Left : Katana left side
Bottom left : Katana right side
Bottom right : Right side engine detail and riding position that would give its bike the ‘ wow ’.
GERMAN INSPIRATION A German company , Target Design , was given the job . Jan Fellstrom and Hans Muth had a reputation for innovative work in the automobile industry , as well as having designed BMW ’ s acclaimed R90S almost ten years earlier . They were asked to design a motorcycle that would make everyone sit up and take notice , and they certainly did . Katana is a Japanese Samurai sword that is said to strike fear into the hearts of those who see it unsheathed ,
and that is what Suzuki decided to call their new creation . The styling was unlike any sports motorcycle that went before it , and it provided a platform for many of the stylistic features incorporated in models that followed . The Katana appeared in 1982 . The engine was the basic 1075cc GSX1100 power plant . Four in-line cylinders , double overhead camshafts , and 16-valves . A 997cc version was produced to cater for one litre production racing . Power output was 111bhp at 8500rpm , and a top speed of 225km / h . There were twin shocks at the rear , and front forks with spring
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