Suzuki GSX600F Katana Owners please

**pzkpfw** · 22nd March 2006, 18:39

Thanks for the comments.

Whatever I buy will be with me for a while, so good to get this advice.

Cheers,

**Lord Derosso** · 23rd March 2006, 14:22

I understand the 1998 600 has 86HP and the latest only about 75HP. Thats a lot of difference. Was this due to increasing restrictions in UK & Europe? I noticed this when looking at a website that the history of different models. I think its at Suzuki.com someones site with pictures of each model and specs.

**Lord Derosso** · 25th March 2006, 09:21

I was giving the bike a good check over last weekend and noticed a L bracket welded to the inside lefthand rear exhaust. It has a hole in its base and is located about 3cms away from the chain. Now I have owned all sorts of bikes but cant work out what purpose this thing serves. Since the 600F has no centre stand, is it possible that this is some sort of aid for back wheel removal on open road situations? Also, is it possible to actually get a centre stand for the 600F as I notice that there seems to be the mounts for one on either side of the rear mono shock?? I notice someone on site is selling what I believe are called paddock stands but if I can get a centre stand that would be cool, though then theres the question regarding clearance.

**cowboyz** · 25th March 2006, 09:37

mine has a centre stand. Not quite sure of the bracket you are talking about.

**Lord Derosso** · 25th March 2006, 09:54

If you check out the picture on my profile and visualise the rear footpeg but on the left side, its mounted under the exhaust pipe about this area. Its definitely part of the standard exhaust, but having a large hole in its base gets me thinking its got some purpose other than a deflector in case the chain comes off perhaps? . This model didnt come with a centre stand per the shop . Darn pain at times. How long have you had the sports demons on for? Are they giving good wear? I would rather pay for rubber that works well than worry about the distance though.

**cowboyz** · 25th March 2006, 10:16

only had the new tires for a couple of weeks. probably done 500k on them so far. That gravel ride I been bitching about gave them a good scrub up but yeah, I am happy with them.

just checked out the triangle bit on my bike. The centre stand rests on it when folded up. had me a bit buggered what you were talking about there for a bit but I see the light now. I would hate to think what they would charge you for a centre stand.

**Lord Derosso** · 25th March 2006, 16:29

Thanks for that. I checked the manual and its only the 750 version that came with the centre stand. Kind of strange when the pipes are different etc.
but they still welded that bracket on so it certainly looks like the option is intended to be availalbe. Must look into it more as its darn handly when doing maintenance and checking tyres etc. Perhaps pick one up second hand. cheers

**quickbuck** · 25th March 2006, 17:07

sold it to my best mate it was that good. I went down in weight and up in HP and back a few years when I sold it a couple of years ago.

The GSX served me well when I put thousands of k's on it (about 23 mles) within a short space of time (18months).
Well, it is a short space of time for me.

As for gearing, the standard is very econimical for open road crusing.
If you gear it up the engine will no longer be making enough power at the same throttle setting to push the bike along at 100k. This will make it thirsty. It may seem like it is reving a bit at first, but it is pulling the same revs/km/hr as my CBR. CBR has 1000 RPM more, but then again they are not quite in the same class (The GSX tours better).

The undweneath looks like there was a centre stand there once (probably many years ago), but they didn't include it with the later modles. They may have changed the rear suspension linkages so it couldn't be fitted. Who knows?

Oh, and there are two versions of 600FV in NZ, one is from Calafornia (like mine was), and has a fan that stays on for a couple of minutes after you turn the key off (to stop fuel vapiours or something) and has an 18 litre tank. The other one has a 20 litre tank and doesn't have the fan (weights 2kg less too).

Have fun on your 600, they are great little bikes.

**stevedee** · 25th March 2006, 17:56

Have you had a look here for the manual that you are after http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=Manuals

spd :-)

**Lord Derosso** · 26th March 2006, 10:48

Checked out the spare parts page and see theres a center stand shown. Think I would rather spend the $ on a wheel under stand as used in shops and keep the extraweight off and keep the lines of the bike clean. Curious no ladies posting on the GSX600F as I would have thought it would be a popular model being so low and easy to ride. Now, is there any way I can adjust the handlebars to bring them directly back say three inches? Seems a common enquiry. Shouldnt change the handling but want to allow myself to avoid slumping too much when riding around town - squashed gonads effect. Its OK once the speeds up but most of my riding is at inner city speeds. I am 5 10''.

**quickbuck** · 27th March 2006, 19:49

Short answer is No. I don't think you can adjust them in any way.

The only thing I can suggest is that ride a CBR for a week, and then jump back on the GSX. After the CBR you will feel like you are sitting very upright.

**Lord Derosso** · 27th March 2006, 23:25

Took her up to Upper Hutt and over Haywards Hill at long long last and yes 120+ is really nothing and now tyre's broken in I loved the ride. Wow. Its been years since I ridden that road but great great small trip of 45 miles and heaps of fellow riders on route. Pity about the darn wind on the Porirua side though.I wasnt even in 6th a lot of the time because at last I followed advice and kept her in 6000+ and wow leaves all the old 750's for dead for fun.

**Lord Derosso** · 28th March 2006, 17:38

Is the engine noise once the bikes had a good long blat. Its not a camchain noise but more like a free motion loosen up engine rumble. And no, I am not talking about the hint of any cyclinder slap and also the engine omits no exhaust smoke, as I should expect with only 2600 miles on the clock ! I only notice this as I say if the engine is well warmed up after a few miles. Nothing to fret about I suppose because the engine is surrounded by the full fairing so you would expect to hear a different sound to that of open to air four's. Can any other owners comment on the noise their engines make after a good ride?

**cowboyz** · 28th March 2006, 17:57

not sure. My bike purrs. Love the sound of it. If it is not using oil and no breaking sounds then that is all good.

**Cookie** · 29th March 2006, 09:22

Welcome to KB Lord Derosso!

Sarge was just showing me a few GSX F's last week. Nice.

Someone mentioned a site which gives a good overview of the models - this might be it - worth a look anyway if these bikes interest you.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/GSX-series/GSX600F.shtml
http://www.suzukicycles.org/GSX-series/GSX750F.shtml

They are certainly interesting me at present because I am looking for a machine which is managable in heavy traffic but enjoys the open road.

I just have to sell my car to finance this project. Hmmmm....