Suzuki Katana 750 (-97)

(updated September 99)

Rim Stock Size Original Tyre
Front 3.00 x 17 110/70H17 Metzeler ME-33 Laser
Rear 3.50 x 17 150/70H17 Metzeler ME-55A Metronic

Manufacturers' Recommendations

Manufacturer Front size Rear size
Avon AV27 110/80ZR17 AV281 150/70R17
AV27 110/80ZR17 AV36 Azaro 150/70ZR17
AV35 Azaro 110/80ZR17 AV36 Azaro 150/70ZR17
Bridgestone BT50 110/70ZR17 BT54 150/70ZR17
Dunlop K591 Elite SP 110/80V17 K591 Elite SP 140/70V17
Metzeler ME-Z1 110/80ZR17 ME-Z2 150/70ZR17
Michelin Macadam 50 110/70H17 Macadam 50 150/70H17
Macadam 90X 110/70ZR17 Macadam 90X 150/70ZR17
Pirelli MT 09 110/80V17 MT 08 150/70VB17

Martyn's Opinion

General Comments

Since the Katana was introduced, radials have become the tyre of choice for this style of bike.  While Metzeler hasn't homologated radials for the 750, they have for the 600 -- and the two bikes are all but cosmetically identical.  The bike can handle them just fine, providing you don't try to get outrageous with the sizes.

The Safe Bet

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Metzeler ME-33 Laser 110/80V-17 $86
Rear Metzeler ME-55A Metronic 150/70VB17 $138

This bike came with the ME-33/ME-55A combination as OEM fitment, and so there's no question it's a conservative choice.  Still, tyre technology has advanced, and unless you really don't want to move with the times, look to a more modern selection than these.

A Tight Budget

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Bridgestone BT45 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 $81
Rear Bridgestone BT45 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17 $93

Now that Bridgestone's excellent BT45's are available in the right size for this bike, they're an obvious choice for the cost-conscious.  While they won't provide the benefits of radials, they'll perform well in all types of riding.  The only real drawback is that the front has a tendency towards uneven wear and cupping, but they're still an excellent choice.

General Purpose, Touring, Sport-Touring

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Metzeler ME-Z1 110/80ZR17 $95
Rear Metzeler ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112

The proven ME-Z1/ME-Z2 combination could have been made for this bike.  Excellent wet and dry traction, good life, and confidence-inspiring handling from the linear profile make this by far the best selection for this machine.  In fact, Metzeler acknowledges this as specifying it as their recommendation for the U.S. market.

Sport-Riding

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Avon AV27 110/80ZR17 $129
Rear Avon Azaro AV36 150/70ZR17 $148

For sport-riding, and for those who sport-tour with the emphasis on sport, there's a better choice: Avon's excellent AV27/Azaro combination.  While the Metzelers are fine tyres, the Avons have the edge in performance.  With the AV27 front, this set would be comfortable and stable on the highway as well, and should wear fairly well too.  While there is an Azaro available for the front, the older chassis of the Katana will be more comfortable on the less radical AV27.

Martyn's Choice

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Metzeler ME-Z1 110/80ZR17 $95
Rear Metzeler ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112

I'd be tempted by the Avon AV27/Azaro, but for a general selection the Metzelers are just such good tyres.


The Full List

(from MAW and manufacturer web pages)

Exact matched pairs

Brand Front size MAW Rear size MAW
Avon AV27 110/80ZR17 $129 AV281 150/70-R17
AV27 110/80ZR17 $129 Azaro AV36 150/70ZR17 $148
Azaro AV35 110/80ZR17 $124 Azaro AV36 150/70ZR17 $148
Bridgestone BT35 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 BT35 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17
BT45 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 $81 BT45 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17 $93
Dunlop D205 Sport/Touring 110/80ZR17 $88 D205 Sport/Touring 150/70ZR17 $138
IRC Carapace RS-320 110/80H-17 $75 Carapace RS-320 150/70H-17 $89
Metzeler ME-33 Laser 110/80V-17 $86 ME-55A Metronic 150/70VB17 $138
ME-Z1 110/80ZR17 $95 ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112
ME-Z2 110/80ZR17 $107 ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112
Michelin Macadam 50 110/80H-17 $88 Macadam 50 150/70H-17 $118
Macadam 50 110/80V-17 $100 Macadam 50 150/70V-17 $127
Macadam 90X 110/80ZR17 Macadam 90X 150/70ZR17 $107
Pirelli Dragon GT MTR03 110/80ZR17 $98 Dragon GT MTR04 150/70ZR17 $127
MT75 110/80H-17 MT75 150/70H-17
Match MT09 110/80V-17 $90 Match MT08 150/70VB17 $127

Listing by Manufacturer

Avon

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
AV27 110/80ZR17 $129 exact AV281 150/70-R17 exact
Azaro AV35 110/80ZR17 $124 exact Azaro AV36 150/70ZR17 $148 exact

Bridgestone

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
BT17 Sports Mileage 140/80V-17 $112 soft
BT35 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 exact BT35 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17 exact
BT45 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 $81 exact BT45 Sports Mileage 150/70H-17 $93 exact
BT50 Sports Perform. 110/70ZR17 short
BT50 Sports Perform. 120/70ZR17 $89 wide
BT53 Sports Touring 140/80VR17 soft
BT54 Sports Touring 120/70ZR17 $102 wide BT54 Sports Touring 150/70ZR17 $109 exact
BT56 Ultra Sports Perf 120/70ZR17 wide
BT56SS Extreme Sp/Perf 120/70ZR17 $94 wide
BT56SS Extreme Sp/Perf 110/70ZR17 $109 short
BT57 Sports Perform. 110/70ZR17 short
BT57 Sports Perform. 120/70ZR17 $113 wide
BT92 Sports Mileage 110/70HR17 short
BT92 Sports Mileage 120/70HR17 $65 wide

Continental

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Sport 2000 110/80V-17 $72 exact Sport 2000 140/80V-17 $92 soft
Sport 2000 Radial 120/70ZR17 wide

Dunlop

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
D204 Sportmax II ZR 120/70ZR17 wide
D205 Sport/Touring 110/80ZR17 $88 exact D205 Sport/Touring 150/70ZR17 $138 exact
D207 Sportmax 120/70ZR17 $111 wide
K177 Touring 120/80HB17 wide
K455 Radial 120/70VR17 wide
K505 110/80V-17 $92 exact
K510 110/70HR17 $85 short
K510 120/70VR17 $98 wide
K591 Sport Touring 110/80V-17 exact K591 Sport Touring 160/70VB17 $99 wide

IRC

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Carapace RS-320 110/80H-17 $75 exact Carapace RS-320 150/70H-17 $89 exact
Durotour RS-310 110/70H-17 short
Wildflare WF-920 120/80H-17 $73 wide

Metzeler

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
ME-1 110/70H-17 short
ME-33 Laser 110/80H-17 exact ME-55A Metronic 150/70H-17 exact
ME-33 Laser 110/80V-17 $86 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 wide
ME-880 Marathon 120/80H-17 $114 wide
ME-99A Perfect 140/80VB17 $110 soft
ME-Z1 110/80ZR17 $95 exact
ME-Z2 110/80ZR17 $107 exact ME-Z2 150/70ZR17 $112 exact
ME-Z3 110/70ZR17 $110 short
ME-Z3 120/70ZR17 $118 wide
ME-Z4 120/70ZR17 $115 wide ME-Z4 150/70ZR17 $139 exact
ML2 120/80H-17 $97 wide
ML2 120/80V-17 wide

Michelin

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Hi-Sport TX15 110/70ZR17 $145 short
Hi-Sport TX15 120/70ZR17 $150 wide
Macadam 50 110/80H-17 $88 exact Macadam 50 150/70H-17 $118 exact
Macadam 50 110/80V-17 $100 exact Macadam 50 150/70V-17 $127 exact
Macadam 90X 110/80ZR17 exact Macadam 90X 150/70ZR17 $107 exact

Pirelli

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Dragon GT MTR03 110/80ZR17 $98 exact Dragon GT MTR04 150/70ZR17 $127 exact
Dragon GTS MTR23 110/80ZR17 $106 wide Dragon GTS MTR24 150/70ZR17 $131 exact
Dragon MTR01 110/70ZR17 $108 short
Dragon MTR01 120/70ZR17 $112 wide
MT75 110/80H-17 exact MT75 150/70H-17 exact
Match MT09 110/80V-17 $90 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!!!