Hi. I am new to this forum. I am expecting to take delivery of my new 2004 Katana 600 this week. Its my first new bike in 22 years. In 1982 and 1983 I bought a Yamaha XS400 and a DT175. I still have them and ride them each summer.
In 1983 I remember seeing a picture of a Katana 600 in Cycle World magazine and then seeing one at the dealers. I was attracted to the bike, mainly because of the price, I think. But nothing happened and 22 years went by.
A few years ago my job ended due to a corporate merger, and I never rejoined the work force. I am 54 with no responsibilities, and realize that now is the time to enjoy myself. Last year my nephew bought a Yamaha YZF600R and I got to drive it. To me it felt like a jet plane with its power, and like a 10-speed bike with its handling. I had to get a sportbike of my own.
Being a former accountant, I instinctively look at price first. So I focused on the Katana in short time. The bike looks so much like all the other sport bikes that I doubt most non-bikers could tell any of them apart.
The Katana seems to have quite a following, judging from the websites. The bike seems to be popular with young people. Maybe thats because of the price? Yet in its style/design, the Katana seems to be a bit more of a work of art than the other sportbikes. The way the front of the seat starts to climb up against the back of the gas tank. And the gas tank isn't just a simple oval shape, but instead is narrow at the riders knees and wider toward the front. Like the older European bikes, Ducati maybe?
Does anyone know if there is any special design/styling history to this bike?
Also, people on the forum acknowledge that the Katana is heavy. Is that because it is air/oil cooled? A liquid cooled engine can have the cylinders closer together, and doesn't need fins to radiate the heat into the air? An air cooled engine has to be bigger and weigh more, and thus needs a heavier frame and stronger forks, etc., and weight begets weight?
Is Suzuki the only manufacturer that has an air cooled sportbike? Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki all have liquid cooled only? I wonder why that is?
Did Suzuki realize that they alone have a special niche with the Katana? Sort of like Ford keeping the Mustang GT going in an often decade old design because it has fans. The Mustang with its rear drive and solid rear axel is outdated when compared to the Corvette or a Porsche, but it serves a different customer base. The Harley doesn't strike me as being modern at all, but their customer loyalty is a phenomenon.
So I am hoping that I will get some responses back from Kat riders about why they like their bikes. Is it the style, and/or the power/price combination?
In 1983 I remember seeing a picture of a Katana 600 in Cycle World magazine and then seeing one at the dealers. I was attracted to the bike, mainly because of the price, I think. But nothing happened and 22 years went by.
A few years ago my job ended due to a corporate merger, and I never rejoined the work force. I am 54 with no responsibilities, and realize that now is the time to enjoy myself. Last year my nephew bought a Yamaha YZF600R and I got to drive it. To me it felt like a jet plane with its power, and like a 10-speed bike with its handling. I had to get a sportbike of my own.
Being a former accountant, I instinctively look at price first. So I focused on the Katana in short time. The bike looks so much like all the other sport bikes that I doubt most non-bikers could tell any of them apart.
The Katana seems to have quite a following, judging from the websites. The bike seems to be popular with young people. Maybe thats because of the price? Yet in its style/design, the Katana seems to be a bit more of a work of art than the other sportbikes. The way the front of the seat starts to climb up against the back of the gas tank. And the gas tank isn't just a simple oval shape, but instead is narrow at the riders knees and wider toward the front. Like the older European bikes, Ducati maybe?
Does anyone know if there is any special design/styling history to this bike?
Also, people on the forum acknowledge that the Katana is heavy. Is that because it is air/oil cooled? A liquid cooled engine can have the cylinders closer together, and doesn't need fins to radiate the heat into the air? An air cooled engine has to be bigger and weigh more, and thus needs a heavier frame and stronger forks, etc., and weight begets weight?
Is Suzuki the only manufacturer that has an air cooled sportbike? Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki all have liquid cooled only? I wonder why that is?
Did Suzuki realize that they alone have a special niche with the Katana? Sort of like Ford keeping the Mustang GT going in an often decade old design because it has fans. The Mustang with its rear drive and solid rear axel is outdated when compared to the Corvette or a Porsche, but it serves a different customer base. The Harley doesn't strike me as being modern at all, but their customer loyalty is a phenomenon.
So I am hoping that I will get some responses back from Kat riders about why they like their bikes. Is it the style, and/or the power/price combination?
Comment