you really would be better with a cracked plastic than you would if you cracked a new one yourself. Ninja 500's are easy as hell to work on too.