Cold Start Video:
Abhi filmed a Bike of the Day video with this bike before the auction as well:
In the late 70s and early 80s, Japanese manufacturers were selling standard bikes as fast as they could make them. And while most of the bikes were technically sound, they all started to emulate each other, creating the UJM (first coined by Cycle magazine). Some considered it efficient, others considered it boring. Either way, it’s why bikes like the Katana are very important in the history of motorcycles.
Suzuki’s Marketing Manager in Germany told his Japanese management, “we had the most technically advanced bikes, but their design was uninteresting!” In response, Suzuki hired a three person team called Target Design, led by the ex-chief of BMW’s styling, Hans Muth to update the ‘company image’. This was his first creation, which was an immediate show-stopper at the Cologne Motor Show in 1980. In fact, the fairing might remind you of a similar Muth creation – the BMW R65LS.
The result was an industry-defining machine that still captures hearts today. Suzuki recently released a new Katana to try and bring back some of the magic, but the original was one of the motorcycle featured in the Guggenheims’ Art of the Motorcycle exhibition and for good reason. It’s a truly Iconic Motorbike.
The Katana (also known as the GS1000SZ) had enough poke to back up the interesting styling thanks to 90 horsepower at 8,500 rpm, enough for a top speed of 140 miles per hour.
This example is VIN: JS1GT72A8C2100757. The seller states he “bought the bike from MotoGPWerks in Orange County California 13 years ago.”
The seller states: “The stock speedo had a broken needle so I sourced a GS1100SZ unit with 18,000 miles showing. It currently shows 22,214 miles on it so I put about 4000 miles on the Katana”. The stock odometer shows 7,510 miles, however because of the odometer swap we are listing the bike as True Mileage Unknown.
Maintenance:
The seller states he “replaced the spark plugs and did basic oil changes.”
Modifications:
The seller states he replaced the original coil packs with “high output coil packs and wires. Reupholstered the seat, painted the tail section to match the silver and had the engine side covers chromed.”
Bassani Exhaust.
Tinted windscreen.
YSS rear shocks.
Lockhart Phillips oil cooler.
Blanking plates for the anti-dive fork/brake mechanism.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Avon RoadRider tires which have aged out with date codes of 3412 and 0518.
The sale includes two keys, original windscreen, anti-dive fork mechanism parts, coil packs, rear shocks and the original gauge cluster.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, this Suzuki is offered on a clean California title with registration current through October 2025. Have any Katana GS1000SZ stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
