2020 SUZUKI KATANA
R I D E R E V I E W
P88
can't blame Suzuki for scavenging the 2005 parts
bin here, as the K5 is widely regarded as one of
Suzuki's best-ever superbikes.
There's a smattering of 2017 GSX-R1000 in the
Kat's makeup, too, with the four-piston Brembo,
radially-mounted monobloc calipers up front and a
single-piston Nissin caliper at the rear taken from
Suzuki's current superbike, although the Katana
has no Inertial Measurement Unit fitted to molest
brake performance. The brakes have plenty of
power but a slightly wooden feeling at the lever,
and mated to an un-switchable ABS system.
Without doubt, it's the Katana's styling that takes
Step Forward, Son
It took Suzuki only a couple of years to go from
design brief to full production model with the new
Katana, and another year after the rest of the
world for us to receive the model in the U.S.
Like many redo's, the new Katana is not all
new, as it's based heavily off the GSX-S1000 that
debuted in 2015—itself taking many of its parts
from the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000.
The Kat gets the GSX-S's same chassis,
swingarm, and 43mm Showa front suspension
(albeit with black fork legs instead of the GSX-S's
gold), as well as the same K5-derived motor. You
