The 1980s were a game-changing decade for motorcyclists. It saw the introduction of the adventure bike, not to mention the first full-fairing race replicas.
In fact, there were so many iconic bikes released during these ten years that we had to leave some of them out.
Let’s take a look at our top 15 game-changing motorcycles from the 1980s in chronological order. Without these models, the motorcycle world would be very different today.
1980 — Yamaha RD350LC
In 1980, Yamaha released the RD350LC, a race replica sportbike that was heavily inspired by the TZ racer. The “LC” part of the name is for liquid cooling, but that wasn’t the only thing that made it special. It had a well-sorted chassis, monoshock rear suspension, and it was one of the first motorcycles to be fitted with mudguards, side panels, etc. made from plastic.
Thanks to a vast selection of tuning and cosmetic parts, the “Elsie” was an affordable, lightweight learner bike that could slay the giants of its time. It was even endorsed by racing legends Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts, making it highly desirable among both new and experienced riders.
1980 — BMW R80G/S
These days, BMW is famous for its excellent GS adventure bikes, but that wasn’t the case in the 1970s. Japanese motorcycle manufacturers were taking over, and the Germans knew they’d have to come up with something new and exciting. Luckily, some of their engineers were into off-roading, and they offered a solution to BMW’s woes — the R80G/S.
This is the Genesis of the Bavarians’ GS lineup. It was fitted with BMW’s legendary R80 boxer twin engine, used the R65’s frame, and the forks from the R100. The result was a bike that’s larger and heavier than the lightweight, single-cylinder Japanese trail bikes, and it could be used for touring both on- and off-road. It then went on to win the Paris-Dakar a couple of times, as well as the infamous Baja rally.
1981 — Suzuki GSX1100S Katana
Nowadays, retro motorcycles are all the rage. So much so that a few years ago, Suzuki launched a new, retro-styled version of the iconic Katana, and it’s obvious that it was inspired by the original from 1981.
The original Katana became famous for its radical design, and we’re sure that it being the world’s fastest motorcycle at the time helped secure some sales, too. With 110 hp and excellent ergonomics, it’s decent even by today’s standards — just upgrade the suspension, brakes, and tires.
1984 — Kawasaki GPz900R
Design-wise, there are some similarities between the Kawasaki GPz900R and the revolutionary Suzuki Katana. That’s not the only thing they had in common. Thanks to its 115 hp and 64-lb-ft of torque, the GPz900R became the first production motorcycle to break the 150 mph barrier. With a 151 mph top speed, the GPz900R was now the world’s fastest bike.
This was the first-ever Kawasaki to bear the Ninja name, and it soon found on-screen fame as the ride of choice for Tom Cruise’s Maverick character in Top Gun.
1984 — Suzuki RG500 Gamma
Suzuki first launched its RG500 as a race bike in 1973, but 11 years later, they unleashed a road-going version onto the public. In every way that matters, the road bike was practically identical to the race version ridden by Italian world champion Franco Uncini that season.
A two-stroke engine with a revolutionary square four design generated 95 hp, pushing a bike with a curb weight of less than 390 lbs. This was a high-revving, performance-oriented machine that was demanding and somewhat sketchy to ride.
1984 — Harley-Davidson FXST Softail
Harley-Davidson purists had long loved the look of rigid-frame motorcycles, but riding one on anything rougher than a billiard table was a fast track to spinal surgery and kidney transplants. Enter the 1984 FXST Softail, a motorcycle that completely changed the look and feel of Harley’s cruiser lineup.
Designed originally by custom-bike builder Bill Davis and later acquired by Harley, the Softail frame was nothing short of genius. It hid a rear shock under the bike instead of behind the swingarm, giving it the clean, vintage hardtail silhouette riders loved, but with the comfort of a modern suspension system. The FXST also arrived at exactly the right time. Harley was rebuilding itself after its AMF-era struggles, and the Softail became one of the first models powered by the brand-new Evolution V-twin.
1985 — Yamaha V-Max
While race replicas certainly were the most innovative bikes of the 1980s, there were other bike styles that also revolutionized the market. Yamaha’s V-Max from 1985 is considered the original power cruiser.
It was very different than anything made by Harley-Davidson at the time. Its 1200cc V4 engine produced a brutal 145 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque, which is decent even today, and it soon became known as the ultimate hooligan’s bike. At that time, suspension, brake, and tire technology were nowhere near good enough to control this kind of power, and saying the V-Max was a handful is an understatement.
1985 — Suzuki GSX-R750
Ah, now we’re talking. In 1985, Suzuki unveiled the GSX-R750, the original, full-size race replica, featuring an aluminum frame, oil-cooled engine, and a compact, lightweight chassis. In truth, none of these things were new, but it was the first time they were all combined in one excellent package.
The GSX-R750 looked like the four-stroke, four-cylinder racebikes duking it out on the world’s racetracks every weekend, but it was affordable and reliable. Thanks to its advanced technology and low weight, it was easy to whip around corners without riders feeling like they were wrestling André the Giant. In other words, the GSX-R750 was among the first modern-style superbikes we know today.
1986 — Suzuki GSX-R1100
One year after the GSX-R750’s debut, Suzuki decided to go big or go home, which led to the creation of the GSX-R1100, and it was more impressive than both the Honda VFR and Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja.
With 130 hp, it produced a spectacular amount of power for this era, especially when considering how “agricultural” this bike really is. Unsurprisingly, the GSX-R1100 soon garnered a solid, cult-like following and became known as a real hooligan’s bike.
1987 — Honda CBR600F Hurricane
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Honda built what’s arguably the best, most well-rounded 600cc sportbike the world has ever known, but it all started with the CBR600F in 1987.
It was sold alongside the CBR750F and CBR1000F, and this trio comprised the first fully-faired Honda sportbikes powered by inline-four engines. Over the years, multiple generations were made, and it eventually spawned the more track-focused CBR600RR.
1987 — Ducati 851
By 1987, Ducati was struggling to stay afloat. The Italian bikemaker was now owned by Cagiva, the Japanese were beating them on the track, and they didn’t have any big sellers for road use. Launching the Ducati 851 homologation special didn’t solve all those problems, but it does mark the beginning of Ducati’s turnaround.
The 851 is the original Desmoquattro, and without it, icons such as the 888, 916, 996, or any other Ducati superbike for that matter, probably wouldn’t exist. Its liquid-cooled, 4-valve, fuel-injected Desmo L-twin was nothing like the antiquated Pantah engine found in its predecessors.
1988 — Ducati SuperSport/SS
Following the 851 homologation special, Ducati also needed a more road-focused sportbike regular people could buy. They’d used the SuperSport nameplate since 1972, so why not capitalize on that?!
This new SS looked a lot like the 851 racebike, but it didn’t have the new engine, and instead had to make do with the old 904cc Pantah unit. However, it did get the 851’s crankcases, and over the years, several upgrades were introduced to keep it relevant. One of its most important features is the dry clutch, giving it that unique Ducati rattling sound.
1988 — Suzuki DR 750S Big
In 1988, Suzuki released the DR 750S Big, and it lived up to its name, as the 727cc engine was the largest single-cylinder unit ever made. It also had an absolutely mahoosive 30-liter fuel tank, rivaling that of a small car, and a 876mm seat height, making it accessible only to those with a large inseam.
While it was a good adventure bike, perhaps its biggest claim to fame is that it introduced the “beak” that’s found on virtually all ADV motorcycles now.
1988 — Honda VFR750R RC30
The Honda VFR750R RC30 is one of the most iconic sportbikes ever made, and it’s on every serious collector’s wishlist. It was a full-fairing, single-seat sportbike built as a homologation special to compete in the World Superbike Championship, and it was packed with race-derived tech.
It was an unstoppable force and won its first two World Superbike Championships, numerous TT, endurance, and national superbike races, and even set the fastest Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time. Even in road-going form, it would become the benchmark every sportbike is measured against.
1988 — Honda Africa Twin
Since we started this article with the first adventure bike, there’s no better way to end it than with what’s arguably the best ADV bike of them all — the Honda Africa Twin.
The first XRV650 Africa Twin arrived in 1988, and later 750cc versions were based on the Honda NXR-750 — the first water-cooled motorcycle to win the Paris-Dakar race. In fact, it won four times. That’s some serious cred for an ADV motorcycle, and the Africa Twin lived up to expectations, which is why they still make it today, albeit in more modern packaging and with a larger 1000cc engine.
