SUZUKI GSX R750 F 1985 "Slabby" "Slabside"

Suzuki rewrote the 750-class rulebook when it launched the GSX-R750 on an unsuspecting world back in 1985.

The ‘Gixxer’s development had been heavily influenced by lessons learned from the works TT F1 and Endurance racers of the late 1970s and early 1980s; lighter than a 600 and as powerful as a 1000, it made all other super-sports 750s seem flabby and slow.

One of the modern era’s few instant classics and the sole surviving Japanese 750cc sports bike, the GSX-R750 has been a huge commercial success for Suzuki and enjoys cult status today.

Now more than 30 years old, many early GSX-Rs have suffered at the hands of successive owners, with anodised fastenings, tinted screens and after-market pipes among the commonest modifications, a state of affairs that has resulted in original examples of the first version – such as this machine – becoming increasingly sought after by collectors. 

1985 ‘F’ model, the first one made. 

Thirty years after the fact, how many sportbikes still look purposeful, lean, and serious?

The Suzuki Gsxr hit all the critical points: unique profile, unquestioned intent, superb execution.

The GSX-R750 entered the market in March 1985. There's not many bikes out there in mint condition, most of them are ridden very hard and seen their best days. Nevertheless the evolution of modern sports bikes started with the GSX-R750. 

It's a real classic.

With the 1983 RG250 Gamma, Suzuki was the first factory to deliver a true racer replica using race-bred technology to the public.

The next step was to build a 4-stroke 400cc machine for the Japanese home market and a year later a 750cc machine, culmination to the Suzuki's racing experiences in the World Endurance, AMA Superbike and Championship.

The GSX-R750 was first presented at the 1984 IFMA Cologne Show in West Germany. Although it was fully street legal, it was clear that it was built even to compete in the various Worldwide Championships. 

The GSX-R750F entered the market in March 1985. It was considered as the first production motorcycle to offer race-bred technology and performance at an affordable price.

The design philosophy centered mainly on weight reduction. Suzuki went counter to the conventional design by developing SACS (Suzuki advanced cooling system) whereby the cylinder head and the pistons are oil cooled via the engine oil injection, achieving cooling efficiency as good as water-cooling without its weight increase. The computer designed engine package was 10% lighter than the water-cooled versions.

The GSX-R750 also featured the new TSCC (twin swirl combustion chamber) cylinder head, DAIS (direct air intake system , flat side carburetors, six-speed gearbox and hydraulic clutch engaged the power. The chassis featured the finest multi-rib extrusion molded aluminum box section piping and cold-cast aluminum alloy components, MR-ALBOX frame, that weighted 8,1 kg less than half of the conventional steel frames.

These and other weight reduction measures gave the bike sensationally low dry weight of 179 kg, 20% lower than the competing 750s, resulting a superior power-to-weight ratio for much easier power control and quicker handling. 

Nice detail: only the first examples had 3 dials

- Speedo stops at 180 KM/H while the bike goes much faster

- Tachometer starts at 3000 RPM

- Large Fuel gauge

This bike has the optional Duo Seat Cover to make it look like a Endurance Racer

Completing the GSX-R750 design was the endurance racer theme: dual headlights on the aerodynamics full fairing and 18-inch tyres both front and rear.

This particular bike is a ”survivor” all original, driven like it should be and almost 20.000 km on the Speedo.

No. 452 of the first GSX-R750’s ever build.

1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 Specifications

Engine Type: 16-valve, 4-stroke, DOHC in-line four
Power: 106.00 HP (79.04 kW) @ 10500 RPM
Torque: 73 N.m (53.8 ft. lbs.) @ 10000 RPM
Displacement: 749cc (45.71 cubic inches)
Compression: 9.8:1
Bore x Stroke: 70.0mm x 48.7 mm (2.8in x 1.9in)
Fuel System: Carburetion
Ignition: Full transistor
Cooling System: Air-Cooled
Gearbox: 6-speed (1 down, 5 up)
Final Drive: Chain
Dry Weight: 176 kilograms (390 lb)
Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in)
Overall Height: 1,200 mm (47.2 in)
Overall Length: 2,130 mm (83.9 in)
Overall Width: 620 mm (24.4 in)
Ground Clearance: 140 mm (5.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1,425 mm (56.1 in)
Front Tire: 110/80-18
Rear Tire: 140/70-18

Suzuki Endurace Racer: