Suzuki Katana 1100
THE SWORD KNOWN AS THE KATANA IS regarded in Japan as not just a weapon, but also as a work of art. The single-edged blade was first created in the 14th century, when traditional Tachi swords, which were longer, were cut down to make them easier to handle in combat. The Katana was not used as a primary weapon in battle, but rather as a close-quarter blade.
It’s probably something to do with being a bit of a fan of science fiction, but the look of the Suzuki Katana has always appealed to me, especially the really big one. It’s also always been beyond my reach financially. Katanas were not cheap when they were new and they aren’t cheap now, either.
So, given the opportunity to actually try a virtually unused Katana 1100, I jumped at it. It’s worthy of a good look round it first. Check out that big front mudguard that, thanks to the black flash, doesn’t look big. That knife-like nose fairing and flyscreen is set to carve its way through traffic, surely. The rectangular headlight sticking up out of that fairing, the clever clocks with one needle sweeping into the path of the other, and the clip-on
