Suzuki Katana: specifications, photos and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In 1987, the Suzuki gsx 600 Katana sports touring class motorcycle was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show. The model was positioned as the most budget bike of the GSX series for the external market.

Flaws

Suzuki Katana 600 was assembled on a steel tubular-profile frame, equipped with an air-oil-cooled engine, a six-speed transmission and adjustable suspensions. The motorcycle had a significant curb weight in excess of 229 kg.

In the early years of production, the Suzuki Katana seemed to be not entirely unambiguous, in other words, there were problems with carburetors and materials used. However, gradually all the shortcomings were eliminated, and the assembly process improved.

The Suzuki Katana 600 GSX motorcycle was produced until 2006, when it was replaced by the more modern "650F" model. The new version has become an intermediate version, preceding the "Katana 750 F".

GSX 600 Katana Specifications

• Type - sports, tourist;
• issue - from 1988 to 2006;
• frame - bearing, tubular structure, steel;
• number of speeds - six;
• brakes - disc, ventilated, diameter mm, 240 - 290;
• maximum speed - 220 km/h;
• cruising to 100 km/h - 3.8 seconds.

Power plant

• Gasoline engine, four-cylinder, in-line;
• cylinder capacity, working - 599 cc;
• compression - 11, 3;
• cooling - radiator, air-oil;
• food - carburetor;
• ignition - non-contact, transistorized;
• power - 78 hp at 10350 rpm;
• Torque - 54 Nm at 7950 rpm.

Weight and dimensions

• Motorcycle length, mm – 2136;
• width, mm - 746;
• height, mm – 1196;
• height to saddle line - 785mm;
• gas tank capacity - 20 liters;
• dry weight - 208 kg;
• full weight curb - 229 kg.

A bit of history

The end of the 70s of the last century was remembered for the absence of sports motorcycles on the market, at that time only road models were produced. High-speed American cars were just beginning to be developed. The engineers of the Japanese company Suzuki took the already existing heavy two-wheeled motorcycle Suzuki GSX-1100 and based on it created the Suzuki GSX-1100F model. The weight of the machine was reduced as much as possible and maneuverability was significantly increased. However, the powerful heavy engine remained, and the Katana (as the new bike was called) became disproportionate in terms of power.and the actual weight of the motorcycle.

Further on, a line of sports tourers "Katana" was created, which began to be produced as the Suzuki Katana GSX 600, with a 599 cc engine.

Until the early 90s, Katana motorcycles looked like regular road bikes, with a high fuel tank and a straight seat. But soon there were changes in the appearance of the bike: at first the engine was completely covered with fairings, the seat smoothly moved into the rear wing and was sharply raised up at a large angle. Thus, in the guise of Suzuki Katana, the long-awaited sports-racing outlines appeared.

Chassis

However, in order for a motorcycle to turn from a "road builder" into a full-fledged sports bike, one change in external data was not enough. A radical modernization of the entire technical part was required.

The motorcycle was equipped with a front 45 mm reverse type telescopic fork with a damper mechanism. The rear suspension was a reinforced swingarm design with a monoshock.

Liner

A lot of work has been done on the plastic body kits. Their placement determined how the bike would look in terms of design.

The entire front part of the plastic cladding was made in the form of a complex technological profile, which housed twin headlights, turn signals and a windshield. The lower part of the body kit covered the top of the engine and continued to the seat. The gas tank remained uncovered.

Body kit number two completely covered the entire lower part of the engine and partially the rear fork. And finally, a third plastic body kit camouflaged the frame and exhaust pipe.

Suzuki gsx 750 f Katana, specifications

The improved GSX Katana 750 F was introduced in 1988 and was produced until 2004. The motorcycle was equipped with an oil-cooled in-line four-cylinder engine, derated and tuned for optimal traction at medium and low speeds.

The first generation of the Katana 750F was produced between 1988 and 1997, with a 106 hp engine. The design of the motorcycle was already outdated then and required a deep restyling.

"Katana 750F" of the second generation radically changed its appearance, acquired a more modern design. The engine reduced power slightly and was already producing 93 hp. at sixty-six newton meters of torque.

In Russia, the second-generation motorcycle became the most popular, because the appearance of the bike gave the impression of an ultra-modern motorcycle. In addition, engine performance has been significantly improved.

Model "Katana 750F" received a new steel frame of a drawn tubular profile, especially strong, but quite elastic. Efficient suspensions with simple adjustments were installed, which gave the motorcycle additional damping properties.

The monoshock absorber of the rear suspension was regulated in a fairly wide range, the front feathersthe 45 mm diameter suspensions had a stabilizing effect on small bumps in the roadway, so that the car went smoothly and at good speed. The technical characteristics of the "Katana 750 F" are practically the same as those of the "Katana 600", the motorcycles differ only in the volume of the fuel tank (20.5 liters for the "Katana 750 F" versus 20 liters for the "Katana 600").

Some of the distinctive parameters of the model "Katana 750 F":

• dry weight - 211 kg;
• curb weight - 227 kg;
• maximum speed - 230 km/h;
• height along the saddle line - 805 mm;
• 142mm rear monoshock travel;
• front suspension fork travel to damper rebound - 130 mm;
• front tire sizes - 120/80 ZR 17;
• rear tire sizes - 150/70 ZR 17;
• front brakes - two twin discs, ventilated, diameter 290 mm;
• rear brakes - single ventilated disc, 240 mm in diameter.

The rest of the "Katana 600" and "Katana 750" models are identical.

Customer feedback

The owners of the Suzuki gsx Katana, whose reviews are positive, note the good speed of the motorcycle, a significant engine resource and the reliability of the chassis. The model is out of production, but there are still enough copies in the secondary market in good condition. Demand is consistently kept within the cost of 80-140 thousand rubles, and motorcycles in perfect technical condition are estimated at more than 200 thousand.