Suzuki Katana

The Suzuki Katana was a sports motorcycle produced in the early 1980s. The name was later applied to a range of sport touring motorcycles and mopeds—see Suzuki GSX Series.

Related Topics:
Motorcycle - 1980s - Suzuki GSX Series

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The Katana was named after the famous samurai sword which was said to be so sharp that it could cut a falling leaf.

Related Topics:
Samurai - Sword

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The original Katana designs were very radical for the time. This was largely because they were created by designers from the car design industry, who considered not only the visual appearance but also the ergonomics, aerodynamics and the construction. The original concept was created at Target design in 1979. This was a 650cc model called the ED-1 (European Design 1).

Related Topics:
Ergonomics - Aerodynamics - 1979

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In 1980 at the Cologne Motor show came the ED-2, an 1100cc version based on the Suzuki GS 1100. This was followed through in 1981 with almost no changes to the production version, which is often seen as the Katana as the design was so distinctive. This design was based around a modular concept allowing later for the addition of fairings and larger windscreens. The design was so successful in its basic form that these additional components were never made, apart from a small wind deflector screen. The unusual overlapping dials on the instrumentation were the result of arranging the mechanical components to fit as closely together as possible to reduce weight and costs.

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The petrol filler was offset from the centreline of the tank to allow for a clean continuous seam weld. This design philosophy was applied to all areas of the bike's design, thus reducing the costs, weight, and number of components required.

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Suzuki produced a 750cc version, visually almost indistinguishable from the 1100cc, and a 1000cc version intended for racing. In 1984, the 750cc version was almost completely redesigned to feature a pop-up headlight and smoother lines, as well as new "fully-floating" (monoshock) rear suspension.

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The Katana gave way to the equally revolutionary liquid-cooled GSX-R series in 1986, but remains a popular cult bike.

Related Topics:
GSX-R - Cult

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