Suzuki GSX-R750
A legendary sports motorcycle that evolved through air-and-oil-cooled generations, from slab-sided to slingshot.
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The GSX-R750 was inspired by Suzuki's factory endurance racer and set a new template for lightweight, fully-faired, high-revving fours.[1] Suzuki has manufactured the GSX-R750 sports motorcycle continuously from 1984 onward.[2]
How it changed
The original 1985 model used a lightweight aluminum alloy frame and an air-and-oil-cooled engine to save weight.[3] Early models from 1985-1987 had very flat bodywork and are called 'slab-sided' or 'slabbies'.[4] In 1988, a second generation introduced a short-stroke 748 cc engine with larger valves and carburetors.[5] The 1988 model also brought 17-inch three-spoke wheels and 43 mm cartridge forks.[5]
A major change came in 1992 when Suzuki introduced a water-cooled engine for most markets, though USA models kept the oil-cooled engine for one more year.[6] The GSX-R750 remained essentially unchanged from its 2008 K8 form all the way up to 2017.[1] Production of the GSX-R750 ended in Europe at the end of 2017 due to Euro4 emissions regulations.[1] The 1996 SRAD (Suzuki Ram Air Direct) model shed 20 kg to reach 179 kg, and its engine delivered 128 whp.[7][1]
What the maker and period sources say
A 2008 Visordown road test by Pole states the GSX-R750 was launched globally in 1985 following a Japanese market 400 in 1984.[1] The same source notes the original oil-cooled, cradle-framed GSX-R750 led to a GSX-R1100 in 1986.[1] Pole's account describes the 1996 GSX-R750 SRAD as a smaller, more compact, beam-framed machine with ram-air induction.[1] According to Pole, the GSX-R750 was an instant success on road and track as a production racer.[1]
The same writer confirms the GSX-R750 and GSX-R600 were dropped in Europe due to Euro4 at the end of 2017.[1]
References
- Pole, "Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R750 History - Generation 2 GSX-R750J, K, L & M review", Visordown, 22 April 2008. facts only, no text reused. visordown.com
- Wikipedia, "Suzuki GSX-R750" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pole, "Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R750 History - Road Tests - Visordown", Visordown, 22 April 2008 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Suzuki GSX-R750" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pole, "Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R750 History - Generation 1 GSX-R750F, G & H review", Visordown, 22 April 2008 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Suzuki GSX-R750" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Gsx R 750 M 1991", www.gsxr-suzuki.it (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Suzuki GSX-R750" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pole, "Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R750 History - Generation 2 GSX-R750J, K, L & M review", Visordown, 22 April 2008 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Suzuki GSX-R750" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pole, "Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R750 History - Generation 3 GSX-R750WN, WP, WR & WS review", Visordown, 22 April 2008 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Suzuki GSX-R750" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pole, "Road Test: Suzuki GSX-R750 History - Generation 4 GSX-R750WT, WV, WW & WX review", Visordown, 22 April 2008 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Suzuki GSX-R750 (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Suzuki GSX-R750 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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