Suzuki GSX1100S Katana
The Final Edition

Here's some of the GSX1100S Katana models and some facts. The list is not complete and although I have double-checked most of the information it can contain false information. Please notify me if you find some errors or can provide me more information and I will happily correct the possible errors.

1994 Suzuki year code: R

1994 year's GSX1100SR (see picture above) had different technical specifications for the first time since launch in 1981. Even the engine had different character. As the earlier versions had 111 bhp, the new version of the engine was powered down to 95 bhp. The torque was also decreased, from 9.8 kg-m at 6,500 rpm to 8.6 kg-m at 4,000 rpm. The displacement, bore and stroke were still the same but the carburetors different and the oil capacity was increased from 4 liters to 4,2. The ignition advance system became digital. When decreasing the power output, even the top speed on the speedometer was limited from 240 km/h to 180 km/h. The tank was made smaller, from 22 liters to 19. The clutch was now electrically power assisted and the front suspension infinitely adjustable. Rear shocks were updated from traditional upright shockers to modern double tube upside down type shockers with gas chamber attached to the side. The rear wheel was stretched from 17" to 19" in diameter (the front wheel was still 19"). The seat material was altered from buckskin type to vinyl leather. And so on. The decreasing of top speed, engine character and lowering the seat height was apparently a way of changing the character of the Katana closer to a sport tourer rather than being a pure high speed machine. The double cradle frame was no longer the way to build high speed racers but no such radical changes like changing the frame construction on the Katana were ever made. The rest of the world hardly new than the model still existed, it was long time ago since the model was exported outside Japan. In USA, when you mentioned 1100 cc Katana, you were talking about a whole different model, the sport tourer GSX1100F. Suzuki Motor Company didn't think the model could live on, either. But by public demand the company kept on manufacturing the model until the mid-90's when the history of the 1100 cc Katana was supposed to end.

1994 Suzuki GSX 1100 SR Katana Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 740 mm (29.1 in) Overall Height: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Seat Height: 775 mm (30.5 in) Wheelbase: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 232 kg (510 lbs) Engine: Air and oil-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 95 hp (70 kW)/ @ 8 500 rpm, 84 Nm (8.6 kg-m) @ 4 000 rpm  Click on the image for larger format.

2000 Suzuki year code: Y

In 2000, there were still people who wanted to buy a new GSX1100S Katana. And the Suzuki wanted to please its customers. The story was finally rounded up with the Final Edition (GSX1100SY) model, only available in Japan in a limited edition 1100 (!) produced units. The specs had been practically unchanged since the 1994 GSX1100SR and the ones who bought a GSX1100S in the early 90's recognize the ”new”model instantly. The engine and wheels were black and there have been some technical improvements but the looks are still the same. In Japan, there was a bit of a fight to get to get the last examples of the classic super sport, and a rumor still is that the Suzuki had been fiddling with the serial numbers, that there were actually more than 1100 units made... That shows the popularity of the Katana model in Japan. The sword is not broken, the legend lives on. GSX1100S Katana was the most powerful motorcycle when it was released but it has been replaced by other models, capable of much more than Katana did back then. Whether you like the design or not, hardly anyone interested in motorcycling have no feelings what so ever towards the Katana. It doesn't matter if you think the design is beautiful or ugly. Nevertheless it's a classic.

2000 Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 740 mm (29.1 in) Overall Height: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Seat Height: 775 mm (30.5 in) Wheelbase: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 232 kg (510 lbs) Engine: Air and oil-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 95 hp (70 kW)/ @ 8 500 rpm, 84 Nm (8.6 kg-m) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

2000 Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 740 mm (29.1 in) Overall Height: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Seat Height: 775 mm (30.5 in) Wheelbase: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 232 kg (510 lbs) Engine: Air and oil-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 95 hp (70 kW)/ @ 8 500 rpm, 84 Nm (8.6 kg-m) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

2000 Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 740 mm (29.1 in) Overall Height: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Seat Height: 775 mm (30.5 in) Wheelbase: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 232 kg (510 lbs) Engine: Air and oil-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 95 hp (70 kW)/ @ 8 500 rpm, 84 Nm (8.6 kg-m) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 740 mm (29.1 in) Overall Height: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Seat Height: 775 mm (30.5 in) Wheelbase: 165 mm (6.5 in) Dry Weight: 232 kg (510 lbs) Engine: Air and oil-cooled 1 074 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 95 hp (70 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 84 Nm (8.6 kg-m) @ 4 000 rpm < ”Final edition” illustration.

1994-2002 GSX1000S Katana specifications (Japan)
Type	GU76A
Overall Length	2,250 mm
Overall Width	740 mm
Overall Height	1,195 mm
Wheelbase	1,515 mm
Ground Clearance	165 mm
Seat Height	775 mm
Dry Weight	232 kg
Fuel Economy	25.1 km/l (60 km/h)
Turning Radius	3.5 m
Engine Type	U713 air cooled 4-stroke inline-4
Valve System	DOHC 4 valves per cylinder
Cylinder displacement	1,074 cm 3
Bore x Stroke	72.0 x 66.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.5 :1
Effect	70 kW (95 ps )/ 8,500 rpm
Torque	84n * m < 8,6 kg * m /4,000 rpm
Carburetor Type	BS34
Starting System	Electric starter
Ignition System	Full transistor
Lubricating System	Wet sump
Oil Capacity	4.2 l
Fuel Tank Capacity	19 l
Clutch	Wet multi-plate type
Transmission	5-speed constant mesh, 1-down 4-up
Gear ratios, 1st gear	2.500
.................... 2nd gear	1.777
.................... 3rd gear	1.380
.................... 4th gear	1.125
.................... 5th gear	0.961
Primary reduction	1.775:1 (87/49)
Final reduction	2.800:1 (42/15)
Frame	Double cradle
Rake	28°10 '
Trail	118 mm
Front Brake	Hydraulic type double discs
Rear Brake	Hydraulic type disc
Front tire size	3.50-19 57v
Rear tire size	4.50-17 67v
Steering angle left to right	30°

More: GSX1100S Katana pages

More: GSX1000S Katana

More: All Suzuki models

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