It is a KATANA complete file, which was produced as a separate volume appendix of Young Machine December 2018 issue. This article wants to show the picture even bigger, which was on page 24 that included a still-unprecedented article on Young Machines, such as prototype reprinted impression! It is certain that has been received opinions such as that. Therefore, the purpose is that to expand it again with WEB Young Machine as it allows us to take a closer look at successive KATANA which could only be made small by limited paper width.
What is the genealogy of the New KATANA?
It caused a big revival at the Intermoto Show in 1980, and since then KATANA caught as a representative work by SUZUKI. The company has been using this motorcycle name for a variety of models so far, but if it takes the view of the succession and development of styling, the new model launched from 1999 will be the third generation of KATANA.
There are 3-types of KATANA which adopt styling that does not resemble what is in the title cut. By the way, SUZUKI of the 1980-2000 used pet name KATANA for the 250/400,000 parallel 2-cylinder motorcycle, the GSX-F series of North American specifications, and 50 scooters of European production.
It is a special appendix of Young Machine 2018 December issue. This time it introduce the prologue part from here.
PROLOGUE: A Japanese sword symbolizing Japan’s Bushido as a motif.
It happened not to become a KATANA, but the genealogy of the model SUZUKI developed as a KATANA from the beginning, and it can be roughly divided into (1) the first series that originates from the 1982 type model and its derivative models, (2) GSX750S 3/4 sold in 1984/1985, and (3) the new type starting to be released in 1999. Of course, the most important one is ①. That’s the most famous naked motorcycle in the early 1980s, because the original KATANA with a Japanese sword as a motif in the early 1980s revolutionized the world of 2-wheels.
There are 4-people who lead the figures of KATANA, they are Masao Tani and Yokouchi Etsuo of SUZUKI, and founding members of target design which are Hans Muth and Jan Fellstrom of German. The trigger was that Mr. Tani, who participated in the event organized by Motord magazine in 1999, was shocked by the work of the target design based on MV Agusta, and Mr. Tani consulted the company to participate in the new model. The target design which accepted this gently produced ED1 of Middle Naked (2nd Model GS650G) and ED2 which is the origin of KATANA, and in August 1980 the clay model arrived at SUZUKI. These approaches is for those Japanese motorcycle manufacturers at the time.
It is unusual, but it was more unprecedented than SUZUKI’s immediate response.
Mr. Yokouchi, who was engaged in numerous commercial motorcycle/racers in the 1970’s and was called the name engineer, said that he was deeply moved by ED 2. However, if it is a general engineer, it seems to be hesitant to advanced modeling, but Yokouchi immediately decides to mass produce. Then, in September, the prototype of a KATANA is released in the Intermoto show, which creates a great response. However, most audiences and journalists felt that KATANA is a concept model that presents a future image of 2-wheels.
SUZUKI launches the GSX1100S KATANA with the minimum modification required for the prototype at the fall of 1981, one year from the first release. At that time, everyone said, “It is not meant to mass produce as it is! The “SUZUKI’s Flagship, which achieved unprecedented styling, seems to have felt, and recorded a big hit since the first year. As a result, KATANA is the original of SUZUKI leap forward.
Today, it is recognized as a model indispensable to talk about the history of motorcycles worldwide.
•Sentence: Tomohiko Nakamura
It is a freelance in the 2-wheeled annual magazine industry that shows interest in every motorcycle, from old motorcycle born in the early 1900s to the latest super sports.
It is only a small part of the vehicle to be introduced , but…….
This post want to show a few motorcycle to be introduced in the future because many readers are unsatisfactory if it ends only with the prologue. Do you know all about KATANA fans?
ED2 PROTOTYPE
GSX1100SXZ
GSX750S
GSX750S2
GSX1100SY
Was it easy? Of course, 400 and 250 will also appear in the sequel. Enjoy!
Click here for those who wants tohave posted back number at hand.(*Japanese)
[View Collective Photos]
Original Source[ Young Machine ] (*Japanese)
