Considering 2000-20003 Suzuki GSX600F Katana - What to look for?

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Eye8Pussies

Active member
Hi everybody, I have been lurking for a little while and I'm new to riding. Going to be taking my RTI course in a couple of weeks. I've spent time on scooters in the past and also track cars as a hobby. I've taken into consideration my budget for a bike ($3-4K), budget for insurance (has to be classified as a touring bike), and also what I'm realistically looking for in my first bike (something that I don't mind dropping and will most likely only keep for a year or two max).

After lots of research, everything lead me to the Suzuki GSX600F. I now that it's rep is not that great and people call it ugly, but I rather like the look. It should have the power that I want to go on the highway after I get used to it, and yet it's easy enough to handle in general. I can afford the insurance (my research has given me around $2K, which was one of the cheapest out of all the touring bikes. I am also considering an sv650, but the insurance was a good bit more- I'm almost 30, with a semi-clean G driving record) and Katanas in the 2000-2003 range are very affordable.

As I continue to look at the bikes, what are the things that I should be looking for, maintenance-wise? Are there specific problems that these bikes seem to have more commonly? How are the higher mileage ones in the 30K range? I have tried searching the forum, but wasn't able to find too much.

Thanks in advance for any information!
 
Sounds like you did your homework, excellent. I knew a fellow who owned one and liked it. Never had issues with it. I've had 3 suzuki's in the past, the 750 katana from '84 being the closest to your model. The 80hp and sport stance will be a great benifit when you start riding. Be carefull on the right hand twist until you are a few months in, keep it under 5k rpm. Start learning on back roads and low traffic streets until you get used to the power. Just my 2 cents advice...

A benifit of the Katana is it's carb and oil cooled. Cheap maintenance if you take care of it, ie. use fuel adative in the winter and use proper motorcycle oil for the engine. Fuel injection is nice but expensive when it goes bad. I only had issues with the charging systems on the older GS units. Had a rectifier go and cooked a battery and had the alternator wires from the stator melt on another. Both cheap fixes. Don't know if it's still an issue these days, you can search the forums and see. The only real maintenance cost you should expect is a valve adjustment. Check the frequency and when you look at the bike you want to buy, keep this in mind. Expect $300 - $500 for this job depending where you take it. These bike's are pretty tough and 30k milage is fine. With proper care 60k or more can be acheved.

You'll like the seating position, not hunched over like a supersport and not like sitting on a lazyboy recliner. You can travel far and raise yourself on the pegs when bad roads are in the way. Get some saddle bags and you can tour quite comfortable. The bike is 450 lbs so hopefully your big enough to handle it and tall enough your feet are flat on the ground. If not, it may be too big as a first bike. Sit on it and get a feel of the weight and you will see if it is controlable. Most people I know drop their first bike. Usually coming to a stop and underestimate the tipping point and lay it down. Happened to me and others I know. This is why bike size not cc's are a good measure of a first bike.

Have a great time on your course and good luck.
 
I love mine. Its a reliable bike with a fairly bullet proof engine.

The bike does nothing exceptionally. It’s not great for touring compared with a true sport tourer. Its not a race bike or mind-blowing in turns. However it is a multi purpose bike and does everything adequately. It’s a great starter bike and im sure you will be happy with it. There is a reason the hold their value.

Check out the KAT riders forum for lots of great info. There are tones of suspension upgrades for it to make it handle better if you want but it’s a fun bike .

BE WARENED! It is heavy careful wear you park if you on an incline.
 
thanks for the info, guys! As a new rider, I think that it'll be a good bike to learn on. I'll definitely keep in mind that it's a heavy bike and be careful to keep it upright as much as possible. I'm 5'9" and pretty strong, so as long as my feet can reach the ground, I should be okay. I will be very careful about where I park the bike as well for sure.

My plan is to start out riding around my condo's parking garage and the neighbourhood at night when there's no traffic, and then slowly graduate myself to weekend mornings when there's very little traffic.

I'm also looking forward to dealing with the mechanics of the bike. I'm a shadetree mechanic who has done engine and transmission swaps in my own garage so I'm looking forward to working on something much smaller where I can just take everything apart without a lift or hoist :p


I've already joined up on katriders, so I'll probably be asking a lot of questions on there soon . Thanks again for the info.
 
Very reliable bike. Simple and straight forward.

Everything is built well underneath and is easy to get to. They have been building those for years - so parts interchangeability between models and years is very good.

Any body should be able to work on it.
 
I will second everything Two50noob said. Great all around bike.
Forget what all the others think about looks, I think she's purrrrdy.
 
Awesome bike. Very comfortable to ride. Good power. Still get compliments all the time on it. Only issue is finding aftermarket parts if your looking to do any mods. However parts are plentiful across the border.
 
Would you consider a 2000 CBR F4? Been pondering on letting it go for your price range.

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Stripped cam cover bolts are something to look for (7mm helicoil, expensive kit because of the odd size)
The cam caps are made of japanese chocolate.
Dont ask me how i know!

Gerry
 
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