GSX 1100 S Katana

1981 Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Suzuki's sport motorcycle lineup, the 1981 Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana pairs a 1074 cc (65.5 cu in) air-cooled in-line four, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 100 HP (73 kW) at 8,700 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 93.1 HP per liter, the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the GSX 1100 S Katana measures 272 kg (600 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.37 HP/kg (2.72 kg per horsepower). The 24-liter (6.3 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 228 km/h (142 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Suzuki archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1981 to 1984, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.