Just announced, 2019 Katana pricing: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/new-suzuki-video-/
Ye this looks very interesting and not a bad price compared with its competitors .
Last weekend, I have seen it in live, at our local Tallinn motoshow.
Unfortunately, it was not allowed to sit on (on this item), so I was standing aside or a while, looking and trying to deside - do I like it or not...
An you know, I finally deside I do. In conclusion, for me, it's closest what we have to 14 on today's market (by concepts and idea). I do not want to replace by 14, but this new Katana could be the one.
Pictures are from the very same item, form my local Suzuki dealer FB page.
A GSX-S with some odd bodywork and a 12ltr tank.
What's special about it ?
Exactly. More to the point how does the price compare with the GSX-S ?
How much more do you have to pay for less fuel... ?
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 14 March 2019, 08:55 PM
A GSX-S with some odd bodywork and a 12ltr tank.
What's special about it ?
Well the original Katana was just a GSX1100 with different bodywork, so this is the same principle updated for the 21st century.
I like the way it looks, although I agree the 12 litre tank would be a pain to live with and I also wish Suzuki would launch some genuinely new bikes. Their R&D department seems to have disappeared in recent years.
Quote from: northern on Thursday, 14 March 2019, 08:34 PM
Last weekend, I have seen it in live, at our local Tallinn motoshow.
Unfortunately, it was not allowed to sit on (on this item), so I was standing aside or a while, looking and trying to deside - do I like it or not...
An you know, I finally deside I do. In conclusion, for me, it's closest what we have to 14 on today's market (by concepts and idea). I do not want to replace by 14, but this new Katana could be the one.
Pictures are from the very same item, form my local Suzuki dealer FB page.
Personally I think it looks better in silver than in black.
I'm surprised we don't see more bike manufacturers doing whats becoming more common in the car industry - 2 cars which share most components, but have own engines etc
eg Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ
new Toyota Supra / new BMW Z4
Yamaha has finally discontinued the XJR1300 and obviously we haven't had a 1400 since 07/08.
Why not get together and design a big naked bike and each fit their own engine / bodywork ?
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 14 March 2019, 08:55 PM
A GSX-S with some odd bodywork and a 12ltr tank.
What's special about it ?
What was special about the original Katana.
Quote from: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 14 March 2019, 09:28 PM
Personally I think it looks better in silver than in black.
totally agree with you. But this is the only one I saw :)
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 14 March 2019, 08:55 PM
A GSX-S with some odd bodywork and a 12ltr tank.
What's special about it ?
For me - emotionally. It's partly, not looking like majority of other modern bikes.
But this is me.
Quote from: Mister Fishfinger on Thursday, 14 March 2019, 09:25 PM
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Thursday, 14 March 2019, 08:55 PM
A GSX-S with some odd bodywork and a 12ltr tank.
What's special about it ?
Well the original Katana was just a GSX1100 with different bodywork, so this is the same principle updated for the 21st century.
The original Kat did use the 1074 motor, but that was a true superbike in its day. The King of the Hill and a proper big bore brute. It wasn't a 14 year old detuned engine out of a much older model, or a current bike that couldn't compete with several others in its class.
The original Kat was something special in its day.
The new Kitten really isn't. It's a Z900 / Mini / Jeep type product, selling an OK product by hanging some nostalgia panels off it.
I look forward to trying one, but having ridden the GSX-S and being in the market for a new Suzuki, it did nothing for me.
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The original Kat was something special in its day.
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There wasn't much competition around, a CB1100R and RD350LC not much else came out until 1983/84. Plenty of Z1R's about and I would take one of them today before a Katana.
Irish, around original Katana days i had gsx1100, gs100o g, loved them. Never really went for the Katana. My passion then also was bevel Ducati. Had all 3 types at once. Fave memories from all. Suzukis were easy to live with, gs clutch used to seize up if left a a while, Ducati was amazing, its biggest prob was warming that 5 litre of oil up, even in qld temps. took 10 mins. If you didnt, goodbye big end. After warming, just flog it. Great era. All very strong bikes. No, new Katana doesnt interest me.
Original Kat was a stand out bike, new one is just another ujm in some retro duds.