Anniversary model GSX-R750 coming in 2005

The world of lightweight and powerful sportsbikes for the road began with the GSX-R750. This exciting machine was first shown at the Cologne Motor Show in 1984 and the world’s first mass produced sportsbike was then released to the drooling public in 1985.

That first model weighed in at a remarkable 179kg. 40kg less than the best of the rest could offer back in 1985. Combine that light weight with a high revving four-cylinder engine that could crack the magic ton on the dyno and you had a recipe for excitement. More importantly it was accessible, reliable and fairly practical excitement at that. And that certainly couldn’t be said for the European sportsbikes of the era.

It was obvious Suzuki had hit the right formula, sportsbikes of today still follow the same basic principles and design of that first ground breaking GSX-R.

The GSX-R750 itself went off the rails a little in 1992 as the move to liquid cooling bought a whole lot more lard without adding more performance. It wasn’t until 1996 they realised their mistake and got the bike down to a competitive weight again with the arrival of the very sporty GSX-R750T.

Fuel injection arrived in 1998 with the W model but 2000 saw the arrival of the most powerful 750 the world had ever seen. The GSX-R750Y was an awesome weapon with litre class power but in a lighter and more manageable package. Incredibly, it also remained reasonably comfortable and was more practical as a commuting mount than any GSX-R before. The planets had aligned, the perfect mix had been found and the GSX-R750 rightly received the 2000 International Bike of The Year gong, the same award it had earlier won in 1996 when it returned to the lightweight formula.

Big changes came again in 2004 with a new cylinder head, radial mounted calipers and new styling along with the normal reduction in weight and increase in power. The GSX-R750 was now 13kg lighter than the original 1985 model and had 48 more ponies to propel that lighter weight.

2005 marks the 20th anniversary of that original mould breaking GSX-R750. It was always on the cards that Suzuki would do something with the GSX-R750 to mark the occasion and details of exactly that were released late last year when Suzuki officially announced that a special anniversary edition of the GSX-R750 was on the way for 2005.

The Anniversary model pays homage to the original by shipping in the original colours right down to the blue seat. The blue theme continues down to the drive chain while gold anodised chain adjusters and a tinted screen complete the look.

A special 20th Anniversary emblem takes pride of place on the upper triple clamp while the ignition key is emblazoned with the GSX-R logo. The 20th anniversary logo also features on the black skinned muffler.

The brake rotors are slotted for better cooling while Oggy Knob style frame protectors help to keep the paint off the deck in an unfortunate tip over.

The special machine is now available for $16,990 and only 100 units are being made available to Australia. The Anniversary model commands a $300 price premium over the normal GSX-R750K5 machines which are available in Blue/White, Black/Blue or Yellow/Black for $16,690.