KAT FIGHT!
When Suzuki GB wanted an original Katana to show alongside its new version at Motorcycle LIVE last year, it turned to John Martin. A 50-year-old engineer from Peterborough, Martin restored and owns one of the most pristine GSX1100S Katanas in the country so, in return for allowing CMM to ride his pride and joy, we offered him his first ride on the new model to see how it stacks up.
The new GSX-S1000-based Katana is just as much a Marmite bike as the original was when it was first launched in 1981: people either love it or hate it. For John Martin, it wasn't exactly love at first sight back in the early 80s. “I didn't like Katanas when they were originally released,” he says. “I wasn't very keen at all. I liked GS1000s, GSX-1100 EFEs, ETs, bikes like that. I like modified bikes, but when I found this 1981 Katana it was just screaming to be brought back to stock condition so I decided to have a go.”
When John found the bike it had been lying under a tarpaulin
