03 Suzuki Katana 750 for $1500 with 29k miles..deal or no deal??

[dcarrd]

I'm being offered an 03 Suzuki Katana 750 with 29,000 miles for $1500..no touring accessories or anything, pretty much stock..I know the engine is aircooled and that doesnt bother me much...anyone has any input on this one?

[MK96xj]

If it was taken care of than it sounds like a pretty fair price.

[fotomoto]

They are cheap bikes; low end suspension, 80's era motors (bullet proof), older styling.  They are cheap (obviously), easy to maintain, decent power, and reasonably comfy (very comfy compared to RR sport bikes).  I've owned a Bandit 1200S that is a cousin but more of a naked bike (less fairings and more upright riding position).

$1500 tells me it's likely been down; probably on both sides.  Plastic isn't cheap.

[thatguy]

If you just want a bike to ride it's a great choice provided there's no hidden issues.They weren't prone to any abnormal issues that I'm aware of.Not slow but not the fastest.Not light but not the heaviest.You know just a competent motorcycle.Insurance should be cheap.

[smackdoogle]

$1500 isn't bad but this time of year I think you can do better for a couple more bucks.  If your in New England I keep seeing on craigslist in So. New Hampshire a naked SV1000 (2003, only year it was brought here) for around $2000 with fewer miles.  

[county]

Excellent price.  I'd buy it.  And I'm cheap. Nor do I want a Katana

[UHOH]

should be a v. good bike for you to alternate w/ your HD.
Price sounds good too.

[X1rider]

Plan on a full service, carb clean, battery, valve adjustment, etc. I would flush the brakes also. 1500 ain't bad though. Make sure the forks are straight!

[dcarrd]

the bike looks good...no signs of being down..I'm looking to go on 500 mile days...I dont mind the looks of the bike..I like the sport bikes but I also find this one "attractive"..hehehe...but I've heard people say they're junk..I know I can pick up some Sv650s for 3-4k mark or a bandit for 2-3k..I just don't want to get myself into a headache...but $1500 sounds fair and leaves me $$ for some accesories...anything else I shold know?? Durability, dependability, comfort in long trips??

[Baz]

I have owned 3 of Suzuki's air cooled beast and I say for 1500 bucks, go for it. Not much goes wrong with these.

A good friend of mine still has his 79 Suzuki 750E (same engine) which had 100,000 (very hard miles on it  ). He recently rebuilt it due to a motorcycle mechanic school project, but it was really still in great running shape before the rebuild.

The bike do require tinkering such as carb synchronizing etc, but no real bad manufacturing flaws that I can think of.

[dcarrd]

bikes tend to be a bit pricier in Florida because of all year round riding...my hd was until recently a commuting bike and got tired of the riding position and the effen chrome upkeep...other than that it has been very reliable with just needing a battery so far...BUT..dont ask me to be on it for more than an hour before I wanna get off it not because of vibration, they took care of that in 04 with the rubber mounts but because of the saddle and riding position(clamshell) I  always find myself on the freeway putting my feet on the passenger pegs(not the safest thing in the world but helps alot)...I've ridden some VStroms and loved them but they are a bit tall for me and hard to find here at a decent price..the SV's feel a bit cramped also...I REALLY wanted a new Bandit but they are still too pricey for my budget...BTW the $3-4K SV650s I was referring too are 06-07 models, relatively newer..thanks for all the great input

[thatguy]

It would be easy to find someone to swap controls with you off a standard Sporty.Everyone wants forward controls.Really wouldn't be that expensive if you had to buy from Harley.As far as seats go Russell will fix you up.Some good shocks and Race-Tech emulators in the forks and voila!Touring XL.

[county]

the bike looks good...no signs of being down..I'm looking to go on 500 mile days...I dont mind the looks of the bike..I like the sport bikes but I also find this one "attractive"..hehehe...but I've heard people say they're junk..I know I can pick up some Sv650s for 3-4k mark or a bandit for 2-3k..I just don't want to get myself into a headache...but $1500 sounds fair and leaves me $$ for some accesories...anything else I shold know?? Durability, dependability, comfort in long trips??

They are not junk, they are good bikes.  My dealer sells a lot of Gixxer's and I was talking to him about Katana's and I liked what he said "...not everybody wants a Corvette, some people want a Camaro"

[IrishFazerBoy]

A wonderful, much under appreciated bike.   Check out www.katriders.com for advice.   Good folk there.

[dcarrd]

thanks guys! I really appreciate the info...I'm gonna make an offer on the bike and see what happens...with regards to the HD, it has been great and even though I keep up with maintenace(5 quart oil changes, full synthetic, lube the controls, no chain to lube though:) I'm just not that chrome guy slaving 29 days to ride it 1.. I just wanna hose the effen thing and go..hehehe...will post with results as soon as possible

[thatguy]

Well then quit the fashion show and ride the damn thing.A little dirt never hurt.

[Kat-Rider]

The Kat can do 500 mile days no problem.  Done it several times myself.
Most of the people who call them junk are looking for a true sport bike.  If you want a race bike, this is not the one for you.  Mine just rolled 25k and I have not had any issues.  
They are heavy compared to some bikes out there.
The low price does not mean a Kat has been dropped.  They just do not sell anymore.
Some of the main downsides:
Oil cooled (gets hot in summer, i took the lowers off and that seems to help a little)
heavy
carbs
Upside:
decent power (90hp)
reliable (seen lots of them with high mileage)
cheap
comfortable
It redlines about 135, but that is faster than I will go on the street.

[falconati]

I'd rather spend 2k and get more bike.

[X1rider]

You say it is in good shape. If not, they tend to have the moniker: Kan-O-Tuna and can be money pits with electrical problems.

[Shrike]

Heavy and slow for the size. There  are many bikes available for comparable $ I would prefer over an old kat.