The Striking Yoshimura F1 And F3 Racers

The striking Yoshimura F1 and F3 racers

The 1985 model F1 and F3 racebikes of Yoshimura Japan are getting quite a lot of attention, and they deserve it. The machines that form the basis for these competition bikes are the GSX-R750 (F1) and the GSX-R400 (F3), but of particular significance is the aerodynamic styling of the racebikes. Yoshimura race machines up to now were undoubtedly fast but had a rustic and rough silhouette that did not optimize their ability to cut through the air. The 1985 Yoshimura bikes, however, have a finish that has completely erased this negative image. They have a beautiful and aerodynamic silhouette that has been styled by an industrial designer. The low, compact shape of the bikes expresses the image of speed as well as enhancing their actual speed.

Additionally, both GSX-R engines have been thoroughly modified by Pops Yoshimura. Through new camshaft profiles, the 400 has a big power improvement over the 1984 models. Because the GSXR750 has been released only recently, specifications of the racing > version are still not known, but the F3 400 engine produced 73 horsepower in a recent dyno run. The production version of the racer sold by Yoshimura will have 70 horsepower at 12,000 rpm. (Last year’s production racer produced 68 horsepower.) That’s down three horsepower from Yoshimura’s racebikes, but Pops says he is using this slight power reduction to help make the engine more tractable.

The maximum speed of the 1985 F3 racer is more than 143 mph. This represents a gain of six mph over that of the 1984 model—a greater improvement in performance than could be explained simply by a twohorsepower increase. Instead, the aerodynamic improvements surely are largely responsible. Similar improvements are expected for the 750 FI motorcycle. And since the base machine this year is the GSXR750 instead of the GS750, even greater improvements will result for Suzuki’s FI racer.