Tops Speed

Does a middleweight sportbike powered by a carbureted, air/oil-cooled engine with a claimed 106 crank horsepower spinning a slim 140 x 70/18 rear tire sound exciting? If it was 1985, and the above mystery bikes color scheme is blue and white, then it was the Suzuki GSX-R750 that wouldve had you geeked.
A Gixxer 750 with 106 ponies. How times have changed.The GSX-R750 – arguably the bike that started the replica racer revolution – marked its 25th anniversary in 2010.

Oddly, Suzuki decided to celebrate the noteworthy birthday last year by creating a limited edition GSX-R1000, designated by little more than special paint and "25th Anniversary Edition" on the mufflers and wheel rim striping.For us in the States, 1986 was the first time we could zip down the road on a Gixxer, so this year is something of an unofficial 25th anniversary for the 750 in America. Thankfully, we at least have an upgraded and lighter weight GSX-R750 in 2011 to celebrate with – even if were the only ones partying.

Since the late ‘90s until now, the GSX-R750 has shared a nearly identical platform as it younger sibling the GSX-R600, and the differences between the two with the latest incarnation aren’t much more than a larger bore and stroke. Thus, like its little bother, the Suzuki GSX-R750 now features innovations such as Suzuki’s S-DMS fuel map selector, titanium exhaust, fully adjustable suspension and top-of-the-line radial brake calipers. And while Suzuki in now one of the only 750cc Inline-Four sportbike producers left, judging by its strong sales numbers and cult-like following, it surprising more don’t follow suit.

We have done extensive testing with the latest Suzuki GSX-R750 and one word always comes to mind: Versatility. With low-end and mid-range power like a 1000, plus handling on par with a 600, Suzuki’s GSX-R750 really does combine the best of both worlds to make one of the most capable all-around sportbikes currently on the market. 

Several changes ensued throughout the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, but it wasn’t until 1992 that the Gixxer 750’s biggest redesign took place, with the Suzuki GSX-R750 making the switch to a liquid-cooled Inline-Four engine will all-new frame and bodywork. This once again established the Gixxer as a class-leader, as it did again when the GSX-R got ram-air, or SRAD (Suzuki Ram-Air Direct), as they so famously named it in 1996. Several further redesigns followed, including fuel-injection and several styling and chassis updates, to bring the GSXR-750 to its current form today, most recent update in 2008.