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.

[chornbe]

  Have you people seen some of the prices people are asking for "more" bike out there? What's "more" in this case? VFR? SV/S? Older CBR? Gixxer? To get "more" bike you need to double that price as a starting point. Unless you want a VFR which start at $4k for anything you'd really want to buy. Any less and it'll be over 10 years old and need plastics. People are STILL really proud of their used bikes, in some cases, delusionally so. $3k will get you some seriously nice bikes. These bikes have a place, and some folks only have enough budget for one of these. What you or I would buy in his shoes is immaterial. $1500 for this bike - if it's in as good shape as the OP suggests - is a freaking bargain for a good bike. I say go for it.

[cjgauthier]

        Not an expert on Katanas, but we're talking about $1500.   Any bike that can be driven safely and is turn key and go is worth a grand or so. If you get a few years out of it (some here change bikes like underwear) what's that, $500/year. That's short money for a pile of fun if it's comfy enough to get saddle time in. At that price you could get some riding in and sell it for almost what you paid and the yearly cost would be mostly insurance, gas, maintenance and speeding tickets.  

[rgbeard]

        Not an expert on Katanas, but we're talking about $1500.   Any bike that can be driven safely and is turn key and go is worth a grand or so. If you get a few years out of it (some here change bikes like underwear) what's that, $500/year. That's short money for a pile of fun if it's comfy enough to get saddle time in. At that price you could get some riding in and sell it for almost what you paid and the yearly cost would be mostly insurance, gas, maintenance and speeding tickets.  

+1 - if it starts, runs and stops, it's worth $1000 or more.  In this case, it's a less-than-10yo bike, and it's well worth the $1,500 if not a tad bit more.

[SuperHans]

 $1500 for this bike - if it's in as good shape as the OP suggests - is a freaking bargain for a good bike. I say go for it.

Any semi-modern bike in good shape is a bargain for $1500.

[Playinthestreet]

Come on, youse guys.  Everybody knows if it's not the latest and greatest, 150hp with $2000 worth of suspension upgrades, a $1000 for an Italian exhaust system and the stickiest rubber on the planet it's simply not rideable.  

[Kamzilla]

I say go for it.  It's a reliable bike that'll take you everywhere you want to go with no issues.  They're also easy to work on and not likely to get stolen if you park it anywhere.  For me, that's always a plus when taking a long trip.  

If you go to the Katana forums, you'll probably be able to find accessories and can turn it into a great touring ride for just a few more bucks.  

And best of all, if you don't like it, you'll probably be able to sell it for the same price you got it for.

[chornbe]

All this talk... I may buy the damned thing my own damned self.  

[shawn and gwyn]

dude.. just go and get it.  as several people have said.. 1500 for a bike from 03 .. let alone a dead reliable 750cc.. is a fantastic price..  check the other adds on craigs.  its hard to find an old honda CB 750 thats in ridable condition for that price. if you dont like it.. put it back up for sale this spring at 2k and make some money

shawn

[FJRmgm]

shoot, at $1500 you can't go wrong. Buy the bike, insure it for next to nothing and ride it for a year and sell it for $2k and have fun.

The Katana is a good, solid, reliable, easy to work on and insure bike that does a lot of things well but it is not the latest, greatest sportbike so some just have to put it down.

A lot of people on sportbikes would be better off if that rode something like a Katana.

[county]

  People are STILL really proud of their used bikes, in some cases, delusionally

Yep, they think that the bike doesn't depreciate when they are not riding....

[steve.m]

it's the price i paid for my '00 bandit back in 06.  so it's the equivalent age for (effectively) the same bike.  Go for it.  it'll make a fantastic commuter and if you get audacious, you can swap a LOT of GSXR parts into it to make it handle better.  btw, mine had 38K on it before a spark plug wiggled loose after 10k+ miles in a month and took the threads out of the head.  Do regular maintenance and you should be golden for another 30K or more miles.  

I didn't read the thread but will say that power isn't the bike's strong suit, but it'll scoot ahead of anything on four wheels that costs under $75,000, well worth the 1500.  

ps.  Valve adjustments cost about $350 at the dealer 3 years ago.  worth the time to learn to do them yourself if you don't already know how.  set of feelers and a gasket costs maybe $30.

[BlueRidgeKat]

Its air/oil cooled.

If the maintenance on it has been taken care of during its life it should go another 29k.

[JIMLARCH]

  Have you people seen some of the prices people are asking for "more" bike out there? What's "more" in this case? VFR? SV/S? Older CBR? Gixxer? To get "more" bike you need to double that price as a starting point. Unless you want a VFR which start at $4k for anything you'd really want to buy. Any less and it'll be over 10 years old and need plastics. People are STILL really proud of their used bikes, in some cases, delusionally so. $3k will get you some seriously nice bikes. These bikes have a place, and some folks only have enough budget for one of these. What you or I would buy in his shoes is immaterial. $1500 for this bike - if it's in as good shape as the OP suggests - is a freaking bargain for a good bike. I say go for it.

+1.

[JIMLARCH]

ps.  Valve adjustments cost about $350 at the dealer 3 years ago.  worth the time to learn to do them yourself if you don't already know how.  set of feelers and a gasket costs maybe $30.
[/quote]

Compared to a modern sport bike the valve adjustments on the Katana are dead simple.  I had a GSXR1100 once, which is basically the same engine.  I was amazed how simple it was to adjust the valves.  What amazed me even more, was how much room was available to work in, once the cam cover was off.  The valve train is very basic, reminded me of a flat twin BMW.

Anyone with a little mechanical skill, would be nuts to waste $350 paying a dealer to adjust these valves.

[steve.m]

hey i was in college and afraid of wrenching on engines at the time  

fwiw, the guys from ST.N V1.0 ribbed me for being such a pu$$y

[rgbeard]

fwiw, the guys from ST.N rib me for being such a pu$$y

FTFY    

[Kat-Rider]

ps.  Valve adjustments cost about $350 at the dealer 3 years ago.  worth the time to learn to do them yourself if you don't already know how.  set of feelers and a gasket costs maybe $30.


Compared to a modern sport bike the valve adjustments on the Katana are dead simple.  I had a GSXR1100 once, which is basically the same engine.  I was amazed how simple it was to adjust the valves.  What amazed me even more, was how much room was available to work in, once the cam cover was off.  The valve train is very basic, reminded me of a flat twin BMW.

Anyone with a little mechanical skill, would be nuts to waste $350 paying a dealer to adjust these valves.

I just paid the dealer 350 to do my carb synch and valve adjustment.  I read the instructions for doing one, looked at the pictures, had no idea what they were talking about (or how they got there), and decided that trying it myself seemed like a great way to screw things up inside a perfectly good bike.
Anyway according to the shop the last 3 times they checked them they did not have to actually adjust anything.  They were in spec.  He said that on the Kat the only real way to get them out of spec was to hit the redline a lot.

[Crackedpot]

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.

'06 750 w/2700 miles, stock except Zero Gravity screen, beautiful maroon, $5195 from a dealer. Deal?

[steve.m]

no, you can buy a brand new buell xb12__ for less or about the same.  And it'd be more fun to ride.

[chornbe]

no, you can buy a brand new buell xb12__ for less or about the same.  And it'd be more fun to ride.

I'm not usually the one to say "yeah, but you could get..." but in this case, I fully agree. For equal money the Buell XB[xxxxxx] anything is a better all around bike than the Katana, unless you're going to do 2-up as part of your regular duty. The Lightnings and Firebolts have nothing to offer the pillions, really.

And that's not taking anything away from the Katana. It's a great bike. There's a reason it was made in a few configurations (faired and nakeds other names) for so long.  

[shawn and gwyn]

to the OP.. did you end up getting the kat??

shawn

[Kat-Rider]

'06 750 w/2700 miles, stock except Zero Gravity screen, beautiful maroon, $5195 from a dealer. Deal?

I would pass.  That is high.

[Crackedpot]

I'm not usually the one to say "yeah, but you could get..." but in this case, I fully agree. For equal money the Buell XB[xxxxxx] anything is a better all around bike than the Katana, unless you're going to do 2-up as part of your regular duty. The Lightnings and Firebolts have nothing to offer the pillions, really.

And that's not taking anything away from the Katana. It's a great bike. There's a reason it was made in a few configurations (faired and nakeds other names) for so long.  

I do ride 2-up a lot, plus I have short legs which knocks out 90% of everything. I'm looking for a nice, solid sporty bike for commuting and comfortable for long rides throught the mountains without having to stop every  30 minutes and stretch!

[Crackedpot]

I would pass.  That is high.

What do you think would be a fair price? This is a local dealer with a very good reputation, I may be able to negotiate a little or get something thrown in. I have no time/patience to run around to a bunch of places looking at private sales, and although I have a clue mechanically, I'm not confident I wouldn't miss something important. I like the idea of buying from a dealer.

I didn't even like the Katana at first (was looking for new GSX650F or FZ6R or maybe Bandit), but after having sat on it for a few minutes and reading a bit more, I'm liking it and trying to justify getting this bike now! The financing throught the dealer is about $100/month.

[Crackedpot]

I guess the next question (and then I'm done?) is if I want to buy a middleweight sport-touring kind of bike from a dealer with a warranty, etc., for about $5000 ($100 per month payments), what are my other options? Obviously, it depends on what the local dealers happen to have in stock. As I've said, for ease/peace of mind, etc., I'm willing to pay a few hundred extra bucks compared to a private sale on ebay or craigslist, but I don't want to be completely ripped off either!

[steve.m]

I'd say anything over 3500 would be a reasonable price for that bike, regardless of whether it came from a dealer or not.  He'd have to throw in a LOT of free stuff to justify his price.

[chornbe]

I'd say anything over 3500 would be a reasonable price for that bike, regardless of whether it came from a dealer or not.  He'd have to throw in a LOT of free stuff to justify his price.

I think you mean under, right?

[steve.m]

right, i'm hungover, quit being so mean  

[Kat-Rider]

3500 would be fair for a 2006 with almost no miles.  Make them throw in the first service though.
Bikes don't really sell in the winter here, so that is when I try to buy mine.
I got my wife an 08 FZ6 for 5k this year.

[Crackedpot]

3500 would be fair for a 2006 with almost no miles.  Make them throw in the first service though.
Bikes don't really sell in the winter here, so that is when I try to buy mine.
I got my wife an 08 FZ6 for 5k this year.

I'm sorry to be beating a dead horse to, umm, death! KBB and NADA list the retail at about $4160, and that assumes >20,000 mi. Dealers within about 60 miles: 09 FZ6R new $5900, 06 FZ1 w/6800 mi $5900, 05 ZRX1200R w/23,000 mi $4900, 07 Ninja 650 w/10,300 mi $4300, 05 FZ6 w/12,200 mi $4300, 03 919 w/9500 mi $3900, 00 Katana 750 w/11,400 mi $3300. Seems in the ballpark; are we wacked up here or do I need to learn to seriously negotiate? Craigslist: 04 Katana 750 w/low miles for $3500, if still available (checking).... 08 GSX650F w/low miles $6000 obo... 01 FZ1 6000 mi $4250... 07 Ninja 650 5000 mi $4000... 07 Ninja 650 miles not listed, "good condition" $2800... That's about it for the last week around here. Help!

[chornbe]

right, i'm hungover, quit being so mean  

After last night's game, all bets are off.  

[steve.m]

I'm sorry to be beating a dead horse to, umm, death! KBB and NADA list the retail at about $4160, and that assumes >20,000 mi. Dealers within about 60 miles: 09 FZ6R new $5900, 06 FZ1 w/6800 mi $5900, 05 ZRX1200R w/23,000 mi $4900, 07 Ninja 650 w/10,300 mi $4300, 05 FZ6 w/12,200 mi $4300, 03 919 w/9500 mi $3900, 00 Katana 750 w/11,400 mi $3300. Seems in the ballpark; are we wacked up here or do I need to learn to seriously negotiate? Craigslist: 04 Katana 750 w/low miles for $3500, if still available (checking).... 08 GSX650F w/low miles $6000 obo... 01 FZ1 6000 mi $4250... 07 Ninja 650 5000 mi $4000... 07 Ninja 650 miles not listed, "good condition" $2800... That's about it for the last week around here. Help!

Everyone always wants too much for their used bikes.  Cost of registration, title, gas, oil etc. typically factor into the price of a used bike because, clearly, regular costs take up money which the owner tries to recoup.  

a katana should NOT cost more than 3500.  that's about it.  if you can get one for $4000 and you're happy paying it, go for it.

my money was on alabama for an 8 point spread.  you forget, i'm from MA, not TX  


After last night's game, all bets are off.