Suzuki Katana: beauty running like a beast

An inline-four engine has possibly one of the most distinctive sounds, at least in India. Hence, the Suzuki Katana manages to check an important criterion for some people when it comes to the decision to buy a motorcycle. However, that sweet engine note doesn’t paint the full picture of what a lovely motorcycle this is.

background check

Suzuki introduced the new Katana in 2019 and showcased it at the 2020 Auto Expo in India to show interest. However, BS6 emission norms were imminent, which is why we had to wait till Suzuki updates the engine. Now, in its BS6 avatar, the bike has not only received mechanical but also cosmetic updates and looks attractive.

The design team has referenced the 1981 Katana and in many ways the new bike looks like an evolution of the original while retaining the charm of that bygone era. This is clearly evident from the shape of the bodywork which includes the largely flat surface and the sharp lines of the sword running from the nose to the tail. The rectangular headlight with a small windscreen above it, pointed LED status lights and the seamless looking amalgamation of the semi-fairing and fuel tank are the design elements that attract attention.

Unlike the front end, the middle and tail sections are minimal but brilliantly executed. For 2022, Suzuki has also introduced new colorways with colour-coordinated NKE alloy wheels that look clean. Continuing the retro theme, the LCD instrument cluster feels quite outdated and despite all the information it provides, it is difficult to read when the sun is up. Suzuki has tried to address the problem in this model by introducing an orange-red backlight with adjustable intensity.

This bike looks sharp like the Japanese sword katana, thus true to the name. More importantly, the moment you see it, you get a jolt of nostalgia. If you’re a kid from the ’80s or ’90s, you can relate to that feeling.

from the saddle

However, the design of the katana is not entirely a matter of form over function. Once seated on its 825mm perch, the riding position feels sporty and comfortable. You can easily drive to work or hit corners on your favorite mountain road or race track. In fact, the position makes for a comfortable touring machine. The caveat is the 12-litre fuel tank which equates to about 120-140km range or less if you ride enthusiast. The number of fuel stops can be a major bottleneck during a long journey. Also, there isn’t enough steering lock by road-naked standards, so tight U-turns will become three-point turns.

An adjustable clutch lever would have been nice, as the brake lever can be adjusted. Nevertheless, the engine in the Katana is possibly the largest engine ever built and is a marvel of engineering. At the core of the new Katana is the famous Suzuki K5, an inline-four-cylinder engine. It is essentially over 15 years old and timely updates have ensured that it continues to exist in an era where emission norms are stricter than ever.

For 2022, it gets new cam profiles, new valve springs, electronic throttle body, a new clutch and exhaust system. Power has gone up from 150hp to 152hp with the redline shifting from 10,000rpm to 11,000rpm. The engine produces strong bottom-end torque and a wider as well as smooth torque curve.

All these changes come together to deliver an exclusive experience, making it clear why Suzuki has not pulled the plug on this engine yet. First, there’s a lot of bottom-end grunt, so high-gear, low-speed, lazy riding isn’t going to bother. In fact, Suzuki’s low rpm assist lets you crawl to a slower speed without needing to open the throttle.

The midrange is pretty punchy and responsive, but only when you push it past 7,000rpm, all hell breaks loose. Everything from the intake howl, the screaming exhaust and the skyline sighting speed towards you is an experience that will leave you utterly enthralled. The standard up/down quickshifter also ensures that there is hardly a standstill in the constant acceleration of the bike.

You have to be brave enough to let Taco Bar race the 12,000rpm redline in each gear because the rate at which speeds go so fast, you’ll easily find yourself on the wrong side of legal road speeds.

Three ride modes – A, B, C – and a switchable five-step traction control system keep you from hitting yourself in a tree. Three ride modes control power delivery without altering peak power output. For example, Mode C has the softest throttle response and has proven to be smooth on wet roads.

On the other hand, the traction control system works well. While it interferes abruptly at level 5, when it is at maximum alert, it is much more transparent at lower settings.

sense of balance

A nice chassis with adjustable suspension complements that beautiful engine, which is again just as naked on the GSX-S1000 Street. It is well balanced and you don’t feel the curb weight of 217kg once you roll.

Plus, out of the box, the suspension offers a fine balance between ride and handling; The ride quality of the Katana is really impressive for a liter-class sportbike.

The handling is also pretty predictable and the motorcycle seems to be engaged around the corners. However, the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tires that ship with this bike disappoint. They simply don’t provide the grip and response you need when riding at high speeds, especially in the wet. Thankfully, the 140mm ground clearance didn’t prove to be a problem.

Coming to the brakes – radially mounted Brembos at the front and Nissin provide strong braking, which brings the bike to a halt quite effectively. The wooden feel of the brake lever may be down to the choice of brake pads and the use of an axial master cylinder instead of a radial unit. Furthermore, Suzuki continues with rubber brake lines on its sporty motorcycles, and you may want to replace them with steel-braided lines if frequent aggressive braking is part of your riding style.

money transfer

There are few neo-retro motorcycles that carry a strong sense of nostalgia like this motorcycle and the design of the Katana is largely responsible for this. Couple that with the gems of an engine as well as a lovely chassis and what you have is a truly desirable litre-class motorcycle. Though it costs around ₹2 lakh more than its nearest 1,000cc competition from Japan, the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX, the money spent is well worth it for the added power, character and excitement.

So, if you have your heart set on a neo-retro machine or nostalgia keeps you buying tickets, it’s impossible to look past the Suzuki Katana.