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Suzuki
GS125E Katana / GS125ES
1982—1999
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have tried to tell the Suzuki GS125ES / Suzuki GS125E Katana model history on this page
as I know it. The page is still under contruction.
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magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material
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| 1982 Suzuki GS125E Katana, Candy Gypsy Red (712) |
Suzuki GS125E, the smallest model in the air-cooled GS series, was introduced in August 1982. It was a sibling model of the GN125E, which was released a few months earlier. In contrast to the concept of the GN125E as a American styled chopper, the GS125E was marketed as a European styled sports model and was differentiated from the GN125E by being equipped with a bikini cowl and an anti-nose dive mechanism.
In Japan, the model was first known as GS125E Katana, althought it didn't share the cowl design of the original Katana, or the later GSX400/250E Katana models. The design of the GS125E was based on the GS650G.
Later, due to the discontinuation of production of the Katana series of other displacements, the Katana name was removed from this model as well, but the design remained unchanged and sales continued as GS125E in its home country, Japan.
In most export countries the model was called GS125ES, the last S telling that the bike has a small top fairing giving the rider some shelter from the wind. The E in the model name told that the bike had cast alloy wheels.
A model without the bikini fairing
and with wire-spoked wheels instead of the light alloy cast wheels was called GS125, without the E and S at the end.
The power plant of the GS125E/ES was based on the 4-stroke single cylinder engine used in the GN125E. It was an economical 4-stroke single engine, with the Suzuki STDCC system with 2 spherical combustion chambers. The GS125 engine had modified intake and exhaust system that boosts its peak power to 14 PS.
Weight reduction measures such as a newly designed diamond frame were applied to realize better fuel economy of 63 km/liter (riding 50 km/h).
The GS125E/ES had a single a hydraulic front disc brake with square brake pads and an anti-nose dive system, resulting in ”enhanced handling and excellent ride comfort”.
The styling of the GS125 was similar to the
new ”Katana design” that was popular at the time. There were several Suzuki models that shared the styling. The largest Katana, the GSX1100S, was released at the same time with the smallest, the GS125E/ES. of the in August 1982. As already mentioned, the model was equipped with a bikini cowl with a square headlight.
It had sporty look and featured star-shaped spoke cast wheels.
The GS125E (model code NF41B, engine code F406) was manufactured for many years with a few, or any, mechanical changes.
The production of the GS125E Katana ended in Japan in 1999. Production then shifted to Suzuki satellite companies in the Far East, where is still in production at the time of writing. The versions of the GS125 manufactured in China are sold in Asian markets in Asia and there's slightly different models available in Central America.
Serial numbers:
GS125E NF41B-100001~
GS125E-2 NF41B-116630~
GS125EJ NF41B-133624~
GS125EK NF41B-168444~
GS125M NF41B-206550~
GS125ER NF41B-469236~
(source: Suzuki GS125E Katana parts manual, Japan, May 1994)
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1981 Suzuki year code: Z
Suzuki GS125E (August 1982): Early model.
Two body colors available:
Bright Silver Metallic (13L) and Candy Gypsy Red (712)
Serial numbers: NF41B-100001~
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| 1982 Suzuki GS125E Katana, Bright Silver Metallic (13L) |
 1982 Suzuki GS
125 E/ES
Overall Length: 1 945 mm (76.6 in)
Overall Width: 710 mm (28.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 035 mm (40.7 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Wheelbase: 1 270 mm (50.0 in)
Ground Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in)
Dry Weight: 101 kg (223 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 124 cc 1-cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves. 14
hp (10.3 kW) @ 10 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (1.0 kg-m) @ 8 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
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1985 Suzuki year code: F
The VW24 carburetor was cahnged for the BS26 carburetor (from forced opening/closing type to negative pressure type) in 1987.
Also, the air cleaner and the muffler shape was changed in 1988.
The M model (1990–1993) had striped line graphics added. Also, the electric
circuit was different.
The ESR model (1994–1998) had automatic (always-on) headligt, push-cancel turn signals and resistor point ignition system
GS125E (August 1982): Early model. There are two body colors: Bright Silver Metallic (13L) and Candy Gypsy Red (712)
Serial numbers: NF41B-100001~
GS125E-2 (February 1985): Body color changed to Pearl Cool White (22R). The GS125E Katana got a halogen headlight bulb in 1985.
Serial numbers: NF41B-116630~
Available in only one color: Pearl Cool White (22R)
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| 1985 Suzuki GS125E Katana, Pearl Cool White (22R) |
1988 Suzuki year code: J
GS125EJ (March 1988): Changed the shape of the air cleaner and muffler. The carburetor was changed from VM type (forced opening/closing type) to CV type (negative pressure type). No changes of the appearance.
The color offered in Japan: Pearl Cool White (22R)
Serial numbers: NF41B-133624~
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1989 Suzuki year code: K
GS125EK (January 1989): Changed the front brake switch to a micro switch. No changes of the appearance.
The color offered in Japan: Pearl Cool White (22R)
Serial numbers: NF41B-168444~
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1991 Suzuki year code: M
GS125EM (August 1990): Electrical circuit changes. A stripe line has been added to the car body graphics, and the SUZUKI logo on the fuel tank is now horizontal.
The color offered in Japan: Pearl Cool White (22R)
Serial numbers: NF41B-206550~
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| 1991 Suzuki GS125E Katana, Pearl Cool White (22R) |
The Export model available in Europe was offered in 3 body colors: Red, Black and Blue.
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1992 Suzuki year code: N
The Export model available in Europe was offered in 3 body colors: Red, Black and Blue.
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 1992 Suzuki GS
125 ES (Export model)
Overall Length: 1 945 mm (76.6 in)
Overall Width: 710 mm (28.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 122 mm (44.2 in)
Seat Height: 745 mm (29.3 in)
Wheelbase: 1 270 mm (50.0 in)
Gropund Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in)
Dry Weight: 103 kg (227 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 124 cc 1-cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves. 14
hp (10.3 kW) @ 10 000 rpm, 10.8 Nm (1.1 kg-m) @ 8 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
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1993 Suzuki year code: P
The Export model available in Europe was offered in 3 body colors: Red, Black and Blue.
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 1993 Suzuki GS
125 ES (Export model)
Overall Length: 1 945 mm (76.6 in)
Overall Width: 710 mm (28.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 122 mm (44.2 in)
Seat Height: 745 mm (29.3 in)
Wheelbase: 1 270 mm (50.0 in)
Gropund Clearance: 170 mm (6.7 in)
Dry Weight: 103 kg (227 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 124 cc 1-cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves. 14
hp (10.3 kW) @ 10 000 rpm, 10.8 Nm (1.1 kg-m) @ 8 500 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
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1994 Suzuki year code: R
GS125ESR (May 1994): Final model. The body color was changed and the engine was painted black. Constant-on headlights, push-cancel turn signals, spark plugs with resistors, and other minor changes.
In Japan, the model was only offered in Black (02X).
Serial numbers: NF41B-469236~
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| 1994 Suzuki GS125E, Black (02X) |
1999 Suzuki year code: X
The Export model available in Europe was offered in 3 body colors: Red, Black and Blue.
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More: Suzuki
GS models
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Suzuki models
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