2020 Suzuki Katana launch review

It was inevitable: at the media launch for the all-new 2020 Suzuki KATANA , conversation took a trip down memory lane to the early 1980s when Suzuki launched the original KATANA with styling that many thought wouldn’t appeal to the ‘masses’. How erroneous those predictions proved to be.

Most of the journalists had a KATANA ‘story’ – mine was watching my brother-in-law them in the upper echelon of production and superbike racing in Australia. In fact, the KATANA was the machine to beat in the golden era of superbike racing, against other road-based machines like the Honda CB1100R and Kawasaki Z1000.

I hadn’t ridden a KATANA before, though – a glaring omission on my CV but the 2020 Suzuki KATANA launch through the beautiful, sinuous roads of the Gold Coast hinterland would finally provide the chance to put that one to bed.

And for those not au fait with the meaning of KATANA , it refers to a long, single-edged samurai sword. Not to be confused with the Gladius, a former Suzuki model, which means the primary sword of Roman foot soldiers...

Sure, the 2020 Suzuki KATANA is practically a whole new kettle of fish compared to a model like the iconic 1981 GSX1100S, but with plenty of original KATANA ‘hints’ it was still good enough for me.

The styling features of the original KATANA are particularly dominant on the front end of the 2020 KATANA , including the screen, fuel tank, decals, fender and vertically stacked LED rectangular headlight.

The rear end, meanwhile, is forging its own path, with a single shock (KYB) instead of the original twin shocks, and there’s a ‘satellite’ fender – a first for the Japanese company.

Beneath the bodywork, the new KATANA is based on the GSX-S1000 platform, complete with a torquey, long-stroke 999cc engine that’s an impressive operator: 147hp (110kW) at 10,000rpm and 108Nm at 9500rpm and mated to a typically slick Suzuki six-speed gearbox.

Colours are Metallic Mystic Silver (in deference to the original model) or Glass Sparkle Black, and price is $18,990 rideaway.

The origins of the 2020 KATANA are not all Suzuki’s doing, however, as the original design exercise was part of a project by famed Italian motorcycle magazine Motociclismo, which was unveiled at the 2017 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

Suzuki was impressed, and now the rest is history…

Suzuki has launched the 2020 KATANA in a new category it’s calling ‘Neo Street Sport’, bypassing an overarching retro label. The nomenclature takes a bit to digest, but I can see where Suzuki is coming from with the ‘contemporary but hints of the original KATANA’ narrative. It makes sense.

In terms of what you get, though, the 2020 Suzuki KATANA is cut from a similar cloth to the original: it has that same all-purpose versatility with a strong chassis, great brakes (the same as found on the 2019 GSX-R1000) and a flexible engine. I felt comfortable as soon as I got on it.

A good engine fast tracks the process of familiarisation, and that’s the KATANA to a tee. With the long-stroke layout and shorter gearing than the GSX-S1000, it’s all action from the get-go on the 215kg (wet) machine. In the city, short-changing will see you in top gear at 60km/h at 2500rpm, without a hint of disagreement.

That tractability is really the KATANA's calling card and, combined with just the right levels of engine braking, it really surprised me with its prowess on fast, twisty roads. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be such a hoot, and the firm-ish KYB suspension holds its own – mid-corner bumps the only slightly unsettling factor.

The 2020 KATANA has a twin-spar frame, and has the same aluminium swingarm as the previous generation GSX-R1000.

The KYB shock has preload and rebound adjustment, and the KYB forks are fully adjustable. The bike has purpose-built Dunlop Roadsport 2 tyres, sitting between the RoadSmart (touring) and Qualifier (hypersport) ranges.

The KATANA responds beautifully to smooth, controlled inputs and doesn’t have to be bullied through turns, even though the steering geometry isn’t anything aggressive: a 25-degree rake and 100mm of trail.

The only issue I had with the engine during the 150km launch route was a slight hesitation on a steady throttle, but otherwise it’s a powerplant that’s got an ‘all-day’ feel about it – minimal vibes, grunty, and with a nice hit from about 60000rpm to remind you of its superbike origins – but with all new internals.

There’s also a smooth and progressive clutch action, although the non-adjustable lever is quite stiff during prolonged use. The KATANA has a slipper clutch, while the electronics include switchable three-way traction control, ABS, a one-touch start system and low rpm assist (let the clutch out slowly at a standstill and an extra 500rpm is yours).

There’s just one riding mode, with the full power hit.

The 2020 Suzuki KATANA felt quite elongated when I first sat on it – not because of any super-sized wheelbase (it’s only 1430mm), but because the fuel tank cover and fairing take up some real estate.

However, the slightly angular 825mm seat (15mm taller than the GSX-S1000) firmly wedges the ride into the back of the 12-litre tank, which helps to alleviate some of that initial ‘stretchiness’.

The bars are also wider than the donor bike, as well as being higher and mounted further forward.

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A fair bit to digest, but the seating position still left me with a slight flex in my arms, which is just the way I like it – and a nice compromise for city riding (probably the KATANA's strongest suit) and more open fare.

The 12-litre fuel? Doesn’t concern me, as the 2020 Suzuki KATANA is not the type of machine I’d be riding for particularly long stretches – or strapping luggage to.

However, if there’s still a bit of KATANA wanderlust, Suzuki has a taller accessory screen ($259) as well as heated grips ($319) to make long-haul life a little easier, and there are also cosmetic items such as decal sets (fairing and wheels) red Brembo calipers and a variety of carbon covers.

Suzuki also has dedicated KATANA clothing (jackets and t-shirts), and merchandise – including a die-cast model of the original KATANA .

There's also a KATANA -themed Arai QV-Pro helmet ($995), which was initially offered as as a sweetener for those who pre-ordered the machine before its official release on August 9, 2019.

2020 SUZUKI KATANA ACCESSORIES HERE

The standard screen on the KATANA , which just peeks over the LCD dash, is more a form over function exercise and reminiscent of the original KATANA as well – but certainly not as flimsy looking. I’d be leaving it on – even if the open road beckoned.

The LCD dash offers adjustability in terms of different tachometer setups, otherwise offers the standard trip-type computers and features.

The KATANA launch was brilliant; a chance to begin with some nostalgia before focussing on the new.

The 2020 KATANA is not a full-on sports naked, and nor does it intend to be, but it’s that ‘all-purpose’ narrative which gets the job done for me – with plenty of X-factor.

Suzuki only plans to build 4000 units of the new KATANA – a trifle amount in Japanese build terms – but don’t be surprised if that number increases if the bike continues to strike a chord with younger riders.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, 16-valve, four-stroke in-line four-cylinder
Capacity: 999cc
Bore x stroke: 73.4mm x 59mm
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 147hp (110kW) at 10,000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 108Nm at 9500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate, slipper assist

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Twin-spar aluminium
Front suspension: 43mm KYB upside-down forks, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: KYB shock with adjustable preload and rebound
Front brake: 310mm discs with Brembo radial-mounted four-piston calipers, ABS
Rear brake: 220mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Wheels: Cast aluminium, 3.50 x17 front, 5.5 x 17 rear
Tyres: Dunlop Roadsmart – 120/70-17 front, 190/55-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 25 degrees
Trail: 100mmmm
Claimed wet weight: 215kg
Seat height: 825mm
Wheelbase: 1460mm
Fuel capacity: 12 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $18,990 rideaway
Colour: Silver or black
Local distributor: Suzuki Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres