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1981 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana on display at the Suzuki History Museum

SUZUKI

GSX1100S Katana

Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Manufacturer
SUZUKI
Model
GSX1100S Katana
Year
1981
Type
Sports
Origin
Japan
Photo: Rainmaker47 / CC BY-SA 3.0

01 — Overview

The first model of the Katana series, known for styling inspired by the Japanese sword. Shown at the 1980 Cologne motorcycle show, it caused what Suzuki calls the “Cologne shock”, and production began the following year as an export model with a 1,074 cc air-cooled DOHC inline four.

MAKER
SUZUKI
PRODUCTION
1981–2000

02 — Historical Context

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The design came from Target Design of Germany; Suzuki’s own press release credits German designer Hans Muth. In Japan the 750 cc GSX750S was sold from 1982 and domestic sales of the 1100 began in 1994. Production ended in 2000 with the Final Edition, limited to 1,100 units, after about twenty years.

1980s — Liquid cooling, aluminium frames and full fairings — racing technology flowed into road machines.

03 — Design

DESIGN

Form, read through detail.

Suzuki GSX1100S Katana with wire-spoked wheels
Photo: Allmoto / CC0

04 — Engine

ENGINE

Inline Four

Four cylinders across the frame. Smooth and free-revving, it became emblematic of Japanese large-capacity motorcycles. Intake, compression, power, exhaust — the cycle behind today's combustion motorcycles.General description of the layout

Engine layoutInline Four[1]
CycleFour-stroke[1]
Displacement1,074 cc[1]
Bore × stroke72 × 66 mm[1]
Compression ratio9.5:1[3]
CoolingAir-cooled[1]
ValvetrainDOHC 4-valve[1]
Fuel systemMikuni BS34SS × 4[3]
Max. power (export)111 PS / 8,500 rpm[1]
Max. torque (export)9.8 kgm / 6,500 rpm[1]
Transmission5-speed[1]
Final drivechain[3]

05 — Chassis / Frame

CHASSIS / FRAME

Framedouble cradle[3]
Wheelbase1,520 mm[1]
Seat height775 mm[3]
Dry weight232 kg[1]
Fuel capacity22 L[3]

06 — Specifications

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Every figure is sourced. Unverified values are not published.

Production1981 – 2000[1]
Engine layoutInline Four[1]
CycleFour-stroke[1]
Displacement1,074 cc[1]
Bore × stroke72 × 66 mm[1]
Compression ratio9.5:1[3]
CoolingAir-cooled[1]
ValvetrainDOHC 4-valve[1]
Fuel systemMikuni BS34SS × 4[3]
Max. power (export)111 PS / 8,500 rpm[1]
Max. torque (export)9.8 kgm / 6,500 rpm[1]
Transmission5-speed[1]
Final drivechain[3]
Framedouble cradle[3]
Wheelbase1,520 mm[1]
Seat height775 mm[3]
Dry weight232 kg[1]
Fuel capacity22 L[3]

Figures are shown per market: export

Suzuki GSX1100S Katana with wire-spoked wheels
Photo: Allmoto / CC0

07 — Generations

GENERATION HISTORY

19762005

1981 export model1981–2000

Generations, model years and market variants (Model → Generation → Variant) are added as they are verified.

08 — Cultural Context

CULTURAL CONTEXT

09 — Gallery

GALLERY

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Front-left view of a red 1965 Suzuki T20 at Suzuki Plaza

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11 — Sources

SOURCES

  1. [1]SUZUKI DIGITAL LIBRARY 二輪車 — GSX1100S KATANA（1981）スズキ株式会社 · manufacturer · accessed 2026-09-26
  2. [2]ロングセラースポーツバイク「GSX1100S カタナ」の最終生産モデル「ファイナル エディション」を1,100台限定で発売（2000年3月21日）スズキ株式会社（ニュースリリース） · manufacturer · accessed 2026-09-26
  3. [3]スズキ・カタナ — WikipediaWikipedia (日本語版) · reference · accessed 2026-09-26
  4. [4]Suzuki Katana — WikipediaWikipedia (English) · reference · accessed 2026-09-26

12 — Image Credits

PHOTO CREDITS