In 1988, when the Suzuki GSX-600F had its first appearance in the motorcycle world, it got out of the manufacturing line as a sports bike with acceptable performance specs for a performance machine, a full fairing, and a 16-valve engine.
The only thing that set it apart from its competitors was the roundish bodywork, but by 1998, the GSX-600F Katana evolved into a more pedestrian budget sports tourer that also received a makeover for the wheels. For a long time, the Katana was known as a motorcycle that featured the right combination of performance and value with sport-bike responsiveness combined with great comfort that suited every rider for a weekday commute or a weekend ride.
In 2001, Suzuki launched the GSX-600F in two new colors with sports performance and comfort wrapped in a slim, aerodynamic fairing with a sturdy perimeter frame and twin headlights.
Underneath the bodywork was a 599cc four-stroke four-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine with proven performance and durability that delivered an output power of 86 hp at 11,000 rpm and 60 Nm (44 lb-ft) of maximum torque with a peak at 7,950 rpm. With the help of a six-speed manual transmission, the bike reached a top speed of 207 kph (129 mph).
The smooth ride was provided by a 41 mm fully adjustable conventional telescopic fork on the front and a link-type suspension with an adjustable shock absorber on the rear.
The 2001 Suzuki GSX-600F Katana was an acceptable budget tourer with a 20-liter fuel tank that offered a fuel range of almost 320 km (200 miles) and a spacious seat that offered comfort for the rider and passenger.