2020 Suzuki Katana First Ride Review [AMAZING]

This new motorcycle was inspired by the original 1982 Suzuki Katana that created a sensation with the motorcycling world when it debuted. Both motorcycles blend a powerful Suzuki engine with the radical styling and spirit of the traditional Japanese sword of the samurai. The original Katana had a connection with the GS1100E while this new KATANA is built upon the proven, extraordinary performance of the long-stroke GSX-R1000 engine and the solid stability of the GSX-S1000 chassis.
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Engine 999cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder, DOHC
Power: 147.5 hp (110 kW) @ 10,000 rpm
Torque: 79.66 lb-ft (108.0 Nm) @ 9,500 rpm
Top Speed: 160 mph (Est.)
Bore x Stroke 73.4 mm x 59.0 mm (2.890 in. x 2.323 in.)
Compression Ratio 12.2:1
Fuel System Fuel injection with SDTV
Starter Electric
Clutch Wet, multi-plate type
Transmission 6-speed constant mesh
Final Drive Chain, RK525GSH, 116 links
Suspension Front Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Suspension Rear Link type, single shock, coil spring, oil damped
Brakes Front Brembo, 4-piston, twin disc
Brakes Rear Nissin, 1-piston, single disc
Tires Front 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless
Tires Rear 190/50ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless
Fuel Tank Capacity 12.0 L (3.2 US gal.)
Color Metallic Mystic Silver or Solid Black
Ignition Electronic ignition (transistorized)
Spark Plugs NGK CR9EIA-9 or DENSO IU27D
Headlight LED
Tail Light LED
Overall Length 2130 mm (83.9 in.)
Overall Width 835 mm (32.9 in.)
Overall Height 1110 mm (43.7 in.)
Wheelbase 1460 mm (57.6 in.)
Ground Clearance 140 mm (5.5 in.)
Seat Height 825 mm (32.5 in.)
Curb Weight 215 kg (474 lb.)
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MotoVlog Camera: GoPro Hero 7 Black
Point & Shoot: Sony RX 100ii
DSLR: Sony a6500 w/ Sigma 18-35 f1.8
Audio: Sony 2 Channel Lapel Mic
Helmet: Shoei RF1200
Gloves: Dainese 4 stroke
Jacket: Dainese Air
#Suzuki #Katana #Motorcycle

[@ClutchFirst]

Really nice well rounded review.

[@DukeOfDC]

Thank you so much! Always appreciate hearing from a talented motovlogger like yourself.

[@noone1704]

I love the design of this bike finally something different than all the retro's everyone has nowadays with the round headlights and bench seats. Love the square headlight!

[@DukeOfDC]

I was kinda meh about the design when I first saw the photos but in person this thing is truly wonderful

[@slackingoffagain4324]

Total 80's flash back. I remember seeing the original, wanted it then, needing it now.

[@isaac2152]

Im a Harley and Triumph guy myself... but Im picking one up soon. My God, this thing just makes me smile looking at it. Most sport bikes are cookie cutter, but this one... Man, she is something else.

[@touchthebacon5447]

I never thought I'd see the day that the Katana would he brought back, but I'm happy I did.

[@freemaysin5088]

I always liked the katana's when I was young. Its cool to see them back.

[@amaduulia8921]

Suzuki never disappoints.

[@DukeOfDC]

It was a truly wonderful experience

[@DPham1]

Unfortunately the Gixxer 250 :(((

[@adrianrubi5012]

I love the name and the way it looks.

[@GareyCooperdude]

Duke, right up the road from San Diego.....this bike is getting very positive reviews. And it sounds like you really liked it as well.

[@DukeOfDC]

I was blown away!

[@888jackflash]

Listen Junior, despite your gushing, I WAS around for the original Katana 1100's, actually working in a Suzuki dealership. Guess what? THEY DIDN'T SELL. People wanted to LOOK at them, but they were too weird and uncomfortable for daily use or Distance, and they sat on the floor for months before being heavily discounted. Same as 2020! This bike has NO wind protection and NO carrying capacity, and my (large) local dealership won't carry them. The MSRP price is $13.5 but a friend already picked one up for $9999. I'm waiting for the new Bandit 1300R

[@parsivalshorse]

Yeah, I got mine at a good discount. Funnily enough though, the wind protection is surprisingly good and because your head is way above the bike it's in nice clean air with no buffeting. It's more comfortable and quiet on a long trip than my trusty old K1200RS.

[@NoLimitSquad]

Got mine for 9999. Worth it at that price. Not at 13.5 though. May will be a year in my garage and I smile every single time I'm on it

[@mitchelllorens]

Well I just really enjoy the ride on these amazing bikes. I’m pretty sure your review on my bike is what nudged me the most. So I’m riding a Kawasaki and not this thing but I do enjoy checking other bikes out a lot. Look forward to your next. Take care!

[@p.santos6644]

You did sit on the bike while reviewing!!! You are the MAN 👍👍👍

[@DukeOfDC]

I remembered!!! Just for you man!

[@p.santos6644]

@@DukeOfDC I just knew it. Thanks a lot, will not forget that one. 🏆

[@mindspinn311]

I totally forgot you were in town last month or I would have invited you to go for a ride. Del Amo 🤮 but you learn that living here. Need to ride one of these Katanas. It was fun to watch this because you’re in my backyard and I know exactly where in Tustin you’re riding.

[@JoelSmithR1]

Cool looking bike, but the fuel tank size is ridiculous

[@Bastikovski99]

I agree the Katana is a nice step up for Suzuki, but the Boulevard m109 was a pretty decent ride too😎

[@largecarken8504]

Sounds really nice with factory exhaust! Idk about the looks when compared to other bikes though like Yamaha MT10 looks better but maybe Katana is more fun riding. Idk. Nice review.

[@saintdouche]

I want this bike so much!

[@ratsausage]

Bursting to get one of these. Really cheap to buy nicely styled and probably very reliable. UK bike press seem to be ignoring it for some reason. That's fine, you guys ignore it while the rest of us enjoy.

[@haqeembasr4414]

I'm in love with that bike

[@NoLimitSquad]

I personally love that the Katana is a polarizing bike. Ppl say it's ugly af. Ppl say it's dope af. I love it!

[@Satio6206]

I have a black one. The stock exhaust sound is pretty awesome.

[@ragerider6283]

Enjoyed your vid & review & love this bike! The more people give it shit, the more I want one. I know it's got flaws but nothing that would stop me buying it if I get the chance. It looks amazing imo.

[@aliwaleed5288]

You will never get bored on this bike

[@sligo405]

Want. Bad. Thanks for the review.

[@DukeOfDC]

I hope you’re able to get one soon!

[@dkompolt1234]

This thing is sex. Dream motorcycle. Sharp, angular lines don't have to look awful (ahem Kawasaki), but I'm partial to the rounded, flowing lines of the 80s sportbikes anyway.

[@DukeOfDC]

It’s totally worth the dream man!

[@randomstuff1830]

Can you compare it to the MT-10, you seem to love both, a direct shootout would be awesome

[@DukeOfDC]

If only, but alas, the best I can do is say I liked the MT-10 better

[@darkmagician2730]

Bike is amazing !

[@ONYX-365]

❤ *I love the styling!* _Wish it came with a 600cc option though._ 😃

[@DJAnamaly]

agreed

[@rauls4921]

750-800cc would be awesome

[@3lionsbecks]

Dude. Great video. Great bike. Let’s see more XSR900 content. And also, your pants. Your pants are too tight!!!

[@DukeOfDC]

They didn't start out that tight.... LOL I need to lay off the taco trucks here in Austin

[@jorgejorge57]

Great Review...and what city is that? It´s beautiful.

[@DukeOfDC]

This was out in Orange County, CA

[@gixicoN]

That’s one addicting engine sound note

[@jordygarrido766]

Great review! awesome machine. Speed Triple RS Review please!

[@waynedavis9397]

Remember in the 80 mate had one ,x race bike use to go like the clappers .went well with his xy gt falcon

[@ragimundvonwallat8961]

i prefered the gsxs with the full fairing....i really liked the style(unpopular opinion) and a fairing that was really offering protection

[@waltermaree9356]

DUUUDE! It hurt me that you upshifted just before things start to happen. You NEED to take another test drive and keep it in gear. WARP happens at 10+ krpm. MEGA WARP.

[@ty8012]

Warp?

[@chrysspeeddraws7617]

@@ty8012 WARP🔥 that shit hit different. I just sold my old gsxr750. I mean it was a sport bike. 180mph as you’d expect from the gsxr750 and it was just fast but the Katana is just like “we chillin, we chillin...oh, you tryna die? Hold on bitch 🚀 🚀”

[@lappieslabuschagne2428]

Its time for yamaha to bring out 2023 rd500 two-stroke. The katanas used to be a dice for 500.

[@eduardoolivares9653]

Awesome sound !!!

[@danmurphy1994]

God that engine sounds so mean and urgent as it angrily builds revs.. this engine really makes sense on an upright riding position naked bike like this.. I would imagine that if my engine sounded like this while I was all bent over in supersport riding position I would get anxious every time I cracked open the taps all the way 😂😂

[@michaeljkasnter]

Love Duke of DC !!!!

[@amaduulia8921]

I love things that look like nothing but are something.

[@isaac2152]

Ugly ducklings are usually the most beautiful.

[@paulkmaster3231]

Sorry to put you on the spot but which do you prefer MT10 or the Katana? And why specifically? Great video 😀👍

[@DukeOfDC]

MT-10 was just brutally quick and although I loved the high revving super sport esq nature of the katana, the MT-10 just had torque for days. On paper, they may be more similar, but on the pavement the MT-10 blew me away.

[@TheCdubbleyoo]

Good shots with direct sunlight on display. I've been wondering how that would work - quite well, looks like. TFT is fine, but not necessary.

[@parsivalshorse]

The display is great in full sun.

[@ryannafe9252]

Agreed, I like it a lot. No issues with visibility or anything, and it looks SO 80’s/early-digital. Matches the bike perfectly.

[@johns1139]

These bikes are going for under $10k now. Much more attractive price!

[@michaeljkasnter]

Suzuki has left the building with Norton

[@redhytech]

Its a damn shame you are getting paid to give a GOOD reveiw. I was hoping for an HONEST review of this bike.

[@lordmozart3087]

How you no?

[@redhytech]

@@lordmozart3087 look I own a 2020 Katana 1000. bought it BRAND NEW in Feb, 2022. is it a good bike? YES. is it the BEST Suzuki ever built? NO, not by a long shot. never mind the fact that the one I got had the clutch go out in the first 100 miles, the check engine light come on about 200 miles. and now the bike has about 800 miles on it and the oil is full of clutch particles. the bike has some FLAWS,, nothing is perfect. the dash... well it sucks. too much info for a bike. should be simple so the rider can watch everything else on the road. the computer throttles the bike after certain speeds..( not saying it's a bad thing) the traction control sucks ass, once it's engaged from popping a wheelie etc.. the only way to reset it is to release the throttle completely, not good if you are riding. the only way this guy gave a great review is to be getting PAID...either that he's a fucking moron and KNOWS nothing about motorcycles.

[@zipper978]

I bought a SuperDuke. Almost wish I bought the katana it’s so different then anything else out there

[@ivanmendoza7602]

Wonder how it’ll stack up against the CB1000R

[@DukeOfDC]

I’ll have to take one for a spin

[@vitalmincie]

5:25 what the hell is that building off to the left?

[@mindspinn311]

Justice Christopher It’s an old (concrete reinforced) military blimp hangar. They actually used it for the C8 reveal party. Located in Tustin/Irvine.

[@trailblazeratv6306]

It’s a keeper

[@eddievanlingen1935]

The best motorcycle Suzuki ever made was a Walther wolf rg500

[@brucebrown6597]

And compared to your S1000r...?

[@DukeOfDC]

The S1000R still edges it out in terms of technology, but I will say the throttle response on this bike feels more in touch, easier to manipulate, and just plain quicker.

[@ciello___8307]

If I'm correct, BMW actually studied Suzuki's inline 4 design when making the S1000

[@borismcgillicutty3042]

That bike is everything you would want Zooks are the kings of the street, sorry Kawasaki

[@kevincrockett5155]

What's the wind protection like?

[@aliwaleed5288]

There is just a bit below the chest if you tuck in it will hit the top of your head

[@NoLimitSquad]

It's "eh"

[@ReptileRaptureRR]

Price falls in the territory of a Panigale 899/959, going for the Duc.

[@hamiltonborah2021]

Hero splendor on steroids

[@-robster-robster-]

Similar to streethawk

[@theguitarhero898]

So it isn't just a rebranded gsxr 1000?

[@DukeOfDC]

Engine wise, yes. Other than that it’s very different dimensionally

[@michaeljkasnter]

It was a heavy pig in the 80’s, test rode a Honda CBR after and have been on a CBR since 92, new FireBlade incoming

[@homehome6739]

I sat on the new katana and it was more flickable side to side standing still than the gsxs 750! Felt very light!

[@dimetrekorsikov5643]

That heavy pig smoked everything on the road. I never lost a street race on my 82 katana and only lost once on the track against a turbo kz1000 that was stretched, running a 12 " Goodyear drag slick and he got out of hole quicker. A year or so later i got hit on that same katana by a semi, used the insurance money to put it back together but used Vance and Hines 1258 jugs and pistons, swapped out for 48mm mikinus,v&h header, cut gears, and nothing would touch that bike, and the coup de gras, it would hit 240 mph with room left on tach to stretch it past the 240 on the dial. That pig was a beast that no body wanted to run against. I couldn't get a money race no matter where i took it. It was a street legal pro stock bike way before its time and nothing looked as good. No handle bars, gun slinger seat, swept back wind shield, fat ass profiled gas tank. CBR who ??? Oh yeah, those slugs that couldn't get out of their own way, i remember those thurds.

[@murugaasd1978]

Try the kawasaki z900rs the real modern retro...

[@DukeOfDC]

I’ll have to check one out soon!

[@chrislang8553]

How bad were your knees bent ?

[@DukeOfDC]

Not bad at all. Similar dimensionally to the GSXS, so more naked/sport standard than super sport

[@chrislang8553]

DukeOfDC not as aggressive as our Tuono V4R's? My knees would really stiffen up on mine after a few hundred miles.

[@TranslateToEnglish]

I subscribed dude but I unsubscribed after about the fifth popup ad.

[@DukeOfDC]

Five ads?!? Dude, I’m so sorry about that. KZbin sets those when you click auto, and it must have added that many. I will adjust, as five is way too many

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I might be inclined to buy one because I've demo'd the GSX-S1000 a handful of times and it's a beast. But this......... 3.2 gallon tank? How did that get out of the engineering office? 1L 150 hp engine and 3.2 gallon tank? On which planet does that happen? Actually the gearing is straight out of the 2005 GSX-R1000 and it's one of the tallest 1st gears on the planet. Getting off the line hard is a clutch-smoking affair. Also 6th gear runs the RPM too high at cruising. I'd change everything about the transmission gear ratios. Suzuki was just lazy about it, not bothering to do anything about transmission ratios. Changing sprockets only solves one problem and creates a host of other problems.

[@NoLimitSquad]

Did you get it? Or at least test it?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@NoLimitSquad The Katana? No. No real interest in it.

[@samestuffdifferentday5712]

At 8:30 to 8:32..... I hope that wasn’t what I thought it was...... hmmmm? Not good ... not good at all.

[@BlueRage]

Suzuki is failing on all levels. I wouldn't be surprised to hear they're out of business a year from now.

[@kenharris8743]

This bike the complete letdown after 30 plus years you think it would go a lot faster than that the original Katana set zero to 100 mile-an-hour record this bike brakes no records. It also could use a Ferran and clip-ons like the original one it's been robbed in some ways of his looks.

[@teslaedison6236]

So sick of these ugly ass bikes that look like they have a tumor on the back tire and cut off tail. Just silly looking

[@paulh6101]

This bike is hella ugly. I own a 16 gsxs-1000f btw...torque for days.

[@vivimu]

Torque lmao

[@trailrider1980]

@@vivimu you should ride one. This liter engine may not be crossplane 4 cyl of mt10s but it is not lacking power across the range. I actually sold my mt09 and got a gsxs1000. The mt09 at lower rpms moves faster than the mt10. I am very happy with the gsxs and i am not missing any power at lower rpms.

[@shreksexy6879]

Meh...MT-10 please.