The original Suzuki Katana revolutionized the market when it went into serial production in 1982. It was a machine before her time, a futuristic sports touring bike with great performance. Well, Icon thought it’s time to bring back the iconic name and design. The small motorcycle garage from Portland introduced New Jack, a bold, non-conformist take on the old Katana at the 2015 One Motorcycle Show.
The New Jack
The Suzuki GS1000SZ “Katana” was a truly unique bike of the eighties, it was the DeLorean of motorcycles. Katana was radically different in design and idea than its predecessors in Suzuki’s GS line of bikes. The unusual design was on purpose. Though Suzukis of the day were known to be some of the fastest and best-handling machines, their design was a bit boring. To update their image, the company hired Hans Muth, a German designer and ex-chief of styling for BMW motorcycles. Basically, they told him to come up with something so outrageous that no one would be able to ignore it, hoping that somehow just one wild design would draw attention to their whole line. The Icon was born.
Retro looks, modern engineering
Are you interested in a windscreen for your Katana? See this Dark Windscreen for Suzuki Katana 600 750 GSX600F GSX750F 98-08
Despite having lots of hardcore fans, Katana wasn’t a big commercial success in North America. Some say it was a bit ahead of its time, but it didn’t inspire later models. After thirty years, it’s maybe time for this non-conformist design. The donor bike of the custom bike is an old 1982 Katana but the guys from Icon didn’t leave a lot of things unchanged. It’s a modern interpretation of what the Katana could have been if modern day production facilities and technologies had been available at the time of its production.
Nice tribute after 30 years
The guys from Icon built the 1200cc engine of a Bandit into the Katana frame. To handle the performance, extra quarter inch gussets were necessary to keep the frame rigid under stress. Other modifications include modern swingarm, superbike suspension, PBI Sprockets, Regina chain, Continental rubber and a full rework of brakes. The seat is a solo unit. The result is a bike with today’s standards without loosing some retro flavor.
Of all the hideous design trends that emerged in the 80′s it’s the razor sharp lines of the Katana we’s like to see on the roads again. All in all, New Jack is a nice tribute bike.
Looking for some Halo headlights? See this Suzuki Katana 600 750 97-00-01-02-03-04-05-07-08-09-10-11-12-13 CCFL Halo Angel Demon Eyes
