- Page 1: 1985 to 1987 - The First Modern Race-Replica, Suzuki GSX-R750
- Page 2: 1988 to 1989 - 2nd Generation Suzuki GSX-R750: Improving on a legend
- Page 3: 1990 to 1991 - 3rd Generation Suzuki GSX-R750: More changes plus inverted forks
- Page 4: 1992 to 1995 - 4th Generation Suzuki GSX-R750: Water-cooled engine
- Page 5: 1996 to 1999 - 5th Generation Suzuki GSX-R750: Weight loss diet
- Page 6: 2000 to 2005- 6th Generation Suzuki GSX-R750: Lighter, Stronger and Faster
- Page 7: 2006 to 2007 - 7th Generation Suzuki GSX-R750: New frame, swingarm and motor
- Page 8: 2008 to 2010 - 8th Generation Suzuki GSX-R750: Multi-mode power adjustments
- Page 9: 2011 to today - 9th Generation Suzuki GSX-R750: Major Redesign
Just finished (that took a week to create). I know of no other more complete GSX guide on the internet with such huge amount of information, massive old photos of each and every year plus specs for each model year.
The original GSXR was the bike that started the hyper sports movement.
The first generation GSXRs have really taken on that cool classic bike look. It is the only GSXR that I like. The subsequent ones became porky pigs and then after that, it just became the most generic of all the japanese sport bikes.
The title of the first page is misleading adcopy vs journalism, stating "THE First Modern Race-Replica", although the text from Suzuki is less misleading stating "We had no real competitors in the market, other than factory racing machines."... when in fact at the time Suzuki's own RG500 was often THE race-bike of choice for the Superbike or Formula One race classes both regionally and nationally by privateers. The factory chose to promote an awesome race program and classes however.
The RG500 had some gearbox issues, but was a faster motorcycle on the track, especially in race trim. The reason Suzuki chooses to forget the RG500 Gamma, is that it wasnt available in the USA, and of course they want to promote four-stroke engines nowadays... which leads me to two more things... a year earlier Yamaha introduced the RZ500L, which like the RG500 was a factory replica of there 500cc GP bike at that time. And in 1983 Honda already produced the VFR750 (and later the VFR500) which were replica's of there racing four-strokes of the time. And I think liquid-cooled engines counts as modern vs. Suzuki's air-cooled engines with advanced oil-cooling. Honda lead the way. From 1983 the lead swaps, back and forth in many ways. Kawi had the ZX600 Ninja - AWESOME. Then in 1987 Yamaha blew everyone away with the twin-beam delta-box chassis... then 1988 Honda again trumped then all with a VFR750RR (RC30).. except our pals at Ducati came out with the totally new liquid-cooled twin called the 851... then Kawi threw the ZXR750 into Superbike competition. And what about Yamaha's OW01... etc etc etc... it took Suzuki until 1996 to produce frames like any of these other manufacturers were using...
The early GSXR was an awesome privateer race bike, and that is how it's popularity grew, in regional "club" racing. On the national and international scene it was much more common to see a strong mix of bikes, with Bimota's YB (Yamaha-engined) fuel-injected up against the new Ducati, and the four Japanese manufacturers:
World Superbike Championship results from the first season:
Rank Rider Manufacturer Points Wins
1 United States Fred Merkel Honda 99 2
2 Italy Fabrizio Pirovano Yamaha 93.5 1
3 Italy Davide Tardozzi Bimota 91.5 5
4 Belgium Stéphane Mertens Bimota 90.5 2
5 Italy Marco Lucchinelli Ducati 63 2
6 France Alex Vieira Honda 42 0
7 Australia Rob Phillis Kawasaki 42 0
8 Canada Gary Goodfellow Suzuki 39.5 1
9 Australia Malcolm Campbell Honda 33.5 0
10 United Kingdom Terry Rymer Honda 32.5 0
11 United Kingdom Roger Burnett Honda 31.5 0
12 Australia Mick Doohan Yamaha 30 3
13 United Kingdom Joey Dunlop Honda 30 0
14 France Eric Delcamp Kawasaki 29.5 0
15 France Christophe Bouheben Honda 28 0
16 France Adrien Morillas Kawasaki 26.5 1
17 Switzerland Edwin Weibel Honda 23.5 0
18 Finland Jari Suhonen Yamaha 21 0
19 United Kingdom Andy McGladdery Suzuki 18.5 0
20 Sweden Anders Andersson Suzuki 18.5 0
21 Australia Robert Scolyer Honda 17.5 0
22 Australia Michael Dowson Yamaha 17 0
23 United Kingdom Paul Iddon Yamaha 17 0
24 Italy Virginio Ferrari Honda 16 0
25 United Kingdom Kenny Irons Honda 15.5 0
26 Germany Ernst Gschwender Suzuki 14.5 0
27 United Kingdom Roger Marshall Suzuki 13 0
28 Italy Marino Fabbri Bimota 13 0
29 United Kingdom Robert Dunlop Honda 12.5 0
30 Canada Tommy Douglas Yamaha 11 0
31 Japan Yukia Oshima Suzuki 9 0
32 Denmark Renè Rasmussen Suzuki 9 0
33 Japan Kenihiro Iwahashi Honda 8.5 0
34 Japan Tadaaki Hanamura Honda 7.5 0
35 United Kingdom Steve Williams Bimota 7 0
36 Germany Peter Rubatto Bimota 7 0
37 New Zealand Glenn Williams Ducati 7 0
38 Switzerland Andreas Hoffman Honda 7 0
39 United Kingdom Mark Farmer Suzuki 6 0
40 Italy Mauro Ricci Ducati 6 0
Anecdotely, the first Suzuki in the championship was ridden by a Canadian and ex-New Zealander, Gary Goodfellow, who had been one of few Canadian's who ever raced competitively against the likes of Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey in there Superbike days. There have been few Canadians up to par in the big leagues since... Michel Mercier, Miguel DuHamel, Steve Crevier, Pascal Picotte, and maybe Rueben McMurter, and Jordan Szoke showing some promise. No others come to mind despite Don Monroe, and others being stellar National level racers. More recently Chris Peris and now Brett McCormick is the one with the best possibility.
One other mention: saying the GSXR has outlasted the competition is another misleading statement.. because every manufacturer has built class leading sport bikes, both years before and years after the Suzuki GSXR. The fact that Suzuki has stuck with the same name is of little consequence.
Facts speak differently than the usual promo/politics in the motorcycle industry, just like with politicians in government and CEOs in corporate office. This is why journalism existed, because people are easily swayed to believe otherwise from a little promoting of one persons (or one companies) marketing agenda...
"Zounds! Zorched by Zarches, Spaceman Spiff's crippled craft crashes on planet Plootarg!"
For Sale: Ninja 600 with parts bike, needs minor work, $30, no title... (GEE THAT DOESNT RING ANY WARNING BELLS DOES IT?)
It is the only GSXR that I like. The subsequent ones became porky pigs and then after that, it just became the most generic of all the japanese sport bikes.
