Suzuki displayed its entire BS6 domestic line-up for the first time at Auto Expo 2020. However, the centre of attention at the stand was a motorcycle that isn’t available in our country – the Katana. The fact that Suzuki had brought the bike down to the show sparked rumours that the manufacturer was considering an India launch this year. Now, in an interview with Koichiro Hirao, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India, and Devashish Handa, Vice President, Suzuki Motorcycle India, we’ve learned that the motorcycle won't make its way here in 2020.
The Katana that is on sale internationally hasn’t been updated to meet Euro 5 (BS6) norms, and once that happens, Suzuki India will gauge customer interest before deciding to launch the bike here. Hirao revealed that the survey takes place over a few months, and given that it'll take time for the bike to be BS6-compliant, we could only expect to see the bike here in 2021.
Powering the Katana is the same 999cc motor from the GSX-S1000F. The liquid-cooled, inline-four makes 150hp at 10,000rpm and 108Nm of peak torque at 9,500rpm. A slipper-clutch, three-level traction control system, and dual-channel ABS are also present on the Katana. Suspension hardware includes a fully adjustable KYB 43mm USD fork and a link-type monoshock unit adjustable for pre-load and rebound damping. Anchorage is provided by Brembo radial calipers.
The manufacturer has told us in the past that its primary focus in India is on domestic vehicles, and it will take a fair amount of interest from the public before the Katana is launched here. If the bike does come to India, it will be one of the most unique motorcycles from the Japanese manufacturer.
Azaman Chothia
