The Begining of 刀:
The Suzuki Katana was designed in 1979-1980, by the Bavarian firm of Target Design at the request of Suzuki of Germany, specifically for their market. The Target Design team consisted of Hans A. Muth, Hans Georg Kasten and Jan Olof Fellström
Original sketch by Target Design The design worked through several variations, with the public being allowed to see the ED1 and ED2 versions. Wind tunnel was used in forming the lines of this bike so that the combination of rider and machine would make a complete aerodynamic package, comfortable and capable for high speeds. The fairing and prominent fuel tank flow together to help airflow pass over and around the rider. The same generalized design forms had already been used early in 1979 for a one-off MV-Agusta from the same design team, which never saw production.
1979 Target Design MV Prototype A prototype of the new GSX1100S Katana (ED-2) saw the day in April 1980 and the model was presented later that year, at IFMA motorcycle show in Köln (Cologne), West-Germany. No motorcycle before had displayed such attention as the looks of this new streamlined Suzuki, and no other motorcycle manufactures had ever used a design house, to style a motorcycle before. Most prototypes wasn't put into production but to the show visitors surprise, Suzuki informed that the bullet-formed Katana was to be released in 1981.
1980 GSX1100S Katana - PrototypeThe design of the production model was altered in some details before it's finally ended up on the assembly line. The 4-1 exhaust system had been replaced to a 4-2 system, The tail was longer, rider seat was lowered while the passenger seat was raised, the fuel tank was made higher, flyscreen was added on the top fairing and anti-dive forks system was also added.
1981 GSX1100S Katana (pre-launch model)
1980 Prototype and 1982 Production model difference
Source: suzukicycles.org , minekaze.exblog.jp
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