My Review of the 2020 Suzuki Katana

[@user-us1hx2cx3j]

The thing I love about all Japanese bikes today is just that feeling of total confidence they give you - they are just so TOGETHER. I was "converted" in Australia because I had a job I *had* to get to on time and my old Moto Guzzi 1100 California just kept letting me down. To the outrage of my Moto Guzzi mechanic I bought a cheap little Honda cbr125 to commute on and it was MAGIC! While Harleys have the sound, the grunt and the mojo, the Japanese bikes have attained Zen Reliability Satori grasshopper.

[@cycletron]

You are right. The Japanese bikes are so smooth and effortless to ride it really is it's own aesthetic. You get more "character" with Italian bikes and Harleys but in some ways they are completely different from the Japanese bikes.

[@user-us1hx2cx3j]

@@cycletron in more cynical moments I sometimes think "character" = unreliability. A lot of bikers go on about how the Japanese have no "tradition" like Triumph, Harley or Norton does...but this ignores the fact of Japanese racing at the TT etc. from the early 60s - racing AND winning!

[@cycletron]

@@user-us1hx2cx3j True. I would also say that the Japanese bike manufacturers have a tradition of producing affordable, reliable and technologically advanced machines.

[@planefloat]

Hey C.J.. That picture of the first edition Katana brings back a lot of memories. I was just getting started in a little Suzuki dealership in Kittery, Maine, circa 1982. My first shipment included three leftover Katanas. We opened the first crate, which was dripping with water. Put the bike together and stood back and gasped. It was the ugliest bike we had ever seen! The proportions were all wrong, the color was hideous. And I had three to sell...... I remember selling one, I guess the other two sold at some point. The Suzuki rep came by once on his '83 Katana 1100; it was white and better looking. That was the only 1100 we had seen. Actually, as time went by, you could see the Katana styling cues on other metric bikes. When the GXR750 and 1100s came out a couple of years later, they were the bike's to get! Art

[@cycletron]

Hi Art. I figured you had some experience with the Katana. Why do you think the new version did not sell very well?

[@planefloat]

@@cycletron I haven't kept up with the newer models. I haven't been in a Suzuki dealership in many years. Have you slowed down a little on your videos? I had to search to find this one. I'm not getting notifications on your channel....Best to you and your family! Art

[@cycletron]

@@planefloat Thanks Art. Same to you! I took a 3 week break prior to this last video which the Algorithm typically punishes creators for. I do have another one coming out this weekend. Thanks very much!

[@EasyRiderGreg]

Wow your wife bought it for you! My wife always wants me sell my vehicles. I never had one but I always liked the name, "Katana" Samurai Sword.

[@cycletron]

Thanks. Yes, I am definitely lucky! I agree with you. It is a cool name.

[@elithegreat6463]

I just found a dealer here in NJ selling a silver Katana for $8700, I saw the bike in person, and he was so willing to sell it to me. And I might frankly take him up on it..it's the deal of the century. Plus, I don't ride much, only 1000-1200 miles a season , so for the price this would be the perfect bike. And I'm pretty sure, I'll have the only Katana on Bike Night in the spring.

[@cycletron]

Man that is a deal! I rode my Katana as recently as yesterday and I am loving it more and more each day.. The only knock on the bike is the 3.1 gallon tank. I have to get gas every 100 miles which leaves about 30 miles left on range before empty. Not a big deal since I ride this bike in or near town and I wind it out when I am clear on traffic at it still gets 40 mpg. This bike is so smooth and handles great. $8,700 would be an absolute steal!

[@elithegreat6463]

@@cycletron I’m a Sunday rider, and I average 1000-1200 a riding season, not much at all and my ride is a round trip of around 90 miles, Jersey to upstate NY and back. So I’m guessing the fuel is not an issue. But yes, the dealer was begging me to take the bike, and I feel I’m going to take him up on it. He put a hold on it for me, and if all works out, (not that it needed it) cause he said the bike has been sitting there since 2020 with no buyers. And it’s true what they say, the silver color in person , is just amazing looking, the sharp lines, and prime engine it has , i’de be a fool not to take this offer. Great channel, Ride safe 👍

[@cycletron]

@@elithegreat6463 Thank you. Please let me know if you get it.

[@tynguyen4388]

👍👍👍

[@scottarmstrong1172]

Nice bike! I wouldn't trade my Harley for it but I could certainly enjoy it as a second bike. Of course I'd have to check the fit. I'm 65 and haven't ridden a sport bike in a decade or two but I do enjoy blasting around every now and then.

[@cycletron]

Thank you. It is definitely a blast to ride around town. It has a good balance of weight between arms and lower back.

[@aeror115]

Thank god for such a great wife ! I really like the 2020 Katana it´s a futuristic sport-touring bike! Cheers mate

[@cycletron]

Thank you! This is an awesome bike and is the smoothest bike I have ever ridden. I think many people missed out on this bike for one reason or another. All the best!

[@aeror115]

@@cycletron Sounds pretty awesome! I will check it out! The Suzuki Katana is growing on me 👍

[@Sal834]

Great choice. I have the 2018 GSX-S 1000FA with same engine and setup and love it. Although as the salesman said, it is for only the over 40 crowd which applies to the Katana. The thing I love the most is how docile it is up to 8000 and then turns into an absolute beast above that. Thanks for the great video!

[@cycletron]

Thanks very much! I agree with you on the performance duality. This is my first Suzuki and I am very impressed with it.

[@twistieslayer3592]

I wanted one of those new Suzuki Katanas for awhile. I liked the looks of it because it’s something different. I’d rather swim around or through the crowd, rather than with it. However, what ultimately killed this bike for me was the range per tank and the cost of insurance.

[@cycletron]

The range is definitely on the low side. For me insurance is not too bad but premiums are definitely high for younger riders

[@twistieslayer3592]

@@cycletron Insurance is weird. Pretty much all the good Naked/standard bikes are off limits. Except for the Yamaha MT-09 and Kawasaki Z900. So I’m pretty much left with the Honda Grom, Honda Monkey, Any Honda midsized cruiser, Yamaha Bolt, Vulcan 650, Sportster lineup, Indian Scout bobber 60, Scout 60 and Triumph Bobber. I’m looking a 4 digit premiums for everything else.

[@cycletron]

@@twistieslayer3592 You might try the Vulcan 650. My 16 year old son rides one and it will scoot with that Ninja engine.

[@mhoeij]

@@twistieslayer3592 is insurance premium mostly a function of engine size? My SV650 is very cheap to insure even though it’ll keep up with pretty much anything on the road

[@igorg003]

Love my katana . The fuel isn't a major turn off. At the end of the range it's about time to stop amd stretch anyway. Sounds amazing with a M4 exhaust.

[@cycletron]

I love mine too. I have been tempted to upgrade the exhaust like you did. Thanks for commenting!✌️

[@sathishrao7926]

Guess this wasn’t a Katana comeback Suzuki had hoped for (going by the popularity and sales figures) ! I Lived in SoCal for 4 years - too bad Katana wasn’t yet released then 😉 I’ve a 225 CC bike I bought in 2005 as a Sports bike companion to my 2018 Vulcan S.. This is all I can afford here in India.. I don’t think I’ll be buying another bike in near or distant future !

[@cycletron]

I am with you on sticking with the bikes I have. 225 cc in Asia is good. In Vietnam most people aspire to have a 150 cc bike.

[@my.motorrad]

That thing should haul pretty good. I rode Kawi's then. The 900RS would be a throw back, but my back probably wouldn't like it. Did you look at the GSX-R1000GT+?

[@cycletron]

The bike is a blast. I love the GT too. It wasn't out when I bought the Katana. If it had it would have been a tough choice

[@jacksonmay6765]

It sounds like a cool bike! But what I really want to try is a bike with lots of technology: ABS, traction control, rider modes, and a quickshifter. My bike is older and doesn’t have any of those features and I’m curious how it would affect the riding experience. The katana seems like a a blend of some new tech but without adding all the bells and whistles

[@cycletron]

There are lots of bikes with loads of tech. The new Hayabusa, Aprilia RS 660, Ducati Street fighter, etc. I agree with you that the Katana did not go overboard with tech.

[@brucesantacory1390]

Hey CJ, thanks, shocked the tank is so small, reminds me of my mid 90's sportster with the 3.3 gal tank, the seat height might be high for me, but maybe i'm fat enough to get it to squat some LOL. with you on the tail, i'm from NH no sales tax lol. The 0 to 60 is .1 faster than my 1832 Valkyrie, and i don't talk about the 0-60 on my road king lol, i liked the look when it 1st came out, CJ do you still have Stock Exhaust on it ? oddly on the cam when you accelerate it sounds more like a british twin it's really odd, i think this bike is better looking than the old katana's they to me were slower sport bike wannabe's lol. but i like this one........thanks again for the video, Ride Safe CJ

[@cycletron]

Thanks very much! You have a good ear on the exhaust. I think you were hearing my son's Vulcan 650 S. It is a parallel twin but his 2 Brothers exhaust usually drowns out the sound of my bike's exhaust. Yes the peanut tank. I think it is the biggest reason why most people don't tour on a Sportster! Take it easy.

[@brucesantacory1390]

@@cycletron in 1998 i rode from Portsmouth NH to Sturgis SD on a very slightly modified 96 XL1200C (modifications: stage 1, touring seat, heritage softail handlebars) and back, to prove i could. lol

[@brucesantacory1390]

@@cycletron and the Vulcan S would explain the acceleration sounds i heard lol

[@cycletron]

@@brucesantacory1390 Wow that's a haul!

[@geneclarke2205]

Yes, grab these super bikes while you still can as the EU, noise regulations, insurance, and electrification will eventually relegate these to track only bikes. But I have to say I don't understand why Suzuki brought these bikes back knowing the limited market. Is it just for nostalgia? Or a last gasp at building a super bike aligned with the Katana heritage? A Honda executive once said you build many bikes for the mass market and then you build a select few bikes for the company's reputation and just to show the world you can.

[@cycletron]

Sometimes these manufacturers do odd things. Who can explain the 3-wheeled Yamaha Nikken. That has got to be one of the biggest sales flops ever but maybe it keeps their good design engineers engaged?

[@geneclarke2205]

@@cycletron Exactly. From what I read Yamaha was looking for a middle ground between a 2 wheel bike and a trike to establish a segment for new riders or older riders looking to reduce risk - more like a motorcycle and less like a CanAm or Harley trike. The idea is there but certainly lacking in execution. The basic issue exists for these manufacturers of gain ground with new rides, especially a younger risk adverse generation, and keeping older riders in the saddle.

[@Karrpilot]

I would take a pass on any motorcycle with a chain drive. Too much maintenance and cleaning for me. That's another reason why I don't like spokes on wheels either. I want to spend my time on it and not under it.

[@cycletron]

Chain maintenance is a pain which I do at around 700 mile intervals. I am not big on cleaning my bikes until they really get grimey or bug spattered. Like you I'd rather ride than clean. I know some Harley riders who won't even leave their garage unless all the chrome and paint are shining!

[@mhoeij]

It’s not a lot of work to clean&lube a chain.

[@geneclarke2205]

I believe the 1980's 650 Katana was shaft drive. When I lived in Scotland I had a Honda NT650V Deauville with shaft drive and it was bullet proof. Shaft drive gets a bad reputation as providing poor performance but for me its really the way to go.

[@Karrpilot]

@@mhoeij I am at the point in my life where i do not want to have to do that. My main hobby is flying airplanes. I don't have to wash them, maintain them, or service them. I just have to return them as i found them. Clean inside with a full tank of fuel. And then pay for my fun.....)

[@cycletron]

@@geneclarke2205 All my old Virago's were shaft drive too. As you say, they fell out of favor in the 90's with the manufacturer's arm's race on power.

[@redhytech]

Fucking GARBAGE. Just got a 2020 katana.. brand NEW. The bike has 104 miles on it. I put 80 mes on it. The clutch slips at 4,000 rpms. No matter the gear. Total fucking JUNK.

[@cycletron]

That sucks. Hopefully you don't have any hassles getting it fixed under warranty.

[@redhytech]

@@cycletron thanks.. it's going back to the dealer saturday.. maybe they can fix it. not much info on the internet on the clutch problem.