Tamiya 16025 - 1:6 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana

Suzuki GSX1100S Katana 1:6 scale plastic model kit

The Suzuki GSX1100S Katana turned motorcycle design upside down in 1981 – its sharp, wedge-shaped silhouette, inspired by a Japanese sword, remains one of the most instantly recognisable shapes on two wheels. Tamiya 16025 reproduces it in 1:6 scale, with the finished model measuring 375 mm in length.

Based on tooling from 1983, the kit depicts the bike as built for the 1981 model year. The air-cooled DOHC inline-four is faithfully reproduced together with its carburettors and a number of metallic-finished components. The front fork features metal parts with built-in coil springs, while the die-cast metal side stand comes with its own spring and remains movable after assembly. The box also contains rubber tyres, vinyl parts and clear parts.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Clear parts
• DOHC inline-four engine with numerous metallic-finished parts and reproduced carburettors
• Metal front fork components with built-in coil springs
• Die-cast metal side stand with spring (movable once assembled)
• Rubber tyres
• Vinyl parts
• Waterslide decals
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:6
• Catalogue number: 16025
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Model length: 375 mm
• Tooling: 1983 (depicts the 1981 model year)
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: The kit does not include cement, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The large scale and excellent parts fit make the kit accessible to less experienced modellers, although the engine with its carburettors, the metal fork components and the sprung side stand all reward calm, precise work. Metal parts and rubber tyres are worth dry-fitting before final assembly – they cannot be bonded with plastic cement, so cyanoacrylate glue will be useful. Paint codes for the individual assemblies are listed in the instructions; metallic shades bring the engine and exhaust to life, semi-gloss black suits the frame, and a wash helps to accentuate the fins and recesses of the engine.

Parts with a metallic finish can be left exactly as supplied – simply cut them carefully from the sprue and clean up the gate marks. Modellers looking for a deeper, more realistic chrome effect often airbrush such parts with chrome-like paints (e.g. Alclad, AK Xtreme Metal). Both routes are valid and the choice is purely a matter of the effect you want. The drive chain in this kit is a moulded part; a movable link-by-link chain set, Tamiya 12674, is available separately as an aftermarket addition.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for metal parts
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel), including metallic shades
• A wash to accentuate engine detail
• Optional: chrome-like paints for airbrushing

About the motorcycle – Suzuki GSX1100S Katana:

The 1981 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana was the result of a collaboration with the German Target Design studio led by Hans Muth. Their silhouette – with its distinctive wedge-shaped front end and integrated fairing – was inspired by a Japanese sword and broke completely with the motorcycle styling conventions of the 1970s.

Beneath the avant-garde bodywork sat a thoroughly serious machine: a 1074 cc air-cooled DOHC inline-four with 16 valves and the TSCC cylinder head, producing 111 hp at 9,500 rpm and 97 Nm at 6,500 rpm. With a dry weight of 232 kg and a five-speed gearbox, it reached a top speed of around 220 km/h – at launch, among the highest of any production motorcycle.

The Katana quickly became an icon of 1980s design. Controversial at its debut, it is today one of the most sought-after classics, and Suzuki still uses the name for new models that echo the original.

Original specifications (Suzuki GSX1100S Katana, 1981):

• Engine: air-cooled DOHC 16V TSCC inline-four
• Displacement: 1074 cc
• Power: 111 hp at 9,500 rpm
• Torque: 97 Nm at 6,500 rpm
• Gearbox: 5-speed
• Dry weight: 232 kg
• Top speed: approx. 220 km/h
• Styling: Target Design studio (Hans Muth)

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company originally traded in timber and produced wooden models, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand is known for exceptionally precise injection moulds and outstanding parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The large 1:6 motorcycle kits are among the most spectacular entries in the catalogue, combining detailed mechanicals, metal parts and working assemblies. Beyond plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.