The Suzuki Katana - Old School Cool is back with the 2019 refresh!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- The original Katana of 1982 is a tough one to beat - retro styling, iconic looks and fond memories. Does the latest one live up to the hype?
If you have a bike you'd like me to review - get in touch via laramotorevATgmail.com or just leave a comment below!
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Just bought it this week. At $13,500 I didn’t want it. At $9999, I took it. And I’m glad I did! I LOVE this bike. Old bike was a gsxr750. This is a totally different ride. I don’t mind the gas thing, it’s whatever for me. This turns a lot of heads!
Yes you’re so right! It’s a special bike and has a niche appeal - well done for doing it!
I bought one and never looked back wicked bike
Delighted that you like it! What's your favourite bit?
Best Review of the Katana I have seen so far 👍
That’s very kind of you! Glad you enjoyed it 🤩
Excellent review. Pick mine up this Saturday... Cant wait. Had the 750 Pop up years ago.
You'll love it! Thank you so much for your feedback, really grateful. Are you getting black or silver? :)
I had a.. Pop up kat as well.. Replaced it with the first 10 sec quarter mile 750.. Fzr.. Still loved the kat... Have owned over 35 bikes and want a new silver kat!!
Had a sudden rush of blood to the head today and bought a 3 year old one, immaculate with 4k miles for £7,200. Can't wait for the spring.
What a great idea!
Finally picked mine up two weeks ago after ordering it in December 2018. Got the black one & changed seat to red trim, front brakes to red, added red katana wheel tape, changed mirrors to bar end - it looks awesome! Totally right about the exhaust Kara. It sounds like a Formula One car under acceleration. Still running it in, but even revving up to 5,000 rpm, it has an amazing note. I love this bike!
Ah Robert thats amazing - great mods too - bet it looks epic! You'll love the engine note at top whack - its addictive! - if you fancy chucking a photo my way (laramoto on facebook or @laramotorev on Insta I'd love to see it!)
what bar ends did you use? hope you get this message
I've just bought a black one. It's great fun and handles brilliant
Great choice!
@@Laramoto thanks . I've got a few other bikes too, a Honda 600 rr, 2 gsxr1000s ,a yamaha tracer 900, a triumph sprint gt, a ktm 390, a gsxr600k3 and the katana
Excellent taste and good variation!
A lot of people ain’t fond of its styling. I kind of like it! Thanks for the review!
Me too Danil! It ain’t bad is it? I’ve got a mate with an original so I’ve been planning to do a comparison 😅
Hi Lara! Even if I’m a little bit envious because you’re able to drag your knees into corners while I can’t, I must admit that your “sunny” smile fixed my day.
And (almost) the same effect would do my brand new Katana if only I could ride it: I carried it home from the dealer one month ago, but we’re not allowed to do anything, due to pandemic. I can’t sleep at night, thinking about (hoping soon) first ride...prior topping up that water bottle they call fuel tank.
Just a note: this bike has been engineered by “Engine Engineering”, a really good company based in my beautiful Bologna, so I’m a little bit even more proud of my new bike.
Thank you for your nice review.
Hello hello! I giggled at your comment about the water bottle sized fuel tank - you're not wrong ;).
Very excited to hear that you're from Bologna! I adore the Ducatis that come out of your town :)
Take care Andrea!
Good Morning Lara,
Excuse me if I reply again, just to share I also have got a 2003 Monster 620 i.e. that I‘ve personally improved a lot (and the journey is not finished yet) and I love it so much...twin cylinder engines, especially that kind of engines are really fun. Sometimes I have been so undecided about taking it or theZ900rs (another black pearl that I recently sold 🥲for the Katana 🥷) for a Saturday around our magical hill/mountain passes. So when I had to struggle with my my fast BMW Gs equipped friends ((that I call “rich spoiled boys” ), I did choose Japanese one; when I’ve been by myself, I also enjoyed a more touristic ride with my red “desmobaby”.
Great story! Love that you're a Ducati man, 'desmobaby' is very funny. Yeah, BMW riders deserve some stick but they are exceptional bikes :) Thanks for sharing your story and well done for getting a good range of bikes in your garage, you're very lucky!
I'm just old enough to remember the original katanas, lusted after one but never came anywhere near unfortunately. I (of course) think the old ones look better than the new one but appreciate what they've done and may I also say how refreshing it is to hear a woman waxing lyrical about bikes. Great stuff and I'm pleased to have found your channel...
My friend has an original Katana so going to have a play on his. Yes, the old one is better looking, but the back of it is a proper box! I'm glad you found my channel too, high five!
just old enough? dude, you look like you're in your 60's,,,late 60's. the katana came out in the early 80's. you look like you were born in the 50's...lol... don't take that wrong,,,I'm OLD SCHOOL myself,,,1960something..LMAO... just got my 2020 katana YESTERDAY. can't wait until i'm big enough to ride it( or it warms up a bit, I hate the cold).
Most gorgeous and sinister looking bike ever seen
It does grow on people. The original one is even more aggressive!
Really nice review - Today I ordered a Katana 22 in "Stellar Blue" fresh from the factory. Thanks for your review !
Great choice!
If in black got a hint of Street Hawk about it, more 80's joy!
Yes 80’s FTW🤩
Fantastic interesting review. Good luck with the channel.
Thank you so much Andrew! Really appreciate your feedback 👌
Nice review sister... I honestly think its the best bikes I have owned. Having owned 0'6 K5 from brand new cant tell you how much I feel at home but with new furniture🤩
Thank you so much! Really pleased to meet another Katana fan! Its a genuinely special looking bike. I'm due to sort a review out on the original, can't wait to compare them :)
subbing because you reviewed this awesome bike ... I grew up in the 80's.... this is epic!
Glad to be of service! Have you ridden it yet? 😋
Awesome review from an awesome rider!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great review. Plenty of technical detail. I bought one, and absolutely love it. Subscribed.
Thanks for the sub and thanks for watching! You'll always be happy with the Kat, I can still remember the exhaust note! Its a proper head turner ;)
@@Laramoto I live in Karragullen in Western Australia, it's nearly 20km to the nearest traffic light and all well made on camber winding roads in every direction. Nirvana. Cheers and thanks for the response.
Like you i love the growling engine and exhaust straight out of the box, upright sports bike especially with Pirelli Rosso Corsa 2 ! tyres.
Ah winner! Yeah the pipe noise was superb - tried to catch in on the audio. Super comfortable :)
That was really well filmed with the camera angles and soft natural light showing off the bodywork.
Really appreciate that, thank you lots - its the best bit about the bike (plus the throttle wind on!)
That was a great review. Loved it. Hate when reviewers just prattle on about the specs. This was a real review, an opinion.
Thanks Jack! Appreciate you watching and yeah, anyone can reel off specs. Hoping to stand out a bit :)
Great review, subscribed. Would love to see a comparison with the original Katana.
Thank you so much David! I’ve got a friend with the original so going to try and bring a comparison together 😀
I'm one of the few who like the new 2 seater Katanas,opposed to the old 3 seater ones(had a nice front,horrible long seat on the rear).
Hey Will! Thanks for watching. Yeah the arse of the original Kat is certainly square and bulky. Kinda part of the styling of that era I guess. I've got a mate who is going to let me ride the original, its aged well considering!
@@Laramoto Sorry,i missed your reply. All but made up my mind on buying one,the Tracer 900 was paid off last Monday,so once it goes,shop,shopping time...and how to figure out how to carry more fuel,billet spacer below the genuine in tank fuel pump, a billet fuel cap protruding from the top with a feed in ,connected to a belly tank/pump...i'll figure something out for 200mile+ fuel stops. De-cat/race pipe conversion for the whole of £81,crazy what's out there when you spend weeks looking...and space for my fuel cell! :)
P.S. Various handlebar conversions available, but better putting the Gixer K7 hydraulic clutch conversion on at the same time...saves the clutch cable running over the clocks!
Just discovered your channel 👍👍👍
Welcome aboard!
@@Laramoto thanks😄, ive ordered a 2019 katana, will have it delivered very soon, really enjoyed your take on it, i watched a lot of reviews on the bike, and i have to say, yours was best👍👍
Ah thats so kind! Thanks for letting me know, really helping to build my confidence doing these reviews. Hope your new Katana has arrived and you are happy with it, I would be!
@@Laramoto i went for the black one, its absolutely beautiful, and very fast, keep up this great channel, loving it❤️😍
Cool unique machine
It sure is!
Enjoyed the video, thank you for that. I think the bike is fascinating. You described very well the insights of the bike. Sometimes I found my self watching more the movement of your hands than paying attention to your speech, maybe you could moderate it a little in future videos. Don’t get me wrong, the video is very well made the sound and image are great and your explanation is complete. It is just my opinion and with a good intent. Thank you!
Thank you and totally agree - I need to stop my wavey hands, I just get a bit excited sometimes! Really appreciate your feedback and thanks for watching :)
@@Laramoto thank you for answering to my comment of your video. In fact, we only can get better at what we do, if people are truthful to us. Please be well and safe. I’ll be looking forward to see more videos from you in 2021 about these machines that we love🙂
Thank you Brito - well said!
Nice review
Thank you so much!
Besides all the good looking retro bikes of the last decade, i would award this "neo retro" design because it is outstanding. Absolutely wonderfull bike.
In fact, i love it so much, that i plan to sell my current bike to get one of these.
Totally agree, it does catch the eye compared to modern designs. When I left the bike shop there were a couple of kids who commented on it and I'm not sure many other bikes would have caught their attention in that way. How have you got on with your purchase? :)
@@Laramoto Most modern designs are - at least for my taste - to aggressiv. I think that's why a lot of people (or kids) like the Katana.
And at the begin of April, i will give my bike a local dealer in exchange of a good discount for a Katana.
Cant wait for it. 😅
Refreshing to have a woman reviewing a motorcycle, I must admit however I much prefer traditional male presenters that I can relate to however well done 👍
Thanks for watching Jeff and appreciate your feedback :)
@@Laramoto
In hindsight my comments may seem harsh ( just a reflection of my older age I suppose) but I think your review is very well done with some choice expressions and words. I am actually very impressed that you respond to everyone here, something that most on youtube dont bother to do.
Just for a bit of further information, I have the same 2019 Suzuki Katana and can say I get at the very least on every ride .... 20 kilometres to the litre and the best was around 23 kms to the litre, meaning at the very least 240 kilometres in distance (150 miles in the old scale). I think anyone would agree that jumping off a motorcycle to fill up every couple hours is a welcome relief and a chance to freshen up again. Unless you are remote and nowhere near service stations (which this bike is not designed for) the smaller fuel capacity isnt such a big deal.
Thanks again keep up the good work 😀
Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
Very good review!
One question: did you noticed any turbulence with the OEM touring screen?
Without the screen, there's no turbulence whatsoever, just plain wind whispering in your helmet at low speeds but, at high speeds, we get a punch of wind towards you that it's hard to hold on the more speed you get.
Cheers!
Hello Trion Rider! Thanks for watching. Sadly I don't remember major turbulence on the screen, too busy grinning at the noise of it! Sounds good to try it without the screen then, more old school too...
This is very intimate and caressing ❤️❤️❤️
Its a great bike!
Laramoto I know it is Laramoto, love you and your vids! Keep them cuming !!!
@@Davidlouis3 I'm trying! Got a great track day one coming up soon :)
Laramoto 💋💋💋
@@Davidlouis3 you are starting to worry me..
Ducati supersport or Katana? I cannot decide could you help me :) the heat issue in ducati is in town in summer a reallybig problem for me
Tolga - the Ducati is Very Hot as you've noticed and is happier when its got air flowing over it. The Katana is much much much happier at all revs, travelling through town looking cool and being cool is definitely better :) BUT if you want to go touring and long distance in style.... Supersport all the way!
I narrowd my seach for a new bike down to the new 2021 Ducati monster 937 vs. The katana...i just ordered the Katana in black
I could tell you've done some riding, great content. I'll take my mt10, just more personality and character. Nice bike the Katana though.
Cheers D G!
The front looks nice because it's a copy of the original design but the back makes it look like a dog with a congenital hip defect or like the designers just gave up when they got to it. This was a good review though and you should still do the comparison with the 80's version sometime.
Noted Jimmy and great idea! Got a mate with the 80's version so I'll get round to riding his soon!
12L tank.
What was the Japanese designer smoking that day? This is a 150 hp machine. 12L isn't enough to reach the next town. 12L is okay for an NC750X, not this.
I like the design, but I hate the fuel capacity. Wouldn't buy this bike for that reason alone. Ever. GSX-S1000 has been on my short list for a while however.
Love the sound of the original R model: th-cam.com/video/fHkqCJoPGQQ/w-d-xo.html
Can't disagree with that - they must have had to sacrifice the fuel tank size for the design but it certainly was a big sacrifice to make....that R model sounds epic!
@@Laramoto Suzuki have always had a mean, raspy sounding inline-4 which really gives it some character missing in a lot of more bland inline-4.
Well, Lara, here's some unsolicited advice from a man: I wouldn't call it a "facelift" if the bike was out of production for a couple of decades.
Noted and fixed ;)
Can short riders ride this?
Yes, very much so - may need suspension adjustment but its not a hugely high bike :)
👍
Thank you!
You must've used the word "katana" about a thousand times...
Oops! Would be a good drinking game that one.. ;)
I have 1982 katana. I personally think new Katana does not stand out compared to it’s original master piece. Too much chiseled design perhaps that more resembles a dirt bike feel to me. Just my opinion!
Ah you have a proper Katana! My mate has one too, I've ridden it... its raw and angled, captures the 80's perfectly. Now that you've pointed it out, the new one does look like DT125!
Will you be my friend? I’m in the USA but I need a friend
I’ll do my best...
Laramoto yay, thanks new best friend! Let’s go to Disney now.
You sound like a weirdo
Very good review lara 👍
Thank you for watching!
@@Laramoto pleasure Lara, your very clear and explain things in detail... 👍🏻 keep up the good work.
Hi 👋 Lara, I left behind a lot of your videos. We should be made out of time ⌛️, blimey🤷🏽.
But I couldn’t loosen this one, because she’s my actual baby, even if some divorce rumors are in the air (Shhhhhhh, she’s jealous like a samurai) because I fell in love with an Austrian 🇦🇹 redhead 👩🏻🦰 ( or better ginger ) 50 Kg thinner than her…ah men…
Just joking 🙃. I agree 100% what you told about it. I’ve done a little bit of suspension settings and I’m really happy with what came out.
Tank capacity is a little bit disappointing, I don’t tell you how my friends who are all “pregnant cow boob” tank bmw gs owners, mock me, when I have to stop at the gas stations ⛽️.
Engine is a masterpiece, but I prefer 2 cylinder ones.
I bought jindachi pack but I mounted only the Akrapovich slip on: I didn’t like the stickers, the fake carbon pads and the windshield. And the scorpion plate holder…mamma mia, getting rid of it was the first thing I did, in favor of a French Tail tidy ( there is the cliché that Parisian girls have upturned little noses 🤥… not that big… this emoji can smoke the cigarette 🚬 while having a shower 🚿).
Oh, I almost forgot: I like your Smile, your calming way to speak, the really good contents of what you say, and hope you’re going to try ktm 890 dukeR so I definitely will get convinced of buying it.
Have a super good life 👍
Thank you Andrea! You should do reviews too :)
12 litre tank is terrible you would be stoping every hour
Not quite but yeah, it is small!!!
Laramoto Lara ,ha not that small ??? 😎
Boring sorry but it’s a motorbike not a oil painting
Hahahaha! Fair play - you’d buy a Katana for a statement at least!
Laramoto no I’d buy a Katana to take you out on a date 😎
@@Davidlouis3 Queue up dude ! LOL !
Oldestpunk Inargentina you’ve not chance bud she loves my Scottish Accent ☝️
Laramoto mmmm🤔