Suzuki has become the latest manufacturer to reveal a 2011 model unveiling in lieu of the annual motorcycle shows - namely the cancelled 2020 EICMA event - but save for an October 7 date, we otherwise have very precious little to go on.
Every now and then Suzuki does have the ability to pull out all the stops when it comes to grabbing the headlines during show season and looking at today’s range - dwindling as non-Euro5 compliant models are dropped without a replacement ready to take its place - it could certainly do with one.
Indeed, after last year’s functional but far from exciting V-Strom 1050 launch and the positive if not overwhelming support for the revived Katana a year earlier, there are a few models we can think of that would qualify for a headline-grabbing unveiling.
A brand-new Hayabusa, anyone? We’ll scrub that idea right now , before you get too excited. Perhaps an update to the GSX-R1000R to give it a new lease of life amid new competition, or maybe a tuned Katana… maybe, but we’ll put some cheeky money on the following instead.
While it doesn’t necessarily fall under the ‘thrilling’ category, Suzuki’s long-awaited replacement for the venerable but now two-decade old 650cc engines would give its mid-range - the SV650 and V-Strom 650 - a new lease of life in what is a crucial sector for the brand globally.
Trouble is, they have been in the pipeline for so long that it could as easily appear tomorrow and it could in three years time. Though given the current engine has maintained a relatively good level in 20 years, they will no doubt be keen to get its replacement spot on.
Given the invite has been sent out to Indian media, it’s entirely possible we won’t even get to buy whatever is unveiledl if it’s a small 250cc et all. Commuter, an urban runaround or scooter.
However, the smart money for us will be on the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT getting a facelift to bring it into line with the larger 1050XT. That means means Katana-style headlights, a full digital display and more tech, while rumbling along with the its ‘so old it’s now an adult’ engine.
Beyond that, there isn’t too much on the near horizon for Suzuki save for maybe a mid-range Katana and, of course, its GSX-R1000R is surely the next sportsbike in the market to get an overhaul… Yes, thank you, please!
