Originally, it had no windshield-that was Suzuki's requirement. Muth's design was rendered in silver-like the sword. Central to the Katana's unique identity is its “V-shaped gas tank,” describing the way the tank narrows toward the rider and diverges toward the front of the bike. "Muth characterizes the Suzuki Katana by what he calls its dramatic “flyline,” melding five key components into stylistic and aerodynamic unity: headlight, fuel tank, seat, and front and rear fenders. The 1,100 cc (67 cu in) ED2 would form the prototype for the larger 16-valve GSX1100S, GSX1000S, and GSX750S. The same generalized design forms had already been used early in 1979 for Target's MV Agusta "Prova" concept. The shark-like faired ED2 was a more radical design which incorporated favorable aerodynamics, with a special emphasis placed on high-speed stability, and was repeatedly wind tunnel tested in Italy. The ED1 design would be modified for production as the GS550M Katana, and later the GS650G Katana. This meant that the rider essentially sat more in the motorcycle than on it (as was the norm). The unfaired ED1 design featured a tall, sculpted fuel tank, with both curves and straight edges that merged the tank with a concave seat flanked by angular side panels. The original design was a 650 cc (40 cu in) model called the ED1. The Target designed machines were in general production until 1985, when all the original model Katanas were discontinued, although 'Katana-esque' styling appeared on many in-house designed Suzuki machines for some years to come. The design worked through several variations, with the ED1 and ED2 versions ("ED" for "European Design") revealed to the public in 1980. Muth's three-man Target Design team consisted of himself, Jan Fellstrom and Hans-Georg Kasten. Suzuki formally engaged Target design and a three-man team led by Hans Muth, ex-chief of styling for BMW, who had done much to modernise the image of the venerable Bavarian Boxer Twin, began work to update the Suzuki's image.
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