Suzuki Katana 600 & 750 (98-)

(updated September 99)

Rim Stock Size Original Tyre
Front 3.50 x 17 120/70-R17 Michelin Macadam 90X
Rear 4.50 x 17 150/70-R17 Michelin Macadam 90X

Manufacturers' Recommendations

Manufacturer Motorcycle Front size Rear size
Avon
(no data)
Bridgestone BT54 120/70ZR17 BT54 150/70ZR17
Dunlop
(no data)
Metzeler (U.S.)
(no data)
Metzeler (Germany) ME-Z4 120/70ZR17 ME-Z4 150/70ZR17
GSX600F ME-Z1 120/70ZR17 ME-Z2 150/70ZR17
GSX600F ME-Z2 120/70ZR17 ME-Z2 150/70ZR17
GSX750F ME-Z4 120/70ZR17 ME-Z4 170/60ZR17
GSX750F ME-Z3 120/70ZR17 ME-Z3 170/60ZR17
Michelin GSX600F Macadam 90X 120/70ZR17 Macadam 90X 150/70ZR17
GSX750F
(no data)
Pirelli (U.S.)
(no data)
Pirelli (Germany) MTR03 120/70ZR17 MTR04 150/70ZR17
GSX600F MTR01 120/70ZR17 MTR04 150/70ZR17

Martyn's Opinion

General Comments

One of the big changes in the Katanas for the 1998 model year was a switch to radials.  Since the previous model could be fitted with aftermarket radials, that isn't that big a deal.  Still, going with a stock size of 120/70 on the front opens up some of the more modern sizes, in particular it allows Metzeler's ME-Z4 to be installed.

The Safe Bet

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Metzeler ME-Z1 120/70ZR17 $101
Rear Metzeler ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112

A conservative choice would be the well-known ME-Z1/ME-Z2 combination from Metzeler.  The pair has a well-deserved reputation for good handling, good wet and dry performance, and decent tread life.

A Tight Budget, General Purpose

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Michelin Macadam 90X 120/70ZR17 $88
Rear Michelin Macadam 90X 150/70ZR17 $107

Right now the best value is the Michelin Macadam 90X.  Since this is OEM equipment on the bike, I have no hesitation in recommending it.  It's good that the price of decent radials has come down now -- up until recently, the only way to save money would have been to resort to bias-ply tyres.  In fact, since they are decent tyres, why spend more if you're just going to do general-purpose sorts of riding?

Touring, Sport-Touring, Sport-Riding

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Metzeler ME-Z4 120/70ZR17 $115
Rear Metzeler ME-Z4 150/70ZR17 $139

For everything else, the new ME-Z4's should be the tyre of choice.  Improvements in compound, construction, and tread depth make this an excellent choice whether your Katana's being used as a sportbike, sport-tourer, or for long-distance work.  Although new, and not as widespread as the Z1/Z2, Metzeler hasn't made a bad tyre yet, and these are no exception.

Martyn's Choice

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Metzeler ME-Z4 120/70ZR17 $115
Rear Metzeler ME-Z4 150/70ZR17 $139

I'd have to go with the Z4's.  These are enough of an improvement over the ME-Z1/Z2 to be well worth the extra few dollars.

The Full List

(from MAW and manufacturer web pages)

Exact matched pairs

Brand Front size MAW Rear size MAW
Avon AV27 120/70ZR17 $131 AV281 150/70-R17
AV27 120/70ZR17 $128 Azaro AV36 150/70ZR17 $148
Azaro AV35 120/70ZR17 $107 Azaro AV36 150/70ZR17 $148
Bridgestone BT35 Sports Mileage 120/70H-17 BT35 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17
BT45 Sports Mileage 120/70H-17 $84 BT45 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17 $93
BT50 Sports Perform. 120/70ZR17 $89 BT54 Sports Touring 150/70ZR17 $109
BT54 Sports Touring 120/70ZR17 $102 BT54 Sports Touring 150/70ZR17 $109
Dunlop D205 Sport/Touring 120/70ZR17 $93 D205 Sport/Touring 150/70ZR17 $138
Metzeler ME-33 Laser 120/70V-17 $90 ME-55A Metronic 150/70VB17 $138
ME-Z1 120/70ZR17 $101 ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112
ME-Z2 120/70ZR17 $115 ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112
ME-Z4 120/70ZR17 $115 ME-Z4 150/70ZR17 $139
Michelin Macadam 50 120/70V-17 $106 Macadam 50 150/70V-17 $127
Macadam 90X 120/70ZR17 $88 Macadam 90X 150/70ZR17 $107
Pirelli Dragon GT MTR03 120/70ZR17 $101 Dragon GT MTR04 150/70ZR17 $127
Dragon GTS MTR23 120/70ZR17 $106 Dragon GTS MTR24 150/70ZR17 $131
Match MT09 120/70VB17 $96 Match MT08 150/70VB17 $127

Listing by Manufacturer

Avon

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
AV27 120/70ZR17 $131 exact AV281 150/70-R17 exact
Azaro AV35 120/70ZR17 $107 exact Azaro AV36 150/70ZR17 $148 exact
ST23 160/70ZR17 $137 wide

Bridgestone

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
BT35 Sports Mileage 120/70H-17 exact BT35 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17 exact
BT45 Sports Mileage 120/70H-17 $84 exact BT45 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17 $93 exact
BT50 Sports Perform. 120/70ZR17 $89 exact
BT54 Sports Touring 120/70ZR17 $102 exact BT54 Sports Touring 150/70ZR17 $109 exact
BT56 Ultra Sports Perf 120/70ZR17 exact BT56 Ultra Sports Perf 160/60ZR17 wide
BT56SS Extreme Sp/Perf 120/70ZR17 $94 exact BT56SS Extreme Sp/Perf 160/60ZR17 $116 wide
BT57 Sports Perform. 120/70ZR17 $113 exact BT57 Sports Perform. 160/60ZR17 $137 wide
BT92 Sports Mileage 120/70HR17 $65 exact BT92 Sports Mileage 160/60HR17 $103 wide
BT92 Sports Mileage 150/60HR17 short

Continental

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Sport 2000 120/70V-17 $76 exact
Sport 2000 Radial 120/70ZR17 exact Sport 2000 Radial 160/60ZR17 $156 wide

Dunlop

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
D204 Sportmax II ZR 120/70ZR17 exact D204 Sportmax II ZR 160/60ZR17 $117 wide
D204 Sportmax II ZR 150/60ZR17 $114 short
D205 Sport/Touring 120/70ZR17 $93 exact D205 Sport/Touring 150/70ZR17 $138 exact
D207 Sportmax 120/70ZR17 $111 exact D207 Sportmax 160/60ZR17 $133 wide
K455 Radial 120/70VR17 exact
K510 120/70VR17 $98 exact K510 160/60VR17 wide
K591 Sport Touring 160/70VB17 $99 wide

IRC

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Carapace RS-320 150/70H-17 $89 exact

Metzeler

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
ME-33 Laser 120/70V-17 $90 exact ME-55A Metronic 150/70H-17 exact
ME-55A Metronic 150/70HB17 exact
ME-55A Metronic 150/70V-17 exact
ME-55A Metronic 150/70VB17 $138 exact
ME-880 Marathon 120/70VR17 $103 exact ME-880 Marathon 160/70VR17 $132 wide
ME-Z1 120/70ZR17 $101 exact ME-Z1 150/60ZR17 short
ME-Z1 160/60ZR17 $128 wide
ME-Z2 120/70ZR17 $115 exact ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112 exact
ME-Z3 120/70ZR17 $118 exact ME-Z3 150/60ZR17 $145 short
ME-Z3 160/60ZR17 $148 wide
ME-Z4 120/70ZR17 $115 exact ME-Z4 150/70ZR17 $139 exact

Michelin

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Hi-Sport TX15 120/70ZR17 $150 exact Hi-Sport TX25 160/60ZR17 $181 wide
Hi-Sport TX25 150/60ZR17 $174 short
Macadam 50 120/70V-17 $106 exact Macadam 50 150/70V-17 $127 exact
Macadam 50 150/70H-17 $118 exact
Macadam 90X 120/70ZR17 $88 exact Macadam 90X 150/70ZR17 $107 exact

Pirelli

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Dragon GT MTR03 120/70ZR17 $101 exact Dragon GT MTR04 150/70ZR17 $127 exact
Dragon GTS MTR23 120/70ZR17 $106 exact Dragon GTS MTR24 150/70ZR17 $131 exact
Dragon MTR01 120/70ZR17 $112 exact Dragon MTR02 160/60ZR17 $140 wide
Dragon MTR02 150/60ZR17 $137 short
MT75 150/70H-17 exact
Match MT09 120/70VB17 $96 exact Match MT08 150/70VB17 $127 exact

Key:

Exact Precisely matches original spec
Excellent Precisely matches a recommended alternate
Good An exact or alternate in a different sizing system
Short Exact or excellent width, lower profile.  Consider these both ends to lower the bike
Soft Similar diameter by using a taller profile and narrower width; used on the rear only
Tall Taller profile, stock width; similar in effect to "soft", but for the front only
Wide Same profile, wider tyre.  This MAY NOT FIT your rim.  BE CAREFUL!!!