1981 Suzuki Katana 550 Registration Number: OWA 203X Frame ...

Estimate

£4,200 - £4,700

1981 Suzuki Katana 550

Registration Number: OWA 203X
Frame Number: GS550MX100078
 
First seen at the 1980 Cologne Show, the GSX1100 Katana represented a bold effort to produce an uncompromising sports bike in the European mould. Styled by Target Design under the direction of Brit Jan Fellstrom, the Katana combined straight-line speed with secure handling like no Japanese bike before it. 

The concept's immediate success spurred Suzuki to introduce a family of similarly styled machines across just about every capacity class. The existing GS550 gained the Katana treatment for 1981. Testing the GS550 Katana alongside Kawasaki's GPz550 in 1982, Bike magazine found the Kat a little down on power and speed when compared to its rival but the more comfortable mount for long distance riding. 

First registered in September 1981, this Katana has recently been subject to a restoration and is now presented in very good condition, with registration document.