Suzuki GSX1000SV Katana
Manufacturer | Suzuki |
---|---|
Production | 1982 - 83 |
Engine | Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. |
Compression ratio | 9.5:1 |
Top speed | 220 km/h / 137 mph |
Ignition type | Transistorized |
Sparkplug | NGK D8EA (in E-01,24,25,30,34), NGK DR8ES-L (the others) - gap 0.6-0.7 mm (0.024-0.028 in) |
Battery | 12V 50.4 kC (14 Ah)/10HR - type YB14L-A2 |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Frame type | Steel, double cradle frame |
Suspension | Front: Telescopic, oil damped, spring 4-way adjustable with anti-dive Rear: Dual shock oil damped, damper 4-way, spring 5-way adjustable |
Brakes | Front: 2 x 275mm Discs, 2 piston calipers Rear: Single 275mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 3.50 - V19 |
Rear Tire | 4.50 - V17 |
Wheelbase | 1520 mm / 59.8 in |
Seat height | 775 mm / 30.5 in |
Weight | 232 kg / 511 lbs |
Fuel capacity | 22.0 Liters / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
Oil capacity | 3.2 L / 3.4 US qt / 2.8 Imp qt |
Turning radius | 3.5 m / 11.5 ft |
Manuals | Service Manual |
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It could reach a top speed of 220 km/h / 137 mph.
Engine
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 9.5:1 compression ratio.
Drive
Power was moderated via the Wet multi-plate type.
Chassis
It came with a 3.50 - V19 front tire and a 4.50 - V17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2 x 275mm Discs, 2 piston calipers in the front and a Single 275mm disc, 1 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic, oil damped, spring 4-way adjustable with anti-dive while the rear was equipped with a Dual shock oil damped, damper 4-way, spring 5-way adjustable. The GSX1000SV Katana was fitted with a 22.0 Liters / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 232 kg / 511 lbs. The wheelbase was 1520 mm / 59.8 in long.
Photos
Overview
Suzuki GSX 1000SV Katana
A 1000 cc version of the new GSX1000S was made to homogenized the model for racing purposes. By decreasing the bore by 2,6 mm the cylinder displacement was decreased to 998 cc, just below the one-liter mark. The GSX1000SD was available in shops already in 1981.
The UK 1000SZ, built for racing, had slide carburetors, whereas the 1100's had CV carbs. The US 1000S, however, had CV carbs! Also, the US versions never had the black finsunder the nose fairing - the mounting holes were blanked-off on all US bikes. Only 3000 units of the 1000 cc Katana were produced. Amazing but true: Not everyone thought this bike was easy on the eyes when it debuted in 1982.
To realize why, consider exactly which molds were broken when Suzuki unleashed the GS1000SV Katana. Back in the early 80s, the norm in motorcycling was big-bore standards, complete with squared-off tanks. Think Honda CB900F. Think Kawasaki KZ1000. Heck, Windjammer fairings were still considered state-of-the-art.
Into this world blasted one of the most radical styling departures ever mass-produced. The Katana, named after a samurai sword, was shaped with help from designer Hans Muth to look like nothing else on two wheels.
In hindsight, its easy to get a premonition of todays sportbikes in the design. The humpback, racer-inspired gas tank. The ready-to-pounce posture. But theres something that remains unique about the Katana as well. You can see it in the two-tone suede-finish seat, the fairing-which is more accent than fully enclosing bodywork-and the yin-and-yang speedo/tach.
The design actually drew a lukewarm response in magazines of the day. Editors harrumphed that the bike was an eyeful, or that the shapes dont quite add up. Even Suzuki seemed timid about diving head-first into the future, continuing to incorporate more mainstream styling in its GS550 and GS1100 models that sold alongside the limited-edition Katana.
Underneath the bodywork, the bike was all 80s Superbike, which is to say capable, but hardly as innovative as the skin. Sleeved down from the previous years GS1100, the Katana sported a double-spine frame, dual rear shocks and dual front discs with anti-dive forks. It all added up to respectable, but hardly earth-shaking, performance.
In the end, the Katana was a concept bike for the masses. As such, it was not an overwhelming sales success. Offered for only a year, the limited-edition bike then faded from the scene, although the Katana name continues on a 750cc machine today.
But sales numbers arent everything. And with the Katana, Suzuki carved itself a niche as a styling innovator, a role that continues with the new GSX1300R Hayabusa.
Meanwhile, a machine that may have seemed merely strange in 1982 has since become a classic.
Make Model | Suzuki GSX 1000SV Katana |
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Year | 1982 - 83 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. |
Displacement | 998 cc / 60.9 cu in |
Bore X Stroke | 69.4 x 66 mm |
Compression | 9.5:1 |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Air Cleaner | Dual element (Paper and polyurethane) |
Lubrication | Wet sump |
Oil Capacity | 3.2 L / 3.4 US qt / 2.8 Imp qt |
Induction | 4 x Mikuni VM32SS carburetors |
Ignition | Transistorized |
Ignition Timing | 15º BTDC below 1500 rpm / 32º BTDC above 2350 rpm |
Spark Plug | NGK D8EA (in E-01,24,25,30,34), NGK DR8ES-L (the others) - gap 0.6-0.7 mm (0.024-0.028 in) |
Battery | 12V 50.4 kC (14 Ah)/10HR - type YB14L-A2 |
Generator | Three-phase A.C. generator |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 80.5 kW / 108 hp @ 8500 rpm |
Max Torque | 91 Nm / 9.3 kgf-m / 67.3 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm |
Clutch | Wet multi-plate type |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Final Drive | Chain, Daido D.I.D 630YL, 96 links |
Primary Reduction | 1.775:1 (87/49) |
Final Reduction | 2.800:1 (42/15) |
Gear Ratio | 1st 2.500 (35/15) / 2nd 1.777 (32/18) / 3rd 1.380 (29/21) / 4th 1.125:1 (27/24) / 5th 0.961 (25/26) |
Frame | Steel, double cradle frame |
Front Suspension | Telescopic, oil damped, spring 4-way adjustable with anti-dive |
Front Wheel Travel | 150 mm / 5.9 in |
Rear Suspension | Dual shock oil damped, damper 4-way, spring 5-way adjustable |
Rear Wheel Travel | 109 mm / 4.29 in |
Front Brakes | 2 x 275mm Discs, 2 piston calipers |
Rear Brakes | Single 275mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 3.50 - V19 |
Rear Tire | 4.50 - V17 |
Trail | 118 mm / 4.65 in |
Turning Radius | 3.5 m / 11.5 ft |
Dimensions | Length 2260 mm / 89.0 in Width 715 mm / 28.1 in Height 1195 mm / 47.0 in |
Wheelbase | 1520 mm / 59.8 in |
Seat Height | 775 mm / 30.5 in |
Ground Clearance | 175 mm / 6.9 in |
Dry Weight | 232 kg / 511 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 22.0 Liters / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
Reserve | 5 L / 1.3 US gal / 1.1 Imp gal |
Consumption Average | 5.9 L/100km / 17 km/l / 40 US mpg / 48 Imp mpg |
Standing ¼ Mile | 11.32 sec / 193 km/h / 120 mph |
Top Speed | 220 km/h / 137 mph |