Deposits of $1000 on the 2019 Suzuki Katana are now being taken for the bike which will be available in “limited numbers” and in two colour choices.

The reincarnated Katana was unveiled last month at the Intermot show in Cologne in traditional silver and black.

This week a second “Glass Sparkle Black” version was unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan.

Online deposits

Suzuki Australia spokesman Matt Reilly says they will only take orders for the bike online, “offering customers a premium buying experience along the way in the lead up to arrival in the third quarter of next year”.

“Australian pricing is not yet 100% confirmed and difficult to accurately forecast given the timeframe to the Katana’s Q3 2019 arrival,” he says.

“However, we have been advising customers that we are working very hard to secure the bike for under $20K ride away with 12 months’ registration.”

Deposits will cost $1000 and if you change your mind after three business days, Suzuki Australia will only refund $450.

The remaining $550 takes into account the “reasonable administrative costs Suzuki will incur as a result of your cancellation”.

The first 50 customers to order a Katana will also receive a Katana-themed Arai QV-Pro helmet, valued at $995, with their bike delivery.

Online customers can nominate their preferred authorised Suzuki motorcycle dealer for delivery as well as arrange finance and insurance quotes and trade-in valuations.

Printed brochures are also available at Suzuki dealers.

If you can’t complete the online order, you can do it at the dealership.

Matt says online ordering was launched at the Australian MotoGP.

“We have had a fantastic response to the online ordering system, receiving a greater number of orders than we originally expected within the first week of it being live,” he says.

“To say customers are excited about this new bike is a massive understatement.”

Suzuki Katana

The 2019 Katana has several styling cues from the old Katana including sharp lines, sports screen, half-fairing, stepped two-tone seat, stubby black exhaust and rectangular headlight.

Modern styling changes and features include full LED lighting, a remote rear fender and a massive catalytic convertor underneath.

The biggest change is straight bars instead of clip-ons, so it might be ergonomically less painful to ride.

Power comes from a long-stroke version of the fuel-injected 999cc inline-four engine from the GSX-S1000F with 110kW at 10,000rpm and 108Nm of torque at 9500rpm.

Features include a back-torque-limiting clutch, Suzuki’s three-mode Traction Control System, Fujico disc brakes with Brembo front brake calipers and ABS, and new tyres with a tubeless inner structure designed exclusively for the Katana.

Suzuki makes a point of saying the seat is comfortable, probably because the old Katana was notoriously uncomfortable. However, the seat is fairly high at 825mm.