2019 Suzuki Katana bike review | MCN | Motorcyclenews.com

[@zipper978]

I like the styling it’s very synthwave blade runner ish.

[@marvinmartian7281]

The best Katana 750 was the 1984 GSX750S 3 Pop-up headlight simply beautiful.

[@iodineclip]

I cant stress this enough, the concept was way beautiful.

[@battelivan66]

i remember using a friend's katana back in the 80"s. sweet memories

[@frankgreen273]

WoW so many Negative Waves, no one liked the original ones either and they sold really well and the design became iconic. Suzuki know their market and its Me. I always wanted a katana back in the day, and it seems I still do, Its crazy to spend £11,400 on a basic motorcycle like this, but I just might. Technically I own a far superior bike on all counts(GSXR1000). But I don't think I will be riding it much if I buy the Katana. Katanas and logical, practical people have always been ill at ease with each other. If you really get design, and appreciate the increasing rare contribution that form over function gives us, what better than a fun to ride motorcycle to express this. Remember most of us have a car, for all that balanced humdrum sane stuff that the katana lacks.

[@tHaH4x0r]

As an engineer, I dont think faults such as snatchy throttles or weak rear supension are excusable as 'form over function' as they have no form. They are either good, or not, and often these things dont even cost more money, just more refinement. I think these are perfectly fine complaints for a bike that costs this much, and for a bike that looks this good. Imagine if the function followed the form, and was just as excellent. As a consumer, you are allowed to demand that from the bike.

[@HenryDarr]

Damn ! So many retro bikes coming out and I can only have 2 in the garage . . . The missus might be upset again. It's always easier to ask for forgiveness rather than beg for permission is my motto.

[@mickeypopa]

Give her a good spanking with the trouser snake every now and then and she won't even notice. ;)

[@remid1994]

You aren't missing much. It was so easy for Suzuki's design team, slip on some new cheap plastic on the front and put BMW/Ducati style plate holder and flog it to avid fans of ours. What modern classic? what about this bike is modern? or even classic? apart from the name!

[@unjustkatana]

Guys you need to bribe your wife, it worked for me. don't just go and buy a bike, give her money to buy clothes before you buy a bike or find the right time. buying a bike cost me $1000 more that went to her !!!

[@PaakSolutions]

Keep it at 2, I starting collecting and there is no more turning back now. I've got 7 and I can't get rid of them.

[@sivvinod3187]

@@remid1994 it has the k5 engine.

[@Thizlamic]

Anyone who was a kid in the 80's should remember the TV show STREET HAWK??? This definitely reminds me of that bike.

[@steve-wu7jp]

As a Suzuki fan and owner I think this one missed the mark. Confused styling ,dated chassis and engine , poor on off throttle ect. It just looks like a parts bin bike. It could have been so much more .

[@cpuuk]

Back in the day when I was a lad on a plastic maggot, the man down the road had a blown 11 Kat, evil handling by sounded glorious. This should have been that bike (but not evil handling).

[@samihasib]

Lacking IMU :(

[@tcpiptv]

I think the style is fine although I would have preferred more minimalism and "space age" squareness as in proper late 70s - early 80s look. Suzuki also needs to add more technology - ride by wire and cornering ABS.

[@nicolassolberg5652]

I wish they’d take the SV640 engine and easy clutch and style it like this Katana -call it a tanto, wakazashi or whatever if the size name matters. That would make a sexy commuter and backroads burner.

[@chris5k132]

Awesome looking bike for sure. Its always good to see something different

[@timholt8141]

Love the front end. Personally I dont like the rear end but thats just my opinion. Would rather have the number plate etc tucked under the rear mudguard.

[@ehsan83]

This looks good but I need to see a new generation Hayabusa !

[@chrysspeeddraws7617]

Wish granted

[@rayhan4502]

@@chrysspeeddraws7617 lol

[@TheRavinoth]

When I first got my 2011 GSX-650F, I felt that it had a "snatchy throttle". Personally, the throttle goes from feeling snatchy to feeling immediate, and vital after some time in the saddle. Too many things are smoothed out nowadays; takes the vitality away from living and breathing. I believe that this "snatchiness" persists because Suzuki is intentionally leaving it in, not because they can't figure out how to get it out. It's up to personal taste whether they want that conceit or whether they want a surgical track machine with an IMU and smooth fuelling. There's no wrong answer, but there's space for bikes that add a bit of personality to the mix and even better if it keeps the MSRP down.

[@renorzeta]

Most bike nowadays using (Ride by wire)Electric Throttle control to reduce Emission but it at a cost of feedback, while Suzuki still persists in giving and using Cable which is always Direct at cost of higher Emission at low rev. but it a Suzuki feeling like you have a connection with your bike and a Fun of Ride is always welcome to me. i ride Honda so many time and i never feel FUN with it even a single times. since it so Smooth stupid too smooth for my liking even i snatching it throttle.

[@yosefm170]

Ye, ive driven alot of mt07 and z650, they are also very snatchy

[@lukaszg74]

It's a nice looking bike . Don't understand why they put 12 litter tank on a 1000 cc bike what a mistake plus this bike is costing over 11 grand no quickshifter it's 2019 Suzuki

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Man if this thing had a 18+L fuel capacity, I'd be very very interested. That is a major demerit for Suzuki and cancels the idea for me.

[@lukaszg74]

@@exothermal.sprocket yeah I would be fine with 16 liters but 12 it's a joke what they were thinking - Japanese engineering at it's best

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Not really sure why the Japanese can't seem to get a motorcycle right, which isn't a 18 grand superbike.

[@lukaszg74]

@@exothermal.sprocket you need to fell in love with that styling otherwise this bike makes no sense , for the same money you can buy new cb1000r with proper tank , better electronic ,quickshifter & suspension. Suzuki is a small company compare to Honda or BMW if they wont to stay relevant they need to stop making mistakes like that

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Suzuki does certain things exceptionally well. SV650, DL650 and DL1000, Hayabusa, GSX-R1000R, GSX-R750, GSX-S750, M109R, Burgman 650, DRZ400 variants. The K5-K8 GSX-R1000 engine is a beast, and I'm glad they brought it back for current applications. Just wish Suzuki would have a few million more to spend on overhauling their range and expanding. We'll see in the next half decade what goes.

[@niteshvishwakarma6709]

I really enjoy MCN Contents! Kudos🤟

[@noahcoelho7128]

my cousin owns 7 or 9 of the old ones in perfect condition and it is his favorite bike so he is gonna be excited.

[@MrAndrew1953]

What about the bars? I'd have to get a set like those the 82 model came with or as close to. Just looks wrong with those sit up and beg style bars.

[@chr11sf]

Agreed....sit up and beg seems all the rage nowadays sadly...betcha folk will still be looking for bar risers for this though lol...

[@blipco5]

Andrew Hoffman ...Those are for comfort. It's the reason why naked bikes are gaining in popularity. The target audience for sport bikes don't have the money to buy and the ones with the money can't get into a yoga position anymore.

[@MrAndrew1953]

@@blipco5 Yoga would be the major obstacle for me.

[@blipco5]

Andrew Hoffman ...Welcome to club.

[@blipco5]

we3fh1b41wr6e5b4r65t ...I see what you're getting at. They did a nice job with the fairing but somehow the budget ran out and they had to cobble the rest together. And what's with that thing humping the rear tire? Kawasaki did a much nicer job with the z900 RS and the ZRX before that.

[@samihanski4086]

First time I saw katana at bike show I didn’t like how it looked, but with time I have changed my opinion and it is actually pretty good looking bike.

[@THESLlCK]

I think it’s odd, but in that regard very good looking

[@Ben-hb4my]

It's a Suzuki, therefore, i love it!!

[@remid1994]

Suzuki fans in one sentence.

[@corinful]

@@remid1994 shut it Muppet

[@ras4782]

Just got a 99 600 my 1st bike .. love her

[@dbmann4639]

ras 47 I got a 2000 600 also my first bike.

[@Herzankerkreuz67]

It's really disappointing that they can't figure out the fueling... Glad you brought that up

[@DANNYHEADSHOT]

Suzuki knows how to set up the fueling on a bike, they just aren't allowed to because of emissions regulations. Its nothing that cant be fixed with a power commander at least

[@Herzankerkreuz67]

@@DANNYHEADSHOT I know that. It's just my way of saying that this nonsense of leaving the tuning to the end customer has to stop. Keep in mind that the container ship that carries the bikes from Japan is emitting more emissions in one voyage than all the vehicles it is carrying in their lifetime. But we the end users have to figure it out.....that is just nonsense made up by incompetent politicians.

[@dsofe4879]

I LOVE the style of this bike. Modern reinterpretation of a classic design done right. I hope they give it a bit of an overhaul soon, if they're not going with analog clocks, they might as well give it a proper LCD, IMU and all the other shenanigans.

[@guybramwells]

Always keep coments enabled.

[@Gandalf606]

The bike I am waiting for ... because this was the dream bike I hankered after as a youngster in the mid to late 80s was ... the glorious GPz900R. When oh when will Kawasaki bring back THE iconic bike of the 80s?? Come on Japan ... you'll have a huge waiting list with people queuing up to give you their money if you bring back that bike in modern form ...

[@shh.grey1]

I wished suzuki also made a modern retro of the gs1200ss

[@k39942419]

Great review as always Neeves!!

[@graemesydney38]

10 mile of closed public road - where do I sign up?

[@sambam007]

That bike in black looks the biz. 80s retro

[@jeffruebens8355]

Especially flat black instead of the silver paint.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Love to see you do a review of this bike with a set of bar risers fitted and suggestions for a stiffer alternative rear suspension to get bike sorted.

[@generalyellor8188]

Bar risers!?! They're already too tall. The tall bars on it seem to be the major complaint with most--that and the tiny fuel tank.

[@SuryoSajiwo]

Beautiful design of all Suzuki

[@chrisbiggs4794]

Come on suzuki, make a modern TL1000R please!!!!!

[@MrSlurry]

Ewwww. No thanks

[@dam4274]

chris biggs I would love a modern VX800 cruiser!

[@cpuuk]

Honda/Suzuki/ Triumph have chosen to parts bin for their retro look, at least Kwak tried with something new.

[@dsr9037]

Awesome motorcycle

[@kevinrichards3288]

A Katana, like Kitana from the Mortal Kombat video games. Lol

[@frankgreen273]

With specific regard to the riding position. I got to sit on it several times. And it is pure triumph speed triple. (Same designer). Just a casual observation- I noticed other show visitors taking a seat on it and then dismounting. suddenly looked significantly cooler than they did prior getting on the saddle.

[@future62]

Ducati needs to lay the smack down with a new Sport Classic.

[@gm16v149]

I’ve seen them at a display and they actually look pretty good in real life. Thanks to stupid EU emission controls we’ve got to put up with snatchy throttles which are dangerous. How dumb is that. There’s ways around it but you shouldn’t have to, and probably void the warranty anyway.

[@Andy1989]

How do emission controls cause snatchy throttles? Not arguing. actually interested.

[@gm16v149]

EU emission controls make manufacturers lean out the air/ fuel mixture to the extent that you get an on/off throttle especially at initial throttle openings. One way out of it is to get a ECU reflash by a third party. The throttle response on my new Kawasaki Z900RS was terrible. I’ve had it a year now and one way to fix it was to buy a Booster Plug, made in Denmark. It worked, and it doesn’t void the warranty. If there’s a problem with the bike, it’s easy to remove when you take it to the dealer. A ECU reflash would void the warranty. www.boosterplug.com/shop/cms-21.html

[@MrAndrew1953]

In 82 the problem was the no compromise clip on style bars which everyone said combined with the stiff sports suspension, riding position made the bike a back breaker. Mark 2s sit up and beg riding posi looks all wrong. Katana still isn't sorted.

[@ragerider6283]

I don't have any issues with the review as such, it seems pretty fair. However I never understand the criticism (on any bike) of the suspension IF it has adjustable suspension....& you don't adjust it! By all means crucify the factory settings & if you can't dial out the issues then tell it how it is but if you don't try, I don't see how that can be a criticism of the bike, more the reviewer.

[@neevesybikes]

Completely see your point there, but a couple of things about this bike. Cheap suspension like this hasn’t got a great range of adjustment from full to zero, so it wouldn’t make much difference twiddling with it. The rear spring is too soft, which you can’t change and the quality of the fork internals, tyres and general balance and plushness isn’t great, giving a harsh feel. Soften it off and it’ll just pogo. Cheers Neevesy

[@ragerider6283]

@@neevesybikes I get where you"re coming from, the range of adjustment isn't there because it's average suspension to start with but I"m sure some of the Suzuki techs could have at least had a go on your behalf? Even if they just added a bit of preload to the rear maybe? I know you know your stuff so I'm not for a second suggesting I could do better & of course I haven't even ridden the bike! I just think it's a bit of a shame not to have tried, even if it didn't help in the end. With that said, they'll be plenty of time for all that stuff no doubt as I believe you have one in your long term fleet for 2019.

[@VeeFour]

It looks more like the later 750 Kat, the one with the weird pop up head light. I like it 👍

[@spoonman73]

Not a fan of Suzuki styling but I would take this over a GSXS series any day.

[@AlexD02]

Why?

[@inkitatus1]

Nearly...clip ons & slightly taller screen options would improve the watered down styling....& a turbo 😂👍

[@rob2475]

inkitatus1 I couldn’t agree more.

[@nokneedownian8521]

It's looks amazing

[@cpuuk]

If that on/off throttle is at 2500-3000rpm, that'll be some of the Euro 4 turning off the fuel.

[@theavangelist]

It's same as latest gixxers, really annoying

[@michaeljkasnter]

The old Katana felt heavy!!

[@Charlie-ov1bj]

I like this one

[@FireTwo]

Something’s needs to be left in the past.

[@erextrum]

FireTwo some things...

[@suereed]

"based heavily on the GSX 1100 from 1982", cuts to picture of a motorcycle that looks noting like the 2019 test bike.

[@hoon12345]

Reminds me of the honda CBF stunner

[@renorzeta]

12 liter maybe a bit small but for me it enough but bigger is more convenient cuz i don't have to go to gas station as often. i like it compact look and it looks good to me. lots of stuff were improved over S1000. i would buy it for sure i really like it, hope next one coming with a bigger tank so i could go and replace mine if it possible. but man if it has Quick SHifter i think it would run for the money. i was looking at CB1000R for it looking but compare to ride Quality Suzuki still run for it money, i would ride Suzuki till i too old to ride a bike if Suzuki keeps making Bike for the Riders.

[@Oldfogey2014]

Can't think who's the bike is aimed at. Youngsters today wouldn't have heard of it and anyone old enough to remember is probably looking at a zimmerframe. It's even before my time. It's a nice bike, but Suzuki ought to call it something else and give it a modern name.

[@Marco-cl9pb]

The look it's very subjective but cmon the name is awesome... and I've never heard before about the original model

[@marvinmartian7281]

The 1982 GSX 1100 is still the one.

[@kted252]

Hi we are in Kyoto atm and would love to do that run up the hill what is the road or where does it go ?? Cheers for that 👍

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Crikey - a long way to go for a review eh?! I have to say when I first saw pictures of this I thought it was hideous, but I am starting to come to terms with it now and its looks may even be growing on me! Got a hint of David Essex and "Silver Dream Machine" about it I reckon......

[@jksmuga1]

So I just watched the Motorcycle Magazine review and the guy there said the total opposite to what he just said about the snappiness of the throttle

[@interman7715]

I didn't think bikes could get any uglier, but Suzuki has excelled. For Christ sake bring back the GSX 1400.

[@Do.Christ]

The rear suspension looks like MX travel,but could be said for most modern bikes

[@rob2475]

As others have said, it so needs dropped bars to bring back the Katana style. Why don’t any of the testers seem to notice that??

[@chr11sf]

The bars on it are fecking hideous

[@Joric78]

I'll have to see it in person, but I love the old Katanas and this appeals to me more than the CB1000R or Z1000 in terms of performance (at least on paper) and appearance. I've yet to have a bike with a stock exhaust and factory tune, so I doubt the fueling would be an issue for me (not to mention I've still got a '97 TL1000S that I've been riding for decades, Suzuki's first bike with EFI wasn't exactly smooth and sophisticated). The tank capacity is a concern though. 12L really hurts the usability. It'd have to look absolutely amazing in person to overcome that disadvantage, otherwise the GSX-S1000 is more likely to get the nod.

[@butlersracing7692]

Funny I own one of these and when I first purchase everyone who rode it including the dealership where I bought from it said the front is ok but the rear is hard from factory. Changed it now and truth be told didn't know you could get perfection ontop of perfection.

[@Crazy-Chicken-Media]

can't wait till fort9 does a review of this bike, at least then we can get some real options and real feed back.

[@obiwankenobi4065]

Remember the Suzuki DR 650 SER (RSE)

[@weaselman24]

I'm bias as I'm a zed owner but I can't say I like it. It just doesn't look like they tried enough make it more unique than the bike it's based on.

[@liesikan6696]

Best Suzuki!

[@theravedaddy]

12l tank on a 1ltr engine? Lol! I struggle to do a 2 hour ride through the mountains on my mt09 without running out and thats a 1ltr bigger tank plus i have to carry 2lts spare cos there aint no gas stations in them there hills!

[@richardb285]

That quite surprised me. I was expecting to hate it, but it looks great IMO. Wouldn't buy one though. Kyoto is a fantastic city to visit as well.

[@drfelixfarsider2346]

Price??????? I love this “retro” revival that’s going on among pretty much all of the major manufacturers. But what is the MSRP?! In April this year I bought the 2019 Kawasaki Z900 super-naked (not the retro), the Black & Gray w/red frame & wheels) for $8,700 !! 949 cc’s, & 126 HP w/lots of surprising low-end torque (for an in-line 4) - oh my!.... best “bang-for-the buck” ever in my experience. The new KATANA is totally cool.... but what is it going to cost in the great Pacific Northwest U.S ?

[@DavornUrynmar]

Getting the neo japan feels from this bike.

[@h2allan]

Doesn't look like the old Katana....looks like the XN85 Turbo......

[@ruysk]

Wish Suzuki could make a new naked SV1000N from the DL1050 V-Strom engine.

[@stizzygrayson5541]

Fuel tank size is a complete joke.

[@johntaylor4926]

Would have been a lovely bike it looks like from the seat backwards its got a 125cc rear unit on it

[@shiftyshamsk]

I've seen one in the showrooms and on the road. It's a cross between a scooter and a jet ski.

[@dotdashdotdash]

You need your eyes tested.

[@KingKai133]

MCN closing the same roads as f and f Tokyo drift 😂

[@ronwhite8503]

I wouldn't swap it for my 1200 mk1 Bandit or my 918 Fireblade...... misses the mark for me.

[@CPUspeed]

rear fender or gopro mount you decide :)

[@stevenmarry6845]

love it!

[@tonyedwards892]

Clip ons ?

[@Ttnorth11]

Same crappy snatchy throttle as the GSX-S? 12 liter tank. yeah...nah.... NEXT

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Who cares about the slightly snatchy throttle, that's ECU-flash fixable. The #1 problem with this bike is the stupid 3.17 gallon fuel capacity!!

[@gm16v149]

Warranty, probably illegal, you shouldn’t have to anyway. You can thank the EU for that.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I've never met an ECU flash which caused problems. I've met plenty of OEM tunes that were very problematic. "You shouldn't have to...." install a pipe, upgrade the seat, swap rearsets, change the bars, put on grippy tires, upgrade the pads, change the fender, change the signals, etc....... but people do it anyway.

[@annakanna]

this thing begs for clip ons

[@ItsBeenDanBefore]

Agreed, plus blanking off the pillion pegs, maybe bar end mirrors, a full system and definitely some kind of tail tidy. The plate holder placement is nice, it's just way too chunky to be there

[@SagarRajpara008]

I have seen this bike with clip ons. may be optional or available in different trim.

[@SagarRajpara008]

Here is the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3-UmaOemN2IhJI

[@SagarRajpara008]

Here in this video it is equipped with clip ons kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYe1h6uZlN2AqKc

[@gregorywelch4620]

Agreed

[@gregmorris2022]

Here’s what I don’t understand. People call the Ducati Diavel a cruiser (I disagree with this entirely). This new Katana reminds me of the Diavel. Would anyone call the Katana a cruiser? I think not. I would consider the Katana and the Diavel direct competitors (ignoring any price differences, of course).

[@tranak23]

Looks like a mix of the Duc daivel and KTM

[@davidj2549]

Headlight is useless in the dark. Frankly it's dangerous. I and the Suzuki dealership I bought the bike from have both lodged a complaint with Suzuki UK... eagerly awaiting the outcome.

[@johnbuckley6051]

Designed by a 5 year old child masquerading as a japanese bike designer who had obviously never seen a Katana. They should have just stuck modern brakes and running gear along with a GSX1400 engine and the bodywork of the '80's bike together. Modern bikes may have all the technology, but '80's and 90's bikes had the looks.

[@nigeh5326]

The GSX1400 wouldn't pass emissions regs in some markets apparently. I had a GSX1400 with an Akropovic exhaust, KN air filter, Techlusion ECU and a set of TTS fast road cams. It pulled like a train from Rickover but at 6,000 took off. On the TTS Dyno it had 135 bhp at the rear wheel. Sadly a blind bat pulled out on me and wrote it off. You can get Katana body kits for them and they look just like the original 1000/1100 Katanas

[@balancepoint71]

Yamaha called, wants it's FZ1 back. I'm sure it's a wonderful bike

[@Mtthwpez]

Not a fan of the look of this machine. i get that they couldn't use an air cooled engine like the original, but could have given the engine more of a presence in the styling. As you said in the video, this is just a slightly different looking GSX1000..

[@KARMAkazeMoto]

I thought the late '90s Katana (1997) was sort of junky and cheap with gaudy bodywork. Fake aluminum trussle molded into the plastic? Just dumb. This thing on the other hand looks more purposeful and edgy. Just my opinion, but I really like it.

[@K-carbon]

Close the roads down for yous Who or what calls the shots over there ?🤔🤔 Really like this bike going to sell well

[@ajikmee206]

Front resemble a little towards ktm rc390

[@Sunnynotsofunny]

If Ducati diavel had Japanese parents

[@Patriiiiick]

This trend of sticking the plate on those rear hangers is bloody awful.

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

It looks alright but I feel like they could still had done abit better to break up that modern design. Look at Triumph's Speed Triple or something. Use cues like that break up the modern design abit. It still just looks like a modern bike to me. I see little here that harks back to the original in my opinion. Maybe it's just the colour.

[@motodigitalvideo]

I really want to like it, but I can't. The riding position just doesn't look right with those bars.

[@siraff4461]

This annoys me. Why do makers keep knocking out pretender bikes like this? I love the looks but it completely misses what the original Katana was. This is just a budget 1000 in a frock. That is not what the Katana name was intended for.

[@renorzeta]

I dont thing they can made something the Fastest you can Buy in 2020. it would be a Big monster and kicking Busa market. since they gonna unveil new Busa soon.

[@flex215]

Is that the Initial D mountain!!!!?

[@streetrider2487]

COME, Lets go against my Bandit 1250Fi. Lets DO THIS !!!

[@masprassaja3818]

Suzuki katana Kawasaki Ninja Honda? Batosai?

[@cemgezgor357]

not even sales 10 times in my country!

[@dodgydave4435]

Gsxr1000k5 motor with more grunt. Oh my hat That's crazy. Lol :)