Suzuki’s Katana is back!

 

By Réhann Coetzee

The original Suzuki GSX1100S KATANA caused a sensation when it launched in 1981. It won the hearts of riders around the world and forever changed street motorcycle trends. The impact was so great, the Katana continues to influence motorcycle designs even today.

Design highlights:

• Sleek, sporty profile with refined lines that convey a sense of speed
• Modern appearance that also offers retro appeal
• Sharp front end with LED headlight and LED front position lights
• Clean, taut-looking rear end
• Unique and sharp rear fender and license plate holder extending from the swingarm
• Attractive two-tone seat designed for comfort
• Black upswept silencer

Suzuki says it never lost its passion for the model and the legend of the Katana lived on within the company as successive generations of designers and engineers anticipated the day they might get to work on new version.

In the fall of 2017, the Katana 3.0 Concept model was introduced at EICMA in Milan. This new vision of a thoroughly modern Katana sparked a fire in the hearts of all. Listening keenly to the feedback from EICMA and excited about the potential, Suzuki felt this was the right time to introduce a thoroughly modern version of the legendary Katana. Development began soon after, with a team of designers and engineers burning the midnight oil.

Suzuki says each of the styling features and performance components that distinguish the Katana underwent many iterations to achieve the desired level of refinement and functional beauty. Overall, the development process came to closely resemble the arduous process of creating the Japanese sword from which the model’s name is derived.

It was developed to be a sporty-looking standard street motorcycle that takes lean, mean retro flair and evolves it to offer thoroughly modern styling and performance. Built to deliver the exciting ride one would desire in a current 1 000cc motorcycle, Suzuki says the Katana is also designed to provide easy control over that power and a comfortable riding position.

Suzuki says design inspiration for the original 1981 Katana came from the famed Japanese sword of the same name. It is a fitting motif for two reasons. Firstly, it reflects well the sharp lines and outstanding performance of the legendary Katana’s functional beauty. As importantly, Suzuki says it reflects their philosophy of uncompromising craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Engine

The 110kW inline-four engine that powers the Katana is directly inherited from the one that has long earned popularity and a solid reputation on the GSX-R1000.

However, a few minor modifications were implemented for smoother throttle response and a wider torque band, as well as to optimise the induction roar and exhaust note.

Engine design – outline

Power is supplied by a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 999cc inline-four engine. It is a street-tuned version of the legendary 2005-2008 GSX-R1000 engine (K5-K8) designed to provide smooth throttle response and immediate, controlled acceleration. The result is exciting and thoroughly satisfying performance with characteristics that make it easy to control.

Suzuki chose this engine, because:

• Its long-stroke design delivers broad low-to-mid range power and torque that is well suited for street riding
• Its crankshaft/gearbox layout allows the use of a frame design that runs straight from the steering head to swing-arm pivot. This results in a lighter weight main frame design.
• The 2005-2008 generation GSX-R1000 won a number of racing championships around the world. The engine has great reputation in the market, it is reliable, and it delivers plenty of power.

Traction control

Suzuki’s advanced traction control system lets the rider control the throttle in a wide variety of road conditions. This makes riding more enjoyable, less stressful, and less tiring. The system continuously monitors front and rear wheel speeds, throttle-position sensor, crank-position sensor and gear-position sensor. It quickly reduces engine output when wheel spin is detected by effectively adjusting ignition timing and air delivery. This helps ensure smoother traction control operation, so it feels smooth and natural to the rider.

Suzuki’s traction control system confirms conditions every four milliseconds and governs ignition, which allows for extremely quick response to any changes. The rider can freely select any of the system’s three modes or turn the system off completely. The modes differ in terms of sensitivity.

• Mode 1 is the lowest sensitivity level, so allows a certain level of rear wheel spin. It is suitable for sportier riding on road surfaces with good grip.
• Mode 2 is the second lowest sensitivity level. Activating slightly earlier than Mode 1, it is suitable for most riders and typical road conditions.
• Mode 3 is the highest sensitivity level. Activating earlier than the other two modes, it is suitable riding in poor conditions.

The new Suzuki Katana will be available in south Africa around the first half of 2019.

Technically speaking: Suzuki Katana

Engine: 999cc, inline four-cylinder, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled

Power: 110kW @ 10 000rpm / 108Nm @ 9 500rpm

Gears: 6 speed, chain

Fuel tank: 12 litres

Seat height: 825mm

Tyres: 120/70/17 front, 190/50/17 rear

Brakes: four-piston 310mm double disks (front); -mm single disk (rear)

Wet weight: 215kg