Suzuki XN85

The Suzuki XN85, released in early 1983, was a turbocharged motorcycle designed as a sports bike. Its name came from the claim of 85 bhp, although rear wheel measurements were in the low 70s. It was the first factory bike, at least in the United States, with a 16 inch front wheel, which had previously been seen only on race bikes, and it had low clip on handlebars, rearset foot pegs, a four into one exhaust, electronic fuel injection and the Suzuki Full Floater monoshock rear suspension, the first to carry it. The styling came from the Katana. Boost arrived around 5,000 rpm and the engine did not match larger sportbikes, but frame and suspension geometry gave it better handling than similarly powered machines. Total production was 1,153 units from 1983 to 1985, and 300 were exported to the United States, where it was sold only in 1983.