2023 Suzuki Katana First Impressions / Comparison With 1985 Katana

[@get_to_the_lunchbox]

They've definitely captured the essence of the original whilst keeping it modern.

[@DucatiMonster-x2k]

Really enjoyed watching you ride. Very light touch on the bars and controls. Just sipping on the fuel , riding the wave of torque. Definitely a rider with some skills.

[@friktionrc]

You are one of two people who I’ve watched review this bike and actually show it filtering in traffic….many talk about it, but none actually show it….so as someone who is looking to get this bike and would be filtering with it, thank you soooo much for capturing it on film!! Ps flip up headlights…yeah they were big back in the day hahahaha…now it’s all about LEDs that are so bright they blind other traffic lol

[@eduardoolivares9653]

Best motorbike in the history of industrial production.. Katana Suzuki

[@JessBottom-m5i]

The '82 Katana 1000 is the famous one that collectors are looking for. When it was released, it was a total game changer for motorcycle styling. I think the new Katana's styling is based on the '82 Katana.

[@renjuscreativeworld4037]

The Katana was and will be iconic ❤....

[@winchester92stevebrook44]

I had the original 1100 Katana, the styling was very different to other motorcycles at that time. The riding position was more aggressive than the new version, with clip on bars and rear set footrests. It didn't have the pop up headlight, like the example at Frank's, and looked nicer (in my opinion). There were also two false switch positions on the right hand side panel, (the circular choke was on the left panel). It was a bike you sat in, rather than on, with it's low sculpted seat and stretched over the tank. Fast for it's time, I thoroughly enjoyed riding it, taking it out 365 days in my first year of ownership.

[@EV4RY]

Love both bikes. Lusted for the original but the latest one is just as tempting. Suzuki were years ahead with the styling and the newest one is just as trick looking as the old one, great review btw x

[@stanshaffer5629]

Am sitting on the front porch watching your vid. Inspired Me, Gonna go ride now. Thanks! ❤

[@ernestomontiel9569]

The sound of this bike is amazing and the design is good also, great review as always! 🎉

[@chrisb4504]

My favourite bike the katana has just got that look! Gixxer engine too. I constantly search for these videos thanks for sharing 😊

[@EnglishVeteran]

My mate shared a flat with Barry Sheene in his early career. In the same block of flats in London lived Steve Harley of Cockney Rebel. There were some good parties, apparently!

[@michaelhilton8439]

Another excellent video. Love the variety of subject, love the camera work. Thanks Tomboy-a-bit, your work is class. 👍

[@EnglishVeteran]

My Boss Guitar Amp. Is called Katana! That’s iconic as well.

[@johnnyrvf]

I had a good pal who bought one of those 750 Katana’s when they came out in the eighties. It was based on the GSX750, rather than the GSX1100 of the early eighties. Suzuki also made a rare GSX 1000 Katana. I like the new Katana. I have no trouble imagining how much better the chassis and brakes are from any previous models!

[@BlackArroToons]

Nice comparison review of the Katana, thanks. Some of those very unique circle turn center road roundabouts look like they could be high risk with all of the cars merging and deciding what to do next at 16:22 .

[@millinutz]

I was actually in my local Suzi dealership today and sat on a new Katana and liked it. What I didn't like, was the very slim handlebar grips coz, as soon as the weather gets cooler my Raynaulds kicks in sooner. Nothing beats a Harley grip. Although I liked the first edition Katana very much, i'm tempted to say the newest edition is very appealing, especially in this colour. I'm sure you'll give it a high score on your final assesment. Long live Suzuki!

[@BarnettSpeedSuzukiThou]

Yep with you on the grips. After 21 years on HD and now back on a GSX S1000. Grip puppies help.

[@djrichylaurence8991]

I wouldn't say no. Looks good.

[@edwardkeeter762]

I think Suzuki absolutely nailed it with the new Katana. Like the original, it has styling that is gorgeous and that sets it apart from all the other bikes on the road. Compare that to, say, the new Honda Hawk, Suzuki GSSX-8S and Yamaha MT09, which are so similar that you have to really squint to tell them apart. Plus they got the 80's neo-retro sauce just perfect.

[@kaizen2049]

Omg! The bike is absolutely beautiful, what an Amazing peace of machinery both the old & new one 💙 wish i could get ride one 💔

[@davidkelly414]

I prefer the appearance of the 80's model . Thank you 😊

[@paultaylorfollowframe3579]

🤜🤛 nice video. I love the bike at the beginning 👌 very nice, nice sounds as well, see you soon 😊

[@WilliamRosa-nv7ce]

Not a fan of the old katana or old bikes in general but I really like the modern katana. I like the modernized retro style, it looks very street and cool. It also looks like its very cozy and comfortable to ride. Its not a bike thats too common, atleast I havent seen one in person here in PR so it definitely stands out. Im just thinking of all the mods and cool accessories I can put on it. Its definitely a bike thats staying on my radar and might get later on.

[@MRFLESHSTORM]

glad to see you riding a real bike.

[@Stevo73660]

As mentioned below the original Katana was a whole new concept and had the marmite love or hate about it but the engine was a very grunty and powerful engine which was popular on the drag strip in various forms. This new version does look a nice bike although looking down on the controls could be mistaken for an adventure bike. Looks good though. The old one definitely was a true muscle bike and would rate higher in its time. If you know what I mean. Those old 16 valve air cooled engines were very tough.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I've noted the difference between twin-cylinder and inline-4 cylinder engines, especially on bikes that don't weight that much more. The feeling is of more mass and stability. Mostly that's due to heavier crankshaft, flywheel, heavier wheels and tires. It all adds up to a sense of more mass to move, whether revving the engine, steering the bike, transitioning from side to side. Featherweight bikes are actually more fatiguing at speed due to all of the movement the wind and road imparts on the lack of mass. Any wind that buffets your shoulders and arms will also input steering into the bike and that adds to fatigue with light bikes. Inline-4 engines might seem a bit bland to some folks, but they are the better highway engine for elevated speeds. You can wake them up with an exhaust system.

[@lowellcalavera6045]

I'm a sucker for 70s road bikes 🥰.

[@yamark02]

The new Katana has never really taken off. I was looking to buy one, but like many new bikes, the rear is stumped. So the pillion seat seems short. As I've my disabled son pillion 99% of the time, I decided not to buy. Regards

[@coryvader2133]

Love the Katana. Cool to see the unique design reborn.

[@andicog]

750 Katana was never imported officialy in the UK, we got 550, 650 (with shaft drive) 1000 (with flatside carbs) and 1100. 1000 and 1100 were great looking. Not to sound like an old git but please watch your overtakes, maybe it was the camera angle but some looked very close before you passed the tractor. 👍

[@PatrickGuilhemAA]

I prefer the new than the old, I find it very successful, I never liked the old Katana in its lines, it’s only a personal opinion, yet I really like the old ones overall, but modernity is good too (i own a 79' Suzuki gs850, and my daily IS a Svartpilen 701) ✌️

[@TomVestvik]

Wow! I like that sound too. I might want a tiny bit more of an old Katana-esque front.

[@Dan-56]

As an “Old Fart” that drooled on the originals in the showrooms, I have just a couple of nit-picks. The windscreen should have been a little taller, (The factory accessory parts did list one 😉.), and likewise the bars just a bit lower. Also I think it would have looked better with the tail section extending beyond the end of the seat like the original and not a “hugger” behind the tire. That said, I looked into buying one here in the US in 2022 but they were no longer imported 🙁. So in 2023 I ended up purchasing the GSX-S1000GT, same power plant, different bodywork 😉.

[@cpuuk]

A beauty to behold.

[@max.fleming1045]

I've never been a fan of Suzuki bikes except the original Katana. This new one is still true to form. I've all my life been fascinated with the industrial machine not to mention bikes and as such, fully faired sports bikes just don't do it for me. I love the performance, but the looks are just too much plastic hiding the machine. Having said that, you'd think I'm a big fan of naked bikes?, But not really. The modern ones are mostly all function and little form and that's what's always made the Katana such a unique and beautiful bike. I'm chuffed Suzuki has brought it back.

[@stuartmoles843]

The Katana is like the ginger step child of the Suzuki range. To be honest I really like the styling although it divides opinion. The biggest bug bear for me as a daily commuter is the tank size / range, it would drive me mad keep filling it. I actually cannot remember seeing one in the wild.

[@tomboyabit]

I’m used to a Sportster engine so haven’t noticed an engine being same small 😂

[@yorchgaram5281]

Oh, the bike of my sweetest dreams.

[@tonykeast9966]

I like it. The original was before my time but it's an icon, so I've always known about it. One of my first toy bikes was the 1000 Katana. Over the years I've been impressed by many Katana custom builds using GSXR parts... looks like Suzuki felt the same way. I rode the K5 Gixxer thou' this is based on, a more modern superbike icon. The quality of those K5 underpinnings will always stand out. The amazing gearbox you felt strsight away, aided by the new quick shift will be a joy to use. Proven suspension and brakes and most importantly that engine is just excellent straight through the rev range. It's shit you can't show any footage playing with the higher revs! Laws suck😢. 80s angular 'futuristic' styling is gonna be a weird one to recreate for modern times. I think lots more new retro bikes will be this flavour in the coming years. I'm very happy about it!! Cool and different -kinda oddball. But underneath that's a weapon in a funky 80s retro outfit. And Suzuki's new high end build quality and finish continues to impress. Yoshimura exhaust and a tail tidy and a Simpson bandit helmet are all I think I'd need to own one. 😎🤘🤩

[@bsv64]

Katanga is a great looking bike, it looks better than the old version, just getting my channel up again would love a follow and comments

[@mikep.9371]

I thought you would have shown the pop up headlight. Glad you enjoyed the ride even though it drizzled on you. Didn't quite make it to Mint ... to surprise Simon Stay dry and have a good weekend D.

[@tomboyabit]

Made it to Mint next weekend 😊

[@Nick_R_]

I like it. And the riding position isn't too sporty. Also thought that Cassington was great!

[@the7tongardengnome]

I had the original 1100. Only bike I never crashed but almost did the day I bought it when a truck cut me off. I new it was inevitable that one day I would so I sold it. Too nice to wreck. As for this new one I'd change the handle bars so it's positions like the original.

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Awesome bikes 👍🏻

[@leecollins8051]

Looks great and aggressive, and sounds good I'm about to buy a bike after 30 year break , I'm.looking Honda hornet , yamaha mto7 but maybe I should look at this baby , but I'm.only 5ft 4,???

[@simonchilli2088]

I never really liked the old one when it came out but I do like the new one🤔. Poor Jonesy and Sparrow don't seem to get a ride out nowadays.

[@daveypenn211]

As an old git I remember when the original katana came out and I thought wow that's different to anything else, then I thought yea but I don't like the overall package, I felt it was a marmite bike. I'm no expert on modern bikes but my impression is it's not so different looking from others in it's class. I like the paint job, it would have been cool if Suzuki had made a modern pop up headlight

[@filofilo8127]

I've seen it and it's ok. Nothing sensational.

[@claudineidomingues2868]

Katana ❤

[@mrsmith4662]

I can certainly see the similarity and heritage from the 85 model. However, I never really liked the look of the old one, but the modern take is better. I know which one I'd have - apart from Sheen's racer).

[@joedudz]

I rode Z900RS and liked it but went for Katana. Not sure why.

[@edthecaferacer132]

The new Katana is a brilliantly designed bike i had the original 1982 1000cc katana which the new bike is based on the 750 in your video was not as good as the 1000 or 1100

[@charlesemerson6763]

I had the original 1981 Katana GSX750S and GSX1000S wich were the original hunchback super bikes . The modern Katana is more in keeping with the 83 pop headlight model which we thought more of an American style bike with it's high bars and sit up and beg seating. The original Katana had clip on bars and rear set pegs and you sat in it rather than on it. Suzuki ruined it with the pop up headlight model.

[@janlee6608]

I love it!!!

[@cnnproperty]

You seem pretty loved this katana 😉

[@daveballam8704]

I still prefer the the unfaired model with the round headlight

[@hughmac7423]

Cool. I think it needs clip on bars, too make it more like the old bike. It sounds too much like a normal modern bike.

[@chadr9791]

Forgive me Dee if I dont comment on the new Katana ,,,it brings back to many sad memories. I long time ago I was competing in a motorcycle sprint event and I was riding my full Yoshi Honda CB 810 and the brand new Suzuki Katana whipped my ass big time ,,,so sorry I cant forgive that.

[@tomboyabit]

😅 you should ride one to get rid of a bitter thoughts.

[@juanmender4460]

Hermosa moto amiga

[@AK-jm1cw]

U must try Honda with ESAF chassis that very awesome because it has folding feature...🤭

[@artisp7026]

New Katana looks nice, but Deimante looks better :-)

[@christianlebracq1956]

Nice, but I prefer my old Bandit 😎

[@mrnobodytheuser2950]

I love the look and sound of the modern Katana I also really like the the 8S, if ever I get my full power licence I think I will be a Suzuki guy.

[@friktionrc]

What do you mean when you say ‘full power license’? I’m looking to start learning to ride and after looking RE and HD stuff have decided to go with Suzuki. I don’t plan on riding loads of different bikes, but ideally get one bike and keep it until I’m too old to ride (at the mo I’m thinking Hayabusa or this Katana….I just wondering how many tests and how long I have to wait before I can buy one and legally ride it? Are our UK bike licenses based on the power of the bike or something? (Sorry for the stupid question - am clueless about bike licenses lol)

[@mrnobodytheuser2950]

@@friktionrc I live in Australia and we have 3 levels of Motor Bike Licence, Learner stage where you are not able to ride without a fully Licenced rider accompanying you, RE Licence which allows you to ride Bikes up to 660 sized engine bikes that also have to meat a power to weight ratio so no 600 Super sport and than the RS which is the open licence, I'm on the RE licence.

[@friktionrc]

@@mrnobodytheuser2950 Appologies for assuming you're from the UK ....just the way it sounded when reading I assumed you were. My bad!! Re the actual breakdown - thank you sooo much. I think we have something similar here but its confussing for me to work out exactly what bikes I can and can't ride one whatever license. I dont want to start out on say a 125 and then spend a few years on that, then sell it and repeat on a 250 and then all the way up to say Katana. Ideally I just want to get the bike I want as soon as I pass, learning as I go on it and keep it until I get too old to ride. Just had enough of doing that with cars - where I've owne a lot over the years and now just want to ride for pleasure and the odd commute into the city. Thanks again for the info, much appreciated 👍

[@gerardmontgomery280]

Love these bike but bloody hell they're tiny. That bloke near the end who went with the Z900, I think I'm in the same boat as him. It's a coin toss between the Katana and the Z900RS. 80's retro vs 70's retro.

[@scottamolinari]

So, a point deduction for the way that phone is hanging there.

[@gk73man51]

The new one isn’t a real Katana. It has flat bars rather than clip ons, is water cooled and has an engine biased towards top end power and revs rather than low end and midrange.

[@chrisb4504]

10:08 overtaking Freddie Dobbs 😂

[@tomboyabit]

Funny enough a couple days ago Monika and Freddie saw me at Burry St Edmunds and filmed me riding pass them 😅

[@erikbarkefors2441]

I don't like the short back end on the new bike and the we-have-to-put-something-behind-the-back-wheel thing. A friend of mine borrowed his cousins "tuned" Katana in the late 1980'ths. The police stopped him and started to measure the noise. They had to move away from the area where people lived and into an industrial area to complete the measurement. 130 dB was not OK...

[@tomboyabit]

I think that back wheel thing has to do something with a number plate level for cameras. Another annoying ‘regulation’. Loud pipes safes lives. Honestly, it’s a significant difference being heard in a traffic. Police should concentrate on real crimes. But I’ll not start here.

[@evertonronaldoguedes1588]

Hello, hugs from Brasil.

[@tomboyabit]

☺️

[@scottrowlands874]

i have the gsx-s1000 latest model thats exacly the same as the Katana exept fairings and they are very fun bike coming from my fireblade. oh and you should call yourself Superbike Blonde like Supercar Blonde ;)

[@tomboyabit]

I meant to try it after Katana, so it’s on the list! Miss Katana every day. More and more I think we matched well together. I could call myself custom blond as this is my main stream. Only just starting tipping into the super bikes and still prefer retro. They have more character. Like Jack Russels.

[@scottrowlands874]

@@tomboyabit Well i was going to get new cbr 1000rr sp but bought the gsx-s1000 till i found one i like and now i dont want to sell it because its so much fun. i look forward to your review on gsx-s1000 you could borrow mine for the review but im guessing your london way im Blackpool so its miles away lol. and superbikes are a whole new level of fun i want another superbike myself as miss riding my Fireblade lol. and glad you have not done gsx-s1000 review yet and told me as i was just looking for it lol

[@daynightrider]

come here we ride together...

[@uuusi-7349-gk]

멋져요

[@robedmunds7163]

Sounds a bit unrefined at tickover.

[@ahmadjunaedi3962]

OMG....! SIJUKI Neng...? Waaah itu sih Motor kesukaan Sejuta Umat Neng...! Yaa pastilah Abang Ganteng juga suka banget, apalagi jika si Neng Blondi ini yg naikin SIJUKI, Woooow makin Sexy Cuy....! 😊❤🎉

[@aldeaalcaraz123]

Your videos were cooler when you went out with the sportster

[@tomboyabit]

Cool videos coming then 😁

[@aldeaalcaraz123]

Thx! I also have a sportster, and you have a beautiful sportster. I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to seeing it again! ;)@@tomboyabit

[@hughmac7423]

I don’t think filtering at speed is a good idea, no matter how safe you think you are being. It just takes one idiot to suddenly change lanes.

[@Daniel-eh7iq]

Never liked the old Katana...weird looking bike. The new model looks a bit better, but....don't bring it to a beauty contest.

[@sssar5]

僕も乗ってます

[@tomboyabit]

🙏🏻 Thank you

[@AlkisVstrom1000]

The girl is very pretty....The new "Katana" it a very complicate and ugly bike and do not remind's the inspired old Katana!

[@大友昇-p7b]

超(・∀・)ｲｲﾈ!!　SUZU菌　❣

[@Ulxaaf]

14:40 what kind of horrible music this is

[@goldilocks913]

The new one is way off when you put it against the old one- looks awful!