Out Of The Bag
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics|July 2019

The new ‘retro’ Suzuki Katana has arrived in the UK and a damp Bertie Simmonds splashes his way through Warwickshire.

Bertie Simmonds
Out Of The Bag

I’ve been so looking forward to this, but to say I’m upset at the British weather is an understatement.

I’ve been lucky enough to be invited to this, the first UK ride of the new Katana and – in usual style – the weather really isn’t playing ball.

As the rain hammers down on the roof of the large marquee we’re sitting in at the Caffeine & Machine in Ettington, I’m the only one asking questions like: “Why is the tank a pitiful 12 litres?” “Why wasn’t the beauty of the original clocks carried over to this new Katana?” “Why is the pillion seat so short?”

Apparently, the design of the bike set the tank capacity at 12 litres and “the bike can do more than 100 miles before reserve”. I’m also reassured that the clocks (based on those from the GSX-R1000R) feature an LCD ‘Katana’ logo on start-up. More on the pillion seat later…

Let’s ride! I’m sitting on the bike and – while it looks and feels quite small in proportions – it’s instantly comfortable. The original GSX-S/F was comfy for me, but this is more so: the seat height is up to 825mm but the bars are also higher-set – and not clip-ons like the original Kat. While Suzuki claim the 12-litre tank should give you enough range before you ‘get’ uncomfortable, perhaps they’ve made the general GSX-S1000/F ergonomics even comfier and therefore shot themselves in the foot…

Esta historia es de la edición July 2019 de Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July 2019 de Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICSVer todo
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Honda VFR750R - RC30

If there’s a more worshipped V4 out there, we’ve yet to see it: welcome to our reboot of the awesome VFR750R RC30…

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 2021
Mountain tension!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Mountain tension!

Award-winning motorcycle engineer!

time-read
5 minutos  |
September 2021
Fazer set to STUN!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Fazer set to STUN!

What do you get when you mix CRK’s lovely café racer kit to Yamaha’s budget middleweight and the recently-retired Martin Fox? Well, one helluva foxy Fazer!

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2021
Project Suzuki 1984 RG250 part 4 BRUNO BARES ALL!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Suzuki 1984 RG250 part 4 BRUNO BARES ALL!

This month, while we wait for backorder engine parts, we strip the chassis back to the bare frame, assess what is needed and plan the reassembly…

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2021
Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 2 Ralph has a blast!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 2 Ralph has a blast!

For the best finish on his Z900’s motor Ralph wants the best, so he visits Stephen Smethurst Casting Renovation to find out how it’s done properly.

time-read
10 minutos  |
September 2021
Project Suzuki TS400 Part 8 Loom with a view!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Suzuki TS400 Part 8 Loom with a view!

We’re getting down into the nitty-gritty this time with component testing and loom building. What could go wrong?

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2021
Project Yamaha TX750 Part 12 A question of balance…
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Yamaha TX750 Part 12 A question of balance…

Only The Beach Boys had good vibrations… so what’s Mark been up to, to sort out the bad ones coming from his TX750?

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2021
Splitting links
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Splitting links

Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 2021
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

STAVROS: PRINCE OF PRANKSTERS!

It’s probably fair to say that Stephen JamesParrish’s persona and overall levity throughout his life have muddied the waters as to just how good a bike racer he was back in the day.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2021
Metal magic!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Metal magic!

Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox co uk so he knows what works.. .

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2021