katana for commuting?

I'm looking to move up from a GS500, and am thinking about a new Katana 750 as the replacement.  It will be used for weekend riding, a few longer trips, and... a 35 mile day-job commute.

From what I have read about it (the "wallflowers" article here, and a few other references), it seems perfect in terms of performance, handling & stability, weight, etc., and the idea of riding "older" technology doesn't bother me (see "GS500" above...).  The question is about the riding position; how hard is that is that going to be to hold on a rush-hour commuter road at 30-55 mph with lots of stoplights for most of two hours a day?  At the dealer (and at zero miles an hour) it feels a little better than the other two bikes I was looking at (YFZ600 and a ZZR600), but still more than I am used to.  Thanks!  

The Katana 750's riding position should be fine for commuting. It was "sporty" back in the day, but now it ranks more towards the "sport-touring" side of the ergo equation.  

Thanks.  More weight forward than I'm used to, but definitely less than a lot of others.  

Go for it, Stanley.  I don't know how long you've been riding, but it's a good step up for your second bike.

Depending on where you live, do be careful of the temperature.  If I'm correct, the Katanas don't have a radiator.  Only air & oil cooling will regulate the bike's temp, and air cooling requires air passing over the engine.

So if you're in CA or TX, I'd suggest lane splitting.  As I've heard, air-cooled engines were the original reason lane splitting was allowed to survive in CA when so many other states wrote laws against it, but I digress.

I personally wouldn't consider a non-liquid cooled bike, but I live in Southern Cali-ente.  It's friggin hot here.  Sitting in traffic can allow the engine to overheat.

You'll get used to the ergos fast on any of the models you mentioned.

Keep the temperature in mind, and you'll be fine.

Keep ridin!  

I live in San Francisco East bay and commute 37 miles each way.  I did the last 3 years on a Katana 750 with absolutely no troubles.  It is a good step up from the gs500 (my first road bike).  Last month I moved to the cbr1000rr, and I got to tell you my commute is now the funnest part of my day.

Carey  

I work in marketing, so the commute would be the funnest part of the day if I was riding a goat.  Southern Maryland to DC gets hot for a Maine transplant, but not what you SoCal guys deal with.  I will definitely keep that in mind.

Slight direction shift.  The dealer sales guy said that he didn't know if the Kats would be dead with the end of 2005 or would be carried as 2006 models, and wouldn't until at least the end of August.  Does this sound right?!?  His is the wrong color, but should I grab one now?  

Nah, don't do anything impulsive.  Especially if it has to do with a sales pitch.  Unless, of course, he's giving you a stupid-good deal.

I kinda doubt that the kats are going anywhere, but really who knows?  Rumors have been floating around for years that Suzi was going to can the GSX-R750 since the AMA upped it's maximum cc capacity for inline fours to the liter level.  And they're still around.

Think of it like this: If they do scratch the Katana series and you miss out, there's still the SV650s that's waaay fun to ride (and my usual recommendation for people's first or second bike).  Or the Yamaha YZF600R & FZ6 would be good choices, too.

Just don't get sold a bill of goods from the dealer.  Remember: you're in charge.

And as for the San Fran Kat rider - I'm totally glad to be proven wrong.  It's likely that the simple fact of the modern engine mechanics they're using is far superior to my last air cooled dinosaur that just loved getting hot under the collar, to put it lightly.  

Yeah, I wasn't sure if it was sales pitch or not, but the price wasn't stupid-good (nice term), and the three you nentioned are also on the short list.  Thanks again!  

Stanley, I can relate to the SoMD. commute scene. I drive a 929RR to Columbia (61 miles one way)from LaPlata and although the Honda is not ultra comfortable it is a great way to begin the day.

Stay safe

The car has become the carapace, the protective and aggressive shell, of urban and suburban man - Marshall McLuhan