Difference between revisions of "Suzuki XN85"

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Of the Japanese [[Big Four]], [[Suzuki]] was the most reluctant to follow the fashion for [[turbocharger]]s. 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.
{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{PAGENAME}} Turbo: review, history, specs}}
{{Motorcycle
|name            = Suzuki XN85
|photo            = 1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-2.jpg
|aka              = Turbo
|manufacturer    = Suzuki
|parent_company  =
|production      = 83
|model_year      =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            = Sportbike
|engine          = 673cc [[Four-stroke]] [[Inline-four]] Turbo charged
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      =
|top_speed        =
|power            =
|torque          =
|ignition        =
|spark_plug      = {{sparkplug|NGK D9EA}} '83
|battery          = {{battery|YUASA YB14L-A2}} '83
|transmission    =
|frame            =
|suspension      =
|brakes          =
|front_tire      = {{tire|100/90-16}} '83
|rear_tire    = {{tire|120/90-17}} '83
|rake_trail      =
|wheelbase        =
|length          =
|width            =
|height          =
|seat_height      =
|dry_weight      =
|wet_weight      =
|fuel_capacity    =
|oil_capacity    =
|oil_filter      = {{oilfilter|K&N KN-133}}<ref name="kl_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog|publisher=[https://www.klsupply.com/ K&L Supply Co]|date=2019}}</ref>
|recommended_oil= Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius  =
|related          =
|competition      =
|final_drive= {{chain|530}} ‘83<ref name="wps_street_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 Western Power Sports Catalog|publisher=[https://www.wps-inc.com/catalogs Western Power Sports]|date=2019}}</ref>
}}
 
The '''Suzuki XN85 ''' is a [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Suzuki]] in 1983.
 
Of the Japanese [[Big Four]], [[Suzuki]] was the most reluctant to follow the fashion for [[turbocharger]]s. 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 - in the end they produced a landmark bike that combined several innovations and looked very different from the competitors.
==A Far from Ideal Installation==
==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."
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; to some 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. ''(as a rider of a 28 year old Xn85 my views differ - there is certainly a "turbo effect", often comparisons are made to bikes that appeared during the XN85's short career rather than those that existed before the XN85.)''
Suzuki were concerned about the potential longevity of the engine, even though it had vulnerable parts strengthened. As well as strength they focussed on the extra heat generated by the turbo and introduced yet another innovation - new to bikes, but used in WWII Japanese fighter planes - using oil sprayed under the pistons as a coolant. Just before production began the engine was de-tuned - time has shown their fears about strength and heat were unfounded.
 
==Outstanding Frame Design==
==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 [[Suzuki GS550E|GS550E]] and [[Suzuki GS750E|GS750E]] models.
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, including the newly developed "fully floating rear suspension" the handling was acknowledged by journalists as unbeatable. Shortly afterwards, this excellent handling mix reappeared on the 1983 [[Suzuki GS550E|GS550E]] and [[Suzuki GS750E|GS750E]] models. The short life of the XN85 was also in part owing to the frame - as the weight of the bike (250Kg, 551 Lb) was a poor match to the power output.
 


==1983 XN85D==
==1983 XN85D==
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85D.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85D]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-0.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-1.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-2.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-3.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-4.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-5.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-6.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-7.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-8.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-9.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-0.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-1.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-2.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-3.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-4.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-5.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]][[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-6.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85D.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85D]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-0.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-1.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-2.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-3.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-4.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-5.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-6.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-7.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-8.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-9.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-0.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-1.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-2.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-3.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-4.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-5.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]]
[[Image:1983-Suzuki-XN85-Silver-5431-6.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver]]<br>''The photos showing the bike in Gray have all been taken indoors, the XN85 was produced in silver-gray.''
<br style="clear: left"/>
<br style="clear: left"/>


*V.I.N. #: JS1GP71T D 100001
*V.I.N. #: JS1GP71T D 100001
*ENGINE PREFIX: P701-
*ENGINE PREFIX: P701-
*ENGINE TYPE: 673cc 4 Strk. 4 Cyl.
*ENGINE TYPE: 673cc [[Four-stroke]] [[Inline-four]]
*MODEL CODE: 093
*MODEL CODE: 093
*COLOR: Silver
*COLOR: Silver
* Half fairing
*Half fairing
* Turbo charged engine
*Turbo charged engine
* Full floater rear suspension
*Electronic ignition
*Electronic fuel injection
*16" front wheel
*[[Anti-dive]] front suspension
*Full floater rear suspension
 
==See Also==
*[[Honda CX500T]]
*[[Honda CX650T]]
*[[Kawasaki ZX750E|Kawasaki GPz 750 Turbo]]
*[[Yamaha XJ650L]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
{{Suzuki}}


[[Category:Turbo motorcycles|XN85]]
[[Category:Turbo motorcycles|XN85]]
[[Category:Suzuki motorcycles|XN85]]
[[Category:Suzuki motorcycles|XN85]]

Latest revision as of 20:08, 23 November 2019

1983-Suzuki-XN85-Turbo-Gray-1926-2.jpg
Suzuki XN85
Manufacturer
Also called Turbo
Production 83
Class Sportbike
Engine
673cc Four-stroke Inline-four Turbo charged
Spark Plug NGK D9EA '83
Battery YUASA YB14L-A2 '83
Final Drive Chain: 530 ‘83[1]
Front Tire 100/90-16 '83
Rear Tire 120/90-17 '83
Weight
Oil Filter K&N KN-133[2]
Recommended Oil Suzuki ECSTAR 10w40
Manuals Service Manual


The Suzuki XN85 is a motorcycle produced by Suzuki in 1983.

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 - in the end they produced a landmark bike that combined several innovations and looked very different from the competitors.

A Far from Ideal Installation[edit | edit source]

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; to some 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. (as a rider of a 28 year old Xn85 my views differ - there is certainly a "turbo effect", often comparisons are made to bikes that appeared during the XN85's short career rather than those that existed before the XN85.) Suzuki were concerned about the potential longevity of the engine, even though it had vulnerable parts strengthened. As well as strength they focussed on the extra heat generated by the turbo and introduced yet another innovation - new to bikes, but used in WWII Japanese fighter planes - using oil sprayed under the pistons as a coolant. Just before production began the engine was de-tuned - time has shown their fears about strength and heat were unfounded.

Outstanding Frame Design[edit | edit source]

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, including the newly developed "fully floating rear suspension" the handling was acknowledged by journalists as unbeatable. Shortly afterwards, this excellent handling mix reappeared on the 1983 GS550E and GS750E models. The short life of the XN85 was also in part owing to the frame - as the weight of the bike (250Kg, 551 Lb) was a poor match to the power output.

1983 XN85D[edit | edit source]

1983 Suzuki XN85D
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo in Gray
1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver
1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver
1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver
1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver
1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver
1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver
1983 Suzuki XN85 in Silver


The photos showing the bike in Gray have all been taken indoors, the XN85 was produced in silver-gray.


  • V.I.N. #: JS1GP71T D 100001
  • ENGINE PREFIX: P701-
  • ENGINE TYPE: 673cc Four-stroke Inline-four
  • MODEL CODE: 093
  • COLOR: Silver
  • Half fairing
  • Turbo charged engine
  • Electronic ignition
  • Electronic fuel injection
  • 16" front wheel
  • Anti-dive front suspension
  • Full floater rear suspension

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 2019 Western Power Sports Catalog. Western Power Sports. 2019. 
  2. 2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog. K&L Supply Co. 2019.