Ok, So I don't want a naked first bike

I rode about 15 years ago but have only recently been getting back into riding.  I'll finish the MSF course this week and have been looking at bikes around town.  I have read the "Don't buy a >600 bike post" but I have to ask since I can't find any reviews that give the actual details.

1) I was looking at the Honda F4i 600 but wanted a more comfortible 2 up ride.
2) While at the Suzuki dealer to look at the gs500 for my wife I looked at the SV650 that everyone seems to suggest.  Sorry, I don't like the naked bike look, nothing personal, I'm not trying to be the "Hot Rod" type, it's just not my thing.

So,
3) I liked the look of the Katana as a good balance between sport bike look and 2 up comfort.  With the Katana 600 and 750 as options I planed on comparing HP and Power/Weight to the SV650 but I can't seem to find what I am looking for.

At the end of the day, since the Katana is 100# heavier then then most 600cc sport bikes would there be that much difference between the SV650 and the Katana 750 ?.

I was hoping for HP/TQ curves for both to see where the added power comes in at but I can find nothing for the katana.  I'm not against getting the Katana 600 to start but if the 750 is close on the power delivery curve(with just more at the top end)I'd probably lean towards it.

Thoughts ?.  

The Katana 750 is a better bike all around than the 600. The little Kat is kinda gutless, and needs to be revved up a bit before it gets out of its own way. The 750 has better torque, while not putting out ungodly power up top that can get novice riders into trouble in a eyeblink, and it's not that much heavier.  

the sv 650 s with the sharkskin full fairings looks cool as hell. so i dont know what your talking about. but check out the full fairing kit on sharkskins site  

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I looked at the SV650 that everyone seems to suggest.  Sorry, I don't like the naked bike look, nothing personal, I'm not trying to be the "Hot Rod" type, it's just not my thing.

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Here are pictures of SV650S's....







SV650 is a naked bike, SV650S is a half fairing bike.  The SV650S can be equipped with OEM lowers from Suzuki that come colored matched.  I'd seriously reconsider a SV650S, it's as light as recent 600s so it's a good deal lighter than a Katana.  

Katana 600 and 750 review
If you're going to be doing some two-up riding, the  Yamaha YZF600R is a good bet too.

AT  

I live the SV650 for a first bike OR someone whos getting back into the sport after a long time off (todays SV650 makes the same hp <or more> than 600s from 1990 or earlier, a lot more torque and lighter), but the YZF600R would be better for two up riding imo.  Better seats, better wind protection, better ergos, better brakes, better suspension.  

I have to agree with the YZF600 if 2-up is a factor. Another option might be the Kawi ZZR600. I'd lean awy from the Katana, mostly because of the wait. 15 years of a break is almost like starting over. Unless you're a big guy, the Katana might give you a hard time in parking lot and u-turn type menuevers...especially with a passenger. Actually, I'd suggest post-poning the passenger part for at least a few months or a season.  

Thank you very much for all the feedback.

The SV650 looks much better imo with the full fairing kits (which I ddn't know about) but I think that 2 up would probably be uncomfortable with the split seat.

I don't plan on immediate 2 up riding which is why we are looking at the SV500 for my wife.  The thought is that we both ride this fall and then next year we would have the ability to both ride or 2 up if she just wanted to.  I'm not in any hurry to put her on the back.

I like the look and review of the YSF-600R and it might be the balance I'm looking for.  I'll have to see if any of the dealers around me have one I can go see.

6'2" 185# BTW. Not huge, more average which is why the dry weight of the Kat was bothering me.

Any suggestions other then the SV500 for her ?.  We looked at the 250 ninja but she didn't like that.  At 5'2 she needs a short bike but wanted a sport not cruiser.

Thanks again for the ideas.  

The Kawi EX500 has a low seat height for your wife. And the seat is somewhat narrow which also makes it easy for her.  

The Ninja 500 is also liquid cooled, which is a plus in my opinion. The looks of the little Ninja's do seem a little dated, I admit, but they're not too bad.  

OK, so whats the downside to the YZF600R ?.  I'm looking around and it looks like the perfect balance for what I am looking at.
Where's the downside ?.  

it's not the latest and greatests, hasn't had any changes besides color schemes since 1997.  It still has carbs while a lot of newer sportbikes/sport tourers have fuel injection.  Umm...some people dislike analog speedo displays like the YZF600R has.

Motorcycle.com's 1997 600 race repliac shootout.  YZF600R VS GSXR600, CBR600F3, ZX6R Ninja  In this 8 year old ish shootout the Yamaha came in first even though it made (ever so slightly) the least horsepower and weighed the most, they had quite a few good things to say about it.  

Hmmm, the only gripe I've ever had with one was changing the oil. That bike has got to have one of the most complicated and pain in the ass fairings to remove. There are like a million screws and the fairings interlock.  

I have a 2001 that I picked up dirt cheap; I've seen greaat deals on these bikes new or used.  Nothing major has come up to complain about.  It is a litte heavy when compared to the latest supersorts but handles pretty well.  It is carbed and I have noticed a little hesitation around 3,000-4,000 rpm but it is not severe.  Power is more than sufficient for normal duty (At certain RPM's even more than an R6) including blast down a winding road or even in urban rush hour. it is starting to get a little harder to find the latest after market products for the bike but there is some still available.  Personally, I  ride mine more than my GSXR750 as it is much more comfortable to commute on and two-up riding is a breeze, comparitively speaking.  

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Hmmm, the only gripe I've ever had with one was changing the oil. That bike has got to have one of the most complicated and pain in the ass fairings to remove. There are like a million screws and the fairings interlock.

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