Anniversaries are a great excuse to wallow in a bit of nostalgia so let’s take a trip down memory lane for 40 years of the Suzuki ‘Gixxer’.
Gixxer was the nickname given to Suzuki’s GSX-R series of sports motorbikes, owned and loved by thousands of bikers, many of whom have had several different models.
The first GSX-R, a 400, was launched in 1984 but was sold only in Japan. The UK did not get a GSX-R until 1985 so this year is its 40th anniversary in the UK.
The GSX-R750 was launched in the UK in 1985, followed by an 1100 version the next year.
The GSX-R survived for six generations with updates in 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2000.
One of the GSX-R’s many fans was our own Dave Willis who bought his first 750 in 1996.
“The GSX-R was a breakthrough model – a race bike with lights.
“I didn’t have one until the mid-Nineties. I had two 750s – 1996 and 2000 models.”
The GSX-R motorbikes were so popular that, at the height of their fame, Orwell Motorcycles would have up to 70 GSX-Rs prepped and ready to go out for the then annual registration plate change which was in September.
“I liked Suzukis and the GSX-R750 was a lovely, smooth bike with a lovely engine and great gearbox,” said Dave.
“It was an iconic bike that did very well in racing.”
Did you own a GSX-R750 or 1100? Maybe you still have one? We would love to see pictures of your bikes and feature them on our website. Please scan or copy them, tell us a few details about the bike, and email them to Andy Russell at andy@andyrussellmedia.co.uk
