Suzuki Motorcycle India has quietly taken the Katana off its lineup, marking the end of its run after just over three years in the market. The litre-class supernaked stood out with its sharp, retro-inspired styling that paid homage to the original 1980s Katana, but it never really found enough takers in India.
Powering the Katana was a 999cc, inline-four engine derived from the legendary K5 motor. It produced 152hp and 106Nm, giving it serious performance credentials. The bike shared much of its chassis hardware with the GSX-S1000, but its distinct design language set it apart. Priced at ₹13.61 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), its closest rival was Honda’s CB1000 Hornet SP, which undercut it at ₹12.36 lakh.
Despite offering what Indian superbike buyers usually look for—inline-four character, Japanese reliability, and striking looks—the Katana struggled in terms of sales. Dealers often had to move stock with heavy discounts, highlighting the lukewarm response from enthusiasts.
With the Katana gone, Suzuki no longer has a 1000cc inline-four motorcycle on sale in India. The company’s current big-bike portfolio is limited to three models: the Hayabusa (₹16.90 lakh), GSX-8R (₹9.25 lakh), and V-Strom 800DE (₹10.30 lakh). While the last two are powered by a 776cc parallel-twin motor, the Hayabusa remains the sole inline-four option. Suzuki has recently revived the GSX-R1000R globally, but there’s no confirmation yet on whether the superbike will return to the Indian market—leaving a noticeable gap in the brand’s litre-class offerings.
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