GSX400S - Background

As with the 250 Katana, the 400 is a much later introduction to the Suzuki range, and was primarily released to satisfy the current Japanese trend for 'retro' styled bikes and also to coincide with the re-release of the 1100 Katana. It is a faithful reproduction of the early bikes, even keeping the Suzuki 'star' spoke wheels that the early bikes had. The only noticeable difference is the Showa piggy-back twin shocks at the rear and Tokico 4 pot calipers at the front. Looking at the engine, you would be fooled into thinking that Suzuki had even kept the air cooling, in these liquid cooled days. You would of course be wrong, it is a cunning illusion, with the engine straight out of the GSX-R / Bandit 400.