EICMA 2018: Suzuki unveils 2019 Katana in new black colour

- The bike was first revealed at the Intermot 2018

- It shares its underpinnings with the GSX-S1000

- It is expected to come to India next year

Suzuki unveiled the 2019 Katana in a new black colour variant, alongside the already revealed silver trim, at the EICMA 2018 in Milan, Italy. The neo-retro motorcycle pays homage to the old Katana from 1981 and it is essentially a Suzuki GSX-S1000 underneath.

The 2019 Katana was first unveiled in October at the Intermot Show in Germany and now, it has been showcased at the EICMA, draped in black shade. Design-wise, the motorcycle takes inspiration from the old Katana but gets modern bits such as a square LED headlamp, sharp and chiselled bikini fairing and tank and, blacked out parts such as engine, exhaust and wheels.

The motorcycle is powered by a 999cc, inline four-cylinder engine that churns out 145bhp at 10,000rpm and 106Nm of torque at 9,500rpm. This is the same motor that does duty on the GSX-S1000 naked bike. The unit is mated to a six-speed gearbox and it also gets slipper clutch. As for the electronics, it incorporates GSX-R1000-like LCD TFT display along with three-level traction control and ABS as standard.

Braking power in the Katana comes from Brembo brakes with radially mounted calipers while it is suspended on 43mm USD front forks and a rear monoshock. The motorcycle runs on 17-inch wheels wrapped with Dunlop Roadsport tyres. It sports a 12-litre fuel tank and has a kerb weight of 215kg.

The 2019 Suzuki Katana is highly likely to be launched in India next year. It will compete with other high-end naked streetfighters such as the Honda CB1000R, BMW S1000 R, Ducati Monster 1200 and the MV Agusta Brutale 800.