WHAT WAS THE KATANA, THEN?

The Suzuki Katana GSX 1100 S was the 1980s sportbike every biker with any soul lusted after. Designed by a former BMW “stylist”, it brought a new look to motorcycling that shook up the industry. Sculpted lines and a small fairing were unlike anything that had come before and the Katana was a hit. An original one in mint condition today will set you back about R200 000.

If there was any doubt about how Katana owners cherished their bikes, this long-ago ad from the stolen bikes section of a magazine classifieds, puts the matter in context: “My Katana GSX 1100, stolen from outside the Robert E Lee in Durban. When we find the oke who took it, a .357 will do the talking.”