Description
Please Note: We have reduced the minimum buyer’s fee from $250 to $150.
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.
Bennett’s summed up the Katana quite simply: “Before 1979 motorcycle design was simple…and then Suzuki launched the Katana and everything changed. It’s impossible to overstate the impact this bike had at the time, even if it was more about the conversations than the sales figures… The first Japanese bike with an aerodynamic, frame-mounted fairing, first with proper racing clip-on bars and the first one to break the traditional look of a motorcycle. Journalists at the time were convinced it was too futuristic for the public to understand it, but Suzuki countered that by also playing the oldest trick in motorcycling’s book – making it the most powerful and fastest bike you could buy.”
This model is 1:6 scale of the Katana the seller has owned since 2016, we’ll let him tell you about it, “Very limited model by HPI Racing of the original & iconic Suzuki Katana 1000SZ & 1100SZ starting in 1981. Cast metal mechanical components & molded plastic trim pieces. Perfect condition & still secured in original packaging. Only removed to take photos. I’ve had people look at photos of the model and comment that they thought it was the actual bike…it’s that realistic! It’s a rare & highly desirable collectors’ model, especially to Katana enthusiasts. I haven’t seen one of these for sale in many, many years, so now’s your opportunity!”
The dimensions are 15” long x 8” tall.
The seller estimates shipping at $40 within the U.S.A. He notes, “One of the twist-ties that secures the model is showing. I don’t want to remove it, because it goes underneath the handlebars and instruments, and I’m not sure I can get it back in place.”
Currently located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this model is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any Katana stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!