SUZUKI GSX-R1100The GSX-R1100 didn’t merely outclass all the other open-class superbikes on its launch in 1986; it demolished them. A year after Suzuki had changed motorcycling forever with the first aluminium-framed race-replica four, the GSX-R750

750F was a massively important bike for the Big H, which had recently released a succession of unreliable models, culminating in the disastrous VF750F. This time they got it right. Yamaha created the equally superb FJ1100. And then there was the GSX-R

for displacementSuzuki's GSX-R1000 is still whipping its rivals in magazine group tests, but it doesn't rule the performance scene in the way that its GSX-R1100 forebear did in 1986. Back then there was no open-class superbike as focused as the 125bhp, 197kg Suzuki

, Gottlieb. What we didn’t know at the time was that 1985 was destined to be arguably the best ever year for two wheels.Bike of the YearEven in a stunningly rich and varied year, Suzuki’s first GSX-R750 stands out a mile. The original GSX-R was the first

GSX-R750T CrawleySometimes you don't have to ride a bike far to realise it's special. I still vividly remember riding away from Suzuki's Crawley HQ on the new GSX-R750T back in 1996, tipping it into the first left-hander and thinking, 'blimey

sports-tourer, which gave Honda’s restyled and lightened VFR750F a run for its money. The year also saw the arrival of Yamaha’s 100bhp FZR600R, plus revamps for the FZR1000 EXUP, GSX-R750 (both with lighter chassis and six-pot front calipers) and Honda

were quick, light and hideously expensive.DECENT PLONKNew Jap fours were led by Kawasaki’s ZX-10, which improved on the previous GPZ1000RX with an aluminium frame, plus an extra 16 horses that brought the claimed max to 137bhp. Suzuki’s uprated GSX-R750

it looked less horny than its predecessor, but with a claimed 147bhp and 188kg it was up there with the Blade and R1 (if not the excellent GSX-R1000). My most vivid memory from the launch at Estoril was flicking through the chicane thinking the Triumph felt

, fuel-injection and ABS. On a trip to Paris it was fast and fun despite the wet weather. The year’s other best comeback was by Suzuki’s GSX-R1100WP. The big GSX-R’s first liquid-cooled motor made 155bhp (after de-restriction) and its revamped chassis

was Suzuki’s GSXR750N, the first of the famous line to get liquid-cooling. The GSX-R made 116bhp, was good for 150mph and handled fine. Ducati’s Superlight, a tweaked version of the aircooled 900SS V-twin sportster, was quick andhad heaps of character. Moto