Suzuki Motorcycle has discontinued its super-naked bike, the Suzuki Katana, in India. Launched in 2022, this bike came with a powerful 999cc engine and electronic features, but due to low sales over three years, it has been removed from the market. Now, only the Hayabusa and GSX-8R are available as Suzuki's four-cylinder options.
New Delhi: Suzuki Motorcycle India has discontinued its super-naked bike, the Katana, from the Indian market. Launched in 2022 with a price tag of ₹13.61 lakh, this bike was equipped with a 999cc inline four-cylinder engine and modern features such as traction control, ride-by-wire, and drive mode selector. However, its sales remained relatively low over three years, and it failed to gain popularity in the market despite significant discounts. Suzuki's four-cylinder options now available in India include the Hayabusa, GSX-8R, and V-Strom 800DE.
Launch and Pricing
The Suzuki Katana was launched in India with an ex-showroom price of ₹13.61 lakh. This bike belonged to the retro-naked superbike category and featured a powerful engine along with stylish aesthetics. The bike's design included half fairing, a distinctive headlamp, and attractive wheels, setting it apart from other motorcycles.
Powerful Engine and Features
The Suzuki Katana was powered by a 999cc inline four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. This engine produced 150 bhp at 11,000 rpm and a peak torque of 106 Nm at 9,250 rpm. It was paired with a 6-speed gearbox.
The bike also featured electronic aids, including the Suzuki Traction Control System, ride-by-wire, low RPM assist, Suzuki Drive Mode Selector, and Suzuki Easy Start System. Additionally, it came with a traction control system offering five mode settings. All these features contributed to making it a technologically advanced super-naked bike.
Market Competition
Although the Katana boasted excellent technology and design, its sales did not meet expectations. It competed with recently launched bikes such as the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, Kawasaki Z900, and Ducati Monster.
Suzuki's other prominent large bike offerings in India include the Hayabusa, GSX-8R, and V-Strom 800DE. Currently, the Hayabusa remains the most prominent choice among the four-cylinder options. Additionally, enthusiasts can opt for bikes like the V-Strom 800 DE and GSX-8R.
Reasons for Low Sales
The Suzuki Katana met all the criteria of a litre-class Japanese sport-naked bike. Despite this, it lagged behind in terms of sales. In India, it was often sold with substantial discounts, yet the bike did not gain significant popularity in the market.
Experts suggest that its pricing and super-naked styling did not align with the tastes of the average Indian motorcycle buyer. Furthermore, the high price point and limited four-cylinder options restricted its sales.
