2020 Suzuki KATANA Full Review, Jeff Ware

[@cycletron]

I bought my 2020 Katana new over 2 years ago and it is my favorite bike of all time and I have been riding for 40 years. Great review.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Great to hear. We don't see many on the streets Down Under... Great bike.

[@chrysspeeddraws7617]

Just purchase this last week. I took it 400 miles on a trip to the beach. I filled up once each way. (The gas shit ain’t even as big a deal as ppl complain it is😂) This bike is AMAZING! Best bike I’ve ever owned and *heavily* underestimated!

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Awesome to read. It is a top machine!

[@gregandoni5765]

They nailed it with the design.

[@florme6494]

100% agree, but I think we are in the minority.

[@kalaga2k]

But sc*ew it with the fuel range!!!

[@gregandoni5765]

@@kalaga2k true, but i can live with that

[@chrisw4215]

@@florme6494 I love how this bike looks, only one drawback for me is the position of turn signals

[@philb4205]

I loved this review. I owned an 1100 Katana in the late 80's and regretted selling it ever since. Awful handling, uncomfortable to ride and heavy - but it was a bona fide weapon. I'm now potentially guilty of being an old bloke buying a 2020 Katana jsut to relive that misspent youth. It wouldn't be a Katana if it wasn't a bit quirky but if I can talk the Mrs into it - you've sold me.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Do it mate! You can do it! Jeff.

[@vytas5584]

Get it. I'm not that old and I want one

[@jeffestrada6857]

Buy one mate. I nearly bought the Katana back in 1982 ( ended up being just a little bit too quirky for me) bought the Kwaka GPZ1100 instead. Now though i just bought the Katana and absolutely loving it even after owning three Hayabusa’s!! 👍

[@russelldawkins3408]

Informative and knowledgeable review with no time wasted. Thanks.

[@drewmark1618]

God this bike is stunning.

[@ragerider6283]

Nice review. I really like it. Really pleased you could see the positives in this bike rather than most other reviews which seem to only focus on the negatives. Also thought it was great how you acknowledged the flaws but just got on with it & said they're no big deal & easy to ride around. A very Australian review, in a good way!

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Thanks!

[@louiseitner916]

Best katana review I've seen. Great footage too

[@parsivalshorse]

Just about to do the deal on one. They sure do look better in the flesh. I love the styling and the k5 engine is as legendary as a bike motor gets.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Enjoy!

[@parsivalshorse]

@@BikeReviewcomau Bought it. Love it. Could not be happier.

[@juniormin3454]

My katana has done 1500 kms now, bought it without test riding it and that was the best $$ I've ever spend. I use it for daily and weekend hill riding too. it looks better in flesh and random people will talk to me at petrol stations and traffic lights. The K5 engine is a gem, silky smooth power delivery and low end torque is NICE. The gearbox is super precise, suzuki nailed the powertrain. Very agile in the corners and you can't feel the 215kg weight. People keep criticise the 12L fuel tank, but the fuel range is around 200kms, which is the same as my previous 2017 GSXR1000 (with 16L tank), you're not going interstate with it so isn't 200 kms enough. Overall a very forgiving bike, but the seat is a little high for some people, I'm 182cm tall and I find the seat is a bit too high for me.

[@martyn_g]

Too high? I’ve got a VStrom 1050XT with a 850mm seat height, and I’m 176cm with a 32 inch inseam…!

[@martyn_g]

.. Suzuki make the best gearboxes. Full stop.

[@exc911ence_channel]

I bought one, but then I'm the typical old guy who's owned several original Katanas over the years... aka: target market. 😉

[@rommelloreto575]

bought a katana mainly because of this review. thanks man

[@steve-wu7jp]

Nice choice, how do you like it?

[@juniormin3454]

@@steve-wu7jp My katana has done 1500 kms now, it looks better in flesh and random people will talk to me at petrol station and traffic lights. The K5 engine is a gem, silky smooth power delivery and low end torque is NICE. The gearbox is super precise, suzuki nailed the powertrain. Very agile in the corners and you can't feel the 215kg weight. People keep criticise the 12L fuel tank, but the fuel range is around 200kms, which is the same as my previous 2017 GSXR1000 (with 16L) tank, you're not going interstate with it so isn't 200 kms enough. Overall a very forgiving bike, but the seat is a little high for some people, I'm 182cm tall and I find the seat is a bit too high for me.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Fantastic! Jeff.

[@888jackflash]

Thanks for the review. But as a deep-dyed Bandit 12 owner...I cant fathom wanting a common streetbike that has zero carrying capacity, no wind protection and tucked-up footpegs. Why they can't give us adjustable pegs...I'll never understand.

[@AutomotiveAllStars]

Great review can't wait for the next one. Nice roads too some of my favourite 😉

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Thanks for the feedback, Don. Great roads - a few sections had a few too many crosses and bunches of flowers on the side of the road for me though... bit spooky! Must be a few crashes up there. Bit like the Old Road down here in Sydney.

[@andersmichaelson3113]

I test rode it for a couple hours on some great roads today - Great riding position, pinpoint steering, gem of a gearbox, small screen takes the wind off your chest - the dash is too busy for me with an odd layout. It would love an Akra or Yoshi exhaust

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Definitely a busy dash.... Would sound great with a system on it.

[@suzanneladue5828]

Beautiful bike as always

[@themanwithsauce]

Note to the editor - My right ear heard this review loud and clear, but my left ear had no clue what you were saying. Check your sound balance before hitting publish.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Thanks for the info, I hadn't listened with earphones. Damn. Jeff.

[@genxkevin]

very exciting ! did you say 150 HP? lol wasn't expecting that high on this bike , sweet

[@MFP2241]

Call me an old school purist (which I am) but this "new" Katana failed to match the dramatic look and raw excitement provided by the original, though this one is far, far closer than the second gen, which only beared the name. One heavyweight name. Do not get me wrong: I truly dig this modern iteration, but the '82 Katana was... from another world. It still is indeed. And I still want it.

[@jeffestrada6857]

Each to their own. This bike is light years ahead in every way compared to the old bike. I’ll go with this one 😘

[@fortyfour1654]

Your an old school purist 😉

[@chrisw4215]

I had Kawasaki Z1000SX and I get around 130 miles from a tank, so if this bike gets, I want to belive 110, its not that huge difference for me

[@raydon14ify]

Very cool looking standard bike

[@tonyw3250]

Great review, who's that at 2:37 foot down in the corner?

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Cameron Donald !

[@maciejciemborowicz]

What about weight? Is it still like a canned tuna?

[@jeffestrada6857]

Nice bike typical Suzuki 👍 Like the comment on fuel capacity - I agree whats the problem 🤷‍♂️ Aussie reviews are so good compared to wanker American stuff..... Thanks for the review 👍

[@tomokokishi3066]

Really liked the part where you mentioned the fuel tank has only 12 litres but who cares lol

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Exactly!

[@stanleyblazeraznik6047]

This or the Honda CB1000R? I have narrowed it down to these two.

[@andrewthatguyyouknow6124]

You look like the dyno guy from mighty car mods channel

[@keyboarddancers7751]

The tank, headlight cowling, fender and maybe the seat all say Katana. The rest of the bike looks like "any other modern bike". The original big Kat wore clip-ons which added to its overall brutish appearance. It's great to see that Suzuki can find a way to make some money out of an old name.

[@truckdriver8214]

Comment over one year old and nobody agrees lol

[@abuhurairah4045]

Does this bike is suitable for offroading?

[@christheodoridis982]

Yes it does is.

[@grayjohn1906]

😂​@@christheodoridis982

[@noeldawson9211]

a snachy throttle in slow hairpin work can be dangerous (I do not have your skill), fix this suzuki, a good review, the small fuel tank + a snachy throttle = no sale

[@glenphillips9068]

noel dawson I'll stick with a Honda 90 step through.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Not an all-new model. It's a GSX-S1000 with a dressup kit. Who cares about the 12L fuel tank? Most people. One would think Japan has a shortage of steel, with all the downsizing of tanks over the last decade. It's literally a complete deal-breaker. Even if I find a bike that has me 90% of the way to a purchase, the small tank turns me off like the smell of rotting road kill.

[@michaeldunn9228]

Was genuinely interested in this bike. Right up to the 12 litre tank 🤔😂

[@luciano76464]

Fate qualche bella colorazione ...il colore fa tantissimo

[@Whos-That-Guy]

I'd take the honda CB1000r for much less money or a standard speed triple. Then again a Z900 is bucket loads cheaper and probably just as good. Also 19k ain't cheap no matter how you spin it.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

I can't comment on the ride of the Honda, however the price is the same on road (the KATANA price is ride away, Honda + ORC), power is slightly less on the Honda but yeah it has RbW and is higher spec, however, it's a bit plain to me... Speed Triple - we only get the RS in Australia and it is a whopping $22,700 plus on roads... Z900, awesome bike but down on power significantly over the KATANA and hasn't got the sports handling (check out our review video - we do love it). Either way, we all go for what makes us happy in the end. Cheers.

[@sugarnads]

BikeReview.com.au dude the Z900 is SIX GRAND cheaper. Oh gosh its a little bit slower and it isnt as hard core in the suspension.. I am an old suzuki dude (gsxr400, gsxr750s, rgv250 back in the day). I never even looked at the katana. Not even once. I bought the Z900 and I love it. Never considered a bike 50% more expensive. Most of your 'criticism' was to my ears justification.

[@Whos-That-Guy]

@ubu 9 Looks are subjective. It's not boring or slow to ride and no way the katana is next level. The z900 isn't simply a bigger version of the z650 which is what a lot of people think. It has better suspension than most bikes in it's category with exception to the ST RS & the MVs but with more or equal HP and way more torque. The Z900 is more a small not so highly strung super naked than it is a large commuter friendly middleweight. I own a 150hp ktm and a 180hp fire blade and my ride on the Z900 was not slow or boring.

[@ragimundvonwallat8961]

in my view suzuki made a great design but missed the point... what would had been better is a fully faired katana like the ones of the 90's , GT seating and all with air cooled 4 cyls available in 600 and 1000CC ...no electronic gizmos just 2 clocks. then sell that around the price of a ninja 650 and a bit more for the 1000 and everyone and his cousin would have wanted one (including me) cheap, tough (thanks air cooling) fully faired but GT seating usable everyday....lets say 75hp for the 600 and 90 for the 1000. i for sure would love the 600 if such machine existed there is a reason why the ninja 650 sell that much

[@teslaedison6236]

@ubu 9 Slow? Gtfo

[@jerryavis4641]

My 1982 1000 looked so much better.

[@avalon1734]

I modded my 82 1000 with 88 Gsxr1100 wheels brakes and frontend. I will never sell it. If I were to buy a 2020 I would try to fit my spare 82 bodywork to it.

[@jerryavis4641]

Christian Denchasy I traded my katana for a 86 GSXR1100. Performance was of course far better and it looked like a racer and the Yoshimura exhaust was music, but it lacked the character of the Katana. That bike will always be Special!!!

[@MFP2241]

Totally support that. The '82 Katana is the sort of design that can't actually be revamped without losing concept and nature. Kind of a Lamborghini Countach, I guess.

[@teddyroca4920]

👍👍

[@mrniceguy1977]

Sounds like reviewing my ex

[@Wowxoxo69]

bought one ugly but cool. needs get use to the look.

[@WheatMillington]

So do you have ANY criticism of the bike AT ALL, or does it just so happen that on this all-expenses-paid trip by Suzuki you're 100% happy with every single aspect of the bike?

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Hi Chris. Suzuki paid for flights and accomodation, however, it would make no difference to me whether they did or did not. This is my FULL TIME job of 20-years. I run and own a publishing company and time away on launches costs me a lot of time and money. I have been on hundreds of launches around the world and in Australia, trust me, leaving my family and business every other week is not at all appealing to me - no matter where it is to and who is paying. In fact, I hate travel and I get in and out and get the job done. I do it to ride the bikes, for readers/viewers like you to get content - which I might remind you these days is FREE for you! If you re watch the video, you will hear quite a few criticisms about the bike and if you take the time to visit my website and read the full written review you will find many more... let’s not forget I review around 60 bikes per year, mostly outside of press launches. I spend many, many thousands of dollars per month testing bikes for content and pay all of that myself, again, the end user gets free content... I appreciate you could see this differently but the reality is not quite as it seems. This is a tough and expensive business, with huge hours. Cheers. Jeff.

[@terrigoddard3448]

Still looks has ugly has the original. We used to call them write offs. These new ones look the same. Not for me thanks.