A 1:5 sketch (1980) for the Suzuki Katana 1100 while at Target design, Munich, Germany. This project was code named ED-2 (European design-2) and it was Target designs' second Suzuki project. The first Suzuki project in 1979 was (ED-1) a 650 motorcycle (see below). Although the ED-1 proposal was radical it was still quite conventional compared to this later ED-2 proposal, which eventually became a classic and generated quite a cult following. The success of this 'Starwars-like' design was largely due to our emphasis on ergonomics, aerodynamics and reducing costs, as well as the freedom given to us by Suzuki. We stripped everything down to bare essentials and a full-sized model was thoroughly tested in Pininfarinas' wind tunnel in Turin, Italy.

Both these Katana designs influenced the direction of motorcycle design for the next decade or more, with much made of the dramatic ED-2 by the press. However, I feel later motorcycles became over-styled and much of the Katanas' core design philosophy was lost in the ensuing clamour to create ever more eye-popping designs.

The ED-2 was not a very practical motorbike and alone it was probably not a great commercial success. However it put Suzuki back in the news, after years of bland design and this for sure had a knock on effect for the rest of their product range. The Katana design demonstrates that extreme designs have their place if businesses are to succeed, even if on paper they look costly and irrational. They can have a positive impact, generating interest both inside and outside a company, improving image and employee creativity.

Below the GRP model photographed out on the street. The model was static as it had no working parts and was photographed as a Mercedes passed by, giving the illusion of being ridden at speed. Later I photoshopped the wheels' rotation. This GRP model was formed from the clay model, all of which, from sketch to this final model, took barely six weeks to complete. The model was eventually flown to Japan where it was measured to create the first prototypes.

Below the full-sized tape drawing of the ED-1 concept. This 650cc design was the first Katana designed at Target design. The tape drawing was made from an accurate 1:5 scale sketch much like the ED-2 sketch above.

Below the completed ED-1 PU foam model, photographed floating on Ammmersee lake on a wooden board. A strange idea that I had at the time. Don't ask. The photo has since been Photoshopped to remove the board and stand. Mainly to clean up the photo and give more of the impression I was after. This model was extremely fragile, so we were really playing with fire in this photo shoot. The model could easily have been damaged while manuvering or even slipped off the board into the shallow water. What possessed us only God knows.