Cycle News

Cycle News 2020 Issue 10 March 10

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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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.

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