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.

- Simon Hargreaves

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