from taking the GSX-R ’ s crown and making it look a bit myopic . It ’ s hard to believe , but the press were complaining that the FZR was too focused and uncomfortable , yet the GSX-R was the comfy road choice of the supersports bikes . Comfier still were the CBR1000F and the ZX-10 .

1989 GSX-R1100K

Tell-tale signs : New frame , wheels , 43mm cartridge forks , 4-into-2 exhaust , curved oil cooler , 17-inch wheels Colours : black / silver , black / red , blue / white Basic specs : 1127cc , 210kg , 143bhp @ 9500rpm Yamaha ’ s FZR1000 Genesis had showed the slabside GSX-R up to be a poor handling lump so the 1100K was Suzuki ’ s jab at updating the bike . It was shorter , stiffer and more powerful than the slabby . But , unfortunately , it was 18kg or so heavier and the suspension and steering geometry made for a bike that couldn ’ t tell whether it was coming or going . But it looked seriously mean and ballsy . In the looks department there wasn ’ t a bike to compare . It might not have been the best handling bike ( it wasn ’ t ), but it had the most potent engine and brakes . A seriously fast engine and powerful brakes meant a whole generation of riders learnt the ‘ point and squirt ’ technique that was required by the ‘ K ’. It wobbled and tipped into corners at low speed and shook itself through fast corners if

pushed hard . But that ’ s what gave the GSX-R its hard man image . If you want something that looks great with loads of attitude and a reputation as a beast , this is the model to get . Modern tyres make a huge difference – the ‘ K ’ was ahead of the tyre technology of the time .

1990 GSX-R1100L

Tell-tale signs : USD forks , stainless steel twin exhausts Colours : Red / black , blue / white , black / grey Basic specs : 1127cc , 210kg , 143bhp @ 9500rpm After the slating the 1989 bike got by most of the press , Suzuki got radical with the 1990 ‘ L ’ model . A slightly longer swingarm , improved rear shock , wider 17-inch wheels and upsidedown front forks were all slotted into the bike to improve the wayward and unpredictable behaviour of the ‘ K ’ -model . To a large extent it worked . The new forks , the first upside-down items on a road bike , gave the bike a sensation of rigidity . It still needed all of the preload winding off the front and all of it winding onto the rear ( to give it an arse-up , nose down attitude ) to make it steer properly . This made the steering damper work overtime , but it was an improvement from the previous bike . As a road bike it was bettered by the FZR1000 and CBR1000 , but on the track , the motor , brakes and sharp steering left the others flagging . It was a case of when it was good it was very good , but when it wasn ’ t ...

This is probably the best option if you don ’ t like the look or limited tyre choice of the slab-

1989 1990 1991

KIWI RIDER 85