Suzuki Katana: Bikes We'd Like To See In India

Suzuki currently doesn’t have any big bike offering apart from the soon to be launched BS6 V-Strom 650 XT

In the past couple of months, we’ve spoken about a number of entry-level motorcycles that could possibly make its way to India but never uttered a word about big bikes. But it’s about time we fixed that. Today, we shed some light on the legendary Suzuki Katana which could make its way to India very soon.  

Fact Check:

Suzuki’s portfolio for India was pretty comprehensive a while back. It offered products ranging from small capacity motorcycles to big bikes like the GSX-S750, GSX-S1000, Suzuki GSX-R1000, the V-Strom 1000 and the Hayabusa. Heck, it even had proper off-road bikes like the RM-Z450 and RM-Z250. 

However, low demand for these motorcycles forced Suzuki to rethink its strategy for India. The result was a complete revamp of its lineup. It currently doesn’t have a single big bike on offer apart from the BS6 V-Strom 650 XT, which is still some time away from its official launch date. 

Why Does It Make Sense?

Of course, there’s demand for big bikes. The ever-growing Indian two-wheeler market should give you a fair idea. But Suzuki needs to find the right bikes to penetrate the big bike segment in India with the right price. And we believe the Suzuki Katana, which was recently showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo, could be the perfect fit for the job. It's one of the most significant names in Japanese motorcycle history and for the right reasons. It was one of the fastest production motorcycles of the 1980’s. And the fact that it was showcased at the Expo also reveals Suzuki’s intentions to launch the bike in India. Question is, when?

Unexpected delays:

The Katana was previously expected to be launched in India by mid-2020. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic though, this launch timeline could be pushed to the end of this year, possibly even early 2021. Suzuki’s only real threat is the Kawasaki Z1000 (BS4), the Hondda CB1000R and the upcoming 2020 Triumph Speed Triple. None of them are as powerful as the Katana, thus giving it the upper hand.  

The Most Powerful Naked Streetfighter In The Country:

The 2020 Katana is powered by the legendary K5 GSX-R1000 engine, known for its pure riding experience and used in the GSX-R lineup from 2005-2008. The engine's meaty mid-range and everyday rideability makes perfect sense for the Katana's comfortable streetfighter intentions.

In its current state of tune, the 999cc inline-four powerplant makes 152PS at 10,000rpm whereas the peak torque is 107.9Nm at 9500rpm. That’s 10PS more than the BS4 Z1000 and 3PS more than the Speed Triple. This will make it the most powerful naked street fighter in the country. 

The engine works alongside a 6-speed transmission with slipper clutch. Electronic rider aids include a three-mode traction control system and a standard dual-channel ABS. 

Anchoring the Katana are twin front discs with Brembo radial calipers and a rear disc. Its suspension setup includes an upside down front fork and a linked rear monoshock. A pair of Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tyres ensures you can push the bike to its limit.

Samurai Genes:

The name Katana refers to the type of sword used by samurai warriors. The 2020 Suzuki Katana is a modern rendition of the original 1981 GSX1100S Katana, with edgier lines.  Frascoli’s modern interpretation of the Katana is more compact and aggressive than the original Katana, but it manages to retain the signature pointy fairing, the rectangular headlight, and more importantly, the “sword cut” across the tank along with the iconic silver paint scheme.

Priced Right?

Pricing for the bike is crucial for a market like India. The Katana is priced at JPY 1,400,000 (Rs 9.89 lakh) in its home country of Japan. If Suzuki brings the Katan to India via the CBU route, we could expect it to get a price tag of around Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom), which would undercut the current price of the Kawasaki Z1000, Honda CB1000R and the Triumph Speed Triple.