Even on just a middling preload and damping setting the Katana s new rear shock pounds the rider on repetitive bumps, while the Bandit soaks them up nicely. Both machines are stable at speed though the Katana s tires nibble slightly at rain grooves, and their little windscreens help keep some of the windblast off your chest. Rider seats are reasonably comfy, too, and the passenger accommodations on both bikes better suited to long distances than most 600s. The lead changes quite quickly in the corners, where a skilled rider can flaunt the Katana s firmer, well-damped suspension and better radials. Fast sweepers in particular are the Katana s forte, where it steers predictably without much effort and holds a line well.
Different environments do bring out the best in each ergonomic setup, however.
While the Katana s narrow bars and rider tuck work for it in fast turns, conversely they make tight stuff more effort. By contrast in lower-speed turns the Bandit s wider bars and flickable nature help it run circles around the Katana, but also contribute to its less planted feel in fast sweepers. Although there isn t much you can do to improve the Katana s disadvantage here, better tires and firmer suspension would help the Bandit a lot in the faster stuff. Brakes are simply great on both the Katana and Bandit 600, with good feel and strength at the levers and plenty of predictability in the rear pedals. We aren t thrilled with having to adjust valves every 4,000 miles, but have done so on a Bandit ourselves and found it tolerably easy.