Classic and Classy Motorcycles Ltd

Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Importers

---

1980s Suzuki GSX1100 Katana Valuation Report

Date: August 2025

Historical Overview

The Suzuki GSX1100 Katana (GSX1100S), unveiled for 1981, rewrote superbike styling with Hans Muth’s wedge-shaped fairing and cockpit. Beneath the bodywork sat Suzuki’s air-cooled DOHC inline-four with stout torque and period-leading performance. Early 1981–1983 models with original bodywork and finishes are the collector sweet spot in the UK; later mid-’80s updates and market variants remain desirable but generally trade lower unless exceptionally original. Many UK examples have seen period tuning or cosmetic changes, so correctness and completeness now drive the biggest price gaps.

UK Valuation Summary (by condition and year range)

Condition	Early (1981–1983, GSX1100S)	Later (circa 1984–1986, updates/market variants)	Example External Source (non-link reference)
Project / Restoration Non-runner or incomplete; often missing fairing panels/airbox/exhausts; needs full rebuild	£4,500 – £7,000	£3,500 – £5,500	Anglia Car Auctions – motorcycle results; Vintagebike.co.uk classifieds archive
Roadworthy / Presentable Starts, runs and rides; older paint or non-stock silencers common; usable rider with scope to improve	£9,000 – £13,500	£7,000 – £10,000	Manor Park Classics – bike sales; Collecting Cars – sold listings
Restored / Excellent Very original survivor or high-quality restoration; correct bodywork/graphics; matching numbers; strong history	£15,000 – £22,000	£11,000 – £16,000	Bonhams – motorcycle auctions; Iconic Auctioneers – sale archives

Notes: Early UK-registered bikes with original paint, instruments and OEM 4-into-2 exhausts sit at the top end. US/ROW imports or bikes with aftermarket bodywork can trail by 10–25%. Rare period options (rearsets, performance exhaust supplied with the sale, original toolkit/handbook) add value when stock parts are included.

Value Influencing Factors

• Originality & completeness: OEM fairing panels, screen, indicators, mirrors, airbox and exhausts materially raise prices; missing or pattern plastics suppress values.
• Numbers & provenance: Matching engine/frame, early build plates, UK registration from new and a thick history file (old MOTs, invoices, brochures) command premiums.
• Mechanical condition: Camchain/tensioners, charging/ignition, carb condition and brake overhaul status are key cost drivers for buyers.
• Paint & decals: Correct colourways and factory-style graphics outperform resprays with non-OEM schemes.
• Mileage & use: Genuine low-mile survivors outperform restored high-milers; ex-track or heavily tuned bikes generally sit lower unless returned to stock.
• Market timing: Spring/summer retail is strongest; winter often yields sharper pricing on projects and riders.

Conclusion

The UK market clearly rewards early GSX1100S Katanas. Projects typically change hands around £4.5–7k for early bikes versus £3.5–5.5k for later variants. Usable roadworthy machines bring £9–13.5k (early) against £7–10k (later). Collector-grade, very original survivors or high-quality restorations achieve £15–22k (early) and £11–16k (later). Buyers consistently pay premiums for correctness, provenance and intact original bodywork over fresh paint or bolt-on tuning alone.

Note: External sources are cited by platform name only (no outbound links). Exact sold listings may no longer be available online; prices were verified from sale records at the time of writing.

All Valuations