25 Years Ago November, 1980

25 YEARS AGO NOVEMBER, 1980

Suzuki’s GS1000G graced the cover, the “G” indicating shaft final drive. The presence of a shaft on this particular model reminded us that Suzuki was: a) The last major bike-maker to introduce four-stroke motorcycles; b) the last Japanese company to go to shaftdrive; and c) the last to market a one-liter-plus, shaft-drive bike. Suzuki’s tardiness aside, staffers deemed the GS “the kind of highperformance touring bike that’s closer to meeting our desires than just about anything.”

• On the hands-on side of things, Peter Egan penned “Yer Basic Tire Change: New Help for the Bald.” Eight simple steps were intended to get you and your freshly re-rubbered bike back on the road posthaste.

• Dirt coverage saw a detailed look at Honda’s works waterpumper RC250. It’s hard to believe that this form of engine cooling was a new concept for two-stroke motocrossers at the time.

• King Kenny Roberts came home to play at Laguna Seca with a runaway win in the Formula One race. Reporting on the story, John Ulrich professed, “It’s easy to forget just how good Kenny Roberts really is.” Freddie Spencer finished in the runner-up position, and then went on to win the Superbike event ahead of Wes Cooley.

• Now that the retro look is back, DG Performance would no doubt make a killing with its two-page advertisement for riding gear.

Bright colors, snazzy logos and more-just remember to upgrade the mail-order to e-mail.

Ryan Dudek