1989 Suzuki GSX-R 1100 Motorcycle

Description

Suzuki's history can be traced back to manufacturing silk looms back in 1909 but it wasn't until the 1930s that the company began experimenting with internal combustion engines.  The early post-war period saw Suzuki producing heaters and farm machinery, but the small two-stroke engine resurfaced in 1952 and was initially sold in the form of the “Power Free” motorized bicycle.  In 1954 Suzuki began making their own motorcycles, beginning with a 90cc two-stroke Colleda, notable as one of the first to have oil injection to save the rider from having to mix the oil and petrol manually.  Over the next three decades Suzuki established itself as one of the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, whilst diversifying into everything from small cars to outboard motors.  Suzuki also began competing in motorcycle racing with great success and from this a range of high-performance road bikes began to emerge, beginning with the 500cc Titan in October 1967.  Initially concentrating on two-strokes, Suzuki was building some fantastic four-strokes in the 1970s and when the GSX was unveiled in 1980, this latest model was hailed as a classic right from the outset.  Boasting a DOHC 16-valve engine, the GSX's advanced specification included alloy rims, disc brakes front and rear together with scintillating performance.  Suzuki followed this in 1984 with the mouth-watering GSX-R750, the closest thing to a street legal race bike yet seen from a Japanese manufacturer.  Two years later the GSX-R1100 was added to the line-up, with a beefed-up alloy frame to cope with the extra horsepower.  A heavily revised version of Suzuki's premier sport bike was launched in 1989, powered by a new 1127cc air/oil cooled motor housed in a totally re-designed square section alloy frame, along with adjustable shock absorbers and larger Mikuni carburettors.  The so-called “K” series GSX-R1100 was rated at 138 horsepower but could easily be tuned for more power.  Many racers tasted success on the GSX-R, including Kevin Schwantz who won the Daytona 200 in 1988, while Jamie James won the 1989 Superbike Championship aboard his.