Suzuki GSX 750

(see: Suzuki GS series). The GS550 arrived soon after and by 1978 the formidable GS1000 were impressing customers everywhere.

Honda introduced the VF750 Interceptor (see: Honda VF and VFR), a radically innovative bike that set the trend for modern sport bikes. Kawasaki followed suit On Suzuki's domestic market Gamma 250 with the goal of producing a lightweight two-stroke for the streets. The RG250 was the world's first production alloy framed motorcycle.

With its Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja. Meanwhile, Suzuki soldiered on with their powerful but heavy air-cooled 16-valve DOHC GS1100/GSX1100EZ/GSX1100EF/EG. For the Japanese market. A full 18 percent lighter than comparable bikes on the market, the first GSX-R set the tone for those that would follow.

But withheld from the United States due to tariff issues which would have imposed a 39.4 percent tax on each bike because it was over 700 CC. By waiting until 1986, Suzuki saved buyers money as the tax dropped to 24.4 percent.

. The technology mirrored that of the GSX-R750 but added big bore power (137 hp (102 kW)), to the mix while keeping the bike as light as possible (434 pounds).