Character, Color, and Carbon: SUZUKI KATANA Custom by Kiyohiko

Kiyohiko's KATANA

"I used to ride a CB1300SB, but I saw in a magazine that the KATANA was going to be released, so I went to see it after it went on sale (May 31, 2019 was the release date). I thought it would be cool to customize, so I bought it."

That was how the owner, Kiyohiko, came by this KATANA (M0). After purchase he found that it was an easy bike to ride, and so he started the customization that he had been thinking about. After acquiring new wheels and an exhaust, and connecting with some fellow KATANA owners, he was motivated to add further modifications.

"I like the stock black color, but when I changed the wheels, I couldn't help but notice the red SUZUKI logo on the tank cover stood out too much. So I changed the color of the logo to champagne gold. Later, I realized that there were no other KATANAs with such specifications, and I also started adding carbon parts," says Kiyohiko.

The color matching of the wheels and tank logo and the contrasting black color of Kiyohiko's KATANA give it a more cohesive look, and this ingenuity can be seen in many other places as well. The seat was replaced with one from a limited edition red KATANA (ZM1) to eliminate the gray part at the rear of the stock seat, and a seat cover was also found and installed. The handlebars are a HURRICANE Condor type, which were chosen because according to the owner, "The KATANA looks good with a handlebar that has a drop angle." The front and rear Magical Racing carbon fenders are for the GSX-S1000, a common platform model, and were chosen after seeing a customization done by a fellow KATANA rider. The stand hooks on the swingarm end are made by Shabon Dama and were given to him by an acquaintance (they aren't a commercialized product), and he also searched in detail for many other parts.

"Compared to the Z900RS, a naked bike that came out around the same time, the KATANA has fewer custom parts available, so it was actually more fun to put in the effort to find them,” Kiyohiko continued. This custom is lightweight, easy to ride, and has a well put together, cohesive look. It is definitely a good reference for other KATANA owners.

Handle

The base is an M0, but the owner wanted to use a handlebar with a drop angle like that of the 1100 Katana, so he changed to a Hurricane FAT Condor bar.

Bodyworks

The windshield is a YOSHIMURA Wind Armor and the headlight cover and seat cowl are POWERBRONZE by ODAX.

The seat has been converted to the stock seat from the limited edition red KATANA, which has black upholstery on the rear and both sides, and a fender eliminator kit by GILD Design has been used. The SUZUKI logo on the tank cover was changed to champagne gold to match the wheels.

Engine

The engine and frame are KATANA stock, with left and right covers by GB Racing. The sliders are by K-Factory, the carbon undercowl is by Magical Racing, and the radiator core guard, tank side under cover, and side covers are made by A-TECH.

Intake & Exhaust

The exhaust system is a YOSHIMURA Titanium Cyclone Duplex Shooter.

Chassis

The steps have been replaced with a STRIKER SPECIAL STEP KIT.

The front forks are stock ø43mm inverted and the stock front and rear brakes, including Brembo 4-piston calipers, are used.

The wheels, which were replaced early on, are forged aluminum GALE SPEED Type-E in the same size as stock, 3.50-17/6.00-17. The rear shock unit is an Ohlins SU509.

Both front and rear fenders are made by Magical Racing for the GSX-S1000, and the rear tire itself was changed from the stock 190/50 to a larger 190/55 to reduce the gap between the fender and the tire. The stand hooks are made by Shabon Dama.

Gallery

Specifications

Original Source of this Article

Heritage & Legends