Throughout the water cooled years, 1993 to 1998, the GSXR’s design stayed surprisingly consistent, but small changes in subsequent years added 1 hp (1 kW) while shaving enough weight to allow the bike to slip back beneath the 500 pound mark. Owners say these bikes are the easiest to live with and the most well rounded. It is clear the design had reached its fullest form in the mid 1990s but that it was already outdated and left behind as competition spurred the development of ever more powerful, ever lighter sportbikes. 1998 saw the last GSXR1100s roll off the assembly line and, despite how popular the bike had been in its heyday, there was no hue and cry as production quietly stopped. Suzuki would be without a big bore sportbike for three years before the GSXR1000 was released.
Despite the fact that over its production run tens of thousands of GSXR1100s were produced and sold all over the world, original examples in good condition have become something of a rarity. Many bikes were ridden hard and they were often crashed. As a result, they became and remain a popular starting point for street fighters and customs.
Despite the fact that over its production run tens of thousands of GSXR1100s were produced and sold all over the world, original examples in good condition have become something of a rarity. Many bikes were ridden hard and they were often crashed. As a result, they became and remain a popular starting point for street fighters and customs.
