KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Suzuki Katana discontinued in India
- Move comes after sales struggled to pick up
- Pulled out of portfolio after a brief run of three years
Suzuki Motorcycle India has quietly pulled the plug on the Suzuki Katana supernaked after just over three years in the Indian market. Once positioned as a litre-class sport naked with a strong dose of retro flair, the Katana has now bowed out, leaving enthusiasts with fewer four-cylinder options from Suzuki. The motorcycle's last listed price stood at Rs 13.61 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which was a little lower than the iconic Busa, further hindering its market appeal. Read on to find out more about this latest ousting in more detail, but before that, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community, specifically curated for petrolheads like us to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates.
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Suzuki Katana: A Retro-Inspired Litre-Class Naked
The Suzuki Katana carried a name steeped in history, first introduced globally in the early 1980s. The modern version blended that nostalgic silhouette, marked by its square LED headlamp, half fairing, and sharp tail, with thoroughly modern hardware. At its core was a 999cc, in-line four-cylinder engine derived from the GSX-S1000, producing around 152 hp and 106 Nm of torque. This motor, paired with a six-speed gearbox and a bi-directional quickshifter, delivered the quintessential Japanese superbike experience.
Suzuki packed the Katana with a solid list of electronic rider aids, including Drive Mode Selector, Traction Control System, ride-by-wire throttle, and Low RPM Assist. Fully adjustable USD forks up front, a monoshock at the rear, and 17-inch cast alloy wheels ensured sharp dynamics, while disc brakes with ABS provided stopping power. Despite ticking most enthusiast boxes, the Katana struggled to connect with Indias niche superbike audience.
Why The Katana Struggled
Though stylish and capable, the Suzuki Katana's high sticker price and limited awareness hindered its prospects. Discounts of over a lakh rupees were often offered to clear inventory, but sales never really picked up. Its only direct rival, the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, proved a more accessible option at Rs 12.36 lakh.
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With the Katana's discontinuation, Suzuki India's litre-class inline-four presence shrinks to a single model, the legendary Hayabusa (Rs 16.90 lakh). The rest of the company's big-bike portfolio consists of the V-Strom 800DE (Rs 10.30 lakh) and GSX-8R (Rs 9.25 lakh), both powered by a 776cc parallel-twin engine.
Verdict
The Suzuki Katana was a bold attempt at fusing retro appeal with modern superbike performance. However, its short-lived Indian journey underlines the challenges faced by litre-class naked bikes in a price-sensitive market. For enthusiasts who did buy one, the Katana remains a unique and rare machine on Indian roads. For the rest, Suzuki's four-cylinder charm now lives on only in the Hayabusa, until the brand decides to bring back another big inline-four to our shores, which as of now, doesn't look like happening anytime soon.
