In the 17 years between Suzuki’s GS1000S in 1979, via Yamaha’s 1989 FZR1000R EXUP, to Honda’s 1996 CBR900RR-T ’Blade, the face of big-bore sportsbikes changed beyond recognition. PS celebrates this huge evolution.
Ah, the three golden ages of sportsbikes. But here’s a thing: which is the best golden age, exactly? Was it back when bikes like Suzuki’s GS1000S were a sheer force of nature; when aircooled motors breathed deep and hard through two valves per cylinder. When riders wrestled with the physicality of raw power with no recourse to fairings, effective suspension or significant braking?
Or was it when lighter, sharper creatures like Yamaha’s FZR1000R EXUP first appeared, evolving the shape of sportsbikes from, basically, heavy duty bicycle frames with very big engines into purpose-built race replicas with optimised steering geometry, weight balance and chassis control? And radial tyres, and a fairing.
Or maybe it was the apotheosis of sports design, when Honda’s CBR900RR FireBlade achieved such a perfect synthesis of light weight, explosive power and frame and suspension technology that it dominated the biking landscape for the best part of a glorious decade. .
We all have our own personal preferences, mixed up with nostalgia and boyhood dreams – but the truth, of course, is that right here, right now is our golden age. Because in the here and now we can have all three, and experience those colossal leaps in technology and bike design that, in all likelihood, will never be repeated..
SUZUKI
GS1000S
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Practical Sportsbikes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Practical Sportsbikes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gold Rush
A stock 2014 CB11 is, let’s face it, a fairly dull device. But chuck some engine tweaks and a cosmetic makeover at it and all that changes.
Tony Scott - A Life In Engines
One of the greatest engine tuners of any generation, Tony Scott’s work is synonymous with Honda’s RC30. But Tony won TTs with every manufacturer, in a career spanning some of the greatest names and greatest bikes of the modern era.
Origin Of The Species
In the 17 years between Suzuki’s GS1000S in 1979, via Yamaha’s 1989 FZR1000R EXUP, to Honda’s 1996 CBR900RR-T ’Blade, the face of big-bore sportsbikes changed beyond recognition. PS celebrates this huge evolution.
Fettled Kettle
Tony Edwards, it’s fair to say, is obsessed with Harris Magnums. He’d never seen a Kettle engined Magnum 2, so he set about building one. Two years (and thirty four grand later) here it is.
Lester Harris
Hertfordshire’s most famous sons are now involved in developing new Royal Enfields, yet they’re still right in the thick of old school tubework and their stainless steel paddock stands are still the industry standard.
Shafted By The Weather Gods
The H1F’s crank was a sorry rusted mess. Now it is a thing of great beauty and strength.
Special Build Of the Year
Enter your stunning home-built special in to our Venhill Special Build of the Year competition and you could win our £1000 cash prize.
Dukes And Hazards
The Isle Of Man is an unforgiving place for any machinery, not least big twins from Bologna. Despite meticulous prep, a small stone did forJames Hillier’s Classic TT.
Greek Tragedy (With A Happy Ending)
It arrived from Athens, a hound with a bag of nails in its jaws. After untold amounts of pain, suffering and expense, Tony Barrow’s RG finally emerged, as the pristine square four he always craved.
Droop Snoot Beaut
It ‘only’ took Mike Newman four years to get his Bandit/’busa/ZX-9/10 hybrid into exactly the shape he wanted. Now it’s precisely the machine he had in his head all that time ago.
