The all-new 2020 Suzuki Katana is one part throwback to the striking model of 1981, but it’s also a remastered version of an iconic powerplant. The heart of the Katana is a domesticated version of the legendary long-stroke K5 GSX-R1000 engine of 2005–2006. Now, the engine is tamed by a three-level traction control system and brought to a halt by Brembo radial-mount four-piston calipers and Bosch ABS. The chassis is directly derived from the GSX-S1000, including a 43mm KYB fork, but sees a completely new subframe to support a lowered passenger seat. The Katana tipped the _Cycle World_ scales at 475 pounds fully fueled and ready to ride.
We strapped the Suzuki to the in-house Cycle World dyno, recording horsepower and torque measurements. The 2020 Katana produced 139.61 hp at 10,100 rpm and 76.26 pound-feet of torque at 9,220 rpm, which is even more than the last K5-powered 2018 GSX-S1000Z we dynoed.