Suzuki XN85
Of the Japanese Big Four, Suzuki was the most reluctant to follow the fashion for turbochargers. But there are times when commercial sense dictates that you have to follow the current trend. So, though everything was well conceived, it was with a certain lack of conviction that Suzuki set about turning a classic 650 into a turbo, starting with the addition of a Mikuni-Bosch L-Jetronic injection system.
A Far from Ideal Installation
The turbo was mounted above the gearbox; the position was poorly ventilated and a long way from the exhaust headers. This layout had little beneficial effect on the power output;the XN85 had little more performance than the normally aspirated 650, and its lackluster engine could scarcely claim to offer any sort of "turbo effect."
Outstanding Frame Design
It was the frame that qualified the XN85 for the history books. The prototype had the benefit of an oil-tight chain case, which was dropped from the production version, but along with the Honda VF750F-the XN85 was the first motorcycle with a 16-inch front wheel. In conjunction with a frame design that was highly successful in all respects, this rescued the short career of a machine whose power unit was highly deceptive on more than one count. Shortly afterwards, this excellent handling mix reappeared on the 1983 GS550E and GS750E models.
1983 XN85D
- V.I.N. #: JS1GP71T D 100001
- ENGINE PREFIX: P701-
- ENGINE TYPE: 673cc 4 Strk. 4 Cyl.
- MODEL CODE: 093
- COLOR: Silver
- Half fairing
- Turbo charged engine
- Full floater rear suspension