Suzuki Motorcycle India has confirmed via its social media channels that it will launch the Katana in our market very soon. This motorcycle will most likely arrive via the CBU route and rival the BMW S1000 XR and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX in the Indian market. While we await more details about Suzuki Katana's India launch, here we tell you what to expect from the motorcycle.
Design
The Suzuki Katana features a monocoque-style bodywork that is inspired by the 1982 model. The design includes a rectangular shape for the vertically-stacked headlight at the front, a tinted flyscreen, fairing integrated turn indicators, and rear-fender mounted numberplate and turn indicators. This BMW S1000 XR-rival also packs upright ergonomics and a semi-fairing setup which should deliver comfortable ergonomics and windblast protection. The short flyscreen, however, may not provide a comprehensive protection against the windblast. Internationally, the Katana is offered in two colours – Metallic Matte Stellar Blue and Solid Iron Gray. We expect to see both colour themes in the Indian market as well.
Features
The electronic rider aids on the Suzuki Katana comprise three ride modes, cornering ABS, five-level traction control system, low RPM assist, Suzuki Easy Start System, and bi-directional quickshifter. The feature list includes full-LED lighting. However, unlike the competition, the Katana uses an LCD instrument cluster instead of a colour-TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity as on the BMW S1000 XR and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX.
Then, the instrument console includes a digital speedometer, bar-style tachometer, odometer, dual trip meters, gear position, coolant temperatures, driving range, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, riding range, traction control level, a lap-timer, and clock.
Engine
The motorcycle is powered by a 999cc, inline-four, liquid-cooled engine that is based on the GSX-R. This motor already complies with the Euro5 emission norms (equivalent to BS6 standards) and produces a maximum output of 150bhp. Further, the six-speed gearbox benefits from Suzuki Clutch Assist System and a bi-directional quickshifter.
Hardware
The Katana is built around a twin-spar aluminium main frame and uses an aluminium swingarm. The suspension tasks are handled by 43mm inverted KYB forks at the front which are adjustable for compression, rebound damping, and spring preload. The rear monoshock, on the other hand, gets a seven-way adjustable spring preload. The braking hardware includes twin 310mm discs with Brembo callipers at the front and a single 240mm rotor with a Nissin-sourced calliper. This road-biased motorcycle rides on 17-inch alloy wheels that are shod in 120/70ZR17 front and 180/50ZR17 rear tyres.
Expected Price
We expect the Suzuki Katana to arrive in the same price range as the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX. Thus, the motorcycle should carry a Rs 10-12 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag. Its India launch may take place in July 2022 and the deliveries should commence soon after.
