2020 SUZUKI KATANA
R I D E R E V I E W
P98
Front suspension action is
good under heavy braking, but
the initial turn-in isn't as fluid
as I'd have liked. Perhaps this
is down to the fitment of the
Dunlop Roadsport 2 tire as
standard—this is a good tire
but more towards long-mileage
sport touring than canyon sport
performance. Throw a set of ei-
ther the Dunlop Sportmax Q3+
or even the more track-focused
Q4 (a tire we've done lots of
miles on and universally praise
here at CN), at the Katana and
this will make a big difference to
initial turn speed and edge grip.
On the freeway, the Katana is
pleasant enough, considering
there's almost no wind protec-
tion. That little screen does give
you a bit of a reprieve from the
wind blast, but this is no mile-
muncher. The Katana is a week-
end scratcher that can double
as a decent commuter for some,
but if you're after long-haul com-
fort, look somewhere else.
In The End
I'm glad the Suzuki Katana is
back. I feel names like these
should not be confined to the
history books (I feel the same
about the mighty Hayabusa), and
Suzuki has done an admirable
job of revitalizing a great brand
from its past.
But, for me, the Katana falls
short of topping the old-is-
new retro-bike class. The fuel
mileage is extremely annoying
(bringing the tank capacity up
to four gallons would be a huge
help); the lack of cruise con-
trol as even an available extra
would have been great (granted
other bikes in this space don't
have that feature but here was
a chance for Suzuki to one-up
them); the dash looks older than
the K5-derived motor nestled in
the chassis; the wooden feel at
the brake lever is annoying and
the snatchy low-speed throttle
response all take a little away
from the Katana's joys. The
overall design feels a bit rushed,
and perhaps the two-year span
from initial concept to produc-
tion model should have been
stretched a year longer.
The price is also up there. At
$13,499 the Katana costs more
than the stupendous $12,999
Yamaha MT-10 and Honda
CB1000R, and the $11,199 Ka-
wasaki Z900RS—the latter two
of which are true competitors to
the Katana—and I feel the fact so
much of the Katana comes from
2015 and 2005 model bikes
should give it a more competitive
price point.
Design-wise, I think Suzuki
nailed the look. I love 1980s
bike designs so to see one so
faithfully recreated by a company
such as Suzuki is excellent.
The Katana will sell just
because it's a Katana, and
fair enough. The ride is good,
the looks are awesome, and it
has one of the most legendary
names in the history of motorcy-
cling. But I was expecting more
from this old-is-new legend. CN
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
2020 SUZUKI KATANA ($13,499)
ENGINE: .............. Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke,
DOHC, inline 4 cylinder
DISPLACEMENT: ..............................999cc
BORE X STROKE: .................73.4 x 59mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: ..................... 12.2:1
FUEL SYSTEM: ...................................... EFI
EXHAUST: ............................................ 4-2-1
TRANSMISSION: ........................... 6-speed
CHASSIS: .................. Aluminum twin-spar
FRONT SUSPENSION: .........Showa 43mm
inverted fork, fully adjustable
REAR SUSPENSION:... Showa monoshock,
adjustable preload and rebound damping
FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: ................. 4.72 in.
REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: ....................5.12 in.
FRONT BRAKE: ............Brembo Monobloc
4-piston, radially mounted caliper,
320mm disc; ABS
REAR BRAKE: ........ Brembo single-piston,
fixed caliper, 240mm disc; ABS
FRONT TIRE: ...... 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
REAR TIRE: ........190/55 ZR17M/C (73W)
RAKE: .....................................................25°
TRAIL: .............................................3.94 in.
WHEELBASE: .................................. 57.6 in.
SEAT HEIGHT: ................................32.5 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: ............................ 3.2 gal.
WEIGHT (CLAIMED, CURB): ..........474 lbs.
