The Katana 600 (GSX600F), by Suzuki, has been called (to quote one press source) "a boring but capable sports-tourer with teapot styling." Personally, I think the bike suffers more from the economies of price competition than from inherently boring or poor design. To achieve the price-point that this motorcycle sells for, Suzuki cuts a few corners here and there, and this is to be expected for such a low entry price into the 600 class. Fortunately for us, virtually every such corner that was snipped can be rectified easily (and cheaply) enough to make it a bike worthy of the high praise it commands. Don't think the Can-A-Tuna deserves praise? It ranked 38th in Bike Magazine's top 100 bikes of all time, according to a reader survey of over 10,000 entries (although, to be fair, it was the only bike that made both the 100 best list and the 10 worst bike list in the same issue).
So how can you justify a bike that made both the best bike and the worst bike list? Isn't that a true contradiction? Well, yes, and no. As it ships stock from the factory, with it's old-tech GSX-750 motor and lean carborator settings, it's pretty crappy tires and it's generic rain catching seat, it deserves to be on the worst list. But stick in around $700 worth of upgrades into it, and suddenly you have a bike that handles with the best of them, tours like a demon and is good for 600 mile days, accelerates and stops hard enough to catch eyes (and astound your friends who think poorly of the Katana). Basically, installing such upgrades elevates into a new class (and thus, those who have driven it upgraded are the ones who voted it to the best bikes list). The only thing that really can't be cheaply remedied is the curb weight, and for off-track, real-world sport touring, that same weight bias provides a stable, robust sport touring platform, helping soak up bumps and potholes, while keeping the traction going to the road. More-over, if you look closely at the performance specifications, this bike produces almost the same or slightly betters specs than you would find on any early 90's sports 600.
Now there inevitably people out there who will say, hey why buy a Katana, since this or that model motorcycle is better for (insert desire: long-haul touring, inner-city commuting, canyon carving, weekend beach trips). Actually, it's probably true that there is a better contender in each and every category. BUT there is no other motorcycle as well versed to all of these roles available at anything approaching the same price point, even after you factor in the upgrade costs. You can pick up a Katana for $6250 out the door if you shop wisely (tax, tag, title and transfer fees included), and even cheaper if you're willing to take one a year or two old but still brand new-in-box. Willing to go used? Get one with a few thousand miles in good shape for $4500 or less.

Ive got an inside connection to 2WT (2 Wheel Tuner) magazine. While their mag focuses mainly on exotic sport bikes and mods that most average people wont get to do anytime soon, we might be able to get them to alittle spot on the Kat if we can put something together.

Why can't we get modded Kats like watari's Frankenkat in there or some of the other modded kats....

Just my $.02..

IF you all want too, I can contact 2WT and ask them if they'd be interested in doing a segment on some of the great kats we've got here in katriders. Waltari, bearkat, and anyone else with a tricked out katana just let me know and I'll see what I can do.