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1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana Overview
Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana is a sport motorcycle, displacing 1074 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 9.5:1. On the performance side, it delivers 83.9 kW @ 9500 rpm of peak power and 97.1 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 220 km/h. On the road, the 1990 GSX 1100S Katana tips the scales at 243 kg, carries a 22 L fuel tank, offers a seat height of 775 mm and spans a 1520 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 40.3 kg heavier than the average sport motorcycle in our database. The full 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
1990 GSX 1100S Katana - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 83.9 kW @ 9500 rpm and 97.1 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque on tap, the GSX 1100S Katana is no slouch for its class.
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⛽
Large fuel range: A 22 L tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
Considerations
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⚙️
Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Because the GSX 1100S Katana relies on airflow rather than a coolant jacket, expect noticeably more radiant heat at low speed and in traffic. It's inherent to air cooling, and ventilated gear largely offsets it.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2 x 275 mm Discs, 2 piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The GSX 1100S Katana's suspension runs Telescopic, oil damped, spring 4-way adjustable with anti-dive at the front. The rear uses Dual shock oil damped, damper 4-way, spring 5-way adjustable. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The GSX 1100S Katana uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Steel, double cradle frame, the GSX 1100S Katana's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
243 kg puts the GSX 1100S Katana toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
GSX 1100S Katana - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy GSX 1100S Katana should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a GSX 1100S Katana's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Carburetor upkeep
Deposits in the carbs are the usual culprit behind poor running on a stored GSX 1100S Katana - strip and clean the float bowls before the first start. Pilot jets clog first and get overlooked most, so make a point of checking them.
1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana have?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana uses a Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. engine with 1074 cc of displacement. It is air cooled.
What is the top speed of the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana has a factory-quoted top speed of 220 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana weigh?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana weighs 243 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana make?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana produces 83.9 kW @ 9500 rpm of power and 97.1 Nm @ 6500 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana has a 22 L fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 366-440 km between stops.
Is the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana suitable for shorter riders?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana has a seat height of 775 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana have?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana uses 2 x 275 mm Discs, 2 piston calipers at the front and Single 275 mm disc, 1 piston caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana use?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana runs 3.50 - V19 front and 4.50 - V17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana have?
The 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana is fitted with a 5 Speed transmission.
Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana Spec Evolution
The Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana was produced across 6 model years (1981-1992). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
1984 |
1990 |
1992 |
| Wet Weight |
272.0 kg / 599.7 lbs |
272.0 kg / 599.7 lbs |
272.0 kg / 599.7 lbs |
272.0 kg / 599.7 lbs |
243 kg / 535 lbs |
243 kg / 535 lbs |
| Engine Type |
In-line four, four-stroke |
In-line four, four-stroke |
In-line four |
In-line four |
- |
- |
| Top Speed |
228.0 km/h / 141.7 mph |
228.0 km/h / 141.7 mph |
228.0 km/h / 141.7 mph |
228.0 km/h / 141.7 mph |
220 km/h / 136.4 mph |
220 km/h / 136.4 mph |
| Fuel Capacity |
24.00 litres / 6.34 gallons |
21.00 litres / 5.55 gallons |
21.00 litres / 5.55 gallons |
21.00 litres / 5.55 gallons |
22 L / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
22 L / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
| Brakes - Front |
Dual disc |
Dual disc |
Dual disc |
Dual disc |
2 x 275 mm Discs, 2 piston calipers |
2 x 275 mm Discs, 2 piston calipers |
| Brakes - Rear |
Single disc |
Single disc |
Single disc |
Single disc |
Single 275 mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
Single 275 mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
| Model |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1985 - 89 |
1990 - 93 |
| Final Drive |
Chain |
Chain |
Chain |
Chain |
Chain, Daido D.I.D 630YL, 96 links |
Chain, Daido D.I.D 630YL, 96 links |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Power
83.9 kW / 111 hp / @ 9500 rpm
Torque
97.1 Nm / 9.9 kgf-m / 70.9 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Top Speed
220 km/h / 136.4 mph
Fuel Capacity
22 L / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal
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Full 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana Specifications
Model
1985 - 89
Make Model
Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana
Seat Height
775 mm / 30.5 in
Wheelbase
1520 mm / 59.8 in
Ground Clearance
175 mm / 6.9 in
Height
1195 mm / 47.0 in
Length
2260 mm / 89.0 in
Turning Circle
3.5 m / 11.5 ft
Width
715 mm / 28.1 in
Dry Weight
232 kg / 511 lbs
Fuel Capacity
22 L / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal
Oil Capacity
3.2 L / 3.4 US qt / 2.8 Imp qt
Wet Weight
243 kg / 535 lbs
Displacement
1074 cc / 65.5 cu in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Air Filter
Dual element (Paper and polyurethane)
Bore x Stroke
72 x 66 mm
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Cooling System
Air cooled
Fuel Consumption
6.4 L/100 km / 15.6 km/l / 36.6 US mpg / 44 Imp mpg
Fuel Induction
4 x Mikuni BS34SS
Fuel Reserve
5 L / 1.3 US gal / 1.1 Imp gal
Ignition
Transistorized
Ignition Timing
15° BTDC below 1500 rpm / 32° BTDC above 2350 rpm
Lubrication
Wet sump
Spark Plug
NGK D8EA (in E-01,24,25,30,34), NGK DR8ES-L (the others) - gap 0.6-0.7 mm (0.024-0.028 in)
Starter
Electric
Battery Capacity
12V 50.4 kC (14 Ah)/10HR - type YB14L-A2
Clutch
Wet multi-plate
Final Drive
Chain, Daido D.I.D 630YL, 96 links
Final Drive Ratio
2.800:1 (42/15)
Gear Ratios
1st 2.500 (35/15) / 2nd 1.777 (32/18) / 3rd 1.380 (29/21) / 4th 1.125 (27/24) / 5th 0.961 (25/26)
Primary Drive Ratios
1.775:1 (87/49)
Transmission / Drive
5 Speed
Frame Type
Steel, double cradle frame
Suspension - Front
Telescopic, oil damped, spring 4-way adjustable with anti-dive
Suspension - Rear
Dual shock oil damped, damper 4-way, spring 5-way adjustable
Rake
29°
Trail
118 mm / 4.65 in
Wheel Travel - Front
150 mm / 5.91 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
109 mm / 4.29 in
Charging System
Three-phase A.C. generator
Brakes - Front
2 x 275 mm Discs, 2 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 275 mm disc, 1 piston caliper
Tyres - Front
3.50 - V19
Tyres - Rear
4.50 - V17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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