For 2008 Suzuki decided that the Katana (not made in 2007) needed to be replaced with a new model. How do you approach making this new model though? Do you make two sizes of engine (600 & 750)? Do you stick with old technology that has been proven reliable, but not very exciting? Not if you're Suzuki. Suzuki made the decision to design a new bike, one that uses more modern technology. A bike that not only will attract the same market share that the Katana did, but potentially bring new customers into the Suzuki fold. 
 
If we look at the spec sheet for both the old Katana(s) and the new GSX650F we can see some changes, the biggest of which involves the motor. The new motor displaces either 50cc more or 100cc less than the old motor(s) depending on whether you are a glass half full or half empty kind of person. The other big thing we see is that the new motor is liquid cooled instead of air/oil cooled and has a higher compression ratio than either of the old motors. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say 80hp at the wheel. I might be wrong (and probably am) but we'll see.

Moving on to the suspension bits gets a little less exciting:

Katana front suspension: Telescopic, oil damped, 4-way adjustable rebound damping
GSX650F front suspension: Telescopic, oil damped, preload adjustable

So we give up rebound adjustments and gain preload adjustments. Alright so not completely bad but not really too exciting either.

Let's look at the rear suspension:
Katana rear suspension (600): Link-type suspension, 4-way adjustable rebound damping, 7-way adjustable preload. (750): Link-type suspension, 4-way adjustable rebound damping, fully adjustable compression damping and preload.
GSX650F rear suspension: Link-type suspension, adjustable preload and rebound.

Ok this is kind of vague. Suzuki didn't put too much info on their website about the rear suspension so we'll just have to wait and see.

The overall dimensions of the new bike are within a hair of the old bike(s). It is a little shorter overall with the same wheelbase as the Katana 600. Seat height is lower by approximately 1/2 inch which is good. Weight has gone up to 475lbs dry (600: 458 / 750: 465) probably due to the liquid cooling. 

Tire sizes remain 120/70-17 in the front and go up from a 150/70-17 to a 160/60-17 in the rear.  

Looking at the pictures we can see that the bars are set up higher for greater comfort. Suzuki has styled the bike to blend in better with its faster more sport focused siblings. The laughter that Katana pilots hear behind their back at bike nights should be a thing of the past with the new bike.

The Katana has always appealed (and been marketed) to the group of riders that want a motorcycle that can do everything. The "take me to your leader" styling and motor that could put you to sleep were the two biggest shortcoming of the "Can-of-Tuna" but seem to be fixed on the new bike (the motor being the unknown here). The new bike should be able to play on Sunday mornings, wear soft bags/tank bags for commuting and touring, and keep the rider comfy the whole time. All wrapped in full body work for those riders that are left cold by standards and half fairings. With a 2008 MSRP of $6999 the bike is definitely priced right and only time will tell if Suzuki has another sales hit on their hands. I'm betting they do.


Kenn Stamp