Suzuki Katana 750 reviews

Rock-solid reliability. I've had my speedometer pegged at 160! I can't think of anything to complain about. The only thing is that if you use synthetic oil, the clutch will slip at 8,000 rpm when you're fully on it. Use regular oil! Show less

First off...for the price you can't beat it. I got mine brand new out the door for a great price. Yes, I'll admit, it won't keep up with my friend's 2006 R6 but he doesn't smoke me either. The comfort is great with the one piece seat. I've head my bike up to 140mph with throttle to go and it runs really smooth. This is my first bike, it's got enough power and speed to satisfy me. I've ridden R6's, GSXR's, and CBR's and yes, like I said this may not be as fast but that doesn't make it slow...0-60 this bike is just about as fast (I think Katanas are rated at high 3 second times and sport bikes are low 3's). It's the high end where they are faster. Either way the bike is amazing...GET ONE! Show less

Great bike. For the price and the good looks of the bike, you can't beat it. I have the 2006 model. They call it red but it's more of a deep maroon. I ride with my two brothers and one has a GSXR 1000 and the other has a Busa 1300. No problem riding with them, sure they have faster bikes, but to me, it's not all about the speed. Show less

It won't come off the line like a Busa or any of the GSXR's but you won't be the last to arrive to the destination! Well balanced and built for comfort the Katana packs a punch that will leave other riders with their jaws dropped. Whether you feel like cruising or redlining, the Katana 750 can accomodate any rider. I personally suggest hitting a nice winding road and ending with a nice cruise and about 120 mph (where permicable.) Or if you have the guts go ahead and open her all the way up, don't be scared she can handle it. Show less

This bike is the most well-balanced bike I've ever ridden. Had a Busa and 1K Hurc before and although those were much faster bikes, I personally rarely got on it hard that often. As other reviewers have written, this bike is forgiving and balanced. My only complaint so far is the blender-like factory exhaust sound. If you're looking for a little extra bark, get a slip-on exhaust. Kats have taken alot of flak over the years from their slightly faster (and more expensive) cousins. 'It's not fast enough' or 'It's not a corner carver' but don't be fooled: this bike is plenty fast and can carve well when needed. Also the extra weight and wheelbase helps fight crosswinds and for taller riders, this bike fits better than others in it's class. Show less

This bike does not have the razor sharp performance of other bikes in its class and Suzuki never intended it as such. When I want to kick butt on a winding back road, I fire up the Ducati. When I want to ride all day with good looks and great real world performance I jump on the Katana. FYI - my 2001 Ducati has 3500 miles on it my 2003 Katana has almost 20,000 miles on it. Show less

I haven't been riding all that long but this bike, well what can you say? Old school maybe? This bike will do what they say and more! Performance, handling, it's got it all. Now it's not going to have the performance like the GSXR but it's pretty close. Show less

I just bought my bike last summer and love it. I really like the fact that it's a sport bike but without the cost of a Busa etc. All around good bike for when riding alone or riding with my father and his friends (Harley owners). I just want to say thanks to Suzuki for making a good performance bike with a price tag that's bearable to look at. Show less

Unlike the picture, I went searching for the blue/white version of this bike which looks much better. I've been through all four seasons with this bike. It's my second Suzuki and one of many air-cooled motors that I've ridden. This bike is perfect to jump on for a quick run to the store or a joy ride yet is comfortable for extended rides. Warm-up on a cool day is around 2 minutes. Once it's up to temp, I ride normally, enjoying the crisp acceleration. In temps under 40F, the motor actually chills down from operating temperature and needs to be choked again. Unless you're a die-hard, don't ride when the temperature drops below 45F. The tires also will not stay warm (read sticky) which makes for some interesting corner handling (such as two-wheel drift). In 90F heat, idling in rush-hour traffic, the motor does not overheat. It's designed for it. At speed, handling is predictable, crisp and just down-right fun. The bike's weight can be felt during side-to-side transitions but also acts to remind you not to over-do it. I've spent a lot of time riding off-road bikes and low speed manuvering is key to successful control in street conditions on this bike. Spend some quality time in the parking lot working the figure 8's and j-turns (upright position, let the bike do the work using the clutch). Like other solid cam performance motors, it really comes alive above 7000 rpm. From a standing start at full throttle, once the revs sweep into the high end, it feels like a turbo boost. It also means that the motor can be cruised at rpm's under 7K with predicatable forgiving manners. Braking is OK, but not great. That is, it is fast but not race-bike fast. LIKES: Smooth, predictable power. Good handling. Comfortable ride. Reliable. Great appearance. Classic analog gauges. Fuel economy. Easy maintenance DISLIKES: braking power. Show less

After searching around for my first bike, I finally settled on the Katana. Being a beginner, I decided to get something besides a GSXR for my first (and already, at only 700 miles, I have seen why that was a good choice!). It's been said before, and I'll add my agreement: as a beginner you WILL make mistakes, and I don't care how cautiously or maturely the bike is handled, mistakes will happen. Naturally, I made little throttle, braking, and clutch mistakes on my bike (and I've taken the MSF course) which were quickly forgiven and corrected on the Kat. If I had been on something like a GSXR-750 and made these beginner mistakes, I wouldn't still be riding! Also, the seat is absolutely fantastic compared to something like the seat on a CBR (feels like a piece of wood...with sandpaper). The seating position on the Katana is not aggressive like most of the SS bikes out there, but whenever you need to tuck under the windscreen and go, the Kat is ready to accomodate. The power ability of the Kat is perfect for anyone looking for an introduction to sportier bikes without hopping on a gixxer and praying for the best (or spending 3 months in an empty parking lot just learning how to steer the bike). As many have accurately noted, the Kat is a heavy beast. Naturally, being new, I have had my bike tip over (luckily didn't cause any damage...I was right next to the bike and I just kind of let her down gently...accidently). So weight might be something to strongly consider. Go sit on one and shift your weight to each leg and then do the same on a gixxer 600...you'll quickly see what I mean. However, when the bike is moving the weight isn't noticed at all. In fact, the weight really helps combat pesky crosswinds. In addition to all this, the long wheel-base of the Kat helps to make those bumps in the road more acceptable. And, of course, this bike has plenty of power if you need it. Of course, it won't top out at 186 mph, but why would you really need to unless you're going to some kind of racing events? I've heard it said over and over again and I've seen it proven, a skilled rider on a Kat can out-run and out-corner a new rider on gixxer 600...it's about skill, not brute engine force. The best way I've heard the Katana described is like this: It's the swiss army knife of motorcycles...it does everything well, but it's not fantastic at anything. The balance of functions that this bike can serve is exactly what I love about it, and, while I plan on having SS bikes a few years down the road, there will always be a Kat in my garage! Show less