New Katana ?

[pookie]

Suzuki have released a teaser video for a new bike for 2019, it shows a sword being beaten into shape and an announcement that it will be shown next month, could be a new Katana.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... eeltheEdge

[Uncle Bob]

The consensus is it will be a Katana and first look will be at Intermot show in Cologne just like the first one was. Some debate over whether it will be GSXR1000 based or the parallel twin turbo'ed engine from the Recursion project. Personally I'd like it to be the 1000 as Kat's are inline 4's to me (as well as the look).

Kawasaki's Z900RS retro seemes to have been met with good reviews and had some waiting lists at first release, so maybe Suzuki learning from that will do a good job and it won't be another GSX600F!

[PaulD]

Or it could be a car!

[johnr]

but we all know that it will be shit.
its a compromise, and thats the one thing that the original kat wasnt. for probably the only time, suzuki showed a concept and then pretty much went and built it. this will, if it happens just be an exercise if tapping nostalgia driven sales.
the question should be, if it does geet made and then called a katana, do we let them join or send them to live with the teapot family,,,,,,,,

[fossie]

It's all to do with the tank seat interface. if you glance at see katana then ok,. New bikes bring in new blood and updating knowledge ....but the ethos must remain other wise it is a comprise too far.

[Uncle Bob]

Agree with Fossie on new bikes, new blood, lets wait and see. If you look at the ED2 as designed then you could say Suzuki compromised the seat, fairing, clocks and the exhaust over that original concept - some to maybe make it a better bike to ride and maybe the exhaust to use more or less what was on another bike. I'm quite excited to see what it will be like, but of course that could lead to disappointment! We'll know in about 4 weeks.

[pookie]

Target design wanted the 1100 Katana to have a 4 into 1 exhaust system (identical to the one on my 250 Kat) but the bosses at Suzuki Japan considered it a step too far ! after looking at the feedback from the video most people think it will be a 650cc or 800cc twin with either a turbocharger or a supercharger, there's going to be a new video put out each week until the reveal in Germany in three weeks time.

[Pedda]

Target design wanted the 1100 Katana to have a 4 into 1 exhaust system (identical to the one on my 250 Kat) but the bosses at Suzuki Japan considered it a step too far ! after looking at the feedback from the video most people think it will be a 650cc or 800cc twin with either a turbocharger or a supercharger, there's going to be a new video put out each week until the reveal in Germany in three weeks time.

They also wanted a windshield where there was none at Target design's rollout. Good they insisted.

[pookie]

The early Japanese market 750 Katana was sold without a windshield, it just doesn't look right without it.

[Uncle Bob]

I'll be disappointed if they use the twin with the turbo (though I guess the bike will be cheaper).
The Kat should be an inline 4 and it's up to the likes of Cam, John Martin, et al to add the Turbo