Suzuki GSX750S Katana model history
1981—1985

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GSX 750 S Katana model history on this page as I know it. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

1981 GSX750S Katana. The model with a windshield was called GSX750SS Katana.

1981 Suzuki year code: X

Late in 1981, after the introduction of the exciting GSX1000S, Suzuki released an almost identical 750 cc version of the Katana (meaning Sword in English). The engine was taken from the GSX750E. The 1981 GSX750SX and 1982 GSX750SD were identical exept for the colors. For domestic market in Japan, the model without the windscreen (see the picture above) was called GSX750S and the one with a screen was called SS. At first the Katana was only available for the home market in Japan, 1982 it came in Europe. The Japanese model had 69 hp/ 8.500 rpm, 6,2 kg-m/ 7.000 rpm. I have given the European unrestricted power figures for all of the models on this page. The Japanese models had first 69 bhp, the 1983 model had 72 bhp and the later models 77 bhp.

GSX 750 S Katana 1981 Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 810 mm (31.9 in) Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in) Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Weight: 223 kg (490 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 79 hp (59 kW)/ 9,200 rpm, 63 Nm/ 8,400 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Click here for a GSX750S Katana sales brochure.

GSX 750 S Katana 1981 Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 810 mm (31.9 in) Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in) Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Weight: 223 kg (490 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 79 hp (59 kW)/ 9,200 rpm, 63 Nm/ 8,400 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1982 Suzuki year code: Z

The 1982 GSX750SZ had the same technical specifications as the first year's model. 1982 was the first year GSX750S Katana was exported from Japan. For domestic market in Japan, the model codes were GSX750S-2 and GSX750S-2C.

GSX 750 S Katana 1982 Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in) Overall Width: 810 mm (31.9 in) Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in) Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Weight: 223 kg (490 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 79 hp (59 kW)/ 9,200 rpm, 63 Nm/ 8,400 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1983 Suzuki year code: D

GSX750S Katana Mark 2 was released in 1983. The updated model had 16- inch front and-17 inch rear tyres and the engine delivered now 72 hp. The wheelbase was the same but the second edition of the Katana was longer, wider and higher than its forerunner. For domestic market in Japan, the model code was GSX750S-3, GSX750SD in Europe. The Japanese model had 72 hp/ 9.000 rpm, 6,3 kg-m/ 7.000 rpm.

GSX 750 S Katana 1983 Overall Length: 2 210 mm (87.0 in) Overall Width: 830 mm (32.7 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in) Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 515 mm (59.6 in) Weight: 222 kg (488 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 79 hp (59 kW)/ 9,200 rpm, 63 Nm/ 8,400 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1984 Suzuki year code: E

The 1984 year's GSX750SE was a completely new model, not just a facelift. It was designed by Suzuki engineers in Japan but it still kept the original Hans Muth lines. The engine had been replaced by the new oil-cooled 16-valve unit from the GSX750E/ES/EF, and developed 90 unrestricted bhp. It had the Suzuki Full Floater suspension rear end and Positive Damping Forks at the front. Probably the most noticeable of all however was the new fairing which now had a retractable (pop-up) headlight which helped give it an even sharper front end than the previous models. The frame and parts of the wheels were colored gold and the black painted engine had also gold paint on the cam end covers and engine sides. For domestic market in Japan, the model code was GSX750S-3. The Japanese model had 77 hp/ 9.000 rpm, 63 Nm (6,4 kg-m)/ 7.500 rpm.

GSX 750 S Katana 1984 Overall Length: 2 190 mm (86.2 in) Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in) Dry Weight: 212 kg (470 lbs) Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, TSCC, 16 valves. 90 hp (66 kW)/ 9,500 rpm, 67,5 Nm/ 8,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1985 Suzuki year code: F

1985 was the last year of the GSX750S. Only cosmetic changes were made, the gold paint had been used only for the wheels. The model was very short-lived. For domestic market in Japan, the model code was GSX750S-4, GSX750SF in Europe. The model was available in some parts of the world under the model name Shark but I need more information about it before I can tell you more. I'm guessing the specs are the same for the Katana and the Shark.

GSX 750 S Katana 1985 Overall Length: 2 190 mm (86.2 in) Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in) Dry Weight: 212 kg (470 lbs) Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, TSCC, 16 valves. 90 hp (66 kW)/ 9,500 rpm, 67,5 Nm/ 8,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GSX 750 S Katana 1985 Overall Length: 2 190 mm (86.2 in) Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in) Dry Weight: 212 kg (470 lbs) Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, TSCC, 16 valves. 90 hp (66 kW)/ 9,500 rpm, 67,5 Nm/ 8,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GSX 750 S Shark 1985 Overall Length: 2 190 mm (86.2 in) Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in) Dry Weight: 212 kg (470 lbs) Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, TSCC, 16 valves. 90 hp (66 kW)/ 9,500 rpm, 67,5 Nm/ 8,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

More: GSX750S Katana brochures and adverts

More: GSX1000S and GSX1100S Katanas

More: More GSX750 models

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