Left : Suzuki GSX1100 Bottom left : Suzuki Katana 1982 Bottom right : Katana engine detail
Championship on a Yoshimura tuned GS1000 .
BIGGER AND FASTER The GSX1100 followed in 1981 . One critic said “ The Suzuki ’ s ability to cruise at 145km / h or more , was limited mainly by its rider ’ s willingness to hold on ”. There was of course limited wind protection and “ the footrests were too far forward for highspeed riding ”. The understandable criticism in the 1970s , not of the superb performance of the motorcycles being produced , but the unimaginative appearance of the Universal Japanese Motorcycles , with
their upright riding position providing little protection when riding such fast machines . It must also have been obvious that whenever any of the increasingly fast motorcycles were used for racing , one of the first things that happens to them is they are given a fairing , low bars , and rear-set foot pegs . Suzuki obviously recognised this . The Europeans were producing motorcycles that offered much greater rider comfort , and protection , on sports motorcycles , and that ’ s where Suzuki went for assistance . They had the fastest Superbike available , which now handled well , but what they needed was the style
74 KIWI RIDER