I remember when these bikes came out. Stunning looks and performance to match. Here we are 30 years later, and they still look fresh and up to date. Am I right or am I just showing my age!
whqqsh,
Apr 23, 8:01am
nah, youre just showing good taste, I've had 3 over the years & when I get another bike it'll still be on the top of the list
richard198,
Apr 23, 8:04am
They were the first bikes to integrate the bodywork givingthe bike a "one piece" look instead of tank + engine + seat etc. Great looking bikes eh!
gunhand,
Apr 23, 8:24am
I owned one for quite a while, she was an 1100.Still a stunner today if there mint. They were so far ahead of anything looks wise it wasnt funny. It was the future today (then). Didnt handle to well and had a seat about as comfortable as a 6x1. But being young I rode 900kms almost non stop and could hardly walk or think straight afterwards, ahhhh the memorys. The odd one pops up for sale still at a still reasonable price. I reckon the Hayabusa should have been the new Katana not the watered down "normal looking" bikes they gave the name to. Ive even got a dealer release book featuring the 1100, 1000, 750, 550 models.
tortron,
Apr 23, 8:26am
much prefer that style of bike to the latest ones out - they are too 'insect' looking for my likes, haha. iv a 91 600
unideck,
Apr 23, 8:30am
Thats what happens when BMW design a bike, from memory the guy responsible was Hans Muth (may have to correct my name spelling haha) he designed some awesome looking bikes in the 80s too ;)
xs1100,
Apr 23, 8:49am
yes would love one of the wire wheeled ones,had a 650gs they were certainly quite nice. the one i always thought was funny was the brown and orange impulse
cocabowla,
Apr 23, 9:14am
i had 3 of the 650's , for a brief time 2 at once and earlier had owned the 550.never owned a 750 or 1100 but working for mike vinsens in 85 got to ride many , heard one guy bought an 1100 kat brand new and took it straight to ken mcintosh for the motor to go in a br2.
trogedon,
Apr 23, 9:17am
They still look great (the 750/1100 - not the 650/550). Done by a styling house who knew their onions.
unideck,
Apr 23, 10:04am
It was Target House Design ;)
xs1100,
Apr 23, 10:07am
what was wrong with the 650/550.
gunhand,
Apr 23, 10:18am
They just wernt the same lol.at least the pop up went back to the look. The 750 by all accounts more rare than the 1100, and the 1000 well if you ever see one grab it. They looked even cooler with the full fairings covering the motor.
flockton55,
Apr 23, 10:51am
Still have my 750SZ, got it in about 1994. Enough power for an old fart like me. I rode it from Auckland to Christchurch (apart from the ferry trip) non-stop in 2002, and apart from being a bit tired, I wasn't too sore.It's been resting for a few years now, but I recently re-activated it and it sure was good to be on it again.I completely agree about the styling, almost all sports bikes since it have the styling lines flowing from the bottom of the front wheel through to the tail. I recently bought a very nice poster of a 750 off TM, looks great in a frame, listing 364644716
xs1100,
Apr 23, 11:19am
yes you are right thats certainly a sexy looking bike,the only thing that they did need was the four into one
flockton55,
Apr 23, 11:38am
Have a look at 361666840Anyone else think this is a 7-11 (750 frame with 1100 engine)! Check the redline on the tacho. 750=9500, 1100=9000. Oops!No answer to my email query, there's a surprise. Incidentally, exactly the same (non-standard) paint scheme as my 750.
kevymtnz,
Apr 23, 11:42am
yeah i remember mine was 550/4
cocabowla,
Apr 23, 7:52pm
just seeing wire wheels on it you know its not right for starters, that model had the 3 spoke boomerang look mag wheels. as for the price what a dreamer for the rough condition its in.
therafter1,
Apr 23, 9:02pm
Nope, you simply had a bike that was way ahead of its time, and as a consequence they have withstood the test of time. There are not many nicer looking bikes from that era than nicely presented and maintained 750 and 1100 Kats.
unideck,
Apr 23, 10:57pm
Here's another top design bike but getting your hands on one is another thing.
Mmm.tasty. Love anything of Philippe Starck's I've seen.
unideck,
Apr 24, 1:32am
Has to be one of the best upright street fighter bikes ever built :) years ahead of anything yet built
therafter1,
Apr 24, 1:44am
What's the sons fathers name, I'll do the spade work and stalk it for you . LOL
cocabowla,
Apr 24, 1:49am
i dont blame you, heard one sold for $8500 not long ago but dont know what condition it was in.
plasticboys,
Apr 24, 6:43am
throws up
oliver6,
Apr 24, 7:08am
I rode all of them from new, I remember taking an 1100 to the Napier street race and when I went to ride home to Auck, Robbie Dean had taken the front end out my bike in the car park to use on his race bike.
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.