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

[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.