VOL. 55 ISSUE 40 OCTOBER 9, 2018 P51
S
uzuki was one of the big hitters at this year's
Intermot Motorcycle Show in Cologne,
Germany, with the announcement of the
rebirthed Katana.
Based heavily off the Suzuki GSX-S1000F,
Suzuki says the new Katana is not just a styling
exercise but more an opportunity to expose one
of their most famous names to new riders as part
of news the company plans to release 10 new
large-capacity machines by 2021.
The 2020 Katana is powered by the 147-horse-
power, 999cc inline four-cylinder of the GSX-S,
itself a version of the 2005 GSX-R1000 superbike
motor but tuned for better low-to midrange perfor-
mance. The GSX-S twin-spar aluminum chassis
is also essentially unchanged. KYB supplies the
front and rear suspension, and Brembo has fitted
their four-piston monobloc calipers to it.
The electronics come packing traction control,
ABS and three riding modes
Harking back to the original 1980s Katana, the
seat position is very upright, with the lines close to
what made the original such a revered machine.
Grey and red with a square headlight and edge
panels on the side of the seat, the Katana's styling
is unlike anything in Suzuki's current lineup.
Suzuki has yet to release the pricing or availabil-
ity of the 2020 Katana, but expect something in
the first quarter of 2019. CN
2020 Suzuki
Katana
