Katana is a good bike and 2002 is the largest frame size of any katana model. I looked into that bike a lot when I was shopping. Haven't ever owned one but it gets good reviews. It's a basic nothing fancy but well built bike. Also it's classed as a sport touring so you'll save on insurance over a gsxr 750.

My two cents

I only have a couple of concerns about the FZ6, torque and leg room...it is a big improvement over my bike, but I want something that moves me...quickly...FZ1 maybe.  (I weigh in at 275lbs and 5'11)I really liked the Suzuki Bandit I tested this morning, but I don't really want to pay full retail...they have been around for four model years now, so I will be checking Kijiji....but probably not until next season.

I test rode the Suzuki Boulevard M50 this morning...



Nice bike, it rides sporty for a cruiser (I've never ridden a cruiser before).  The suspension seemed to be on the sporty side (everyone tells me that cruisers are built for comfort...soft suspension), tracked well and didn't seem to be bothered much by passing vehicles and other wind buffetting.  The noise it makes is very nice, not loud and abrasive, but a nice low rumble.  But after about 10 mins I found I was starting to feel some unused muscles in my back...it would probably only take a few rides to get used to it.  The power was nice and torquey in all gears, you could feel the pull in top gear.

Then I tested the Bandit...



This thing felt like a rocket compared to either my GS500 or the M50.  the riding position is similar to the GS500 but has more leg room...would be much better for the longer rides.  I am just wondering if it would be worth it getting used to the cruiser style of bike to more fit my age group (40 and fat), or if I should go with what is already comfortable...I do feel cooler on the cruiser, and if I stepped up to the M90 the acceleration would be closer to the Bandit...

Here is a pic of the M90...



The different styling takes some getting used to, but I like it.

I think I still want to check out a Katana, I have always liked them.  That was the bike that I wanted when I was 18...the 1989 Katana 600 had just come out and I went to the bike show and sat on it...WOW...I loved it, but I could barely afford to insure and put fuel into my car never mind a toy...fast forward 20yrs...now I can afford the toy!  I think the Katana 750 is a sport touring bike (more toward the sport), with high handle bars and decent leg room.  I kinda like that it is a bigger bike, the replacement for it (GSX650F) is exactly the same size as my GS500 which feels a little small...same with the Gladius...I would imagine the Hyosung 650GT is similar in size, since it is based on the SV650.

I think I just need to sit on and test ride more bikes...maybe I will see if I can rent the bikes I like from somewhere so that I can take a longer "test ride".

By far the most comfortable bike I have sat on is the V-Strom...and I am slowly getting used to its looks...I think it is the 19" front wheel that puts me off a little...not quite sure, but I have seen some with aftermarket windshields and some slight mods that looked pretty good.

I'll just keep my GS500 for now, and try to figure out what I want...style, comfort, performance and the ability to tour...is that too much to ask?  Oh, and I want it to get 50mpg minimum...??

I think the V-Strom is the answer, but I have to get used to the looks...and test ride one...the dealer didn't have a demo model, or I would have tested that instead of the Bandit...

Later.

I'll probably end up waiting for next season as well, but there are a lot of good deals out there right now...I can get a Katana 750 for $3100...they are asking $3450, so 10% discount and voila...I paid $3000 for my GS500...and I don't think it would be too hard to get that for it...

I've already put on over 4000kms this season, so my confidence (other than dumping it on dirt   ) is pretty high...my cornering is getting more confident as well.  It would be nice to have the extra power for when you are in the mountains and not have to gear down for the hills to keep your speed steady.  I know I should wait, but the temptation is there...lol   

Everything I read about the Katana's says that they are not the cutting edge supersport bikes, but older (proven) technology with a more touring feel to them...still sporty, but also comfortable to tour on.  I think that is what I want...

As for your dream bike...wow, that will be a bigger step up...they are quite a sharp tool...I don't think the riding position is for me, but I think I could have fun for 30mins or so before I need muscle relaxants...lol

The guy I  bought my GS500 from (it was his girlfriends bike... ) tried to sell me his CBR600F4i, which is a step down from what you are drooling over, said that if he revved it out (15000 rpm) he was over 100 kph...throttle response is almost instant...nope not for a first bike  ...as for the muscle relaxants...I think if I was in better shape and a lot more flexible, I could think about a super sport, but I really don't have any interest in owning one...borrowing yours would be okay for a rip, but not owning one...lol   

As for it being enough...420lb bike with around 100 Hp...yup, should do ya...the guy around the corner from me has a GSX-R750...says it isn't the greatest city bike, but man does it go...he's around your age, and I only talked to him the one time...started with the comment "nice toy"...he says it's kinda twitchy below 80kph...brakes,steering and power...but above that he loves it...talk about a track weapon...

I think I will set myself a goal...lose weight before I get a new bike...instead of getting a new bike to carry my weight, maybe I can get a sensible bike to move less weight...

Or maybe the same bike, but moving less weight will make it that much faster...

Later.

I've been looking and reading about the cruisers on the net, and think the M50, the Yamaha V-Star 950  and the Vulcan 900 Custom are at the top of my list  ...I just don't need the power of the Bandit (although it was a blast to ride, I think the riding position would still not be as comfortable as the cruiser  )  I am also considering the M90, Honda VTX1300 and the V-Star 1300...I just want to get the most comfortable and easy to own bike that will still have passing power at 120 kph...I think the smaller bikes will have enough, but I will have to test them again (riding the Bandit after the M50 just wasn't fair to the M50, I barely remember what it was like...I didn't ride it as far...and the power difference was ridiculous)

Let me know your opinions on this...

Later.