Recently, I had the opportunity to test drive the old motorcycle. With the plan of “King of Motorcycle” which has a wealth of excellent secondhand motorcycles, I was able to surrender one to the popular out of prodcution motorcycle of the former year.
It was a valuable experience that I could once again touch on the world view and charm of the model at the time, so I comprehended the current model at the same time, so I understood even better. Among them, I’d like to talk about Suzuki’s GSX 1100 S Katana this time.
Eternity icon beyond the era
By the appearance of the new type catapult which attracted the most attention even in the other day Intermoto 2018, the original ancestor 1100 Katana which was to get bathed in the sun again. The popularity still has tremendous things. 1100 Katana legendized such as appearing frequently in TV dramas and movies such as “Bari Bali Legend” and “Kirin” and TV dramas such as “Western police” are nostalgic for our age who enjoyed the youth in the 1980s. It must be fresh for the young generation.
At the time of the early 1980s when the first-generation Katana was released, the large-sized motorcycle license was still limited release and the pass rate was said to be 3%. Moreover, the maximum displacement that can be bought with domestic regular route was up to 750cc. It is so-called Nanahan. An export model of 1100 Katana that appeared there is a dream again if it sees from a motorcycle boy. I think that the novelty of the design made with Japanese sword motif by Hans Mout would have had more impact than any new model now. And the world has been overwhelmed by the world’s fastest level of power performance. In that sense it can be said that it is an eternal icon beyond the times. It took that Katana for the first time in about 20 years.
It is way extraordinary compared to a standard motorcycle.
First, it is big. A huge air-cooled engine that insists on long and long form and presence. This is a big motorcycle aura is stuck in the whole body. It’s decking and heavy, but that’s cool.
Riding position is also not common. Its long tank narrowed to a steep angle, a spartan combination that seems to be unrelated to the comfort of rear step makes me feel the times. Still, the seat is pretty good with a low feet arrival. Generally, the old motorcycle is like that, like the current sports model, “It’s light, slim and comfortable, but the motorcycle height is high and it is difficult to get on the feet” is in the opposite side. It was a fact that made me think a bit.
A heavy running like a diesel locomotive
The engine is also nice. Feeling that a heavy crank is rolling and a heavy rushing and rough sound when opening the throttle. A lot of friction makes me think that it is slightly dull and gives a feeling of relief to the rider. Dullness in a good sense is different from agile response by engine and computer controlled FI like Shunshun like modern machine is different.
Even if it is left idle, even if you leave it in idling state, you can go ahead with a stab feel like a flywheel like a flywheel due to weight crank, and even with Sepahan it’s easy to make a U-turn because the steering wheel angle is large with an upright fork though it is Sepahan.
And the acceleration feeling that springs up when throttle is fully opened. Its strength is as if it is a locomotive of locomotive. Although handling is not lightweight, it is straightforward and there is no habit, so you can taste a big motorbike-like response and a heavy feeling. Although the performance of the brake, suspension, and tire is not comparable with the current machine, even if it gets used to it yet, it can fly at a reasonable pace and it is pleasant to have a sense of uplifting just by riding.
When I got on before, it was an era of power competition by mega sports just after the end of the century, so there was an impression that 1100 Katana was a dull machine that was quite old, but when I ride it again now, the original identity at the time of design The goodness came to pass. Maybe because I got old.
Katana had a shine of the times
If you pursue sports performance and comfort as a motorcycle, it may be inevitable for everyone to go in the same direction by all means, but some of them also feel something unsatisfying at the same time. And I miss memories of times I was not. Is it a man’s wild instinct, or is it a romantic for a motorcycle that was in the process of being developed?
If you say so, again, it seems to be said that Ogasan’s “long ago was a good time” talk, but that’s alright. Because it is the fact that 1100 Katana had the radiance of those times.
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