Suzuki Katana [2019]

The Katana is a name that was in production from 1981 to 2006, and Suzuki has resurrected it for the 2019 model year. It is a street bike that will appeal to those who are not looking for the modernism that the GSX-S1000 offers.
 
Under the skin it will essentially remain the latter bike, but it looks markedly different. The headlamp is still a rectangular unit but an all-LED one. At the rear, there is an interesting styling element, with the rear numberplate holder and turn signals mounted like a rear tyre hugger. The tail lamp sits at the top, in its traditional place at the end of the subframe. This gives the illusion of a lot of space between the seat and the rear wheel. Suspension consists of Kayaba-sourced inverted forks in the front and a monoshock at the rear. Brembo supplies the braking and Dunlop Roadsport tyres show its intentions as a street bike.
 
It will have the same 150bhp 999cc four-cylinder motor, and a six-speed transmission and a slipper clutch. It will have three-level traction control and ABS. The information will be displayed on a TFT colour screen. The Katana weighs in at 215kg and has a relatively small 12 litre fuel tank.
 
The Katana competes with another heritage-inspired Japanese streetbike, the Kawasaki Z900RS. It will be launched at some point in 2019, with a price slightly more than the GSX-S1000.