1992 Suzuki GSX 400S Katana

by Dietmar Bothner | Dec 8, 2020 | Suzuki

1992 Suzuki GSX 400S Katana Video

Since its launch in 1981, this very iconic and recognizable bike designed by the German trio from BMW, then Target Design, set new trends in the biking world. You will find more detail and history under our GSX 1100S Katana write up.

10 Years on and Suzuki released an incredibly faithful reproduction of the original 1100cc, as a pocket rocket in the form of a 400cc, using the Suzuki Bandit motor as its heart. This little Katana sibling was primarily released to satisfy the current Japanese trend for “retro”styled bikes with a smaller bore. At a distance this little 400 Katana is almost indistinguishable from its larger ancestor.

This Baby Katana GSX 400S was so faithful in its recreation, even the wheel design mimicked the classic Suzuki cross-over star pattern, right down to the 17 inch rear wheel and 19 inch front wheel, true to the original. Clocks, fly-screen, two-tone front mudguard, sharkfin’s below the headlight, two-tone seat, 4-into-2 black chrome exhaust, dual rear shocks were all mirrored off the original. This siblings main deviations from the original are, wider tyres front and rear, upgraded brakes, no anti-dive front forks and most importantly and very cleverly concealed was the liquid cooled 400cc motor vs the original aircooled 1100cc. This was achieved by the cunning illusion of positioning the radiator high up, above the 4 header pipes, between the tiny quarter fairing.

Production only ran for 2 years between 1992 and 1993 and you will be hard pressed to find one of these Baby Katana’s outside of Japan. Produced in 2 colour schemes, traditional silver with silver and chrome motor or the slightly darker silver with the more modern looking blacked out motor.

The bike pictured here is the darker of the 2 silvers and you can see the illusion of the motor with its aircooled fins together with radiator.

It is adorned with:

Iconic Silver-grey paint with very distinctive “Suzuki” lettering in red
Two tone seat
Clip-on handle bars
Tiny fly screen
two tone front mudguard
Dual rear suspension
Faithful wheel design true to original cross-over star

Basic Specifications:

Engine – 399cc, four stroke, inline 4 cylinder transverse, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke – 52x47mm
Compression Ratio – 11.8:1
Induction – Mikuni BST32 carburetors
Transmission – 6 speed, wet multi-plate clutch
Final Drive – Chain
Tyres – front 100/80-18 , rear 140/70-17
Weight – 182 dry
Max Power – 39,5kW (53hp) @ 10500rpm
Max Power – 38,2Nm @ 9500rpm