Katana (old) Prototype

**betti** · 30th September 2006, 16:33

Like this ya mean?

**orangeback** · 30th September 2006, 17:56

Originally Posted by betti

Like this ya mean?

no no betti puke on wheels has to be the gsx1200y or 1400

**orangeback** · 30th September 2006, 18:04

Originally Posted by betti

Like this ya mean?

wonder who this is ????

and the one id like, if the misses would have it on , crops up for sale about once a year when he's home in nz from SBK (hes a bike tech ) you ready to sell yours yet betti?

**ajturbo** · 30th September 2006, 18:12

i have loved these bike from the very begining, i would love to have one restored in my garage!!!

**betti** · 1st October 2006, 08:35

Hey mate, no way jose!
Just got mine wof'd again yesterday, she's sweet as and rockin, you know you need another one asap!.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 3rd October 2006, 14:58

there are a couple for sale at present on tardme. Ive seen some really cool Gixxer engined ones with USD forks and 17 inch wheels as well. usually different swingarms etc. Bloody cool then, bloody cool now.

I was dead set to buy one back in the day.... till I rode it. the extreme shortness of my arms (OK, all of me) made it really uncomfortable. but such a great looking thing.

I never liked the popup ones as much, though I have seen a custom black one which was styly.

**T.W.R** · 3rd October 2006, 15:58

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I never liked the popup ones as much, though I have seen a custom black one which was styly.

Getting around ChCh ? Eric Wood's built one up as a promotional bike years ago that was all black with chrome disc in-lays on the wheels to make them look like solid disc wheels (used to sit on the rotating display stand for a while).
There's also one in Rakaia that commutes to ChCh daily that is all black with quite a few go-fast goodies on it. It's a real tidy example.

**AllanB** · 3rd October 2006, 18:58

Oh yeah those 1200/1400 mock-ups are the go - look better than the base bikes, so why not make them.

only reason I can think of is the Katana was 'the' Suzuki sports bike way back and GS/Bandit rehash will not be.

Still a GSXR1000 - Katana.............

**Dadpole** · 3rd October 2006, 22:00

They would stick the "Katana" name on a quad if they thought it would sell more of them. The Katana name has ben abused (IMHO) by slapping it on the F models in the states.
The 1200/1400 mock-ups look good though.

**betti** · 4th October 2006, 05:31

Yeah, I guess it's only the same as kawasaki using ninja on everything from a hyper bike to a shopping trolley.
But puttin katana on a 50cc scooter is bloody sacrilege!.
I also reckon a gsxr kat is necessary .. c'mon suzuki get it together!.

**Dadpole** · 5th October 2006, 21:56

Originally Posted by betti

I also reckon a gsxr kat is necessary .. c'mon suzuki get it together!.

I agree. But only if it is a hard-edged bike like the original. One to "sort the men from the boys" type of thing.

**nudemetalz** · 6th October 2006, 07:01

And what about this 6-cylinder Katana concept Suzuki previewed a wee while ago?
Not really hard-edged looking like the original is it......

**Lord Derosso** · 6th October 2006, 14:01

Originally Posted by Dadpole

They would stick the "Katana" name on a quad if they thought it would sell more of them. The Katana name has ben abused (IMHO) by slapping it on the F models in the states.
The 1200/1400 mock-ups look good though.

I have no problem calling my little old 600, which is the above Americian F model, a Katana especially as its a model with 86 HP as opposed to the 79HP of later models. 86 HP isnt bad for a 600c as opposed to 120 HP for the 1100cc, and shes a wonder to ride. I simply have no problems with whats on the side of the fairing as thats not the reason I brought the bike. Theres been this sort of ranting before and its really quite amusing. What does it matter ? They already have R's so by calling it a Katana does that mean it has to be like a R' for handling and power or is it based on the style? I always thought it was a combination of both and yes, the original Katanas were truely awesome bikes in their day and I am more than old enough to have been riding when they first came out BUT they weren't perfect either. Though I do agree that the 50cc bit is certainly way too much. Perhaps I may 'upgrade' my inferior little F to a true Katana, but Nah... I have a life and dont need to let such nonsense worry me. I ride because I always have and names dont made it any more or less enjoyable.

**Dadpole** · 6th October 2006, 20:12

Not meant as a personal attack on anyone.

I am simply of the generation that the Katana defined (if you follow). We old codgers like to see the word "Katana" and be transported back to our glory days.

While it would be nice if more bikes had names (Intercepter, Bantam etc) instead of number & letter combinations, at the end of the day, if the bike suits you then what is in a name. If I wanted a bike named "Spoonbill" I would get it - just paint over the name though.