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 Suzuki - 650 GS G Katana
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Suzuki GS G Katana motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
1407

Capacity : 650
Model : GS G Katana
Production : 1980 - 1984
Category : (R) Street Bike

SUZUKI

GS 650 G Katana· 1980

Two birds with one stone

At the 1980 Paris Salon, Suzuki made the headlines by unveiling one of the most futuristic motorcycles yet seen: the GSX 1100 Katana, a product of the talented Target design studio. It virtually overshadowed the much more sensible GS650 Katana, derived from the same styling exercise.

Rare Advantages

Nevertheless, the GS650 drew full profit from the style created by Target. In particular, it offered a very comfortable riding position, with an ultra-low saddle well-designed for both rider and passenger. Its tank, with a generous cut-out for the knees, allowed the rider to lay right down on the machine. Endowed with a highly competitive performance for its day, the GS650 offered the rare advantage of having shaft final drive, still preferred by certain diehards despite the considerable progress in chain design. In short, the Katana seemed to possess all the right plus points for a long career.

Too Strong an Image

The nuances of the market's reaction are sometimes difficult to predict, and the bike failed to live up to its early promise. The aggressive colors of the 650 GSX frightened away the traditional tourists while the sporting element turned to more extreme models. Happily, the marque had been wise enough not to put all its eggs in one basket and simultaneously launched a very similar 650 of more sober appearance plus another, cheaper model with final drive by chain.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 673cc (62x55.8mm) air-cooled 4- cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 72 hp @ 9500 rpm

Valves: twin overhead camshafts driven by chain/2 valves per cylinder

Fuel System: four 33mm carburetors

Transmission: 5-speecl; final drive by shaft

Suspension: telescopic fork (front); swinging fork with two spring-damper units (rear)

Brakes: twin disk (front); disk (rear)

Wheels: alloy, 19 inch (front); 17 inch (rear)

Weight: 481 lb

Maximum Speed: 121 mph

 

The 650 Katana did not enjoy the success it deserved: nevertheless, it was rapid and comfortable and regarded as an excellent grand tourer.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.