Suzuki introduced the KATANA nameplate in 1981 on the GSX1100S KATANA, a striking large-displacement street machine that became one of the company’s most recognizable motorcycles. Its angular styling gave it instant identity and helped establish the KATANA as a cult favorite among riders who valued bold design as much as performance. Suzuki later returned to the name in 1994 with a domestic-market GSX1100S KATANA revival, extending the original concept into a new era for a time.
After a long pause, Suzuki revived the name again in 2019 with an all-new KATANA built around contemporary sportbike hardware and modern electronics. This second-era model was developed as a new interpretation of the original’s character rather than a direct retro copy, pairing sharp bodywork and a distinctive front end with a contemporary 1,000-class inline-four platform. Suzuki has continued to keep the KATANA in production, refining it over time while preserving its role as a styling-led, enthusiast-focused street motorcycle. The nameplate remains significant both for its 1980s heritage and for its modern comeback as a flagship expression of Suzuki design.