This is another rare one...(NGC)

[JJ]

I know all the issues with all the "factory turbo" bikes, but this is a rare one...

[bodine99]

We have some 8 valve GS's. Somewhere around 300 to the US 1st year only. I have seen 2. 1 at Barber's Museum and the other here local at the orig. Suzuki store, Con kept one for himself. More useless trivia the orig. 16v 1100 Katana was designed by Hans Muth who did the R-90s Beemer.
Years ago one of the cycle rags had story about Mario A. and his new can of tuna!!

[sdcr]

JJ,

So, what are the issues with “factory turbo” bikes?

[kfz]

JJ,

So, what are the issues with “factory turbo” bikes?

they did nothing a slightliy bigger bike would so, without the lag and without the danger of of it going pop.

The XN is a bit of hoot to ride and I can can see why you would rie now as a classic bike.  The lag turns into fun and its good to get the little the LCD (wow) boost gasge to go up. the clocks are actully really nice and i like the Kantan esch styling.  16" im also used to and long wheelbase.  there good bikes.  I enjoyed riding it.  But was it fast no, only as quick as a GPZ750 non turbo, pointless really.

Kev

[LowRyter]

I remember the turbo era back in the '80s. 

I'll bet no one would have guessed at that time that a water pump would drive about double the additional power vs a turbo on an air-cooled bike.  Heck, even with two cylinders liquid cooled.

[blu guzz]

this was the rarest of that rare breed.  i think the best was considered to be the kawi 750 turbo.  as with their kz900, kawi waited a little while to jump in the game and came out with the superior product, closest to the elusive goal of light weight and higher power.  in the end, just too expensive, too complex and still, a standard 1100 of the day would thump it.  with all that said, seeing all of that creative energy was cool.

[JJ]

JJ,

So, what are the issues with “factory turbo” bikes?

*I have read and heard that many of the the factory turbo bikes had a tendency to....well..."EXPLODE!! under heavy use!!!  Urban myth? Silly Biker legend?  (No personal experience ????)

[Travlr]

*I have read and heard that many of the the factory turbo bikes had a tendency to....well..."EXPLODE!! under heavy use!!!  Urban myth? Silly Biker legend?  (No personal experience ????)

I don't remember any of the turbo bikes being unreliable.  Finding someone who can work on them, well that is another story. 

I kind of liked the XN85,   But it was heavy (550 lbs) underpowered (71 rear wheel hp) and had a trendy 16" front tire.  Supposedly a good handler tho.  The new 750 GSX 4 valve (which I owned) killed it.

I admire Hans Muth.  An XN85 would make the center piece of a nice Muth collection: R90S - R100RS - R80GS - R65 LS - K100 - and the Suzuki Katana and XN85.

Mike

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Even tiny Moto Morini was planning to get in on the action. 500 Turbo prototype.

[JJ]

Even tiny Moto Morini was planning to get in on the action. 500 Turbo prototype.

Actually, that's quite futuristic looking!!  I like it!  Turbo-Morini!!