Motorcycle specifications Suzuki1000 Katana 2024 Even sharper!

introduced to the general public as the ED-2 prototype at the 1979 Cologne Motor Show, the Suzuki Katana family now enjoys a special aura among motorcyclists, and can boast a long lineage. Available in 250, 400, 550, 650, 750, 1000 and 1100 cm3 versions, depending on the period and market, it made its real European debut at the 1980 Cologne Motor Show, where the Katana 650 and 1100 were unveiled.

with its razor-sharp design, the brainchild of prolific German designer Hans Muth, the Katana, whose name refers to the famous Japanese sword, was intended to break away from Suzuki's plainly designed range. After enjoying success in the seventies with a fine range of two-stroke motorcycles - we remember the GT 380, GT 550 and GT 750 - Suzuki was marking time with its four-stroke in-line four-cylinder GSs. Although these were recognized as very good motorcycles, and had achieved a great deal of success in competition, notably in the USA with Wes Cooley, it was difficult for them to reach the public.

suzuki therefore decided to create an electroshock and entrusted the task of designing a brand-new motorcycle to the German Hans Muth, former head of design at BMW, who had also been behind the very ambitious and futuristic Futuro project. A concept which BMW never followed up, but which demonstrated Hans Muth's mastery of aerodynamics.

thus , the Katana 1100, the figurehead of this ever-expanding family, made its mark with its angular styling emphasized by its minimalist forkhead and rectangular headlight. Despite this, the Katana 1100 was discontinued in Europe in 1983, although it and its variants continued to be sold primarily in Japan. A final editionmodel even saw the light of day in the year 2000, production of which came to a definitive halt the following year.

seventeen years later, at the Eicma show in Milan, Suzuki resurrected the Katana in the form of a concept, the Hamamatsu firm having enlisted the services of Italian designer Rodolfo Frascoli to breathe new life into this mythical motorcycle, terribly emblematic of the 1980s. Faced with the public's enthusiasm, Suzuki decided to launch production and the following year unveiled the all-new Katana 1000, a motorcycle with an evocative design developed on the basis of the GSX-S 1000 roadster.

for 2022, Suzuki has sharpened its blade with a welcome update. The new model receives a thorough overhaul of its innards to meet Euro5 standards: new valve springs, new intake and exhaust cams, new electronic throttle bodies, new radiator, new airbox and new exhaust are all on the menu. The 999 ^cm3 in-line four-cylinder borrowed from the GSX-Rnow develops 152 hp at 11,000 rpm, compared with 150 hp on the previous version. This big, sporty four-cylinder also offers 10.6 mkg of torque at 9,250 rpm. Enough to tackle any ribbon of asphalt in the most dynamic way. What's more, the Katana's chassis is a match for this vigorous powertrain, with a double-spar aluminum frame and fully adjustable Kayaba suspension, including a 43 mm upside-down fork. All this for a weight of 215 kg.

above all, the Katana is equipped with a new ride-by-wire electronic throttle, offering three riding modes that influence the way power is delivered: normal, comfort or sport. Already highly effective, the traction control system has been upgraded to offer five levels of adjustment, plus the option of disconnecting it completely. Suzuki has also made the welcome choice of equipping the Katana with a bi-directional shifter as standard, i.e. it works both when shifting up and down. In this regard, it's worth noting that the miss Katana is equipped with the SCAS (Suzuki Clutch Assist System) clutch, which limits slippage to smoothly accompany rapid downshifts. Last but not least, the 2022 model is fitted with a rubber insert between the handlebars and fork crown to minimize vibration.

the Katana is distinguished by a sublime matte midnight blue hue and gold rims. A color that suits it perfectly!

a final note: while the Katana 1000 improves on many aspects in 2022, we'd really have appreciated it if Suzuki had offered a more affordable 750 cm3 version, or even a smaller displacement, such as 300 or 400 cm3, in order to revive a complete Katana family, as was originally the case.

Michael Levivier - Manufacturer's photos