The Suzuki Katana was NOT what you think

[@Deekay1958]

I bought my 1100 Katana in February 1982. I still have it. It has 280,000 kms of our History together.

[@LTLT900]

That's awesome.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

Wow!! its a work of art.

[@alasdair4161]

Man that's a lot of oil changes and chains & sprockets.. I only wish I'd hung on to so many of my early bikes, most are now way out of reach. As a funny side note there, I had a drunk woman back right over my bike in ~1983(?) and while it was being repaired I bought a $150 1976 Z-200 to keep me mobile. I still have it and whenever I ride it to town and park it (unregistered) I get loitering lookers with offers to buy, yet it's such a tiny bike.. lol I guess people like the classic look regardless.

[@chrispomphrett4283]

I sold mine. One of my regrets😢

[@Deekay1958]

@@alasdair4161 Tires were the real killer. 8000kms for the rear and around 11000 for the Front. Sure other brands would last longer but had less grip. I was really unhappy when they stopped making Pirelli Phantoms. Oil changes.... Don't get me started. Every 3000 kms. Genuine Suzuki Filters used to cost $2.00 each. I could get 20 for $35.00. I have heaps of Brand new genuine parts for it plus all of the original stuff I took off it. Pipes, rear guard, fibreglass fairing, etc. Most still unused. Maybe one Day. But I like the Rat Kat look.

[@danijuggernaut]

The Katana was revolutionary like the Lamborghini Countach. I was 14 years old when the bike came out and it was something beautiful we never had seen before.

[@MikMech]

Agree. I blew my left nut over the Katana when it came out. Then my right one over the VMax.

[@pyrodoll2422]

Same here

[@roop298]

? like it launched a thousand rip offs. Don't think so.

[@MikMech]

​@@roop298 ????

[@Username-2]

@@roop298it literally did though. designs from the katana are still used in sports bikes today, like the idea of making the fairings flush with the seat and the gas tank. It was essentially the precursor to the original gsxr.

[@ryancraig2795]

Really can't overstate how wild this bike looked compared to everything else at the time.

[@ANSWERTHECALLOFJESUSCHRIST]

For real!

[@min_nari]

hello ryan

[@horseshoe182]

yeah, it was pretty cool, in its day.

[@gasdive]

I still remember seeing one the first time. It was like something from another planet. It's impossible to overstate the impact it had at the time, and nothing else has ever come close.

[@insolentstickleback3266]

When I was a kid, the Suzuki Katana was the single biggest influence on me, and led to my first motorcycle, the 1984 Honda Interceptor 500. I owned 8 Motorcycles total before I quit riding. The Katana deserves every accolade it ever received.

[@Crashed131963]

I only thing I did not like about the Katana was it did not have the smaller fat front wheel like the Ninja 900 and Honda Interceptor and Nighthawk 750S had at that time .

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

The 500 interceptor was also stunning, really beutiful lines.❤

[@kiwialfa2083]

When the Katana was released, I was in my late teens and I was awe struck. No motorcycle design before or since has for me been as compelling. I got my first Kat 1100 in my early twenties and I still have her. From that moment I became a Katana man. I've added another 2 Target Design Kats to the stable since then. They have been entwined with my life. I riddened them, crashed them, rebuilt them, resurrected them. Had a myriad of memorable moments. I know every nut and bolt on them. Every square centimeter. I still ride them and will for as long as I can.

[@winchester92stevebrook44]

I bought a new Suzuki Katana 1100 fourty years ago, loved it 😄. One of the fastest mass production motorcycles of it's day.

[@milmex317th]

July 1979 GSX750L I watched the guys a Wisdoms Suzuki Ogden Kansas uncrate it. I rode it to California after the break in period. 2 years later I sold it because I was getting married and going overseas. I told my exwife I should have kept the bike, she got really pissed. Yep should have kept the bike.

[@PJD_55]

Likewise I was living in Oman at the time and had just sold my Goldwing. It was so long ago now that I can't remember exactly what year i bought it, either '81 or '82. It was such a different bike to the 'wing but I absolutley loved it, The styling just blew me away as did the performance. I still think it looks amazing now. I've not seen F9's take on it but must check it out.

[@Username-2]

Actually when it was released it was THE fastest!

[@PJD_55]

@@Username-2 It certainly felt like it! But back then with no Internet and no motorcycle journals to access I had no info about it. I just bought it for the way it looked 😂.

[@donaldwayne4219]

Had a GSX1100, same engine, loved it. Had a Katana 1100 a couple of years later, loved it because it was different but the GSX was better riding position. Could never understand why Suzuki never made an 1100 like the 750 with the popup headlight. The 750 had sleek styling, beautiful paint, looked modern, looked fast but everyone gave up waiting for an 1100 version

[@burgersquid]

That old school katana has always been a beautiful, futuristic looking bike, and I am glad the GSX 8S is using some similar design language

[@Jonathan-L]

Yeah, the GSX8S is an appealing design. Sadly the modern day Katana of 2019 just didn't have the same attraction as the original early 80s models.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

@@Jonathan-L are they still making the katana after 2019?

[@fidelcatsro6948]

@@mazinblasterzetto9645 i see..thank you

[@Crashed131963]

I only thing I did not like about the Katana was it did not have the smaller fat front wheel like the Ninja 900 and Honda Interceptor and Nighthawk 750S had at that time .

[@MovieSoCrass]

@@fidelcatsro6948 yes they are. A new model is even out for the coming ‘24 yr

[@brob9995]

I was surprised you did not mention the 1984 GSX750S3 with the pop up headlight, and then went looking for it on the web. I learned they were not sold in the US, so that is probably why you did not know about it. Being from Canada, the first Katana I saw was this one, and to me, it is the best version of this design. As a 14 years old, I was very impressed by the futurism of this bike.

[@lordchickenhawk]

Like so many young blokes at the time, I was astounded by the revolutionary styling... The 750 "pop up" still strikes me as the best iteration of the concept.

[@ZoomStranger]

Thanks - yes, it was a great looking bike - I remember thinking it was a pity it was only offered at 750cc. I always wondered if the pop up light was reliable and as quick as you'd want.

[@emmettturner9452]

US probably already had always-on headlight regulations for motorcycles. IIRC, it’s been that way for new bikes since the mid ‘70s.

[@kawasaki2024]

It was my 2nd bike. I loved it! Toronto Canada.

[@chrispiatt2235]

I remember watching that video and thinking Ryan was being incredibly hollow and pedantic while asserting a pretty antiseptic viewpoint on aesthetics. Okay, that was a mouthful...anyhow, I'm glad you found him a bit silly too.

[@logantrashh7781]

Love Fortnine but that video really didn't make sense

[@chrispiatt2235]

@@logantrashh7781 yea, definitely. The KLR, Ural and RE vids are absolute gems.

[@kunjaffxi]

Liked, commented, shared, and subscribed. The original Katana 1100 was my favorite bike when I first started getting interested in riding years ago. I became obsessed with what became the 2020 Katana as soon as I heard about the concept. As soon as I got into my IT job, that was the first big purchase that I made and I haven't looked back. Long Live Suzuki!

[@littleshopofelectrons4014]

I could never get used to the Katana styling. Its grown on me a little more over the years but I'm still not in love with it. I own a 2009 Yamaha VMAX and people say much the same thing. Its appearance is very polarizing. Some people think its ugly. Some think its beautiful in its brutality. I obviously think its the latter. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Vmaxs have always had a soft spot for me. When I started riding motorcycles 10 years ago, I wanted a 1st gen VMax so bad... 2nd gen are unfortunately out of my budget

[@ZackaryMac]

I was working at a bike dealer in 1985 when the VMax first came out. It was a beast! Sooo much torque compared to anything else. Like-it-or-hate-it looks...I loved it! It had a modified Venture engine, crappy handling, was heavy, and made you go for the V-boost every time you rode it. It sounded awesome. You could hear the intake when you opened it up, and I liked it at least. If I had a chance, I'd have one in my garage. Not as an everyday bike, but good for giving an adrenaline rush now and then.

[@machupikachu1085]

@@ZackaryMac V4's really do sound like nothing else! I've put around 60K miles on my Vmax, and the torque can still spook me sometimes. I don't ride it as much as I should anymore - I'm supermoting now. Maybe I should sell it to guys like yourselves that would actually ride it and truly appreciate it. Cheers!

[@Crashed131963]

I only thing I did not like about the Katana was it did not have the smaller fat front wheel like the Ninja 900 and Honda Interceptor and Nighthawk 750S had at that time . Vmax was beautiful just wish it had a larger gas tank ,for road trips, my friends hated me stopping at every gas station .

[@ZackaryMac]

@Crashed131963 I had a 1985 Suzuki 1200 Madura, and it had a small little gas tank as well. No useful range in such a small tank.

[@francof1635]

Thanks for featuring the Katana. I owned a 1983 750 Katana for 25 years. I loved this bike and in the day, It turned a lot of heads.

[@Jonathan-L]

I remember on one occasion I came to a standstill in traffic on my 1100 Katana wearing my race leathers and young ladies would scream at me like I was a rock star. Nobody does that anymore ... they're all staring at their phones.

[@khalilveronessi4819]

For me the katana is one of the most beautiful bikes ever made, i knew it existed because of a random picture that popped out in a google search, and i instantly falled in love with it. Knowing now what it represents i love it even more

[@Flyrod10]

I owned the 82 Katana 1000 it was the only Japanese motorcycle I've ever owned. British and Eurorpean were all I've ever owned . The 1000 Katana had a speedometer that maxed out at 85mph, I could almost get there in 1st gear.

[@evanthompson8925]

Yes, I remember the 85 mph speedometer when I first looked at the bike on the dealership floor. Dumb My later Suzuki 1200 Bandit had a proper speedometer and would hit 75 mph in 1st. But the Katana still has the edge in looks.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

i owned a used 84 katana in 1999, it was in bad shape by then, scrapped by the turn of the century.. i also own a 06 bandit1200 today and ive owned it since 2008

[@brentlanyon4654]

Do you know why I pulled you over? "Yes, officer, I was doing 85. My bad."

[@rondobrondo]

I am 29 years old and I personally find it striking and engaging to look at. It has a utilitarian look to it, especially with that inlaid choke dial, very interesting sort of thing to see on a bike. I dont really think it's that important for people to get hung up on 'objective qualities' of the looks of bikes. It's always contextual and based on how it relates to everything around it. Things that are interesting often give you a sense of beauty because of how engrossing they are, and this is one of those bikes for me

[@marcalampi5036]

You are correct you hit the point

[@johncunningham4820]

The Suzuki Katana looked back then , like Sports Bikes MOSTLY look like still today . Those GSX Engines were in fact the Best Engines of their time too . And more importantly , they were the FIRST Japanese Bike that had Ducati - esque STABILITY at really high speeds . A " Goal Post Mover " bike . Suzuki did it again Later , with the GSX-R bikes . A Significant Step Forward . The Original Katana was quite " Out There " at the time , but the design has not really " Dated " either . Good Solid High Speed Mile-Eater .

[@stephenmacdonald6305]

Brilliant bike for the time. I purchased a brand new Katana1100 in 1982. I was 18 years old at the time.compared to the Kawasaki GPZ1100 and Honda CBX 6cyl and Yamaha XS11 the Katana was way ahead in handling . I later removed the air box , re - jetted the carburators [ a pain that was ! ] and fitted a 4 into 1exhaust system with big bore silencer . Good memories , great bike .Thanks for the video .

[@Crashed131963]

The XS11 was a cruiser with a step seat and teardrop tank. Like a V65 Magna. Yamaha's sport big bike was the FJ 1100 and Honda's was the 1000 interceptor .

[@Stoater1]

There were two versions of this bike, the 1100 with CV carbs and the 1000 with slide carbs. The 1000 was on sale for homologation purposes. At the time superbike racing was limited to 1000 cc.

[@AntonioGarcia-zr9uc]

The katana had always looked like a beast , Evan today it still looks awesome

[@priceyA320]

Just a note on its racing success. It actually did quite well outside the US. Winning major races in Australia, New Zealand and Sth Africa. Suzuki New Zealand sold a homologation special with smooth bore carbs, braided brake lines, wire wheels and 123 hp. Very collectable today.

[@ingopaul67]

Its different, futuristic for the time and still gets people talking about it now. Suzuki should be admired for bringing a pure concept to market.

[@shenmisheshou7002]

I did not think it was "beautiful" but I did think it was *eye catching* . It stood out from everything else and you could not help seeing it. I think it was the way it presented itself as something exotic and purposeful, conveying one message that most other bikes couldn't do as well. That message was "I am fast. I am very fast."

[@tonysadler5290]

I had one of the first of these wonderful bikes in the UK. I loved it, I miss it. It was brilliant, handled well - lovely balanced position. Top end was about 145mph, and the acceleration at the time beat everything. How much I wish I could have one again. I had my full face helmet painted up to match along with Katana decals on each side. My 1000cc (998cc engine) with slide carburetors would out accelerate the 1100cc if I dropped a cog but the 1100 would pull away if opened up in the same gear or we were both in top. It was a brilliant roadster.

[@psychologixselfmastery]

I had a GSX250 Katana and I loved the styling, it was a physically big bike for a 250cc, never had a chance to ride the 1100CC version, would love to have a go. Great engine by the way with tons of torque, those 1100CC engines are powerful torquey, and reliable.

[@Crashed131963]

It was just a standard GS 11000 motor inline 4 air Not new a motor like the Ninja 900 inline 4 liquid and 1000 interceptor V4 liquid at that time .

[@timconder4909]

Good one! I think the early Katana is magnificent. That engine. Every year it got more brutal and terrifying! Vance & Hines know. Out of all the wild, incredibly unique ‘80s Sport Bikes this one rules. They’re wicked stock, but when set up as street-able drag bikes, with lowered forks, flatter clip ons, fatter back tires and slightly longer swing arms they make the meanest looking motorcycles anywhere. On any planet. There’s one on BaT right now. 2 days in and it’s already bank. The ‘80s was a fantastic time for sport bike style! Every make and model was instantly recognizable. Power and handling advances made “the fastest one” too slow about every 6 months. Truly a glorious time. When the new one came out I instantly spotted the lines of the old Katana fairing clear across the dealership! Practically ran to it. With all this time and “we know better now” DNA the bike was a far cry from the original, those old lines got lost quickly but MAN. My heart jumped at first The first Katanas truly were magnificent.

[@asacarrick1440]

Fastest one too slow but most do no more than talk spec in the pub, lucky for them they never took it to the limit

[@timconder4909]

@@asacarrick1440 True! I was stationed at Ft. Ord in the mid-eighties, which is a short ride from Laguna Seca. The bikes were unreal and advanced so quick it took true racers to hold them down. We did our best. Then Kevin Shwantz himself would blow by you splitting lanes on Carmel Valley road, full leathers, bleeding edge factory bike. It was a reality check. The pro racers were in that area a lot, along with club guys who were dead serious. Many rode those 600 “Baby Ninjas” and they could flat clean our clocks! …but, my 900 Ninja and I had our moments. It was fantastic.

[@johnnyrvf]

Yay! You showcased the Honda RC30 ( VFR 750 R ) as a more beautiful nike than some modern Indian. As an owner of a RC 30, I’m glad it’s graceful lines are apreciated 35 years after it’s European launch.

[@billymc2681]

Another timeless classic from the 80s. Along with the '82 Kawi KZ 1000 ELR replica and the '85 Honda VF 1000R...that original Katana is a classic!

[@SmittyAZ]

My first bike was an 82 GS1100 EZ that I financed. When this came out, I was still too broke to buy it, but I loved it.

[@johnallen3075]

I think that the Katana was one of the best looking bikes back in the 80's and have not got tired of its looks, it was ahead of its time. Suzuki was known for great handling bikes back in the eighties of the the Japanese bikes, GS range also had good handling

[@Crashed131963]

I only thing I did not like about the Katana was it did not have the smaller fat front wheel like the Ninja 900 and Honda Interceptor and Nighthawk 750S had at that time .

[@brucegoldsmith3721]

I remember when the Katana first came out... they sure were a radical change from the standard Suzuki offering. One of my old shipmates bought one, and I just couldn't stop looking at it. To this day, I'm not sure if I liked the styling, or not, but one thing's for certain, they sure were eye catching. I've ridden them from time to time over the years and have nothing but praise for them. Great video!

[@avertthymortaleyes3460]

I know nothing about motorcyles, but the feeling I get from admiring them like watching these videos gives me a feeling of endless, open road freedom that I so need in my life right now.

[@pieterbusa]

For me the Katana was everything a motorbike should be. From day one it inspired me to one day be a true biker. I was 12 years old in 1980. Thank you for this video.

[@ninji522]

I've always been drawn to sport bike's because the fairing's are what make them unique. A motorcycle just by it's nature has far less sheet metal or body panels than a car so there's less opportunities for design. When your just dealing with a tank and frame they all look the same to me (imagine a car sans body panels and they would get boring real quick). Of course the same can be said for fully faired bike if you don't look close enough but at least there's more canvas to paint so to speak. This looked radical because there was something to look at in the design of the fairing and continuation of the tank and if it makes you think, isn't that beautiful? Also the "new" Katana makes so much more sense after seeing this.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Best Kat review ever. The 550 and the 650 Kats were also really good looking bikes.

[@SSV-i-c-e]

I spent many hours after school at the local Suzuki dealers and remember the day they got the first katana it was a star it was so far ahead of the gsx1100 it was sold next too

[@boneseyyl1060]

My first bike was an 82 GS 750E in black bought new. I bought it because it was fast and comfortable. I wasn't interested in a bike that was fast but uncomfortable, just because it looked different. And at the time I really never liked the look of the Katana. But looking at it now, I can appreciate the lines a lot more. I must really be old school because I have always liked bikes that show the engine as the focal point with traditional design. As bikes moved into the nineties the old school design started disappearing. Suddenly you had a choice of sport bike or cruiser and all the UJM's had basically disappeared. Probably thanks to the Katana. Now you were either bent forward or slouched back to ride, neither of which I preferred. Hence why I continued to ride 1980's bikes all the way up to 2010, with my last one being an 82 GS 850 with shaft drive, in mint shape. A big comfortable cruiser that was also fast. The only one I didn't like was an 86 GS750. It had an atrocious seat that was smooth vinyl and sloped toward the tank. Even the slightest touch of the brake sent your crotch slamming into the tank. After 2 years I couldn't stand it anymore and dumped it. So yea, I guess my point is that I have always preferred the function of a motorcycle over the form. Form isn't going to make you happy on a 300 mile ride.

[@Crashed131963]

Yamaha FJ1100/1200 the first sport tourer . from the 80s. Evern comfortable and fast in today's standards .

[@bwc1976]

Agreed, when I first started looking into motorcycles in the early 2000's, the pickings for a "normal" bike were pretty slim. These days there are tons of "nakeds" to choose from again, thankfully.

[@boneseyyl1060]

@@bwc1976 Yes, my last bike (I no longer ride anymore :( ) was a 2014 Honda CB 500 F. I would have to say that was probably the most fun and enjoyable bike I've owned out the 10 or so that I had. Just a great bike in the city, and could hold it's own on the highway too. I learned that small bikes can be great fun too. It was a nice standard bike with a great riding position. If I was still riding, it would be the adventure bikes that would interest me. I like the idea of a bike that do both road and a little dirt on the side. Very practical, do everything machines. I don't understand the 1200 cc versions though, not sure why you want to take something that heavy offroad. Around 600 cc would be the sweet spot for me. Take care and ride safe!

[@AlanCheong]

It's one of the most beautiful bike in the history of bikes.

[@orical2832]

I remember as a kid seeing these for the first time on the road. I was blown away by how 'fast' it looked. Beautiful bike.

[@Crashed131963]

I only thing I did not like about the Katana was it did not have the smaller fat front wheel like the Ninja 900 and Honda Interceptor and Nighthawk 750S had at that time .

[@yoker3032]

Love how you make videos in a calm passionate manner without annoying music, always looking forward to watch 1000 more videos of you

[@gregorylagrange]

What makes it iconic is that people have always been used to concept vehicles being made, but always asking "why don't they make them like that?". But the Katana is one of the few vehicles, car or bike, that I know of that looked like a concept vehicle that will never be sold, but was actually mass produced to be sold.

[@melissahillmer308]

The katana was raced in Australia and New Zealand and South Africa and won lots of races . The race bikes for Southern Hemisphere were spoke wheel race bikes that came out in limited numbers

[@briankrahnert7218]

Yeah, I had a NZ one in Australia, wire wheels and bigger cams👍A favorite bike ov mine

[@tedh7543]

I purchased a 1994 Katana 600 when I was a sophomore in college. It was my first street bike (I grew up riding dirt bikes). Loved this motorcycle, it was a blast to ride. I lived in a house w/eight other guys and would park it in the living room. I built a ramp to drive it up the front stairs onto the stoop and then drove it through the front door into the house. I ended up selling it when I graduated. Now I ride a ZX-11D.

[@gazramang8645]

There was a Katana on my street back in the early eighties. We used to look at it on the way to school , it just blew our mind how cool and spacey it looked.

[@djedUVprojector]

The best angle of this bike is at 17:00 it's from standing behind and looking across the bike. The way the apex curves flow from the rear of the seat down into the dip then onto the shallow apexed tank. This is the riders view of their bike.

[@Crashed131963]

I only thing I did not like about the Katana was it did not have the smaller 16" fat front wheel like the Ninja 900 and Honda Interceptor and Nighthawk 750S had at that time . It would have looked much better .

[@scottlewis2372]

Ryan couldn't be more wrong. The original 1982 1000 (in the USA) Kat is a masterpiece.

[@RiskIt007]

First time I saw it I was blown away (1983).. I own many bikes and I still have one because it’s just beautiful to me. Great vid! Thanks

[@llwellyn1]

Bravo! This was an excellent presentation of a truly iconic motorcycle and a place in time. I recall reading the initial reviews and drooling incessantly.

[@Timinator62]

A buddy of mine bought the 550 when he graduated High School '82. The smaller Katana had more color on it, Suzuki on the tank in Red a matching stripe running down the sides of the seat and on the back, the spark plug wires were the same color, coils on the rear shocks as were the Brake calipers and the spokes on the Disks too, It was a much better looking bike than the bigger all silver bike. It just didn't have the front fairing

[@Crashed131963]

The Kantana needed the small front fat wheel like the Ninja 900 and Honda interceptors at the time . It would have looked much better .

[@BobPruett]

I HATED the Katana when it first came out but in time, I really fell in love with its styling. Such a leap into the future for all motorcycles.

[@Jer0867]

9:47 I think you need to check your sources! No katana EVER hit 150mph as standard...it was more like 140, in perfect conditions. The first production motorcycle to hit 150mph was the Gpz900R, in 1984. I remember both these bikes coming out, and the Katana couldn't touch the Ninja...nothing could, at the time!

[@ghost500e]

One of the most if not THE most beautiful bikes ever made. PERIOD.

[@thomashussey5159]

i had no idea this first gen katana existed. i always thought the katana was represented by those bland 90s bikes. your work is amazing. always a bright spot in my day.

[@DayRider76]

The centerpiece of my collection is a 1981 GS1000GL with beach bars, fairing and tucked side pipes. I've had a lot of bikes in my time and really only loved a couple. right now, I feel like I only have eyes for one, my GS. So classy in every way with a powerful bite.

[@sheikhyaboooty]

I was a nineteen year old with a ratty old CD175 when the Katana came out. I thought to myself that I`d never dare ride such a large poweful bike. Forty three years and many bikes later including a good few 150mph+ bikes I still would love a ride on one of those stunning bikes.

[@briankrahnert7218]

Hahah, CD175 first ride too, long list including CB 750 K2, Z1000 and Katana1100 .... Katana was the best, all good.😊

[@markwilton4412]

I have had my 1100 Kat since 1991. I never really liked the standard look and quickly put an upside down front end on it and a wider rear wheel and tyre. This improved the handling and braking heaps and made it look meaner. I still have all the standard parts for it if I ever go to sell it. It is amazing to look at. Nothing else looks like it.

[@ElsinoreRacer]

I love these when they came out. Well, the front 70%. I felt it fell apart at the butt-end. Still do. Also, you clumped the 1100 and the 750 together, when there was a significant styling difference between them. Just saying. And the VF750 is more likely the 1st modern Japanese sport bike. Perimeter frame, single shock, slipper clutch, etc. And more racetrack success for years.

[@zedmanZ9]

I had a 650 shaft from new. The only new bike I've had actually. It was a great bike but once scared me so badly after a tankslapper at 120mph, I sold it. The follow up bike was a first series Yamaha FZ750 in red/silver. Also a defining moment in bike development and an absolute quantum leap forward in handling and rider enjoyment. I love the Katana styling but everything was just too weak in the chassis department, as were many bikes of that age. Still remains an icon! Thanks for the vid !

[@Favk21]

I wouldn't call it beautiful nor ugly. Its uniqueness definitely calls for attention but I like 80% of what's being displayed. The modern Katana however dilates my pupils to the max.

[@donaldelder540]

I was a kid when this bike came out, it was the most beautiful bike I’d ever seen. A friend of my brothers had one of these and brought it over to my parents house. It was totally insane for the time.

[@kaiser98berlin]

I had the privilege to see a Katana 750 with the pop up headlights and blaring exoskeleton with engine flashing at you at full view. Compared to modern bikes it is extremely visually catching in form of fluidity to many visually confusing bikes of today.

[@rabbit4111]

I had a 750 Katana, and it was a beautiful, powerful gem of a motorbike that gave a new level of biking. A real winner !!!

[@FinicumHardy]

It's grown on me over the years and I can see how it really was forward thinking but I can vividly remember that pretty much everyone in my SoCal Angeles Crest rider community thought it was awful at the time.

[@1crazypj]

That was a real good documentary about Kat. I was mechanic at Suzuki dealers when Katana was launched. I don't remember how many we sold but it was quite a few and with insurance costs in Britain at the time a bit surprising (insurance for motorcycles had dozens of classes going up from 50cc, 100cc, 125 to 150cc then every 100cc) 'unlimited' over 1000cc bikes were 'targeted' and expensive, even Kawasaki Z1 at 903cc moved into over 900cc class so had to pay extra. Personally I still think the 1100 was greatest bike of it's time and is beautiful. (CBX6 was smoother but didn't exactly feel 'safe', I was mechanic at Honda/Triumph dealers 'across the street' when that was launched) First bike you could sit 'in' and do stupid stuff at high speeds without feeling like you were going to get thrown off. Came stock with Pirrelli Phantom tyres and was heavy and powerful enough to use them (they were difficult to keep warm on lighter/lower power bikes)

[@KiyanushKaranjia]

What's interesting is that Hans Muth would later take the same sort of unique, triangular cowled headlight style and plonk it on BMW's utilitarian R65 model to help create the R65LS. It got a sort of more cafe racer stance, but with mids instead of rear set pegs. I have one, and it's my favourite bike in the world. Here in 2023, it feels like it could pound on all day. It's comfy, the boxer is relaxed, reassuring and yet exciting, the exhaust note deep and bassy, and it's a great bike. But what always stands out, is its design. My dad bought the bike, and I'll never forget the day I first saw it, back in 2008. In a world of wretched utilitarian single cyl commuters, this bright red bike looked like it dropped out of hyperspace. Imagine my shock when I learned it was from 1984. Until that exact moment, I had only liked going on rides with my dad, and never really liked bikes all that much. This bike changed that and in that moment, a future motorcycle nutcase was born. The R65LS made me fall in love at first sight, with the way it looked. That's the sign of a bloody good designer. Ps - a gsx1100 katana is, and always will be, on my collection list. Love that bike.

[@davejob630]

When I bought my first bike , I remember a Katana 750 sitting there.... and it was a presence all its own ... sleek hulking power... I left with the humble Z250b.... and I rode the rubber off that bike on the great ocean road every weekend or so - It was clear of traffic in those days - the early 80's- and you could go hard at the corners without worrying about Chinese tourists in a rental car stopping to look at the view every second bluff.

[@Jonathan-L]

I had a GSX1100S (Katana) back in 1982. The thing that sold the bike was looks, engine capacity and the asking price; it was much cheaper than a CB1100R or a GPz1100 ... so you got a pretty good package for the least amount of expenditure. Put on a set of foam grips (to kill the 'tingles') and it could be ridden all day, with a bit of 'saddle soreness'. Did I mention that these bikes were well priced?

[@geoffreyfowler9198]

My first street bike was an ‘82 katana 550 that I bought in ‘84 when I was 18 years old. It had more bling than the one shown very briefly in the video: the back of the saddle was orange, to match the lettering, as well as the spark plug wires, the brake calipers, and the detail on the brake rotors. I added a Yoshimura exhaust, so that bike sounded as good as it looked! By 85 it really wasn’t as fast as all the new bikes, but maybe that’s why I’m still alive today😎

[@saddle8bag]

I agree. At the time, I thought the Can-a-Tuna was such a different, sporty looking thing, but it garnered a lot of hate too. A lot of people don't like their favorite things to undergo massive changes. That's why Harley's and Fender Telecasters still look like the did in the early 50s. As you alluded to, this bike's hump tank/front fairing influenced a lot of sport bike designs that came after it. You have to forgive it for having a rear seat. Back then, trying to get a female on the back was half the fun. Now it's backpacks and Furby dolls. I think RyanF9 is doing some kind of psyops getting people to believe the FTR is some fantastic design. It started out life kind neat as a prototype flat tracker thing. I knew there was no way in hell they could ever sell a production bike like that. And the production bike didn't look much like the original, and worse, the dirt tire sizes made it a so-so road bike. Now they got the fat, pretend flat tracker sitting on its nose like a sportbike, albeit with more appropriate wheel sizes. I'd give the front end a decent rating. It looks like a typical standard bike with overpriced track components, but the rear of that thing is just a cluster of a design. The mufflers sit at a completely cockamamie angle, stubby subframe with little point ass up look and that license holder crap making the wheel base look like it's 9 ft long. Yuck.

[@flame-on-3]

Yes well I was 15 years old when the katana arrived and I can tell you it smacked me or us straight in the face, such was it's change from the norm. Yes the design looked like it was flying standing still. We were in awe. It doesn't look out of place today for someone who doesn't know bikes- such is it's lines setting the trend for future design styles. The guy who knocked the style is out of touch. Yes although I never road a Katana- certainly it had a reputation for high speed wobbles.

[@dukeoliver7587]

Probably won't mean anything to anyone else, but when the Katana hit the showroom at my local Suzuki dealer, I was hooked. in 1981, it looked like Traveller, and was the most gorgeous bike I had ever seen. I bought it, and loved it. Before I was ready to part with it, I had rolled the odo twice.

[@garyt123]

You didn't mention the tank badge, or lack of. The Katana was one of the first bikes to have a painted manufacturers tank badge, big and bold. It was a big focus point in the showrooms back in the day.

[@hpmmiggie]

Owned one of these beauties about 25 years ago. Absolutely loved it. The sound and the acceleration was .... Special. Only criticism I had for her was it was terrifying around corners. . Such good days those were.

[@No-timeforimbeciles]

Katana was a beautiful machine, still futuristic in looks today, & was very easy to make many engine modifications, it is a legend of a machine & deserves to be in museum

[@cjstemple321]

I loved the katana so much I went out and bought the 2020 model... the design is like no other to me, which makes it just that much cooler. Definitely a masculine bike, and they put the k5 in the newer version, so it still feels like a proper sport bike.

[@Itsthebikeman]

I'm in the market for a 2020 now. Kinda stuck between the katana and the B-king. What would you say?

[@cjstemple321]

@thebikeman5592 Well, I guess I'm very biased here... I would say jump on the 2020 katana, though... the bike will age nicely and the components are easy to find if anything should go wrong there is a bunch of spare parts :) I love the katana for what it is, a fun machine with 80s retro chic. I believe somewhere it was called the cyberpunk chariot of the gods... don't quote me, but look for the Katana reviews. I'm a big fan of movies and shows like the matrix and akira, so to me, the 2020 spoke to the soul. Whatever you choose, safe riding bro.

[@felipedourado5721]

You nailed it, Bart! Considerations on style, aesthetics and fashion are very difficult to do because there is always the subjective perspective conditioning our perception and peparing the land for our prejudices to grow as weeds that may kill our discernment. As you pointed out, we may (and must, I guess) have our own tastes, but we got to be also open to understand and feel other interpretations of how things should look. And, perhaps, for keeping our openess, we may learn something and even discover beauty where we never saw it before. As much as the Katana does not do it to my personal taste (I'm some sort of traditionalist regarding to bikes), I now can look to that motorcycle with much better and understanding eyes. Thank you. All the best from Brazil. ✌

[@ernestschutte1978]

My father (and passenger) was killed on a Katana 1100 (16 Dec 1994 aged 39yrs) by a reckless driver in a car who cut across in front of him. He loved Suzuki and Katana was his favourite bike. He also owned the GSXR 1100 for a while but sold it for funds to build a front wall on our home. He had previously owned Kawasaki Z1000 and GPZ 1100. He was well known in the local bike community for having the knack of setting the carburetors with vacuum gauges and would be in the garage every night after work. His funeral was epic as all the bikers attended and he is still sorely missed. This video reminds me of him. Thank you.

[@2esquared]

Jy Suid Afrikaner Ernst?

[@Wawotch]

Two friends (brothers) both owned original Katanas. I was blown away by the design, because I knew the other bikes of that time. I would compare it with the Ford Sierra: people were attracted and irritated by the new design language. Only a few years later their influence became noticed.

[@garvincollins8632]

Great story. I started riding in 1981. I was stationed at 29 Palms in CA and was taking a mandatory motorcycle safety course to be allowed to ride on base. A Staff Sargent had a new Katana to take the course. I thought it was totally awesome! I guess it was a lot for him to handle because he ran over several cones during a portion of the test😂. Very cool bike! A few months later I rode a friend's 80' or so GS1000S. He had put a flat handlebar on it and from that moment I knew low bars were the way to go! My 3rd bike was the 1986 GSXR1100 and racebikes are definitely my favorite still 40 years later. Thanks for the memories 🙂

[@bricbloc2000]

Dude, I bought a Suzuki gs 550 in 80' from the Suzukidealership at twenty-nine palms.... Changed my life from a barracks rat... Laid it down in the Mojave dessert. It still rolled a little worse for wear.

[@garvincollins8632]

@bricbloc2000 Semper Fi , Devil Dog! There were so many bikes on base. I only bought a bike because I couldn't get financed for a car. I feel in love with riding and it never went away. I currently have a 21'GSXR1000R. Those GS550's were nice.

[@tanys9339]

I've always wanted a Katana since I first saw them in 1990 or so, when it had a full fairing. Awesome bikes, and gorgeous too!

[@patmays7344]

It is beautiful, ! They always were beautiful. Still are! End of statement! Well done for featuring!

[@borisbabich]

At 15, in Bonn, Germany, I almost daily rode my bicycle to a small Suzuki shop nearby and gazed at the Katana 750 in the window. I swore, each time, that I'd have it someday. 41 years and a number of bikes later... I never did. But every time I see one, I remember. Thanks for this story. And for the nostalgia. P.S. I love Ryan's stuff, but he is wrong. Back then, Katana was effing fire.

[@AuMechanic]

I raced one in Australia. Wire wheels,1000cc, built by mick hone Suzuki, heavily moded, was basically a copy of Rob Phillis superbike. They won plenty of races here.

[@gapper3]

I remember seeing the Katana when it was unveiled. I was a teenager at the time and thought this was the best looking machine I had ever seen. Of course, I lived in rural Quebec so take that with a grain of salt. Still, anyone who lived around that time will testify to how wild the Katana looked. You can still see its DNA in other machines to this day. EDIT: I didn't really pay attention at the time but the brick headlight really looks silly in today's market.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

yes even a little boy i tot it looked like a spaceship!

[@kawasaki2024]

I bought my Katana 750 brand new in 1984. They failed to mention the pop up headlight that amazed everyone who saw it. Whenever I parked my bike at the mall or street, I would always come out to a crowd around it admiring the futuristic motorcycle! If I could only buy a brand new 1984 right now! I'd give anything to have a new one again!

[@elgar6743]

I was in my late teens when the Katana came out and it was otherworldly...the stance, the profile, how the rider was stretched over the tank...it looked and sounded like a fighter jet. I was gob smacked in wide eyed wonderment. Love it.

[@ericshepherd5672]

You should check out the wire wheel Katana 1100.. It is a very rare homologation variant.. One of the main reasons for bringing it out with the wire wheels instead of the alloy ones is they were lighter and gave a greater tire choice if put on the track.. Deep pockets required as I'm pretty sure less than 100 were ever put up for sale..

[@GrampsD63]

In '81 the Katana was the bike of legend. There weren't many at all on the road so they definately stood out when you saw one. Like my '83 CX650 Turbo. It made an impression everywhere it went. Those of you who weren't around then probably won't understand. Great vid 👍

[@evelcustom9864]

That original Katana is one of the first motorcycles that truly gave me The Feels when I first saw a picture of it. It blew my mind that something so sexy was an actual production bike and I could not fathom why it was not being made at the time (obviously this was recently remedied).

[@Demonbfg]

Excellent video thanks. I bought the 1982 GS1000S Katana, i thought it's appearance was way a head of it's time. I sold Suzuki's on the side and there was a young mechanic there that had a 1983 GS1100ES that he thought was all that. We raced and the Katana beat him pretty good. He couldn't understand how that could happen. I tried to explain to him that the Katana had wilder cams and the motor spins a lot quicker, not to mention more aero dynamic. Kind of wish I still had it but at my young age of 74, had to go with the ZX-14r as my last motorcycle.

[@ccrider8483]

The Katana was a breakthrough machine. I think first offered in 1981. In 1983 Honda produced the 750 Intercepter which IMHO kicked off the whole crotch rocket/street racer style bikes that still enjoy some popularity today. The power, styling, and handling of the Intersepter in 1983 was an epiphany, at least to me.

[@whammerjammer1562]

I was pretty young when I saw the katana at the local bike shop. It was an attention grabber. And it sat on the showroom floor for quite some time. When the 84 Interceptor was shown to me in 83 (catalog picture), it's the bike I ordered and still ride to this day

[@alasdair4161]

I had one when they first came out, I nearly bought a GSX instead as I had had a smaller one before and it too looked pretty futuristic. Despite the acceleration, I didn't like the Katana's handling much at all, it demanded way too much effort in tight turns and was reluctant to turn in, even worse two up. It nearly killed my mother as after I sold it, the guy who purchased it killed himself before changing the registration, so the Police visited to give her the bad news. I was riding to work at the time and heard about the crash later that day, he blew a red at 200+ and T boned a taxi. Mum nearly died of shock upon hearing that news, she always hated me riding in traffic and didn't let up once she found I was still alive, despite the joy. Still, I do remember, a lot of riders died on that bike.

[@mrriesen9004]

Owned a mint 750 since new, finally sold it to brother -law who begged for it for 40 years. Super fun to ride, great around town, It went from my garage to his garage with 27,000 km, never did penny of repairs on it, super reliable, always started. I think I will steal it back.

[@TheKevphil]

I like it! But I have to say, I'm almost immediately drawn to the engine. I love the DOHC and the fact that the cylinder block is so square-ish: Different but still aggressive.

[@boronsniify]

The Katana is one of the landmark bikes - it revolutionized motorcycle design. It brought the downward thrusting wedge shape into sports bikes, which continues to this day. I worked with Jan Fellstrom when he was designing cars years after he worked at Target on the Katana - a really creative, talented designer and great guy!

[@jordanjoestar8839]

The bikes you listed as looking better, all share a very specific look, dictated by body lines. No matter the bike, lines and design are the fundamentals of beauty. For how simple and purposeful it is, the FTR really is a gorgeous machine. One of the most beautiful I've seen, and I say that as somebody working at a bike dealership with well over a few hundred machines! However, I love the Katana both new and old. It's a bold style, also dictated by its lines, which are non conventional. More Lamborghini than Japanese. Also, the Suzuki Bandit filled in for the Katana during its style gap. The GSX650F is labeled as a Katana in most places, and even says it on the American title! Weird to say the least. The new one would look awesome done up well.

[@RedBud315]

I remember the exact intersection of Hollywood Bl. and Gardner Ave when I encountered my 1st Katana. At the time I was riding a '75 RD350 that was basically a track bike with a head and tail light and I whooped up on CB750-4's stop light to stop light until the VF-750 Interceptor came out. Then that night while sitting at a red light a Katana pulls up to my side and I had never seen one or had any idea what the heck it was. When the light turned green the guy was almost a block ahead of me by the time I crossed the intersection. I pretty much stuck to Mulholland Drive after that, lol.

[@realnutteruk1]

I had a 550 Katana around 1995... it was ratty matt black and a total hoot to ride... easily saw off the biggest Harley at the time in acceleration... Always loved the GS/GSX range...

[@yukonica4560]

I shared a lot of road time beside a 1985 750 Katana of a friend while riding a 1983 VF750F. The bikes were matched well when we released the clutch and ran to full, full stop. Speedo on mine showed 235. We traded rides back and forth many times. Which bike do I wish I owned now? Although the Katana is very popular, as a rider; I'd choose that v4 motor everytime.