1985 SUZUKI GSX-R750 SUPERSTOCK
RACER TEST
P70
Lowering the ride height by
fitting 16-inch wheels didn't
cause any ground clearance
problems when I rode the bike
on grippy Michelin slicks 30
years ago, but it did accentuate
the feeling of sitting low down
within rather than on top of
the Suzuki that was already
noticeable with the standard
road bike, and is still evident
today from the Superstocker.
Yet stripping the GSX-R out for
racing as you did for Superstock
racing removed most of the
sensation of riding a street
machine: gone are the twin
headlights, speedo, rear light
and indicators, which together
with removing the starter motor
and generator brought the
weight down from that perhaps
optimistic claimed 388-pound
dry in street trim to a genuine
350 pounds with oil but no
fuel—a significant saving on what
was already a light motorcycle
for the class.
Leaving the Killarney pits
brought another surprise—the
stock flatslide Mikuni carbs
have a very stiff throttle action,
brought about because of the
heavier return springs fitted
to counter the suction effect
which apparently led to them
occasionally sticking open in
Grant's hands, until these were
installed. Coupled with the
sudden pickup of the flatslides
compared to a conventional CV
carb, this made it easy to spin
the back wheel until the triple-
compound Michelin had warmed
up, and you must learn how
to preload the throttle slightly
exiting a turn, before cracking it
wide open for maximum drive.
The stiff action also made it hard
to blip the throttle for downshifts
under heavy braking.
Accelerating down to the first
left-hander brought the next
surprise—the brakes didn't work!
Mick Grant
is seen here
racing the
GSX-R750
at the Isle of
Man TT in
1983.
