Yoshimura Gsx-R1100

YOSHIMURA GSX-R1100

YOSHIMURA HAS A HISTORY of building big bad motorcycles. All you have to do is look at “Big Papa,” a 170-horsepower GSX-R1100 built for Formula USA racing, and used to good effect recently by Scott Gray, to find out how big and bad. Unfortunately, Big Papa, being a racebike, will never see duty on public streets. Which brings us to the motorcycle you see here: Think of it as Big Papa’s streetlegal, younger brother.

Yoshimura’s (4555 Carter Court, Chino, CA 91710; 714/ 628-4722) entry into the Built for Speed contest began as a 1990 GSX-R1100, but quickly moved away from stock when its tuners increased the engine’s displacement from 1 105cc to 1 185cc by means of larger bores. A Wiseco piston kit, Yoshimura Stage II camshafts and Stage II headwork, along with a heavy-duty valvespring kit, finished off the engine modifications.

Next, the stock carburetors landed in the dumpster, to be replaced with special Yoshimura magnesium 40mm Mikunis. These carbs, similar to the ones used on the Vance & Hines FZR1000, are unavailable to the general public and have no price, but Yoshimura claims they are very similar to the units used on the company’s Superbikes, which sell for $1135 per set. The fuel tank has been modified with air ducts routing fresh air through the tank directly to the carburetors. A Yoshimura titanium exhaust system takes care of the spent gases.

With the engine beefed up, Yoshimura turned to the chassis. First, the stock fork was replaced with a Kayaba upside-down unit. The fork provided a tremendous improvement over the stock unit, which already is one of the best available on a production machine. It was not surprising, then, that the fork received more praise from the Cycle World staff than any other single component of the bike. Yoshimura also installed an Öhlins rear shock with remote reservoir, adjustable spring preload and adjustable rebound and compression. Finally, Michelin Hi Sport radiais were mounted on Technomagnesio wheels.

With a total cost of $8403.95 plus the unobtainable carburetors, plus the cost of the bike itself, the Yoshimura Suzuki is an expensive motorcycle, but one that leaves little doubt about it being worth the money. It accelerated through the quarter-mile quicker than any of the other machines in the group, and was the second fastest past our radar gun. Yet, the Yosh GSX-R is an easy-to-ride pussycat on the street. You can short-shift the bike and lug it out of corners, or you can ride it like Scott Gray— if you have the skill and nerve— and exit corners hard on the gas with the wheel spinning. The bike responds well to either method.

Take off its mirrors and turnsignals and this bike is ready for the racetrack, fully capable of finishing near the front of the pack. Better yet, leave the DMV-pleasing equipment attached, secure in the knowledge that you're riding one of the most potent sportbikes ever put on the street.

—Camron E. Bussard