Sport bike skirmish: Suzuki Katana vs. Honda CB 1000R

Sport motorcycles are a popular breed of motorcycles and we understand why.

They’re versatile rides that pack a beefy engine capable of taking on both short and long trips with ease. Plus, they have just the right amount of fairings that they catch one’s attention without making you look like you’re competing in the current MotoGP season.

On that note, we take a look at two of some of the more popular sport bikes on offer in the Philippines today — the Suzuki Katana and the Honda CB 1000R. Let’s take a quick dive at what these two-wheeled steeds have to offer to find out which of them suits you best.

Join us in this sport bike skirmish.

Body, appearance

First up, the Suzuki Katana.

Like its namesake, the motorcycle’s look and appearance boasts sharp lines and aggressive accents that — according to the brand itself — were “forged to perfection and polished to a magnificent radiance.”

At the front is a tapered fascia with a boxy headlight flanked by aggressive-looking fairings with turn signals on each side. Sitting above is a small wind shield while below is a short front fender that houses the motorcycle’s 17-inch wheel wrapped with 120/70 tubeless tires.

The side profile of the Suzuki Katana flaunts a beefy build with most of the motorcycle’s mid-section taken up by its large engine. Its generous 12-liter fuel tank is covered by durable-looking fairings that both serve as protective claddings while offering some aerodynamic advantages.

At this angle, one can also see the Suzuki Katana’s sexy saddle, solid metal foot pegs, short and stout exhaust pipe, as well as the engine guard that offer some sort of protection for the motorcycle’s underbody components.

The rear end of the Suzuki Katana is emphasized by its tapered tail that holds the rear lamp. A very small rear fender can be seen under the motorcycle’s tail and has an extended arm that acts as the holder for the number plate and the bracket for the rear turn signals that stick to the side.

Here, one will also find the Suzuki Katana’s 17-inch rear wheel with 190/ tubeless tires.

On the other hand, the Honda CB 1000R dons a neo sports cafe look, and from a distance, resembles the silhouette of a Husky (Husqvarna).

That said, it offers a very different vibe than the Suzuki Katana as it wears rounded headlamps, two turn signals on each of the side of the fascia, and no windshield. Since the front end does not have any cowling, its long and girthy front suspension can easily be noticed from the said angle.

The Honda CB 1000R is fitted with a short front fender that holds a 17-inch wheel shod in 120/70 tires.

Its flanks are somewhat bare with the majority of the engine exposed. On that note, the naked underside of the Honda CB 1000R adds some level of angst to the sultry sport bike. The large powerplant is complemented by a similarly large fuel tank that can hold more thanks to its 16.2-liter capacity.

Other notable features found on the side of the Honda CB 1000R include its sleek seats, durable-looking foot pegs, and bulky exhaust pipe.

The back of the Honda CB 1000R flaunts a taillamp that echoes the same design as what can be found at the front. Likewise, the rear turn signals have the same angular design as the ones at the fore.

A small mudguard serves as the rear fender of the Honda CB 1000R and houses a 17-inch wheel with 190/55 tires.

Overall, the looks of both the Suzuki Katana and the Honda CB 1000R represent the two ends of the style spectrum. So, we’ll call this round a tie.

Engine, power

The Suzuki Katana is equipped with a 999 cubic centimeter (cc) engine mated to a six-speed constant mesh transmission system. The Euro 4-compliant mill is fuel-injected and is liquid-cooled.

Stopping power is facilitated by twin disc brakes at the front and a single disc brake at the rear.

Meanwhile, the Honda CB 1000R is slapped with a 998cc powerplant paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The engine is also liquid-cooled.

For its brakes, Honda gave the CB 1000R double discs at the front and a single disc brake at the rear.

While both motorcycles are neck and neck in this round, we give the win to the Suzuki Katana for having just a slightly larger engine displacement.

Variants and pricing

• Suzuki Katana: P817,000
• Honda CB 1000R: 865,000

Verdict

The Suzuki Katana is a good choice for those in the market for a dependable sport bike.

Not only does the motorcycle have eye-catching looks but it also boasts a capable engine to help its owners go to places where the average motorcycle couldn’t. That said, the victor of this matchup is the Suzuki Katana.

Photos from Suzuki Philippines Incorporated and Honda Philippines Incorporated

Also read:

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