Classic Scrap - 1991 Yamaha FZR1000R EXUP Vs Suzuki GSX-R1100

For many, these are still the two greatest superbikes ever built. Suzuki's legendary GSX- R1100 went head-to-head with Yamaha's EXUP for years, and in 1991 the two were at the top of their game

Posted: 30 April 2010
by Jim Bowen

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Click to read: Yamaha FZR1000R EXUP owners reviews

Click to read: Suzuki GSX-R1100 owners reviews

In the days before fuel injection and comedy dry n the days before fuel injection and comedy dry weight claims, we were feasting on the new breed of ultra-fast, fully focused and jolly affordable sports machinery. Long before the madness of ABS and traction control, the route to glory was pure and unadulterated, the object being to place as little as possible between the right hand and the rear wheel. Keep it pure. Keep it simple. The era of serious performance before electronic aid is not a nostalgic and starry-eyed daydream, it is real and relevant today as there are thousands of no-nonsense pedigree bikes still working and lurking in garages across the country.

Operating on the principle of there being more than two ways to skin a cat, the Japanese giants attacked the same goals with their respective philosophies. Yamaha developed the sharp-edged, finely tuned precision tool with their FZR 1000 Genesis which then turned into the EXUP, while Suzuki attacked the same challenges with muscle and unbreakable brute force, hence the total eminence of the GSX and GSX- R motors in the competitive quarter-mile scene.

These principles are validated not only in performance and handling characteristics, but also in design and detailing. The GSX- R sits blunt and threatening with aggressive angles and a whiff of the drag strip. The fairing and graphics have been updated over the previous l-model, the most obvious change being the sunken twin headlights peering through the new angled glass cover. The effect is far more pleasing on the eye and gives the m a modern makeover and a purposeful aerodynamic edge.

Suzuki went to the trouble at the world press launch of pointing out that it was indeed 3.5% more slippery than the incumbent l. The FZR is an altogether more sophisticated and classy-looking creature. The narrow and curvy bodywork flows more coherently over and around the sculptured Deltabox alloy frame with a pretty tailpiece to round it off. The vision that springs to mind as the two sit poised together is very much of beauty and the beast.

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1991, classic scrap, used test, yamaha, fzr1000, exup, suzuki, gsx-r, 1100
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Discuss this story


evil ken evil

yeah!

real sports bikes that can be used as a daily commute and not a jockstrap with wheels

the japs should still be making bikes like these as an to people who arent sadists!


Posted: 03/05/2010 at 10:26


Don Vito

thanks for an interesting review. I have soft spot for these bikes, especially oil cooled gsxr's. I own a mint original 1100 slabside, have tested virtualy every gsxr1100 and recently testrode FZR1000 genesis.

These bikes are valuable in terms of motorcycling history and heritage, but lets be clear here: when it comes to riding experience, there is ablsolutely nothing these bikes do better than newer bikes, except maybe scare you shitless in the corners.

They feel slow compared to a modern 600, they are uncomfortable comapred to new breed of even hardcore sportbikes, they have crap brakes and are scary to ride fast.

 If you want a sporty allrounder, get something like firestorm, TLR, ZX-9R, CBR900, or best of all in my opinion - SV1000S and you will end up paying very similar money, most probably save on maintenace, have gruntier and faster motor, much better brakes, handling and comfort.

These bikes should be left for fans, collectors and alike.


Posted: 03/05/2010 at 21:47


Frank Miller 2
I have a 92 GSXR1100N and have owned the bike for 8 years - I like the bike because of it's roominess, decent pillion seat (my 13 year old has been my pillion since he was 8), unsophisticated motor, and many other traits, not least the brutal engine and road presence. The bike is pretty good on twisty B roads, as long as they are reasonably smooth, and doesn't have to be ridde fast to be enjoyed. It's not as relaxing as an SV1000 but then it's not a twin.

Posted: 20/07/2010 at 00:18


Mark Joseph

I owned the GSX-R 1100 Model K, Type GV 73 C from 1989 for many years. I bought it in 1996 and was my first Suzuki. I owned Kawasaki the years before. I liked the look and the way it showed it's power. This bike was unbelievable fast. When I drove early in the morning on the German Autobahn, I had no problems to pass modern Porsche 911. On the curvy and narrow ways in the black forest the Suzuki showed it's advantage even at low rpm's. On Sunday's a lot of bikers with the modern bikes filled the ways like ants in the black forest. It was fun to show the younger guys the rearlight from my old GSX-R. Unfortunately a Mercedes driver killed my bike after he crashed in my back.

Today, after a few years abstinence from bike riding, I was looking for another one. I went to the dealers from different brands, to get hands on the modern bikes for test rides (ZX-9R, CBR 900, R-1). Honestly I don't like them. I don't like the Manga look and I don't like to ride them. Too much power in a weak chassis. Boring.

I ended up looking for used bikes and found an original black/red 1991 GSX-R 1100 Model M GV73C (like the one in the review) in almost mint condition and less km. It is difficult to get one which is not changed to an ugly streetfighter. After riding it, you could see me grinning under my helmet. This is a bike everyone should get a chance to ride. You will love it, this is pure fun. I don't like to drive anything else.


Posted: 11/08/2010 at 15:18


Wian Knoetze
I own a FZR1000 EXUP 1990 with 53000 miles on the clock and it still rides like a dream. these bike's might be old but are still fast as hell, I raced a K7 1000 the other day between the lights and only just beat him. My friend ownes the GSX-R1100M and we enjoy our runs through the twisties. One day when I decide to buy a new bike, I would keep the Fizzer as these bikes are classics and you really come to love them for their looks and overall feel. Maybe I'll just buy another one..

Posted: 25/10/2011 at 13:19


cesar simon
don vito
what fzr 1000 did you ride? i never knew of anyone that has riden an exup 1000 and did´nt come back with a feeling of what a bike has to offer you just had it! you are talking about the best japenese bike from that era!(that lasted almost 9 years!!!) as if it´s some kind of crap. probably you did´nt see: "classic scrap"... not crap!
one of the things you´re totally wrong is comfort. compared to modern R bikes the fzr has the feeling that you can ride it for a week without having to stop, or comfort for you is riding with your elbows in touch with your knees?
brakes? try one from 94-96,if they´re not good enough you can easly upgrade it to the R1 brakes. let me tell you also that no old or modern 600 has left me behind on the highway.
if you get scared of ridding them... get a volvo. i never got scared of cornering with it,(that happens with the gsxr 1100) what i always have is the feeling i could do it even faster!
one thing you are right is when you say they should be left for fans collectores and alikes if what you mean with alikes are people that really understand about motorcycles!!! almost forgot! same price as the bikez you mantioned??? i bought my 95 FZR for 1400€ and spent 600€ or less to put it in mint condition, a friend bought a blade from 2001 for 5000€!!! and let me tell you for more 3000€ he does´nt leave me far behind.

Posted: 01/01/2012 at 15:27

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