Suzuki Pictorial Evolution

Yamaha Pictorial Evolution

Honda Pictorial Evolution

I've often wondered how motorcycles changed from steal framed standards to plastic wrapped superbikes. Where exactly was the missing link, and how does it look compared its future and past relatives? I've started with Honda for a benchmark and move through the other manufacturers. For starters I moved from the CB series to the V4 VFR series, rather than the CBR family.

While the CBR is more of a direct descended from the CB (with it's inline 4 engine) The VF family took off where the CB family left off. After the CBR family's introduction the VFR bikes became more of a sport touring motorcycle. 

Turbo Bikes

In the 1980's the big four Japanese manufacturers were experimenting with different technologies in search of the next big thing in motorcycles. Motorcycles of the 70's were more or less evolutions of the Honda CB750. The 80's would bring improvements such as plastic fairings, aluminum frames, and liquid cooling. One such improvement that didn't quiet catch on was the turbo-charger. Turbo's had been becoming around for some time in the auto industry but it was new ground in the world of motorcycles. Honda was the first to market with their CX 500 Turbo in 1982. The CX had been around since 1978, and was an odd choice for a turbo charged machine. Honda's CX was far from a high performance motorcycle, and the turbo charger just added more complexity than performance to the design. Meanwhile the other Japanese motorcycle giants were getting into the game. Yamaha came out with a turbo-charged version of their Seca platform. Suzuki produced their higher performance, and oddly named, XN85. Finally Kawasaki came along with their 750 turbo. The Kawasaki had a 100cc advantage over the other turbo offerings and was created with all out performance in mind. With well over 100hp it was enough to keep up with the fastest motorcycle of the day. Despite this turbo motorcycles never caught on. Factors such as weight, complexity, and price, limited their appeal. Eventually turbo bikes became an interesting footnote in moto-history.


Honda CX Turbo 1982-83Yamaha Seca Turbo 1982-83
Suzuki XN85 1983-86?
Kawasaki KZ 750 Turbo 1984-?

English Motorcycles Timeline

I've uploaded some Brit-bike timelines. The first is an illustration of all the merging that occurred in the English motorcycle industry. The second is a basic lifespan of some major British manufacturers.

Triumph Timeline

Here's the Triumph timeline

Motorsport of the Month: Trials

Motorcycle Trial competitions might just be the most entertaining motorsport to watch. Competitors maneuver their machines as if they were weightless. Wheelies, stoppies, bunny hops all look effortless, but make no mistake these riders have some serious skill. Riders must ride through an obstacle course with out putting a foot down. A point is added every time a rider puts his/her foot down. If the rider gets 5 or more points they fail.

Trial bikes are designed to be lightweight and maneuverable as possible. They are characterized by bare bones aluminum frames, tiny fuel tanks and the absence of a seat are trademarks of the modern trial bike. In the 1970's trial bikes were little more than small street bikes with knobby tires. Today there is a cottage industry for these specialized machines. Companies like Gas Gas and Beta create special chassis with motors from manufacturers like Honda or Rotax. Trial bike competitions don't have much of a presence in the Untied States. In Europe however they are more popular.


Here's an excellent video by Graham Sapsford of Trial's legend Dougie Lampkin showing off to promote the Goodwood festival of speed.