Suzuki Katana Review: Old-school soul, new-age fury!

Look around the streets today, and you’ll definitely spot several motorcycles carrying a neo-retro design theme. Manufacturers often blend legacy with modernity to create new products, especially for the brand recall these touches bring to the table. And it isn’t limited to just motorcycles as scooters too are part of the party. Anyway, leaving scooters in the ball room, we’re today discussing a Japanese icon: the Suzuki Katana. While the motorcycle shares its skin and bones with the GSX-S1000, it thrives on nostalgia while also packing modern elements. Well, not just not too many of them. Here are our observations after riding the motorcycle.

Suzuki Katana: Design

Now before we discuss the design, let me tell you that the motorcycle looks as sharp as the famed Japanese sword it is named after. Inspired by the 1981 original, the design features a mix of retro and contemporary elements.

On the sides, it features sharp lines flowing from the semi-fairings to the tanks while the dual-tone contrast on the elements give it a clean, purposeful look. At the front, it sports a rectangular LED headlight placed beneath a compact windscreen. This gives it a look reminiscent of the ancestor Katana. The rear section, on the other hand, is kept a bit sophisticated with flatter body panels and chevron-shaped LED taillamps.
Overall, the model looks very muscular, and one wouldn’t miss the impression that she hasn’t skipped shoulder days ever since the ‘80s! Cus, boy, those panels flanking the fuel tank look menacing. Another head-turning detail is the matching wheel colours paired with the golden front forks. Suzuki has done a brilliant job, as far as the design is concerned.

Suzuki Katana: Features

Hop onto the 825 mm seat, and you’re welcomed by an LCD instrument console packed with information, including speed, fuel level, RPM, gear position, time, odometer, and speedometer. The orange-red backlight helps, but in our opinion, a full-colour TFT would have been more fitting for a bike at this price point. That said, it becomes a bit problematic to have a quick glance at the loads of info when riding on a sunny day.

As for the tech nannies, Suzuki has added its Intelligent Ride System which features three ride modes (A being the sharpest, C the most relaxed), five traction control levels, bi-directional quickshifter and a ride-by-wire throttle. As for the riding modes, the Mode A is most exciting on highways, giving you sharp throttle response and quick acceleration. Mode C, on the other hand, is best for city riding, thus offering a smooth and controlled experience. The mode B sits somewhere in between.

Suzuki Katana: Engine

At its heart is a delicious 999 cc inline-four engine. This is the same powerplant that does its duty in the GSX-R1000, pumping out 152 hp and 106 Nm of torque. The power delivery is strong but predictable. In fact, being relatively new to litre-class motorcycles, I was amazed by the confidence it offered. That said, it is a friendly machine if you are someone who wants to transition from the mid-range segment to the litre-class category.

The bike offers a decent amount of low-end torque. In fact, the throttle response is fun across the RPM-range with the adrenaline best pumping beyond the 6,500 RPM mark. Furthermore, it also gets a low RPM-assist that helps prevent the engine from stalling when you start moving or ride at low speeds. It slightly increases engine speed as you release the clutch, making take-offs and slow-speed riding smoother, especially in traffic. That said, the engine too is very tractable, allowing you to ride as slow as 30 kmph without needing frequent downshifts from 4th/5th gear. Overall, the engine is a superbly done unit and provides linear acceleration, good refinement levels and an impressive punch of power.

Suzuki Katana: Riding experience

Now, let’s come to the most important bit, the ride experience. Despite weighing 217 kg, the Katana feels agile and confidence-inspiring albeit when already in motion. It is fitted with wide handlebars that offer good leverage, making it easy to tip into corners and make those quick overtaking maneuvers. However, the bike has a wide turning radius, making sharp U-turns a bit challenging. That’s when you really feel its weight.

For suspension duties, the Katana employs a fully adjustable KYB front fork and preload-adjustable monoshock. This setup strikes soaked up bad roads without compromising stability. The front suspension is a bit on the firmer side. Stopping power comes from dual discs at front and a single unit at the rear. It comes with dual-channel ABS and speaking of the braking feedback, it is just appropriate. No complaints as these units never lacked the bite needed to tame this beast down even at higher speeds.

Now that we have discussed possibly the most important bits, here’s for the not-so-great bits. Well, the motorcycle’s engine and aurally pleasing inline-four exhaust note make it a bike you just don’t want to stop riding; until the fuel tank forces you to. The 12-litre capacity, in our opinion, is quite less for a bike that requires so much. We observed a fuel efficiency of 9-10 kmpl in our city run tests, meaning that it would require frequent fuel stops when out for a long highway run.
Nevertheless, the Suzuki Katana isn’t about chasing outright value (Rs 13.61 lakh, ex-showroom), it’s more about character. The combination of timeless styling, a fantastic engine, and a well-sorted riding ability makes it an absolute joy to ride. If you don’t bother a lot about a list of features, and are willing to go for a good-looking package that packs performance, this Japanese Samurai should be on your list.