The 1980s was an unprecedented boom for motorcycles. Many famous motorcycles of various types were born at that time, including road sports, off-road, and scooters. Some of these models are still in production today, carrying on the names and preserving the glory of the past. Here, we have picked out five particularly popular models from the 1980s.
Suzuki Katana
When it comes to Suzuki's famous cars born in the 1980s, the most representative is the "Katana." The current model "Katana" inherited the name and was released in 2019, becoming a huge hit.
Current Model Suzuki Katana
The original "GSX1100S Katana" was exhibited at the 1980 Cologne Motor Show (held in West Germany at the time) and made its world debut the following year in 1981 as an export model.
The sharp and unique form, inspired by a Japanese sword, was designed by Target Design, led by Hans Muth. This legendary bike attracted worldwide attention due to its combination with a high-performance 1074cc air-cooled 4-cylinder engine that delivered a maximum output of 111 PS.
GSX1100S Katana (The model in the photo is the 2000 Model.)
After that, the 750cc version "GSX750S Katana" was released, and the popularity of the Katana also increased. In 1991, the 250cc version "GSX250S Katana" and in 1992, the 400cc version "GSX400S Katana" were released, and they received support from a wide range of users.
1982 GSX750S Katana
The current model Katana inherits the name of this famous motorcycle. The engine mounted on the lightweight frame is a 998cc water-cooled in-line 4-cylinder engine based on the supersport "GSX-R1000". The forward seating position and wide up-handlebars provide sporty handling and a comfortable riding position.
Suzuki Katana (Pearl Vigor Blue)
In addition, the suspension is equipped with equipment that realizes a sporty ride, such as an inverted front fork and Brembo brake calipers. It also adopts the latest electronic control systems, such as "SDMS (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector)" that allows you to switch the engine control map from three driving modes, and "STCS (Suzuki Traction Control System)" that allows you to select the traction control intervention level from five levels (+OFF mode), making it a machine that you can enjoy driving in various areas, from city riding to winding roads and long-distance touring.
The latest model released in October 2024 adopts a new color for the body. It is available in two colors, Mystic Silver Metallic and Pearl Vigor Blue, and the price (including tax) is $10985.30.
Suzuki Katana (Mystic Silver Metallic)
Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
In recent years, adventure motorcycles have become popular all over the world. These models boast high performance not only on-road but also off-road, and are attractive for their many features that make them suitable for long-distance touring, but the original Japanese-made adventure motorcycle is the CRF1000L AfricaTwin series.
CRF1100L Africa Twin
The first model was the "Africa Twin" with a 750cc, two-cylinder engine that was released in 1988. It was a commercially available bike that incorporated the technology gained from the Honda works machine "NXR750," which participated in the hugely popular "Paris-Dakar Rally (now the Dakar Rally)" at the time and performed very well.
The first Africa Twin was released in 1988.
The Paris-Dakar Rally, which has been held since 1978, is known as the "world's toughest event" because it involves motorcycles and cars traveling on all kinds of road surfaces, including deserts, muddy areas, and mountainous regions. It is known for being so tough that the distance traveled in a day sometimes exceeds 800 km in scorching heat, and it takes place over more than two weeks from the end of the year to the beginning of the new year.
The Africa Twin is a commercial vehicle that incorporates the technology cultivated in such a tough competition. The current model CRF1100 Africa Twin, which was released in 2019, is equipped with a 1082cc inline 2-cylinder engine.
The latest electronic control system is adopted, including throttle-by-wire that responds linearly to the rider's operation requests and a 6-axis IMU that realizes precise vehicle control. From everyday riding to full-scale adventure touring, six riding modes that correspond to various roads, and "HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control)" that detects and suppresses rear wheel slip, improve comfort, drivability, and safety on a wide range of road surfaces.
The Africa Twin (pictured is the CRF1100 Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES) is a production model that incorporates the technology developed through rigorous competitions.
The lineup includes the CRF1100L Africa Twin, which features 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, and the CRF1100 Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES, which features 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels and electronically controlled suspension.
In addition to the standard 6-speed manual transmission for each type, there is also a "DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission)" model, which eliminates the need to operate the clutch or shift pedal, to accommodate riders with a wide range of preferences and skills.
Prices (including tax) for the CRF1100L Africa Twin are $10839.80 for the 6-speed manual transmission and $11567.31 for the DCT. The CRF1100 Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES is $12876.81 for the 6-speed manual transmission and $13604.32 for the DCT.
Kawasaki Eliminator
The ELIMINATOR is a Kawasaki cruiser model that features a low, long, wild style and a 398cc in-line twin-cylinder engine that produces abundant torque even at low speeds.
Kawasaki Eliminator
This model was released in 2023 and quickly became popular, but its origins can be said to be the "Eliminator" series, which was sold from the 1980s to the early 2000s and led the domestic American motorcycle boom mainly in the 1990s.
The first model, the Eliminator, was released in 1985. The export version was a 900cc version, and the domestic version was a 750cc version, which was the maximum displacement due to self-regulation at the time. After that, a 400cc version was released in 1986, and a 250cc version was released in 1987, boasting a rich lineup.
The main feature of both types is the low and long form reminiscent of the so-called "draggers", racers who are active in drag races popular in the United States. In particular, the 250cc and 400cc models are attractive for their powerful, macho style reminiscent of models one class above. It was supported by a wide range of users, including motorcycle beginners.
The current Eliminator is a revival of this legendary motorcycle.
The current Eliminator also uses a unique low and long form.
Its main features include a unique low and long form and a horizontal design from the tank to the tail, inheriting the traditional dragger style.
The engine is equipped with a 398cc parallel twin-cylinder engine that is well-known for its ease of use. With good controllability due to the abundant torque at low speeds, and powerful power and linear response at high speeds, you can experience a comfortable ride in a wide range of situations, from city riding to long touring.
In addition, the compact round all-digital LCD instrument panel creates a modern atmosphere. In addition, the seat height of 735mm provides good foot reach, and the genuine accessories include a high seat with a seat height of 765mm and a low seat with a seat height of 715mm. It is also equipped with a wide range of equipment to allow riders of a wide range of physiques to enjoy comfortable riding.
The 735mm seat height allows for good foot placement (photo shows Eliminator SE)
The lineup includes the standard Eliminator and the Eliminator SE with a headlight cowl. There is also the Eliminator Plaza Edition (an exclusive model for Kawasaki Plaza, an authorized dealer) which is based on the standard and adds GPS-enabled front and rear dashcams and a USB Type-C power socket.
The prices (tax included) for each model are $5383.53 for the standard Eliminator, $6038.28 for the Eliminator SE, and $5747.28 for the Eliminator Plaza Edition.
Eliminator Plaza Edition
Yamaha Jog/Jog 125
In the 1980s, many sports models with agile riding appeal appeared on 50cc and other 50cc scooters. They were very popular among young people at the time, and sparked a major movement. The Yamaha "JOG" and "JOG125" are the models that continue the lineage of these sports scooters to the present day.
Yamaha Jog
Yamaha Jog 125
The first-generation Jog, which appeared in 1983, was characterized by its light and sporty riding style. Its 49cc, two-stroke engine, which produced a powerful 4.5 horsepower for the time, and its aggressive style with a pointed front cowl covering the front wheel were well received, and it became a huge hit.
The first Jog was released in 1983.
Since then, the Jog has been given many derivative models, including a 90cc 2-stroke engine model, and has become the cornerstone of Yamaha scooters.
In 2007, due to the influence of exhaust gas regulations, the model was changed to a 4-stroke engine. The current 50cc model, which was released in 2018, is an OEM model based on Honda's "Tact" and incorporates Yamaha design, and is still in the lineup.
The current Jog is equipped with a 49cc water-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder engine that delivers a maximum output of 4.5ps. It has powerful characteristics that allow you to climb uphill roads without stress, and is also characterized by its consideration for fuel efficiency and the environment.
The lineup includes the standard Jog and the Jog Deluxe, a high-end model equipped with an idling stop system. Prices (including tax) range from $1200.38 to $1287.68.
Jog Deluxe
On the other hand, the JOG125, a 50cc scooter equipped with a 124cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, was released in November 2022.
The main feature is that the unique "BLUE CORE" engine is used for the first time in the JOG series, achieving the highest level of fuel efficiency and smooth acceleration among Yamaha's 50cc scooters.
This engine, developed with the aim of achieving three points: high-efficiency combustion, reduced loss, and high cooling performance, has a compact combustion chamber design to achieve both power and fuel efficiency. The compression ratio, which is the key to high-efficiency combustion, is 10.2:1, which effectively generates a tumble (vertical vortex) of the mixture, and the synergistic effect with the FI setting combines high output and fuel efficiency.
In addition, the "SMG (Smart Motor Generator)" is also adopted, which functions as a starter motor at start-up and as a generator when driving. The conventional starter motor and reduction gear are no longer necessary, resulting in a lightweight, compact and quiet engine start.
Thanks to the synergistic effect of these factors, the Jog 125 delivers a maximum output of 6.1kW (8.3PS) at 7000rpm and a maximum torque of 9.8Nm (1.00kgfm) at 5000rpm, while also achieving fuel efficiency of 51.9km/L in WMTC mode.
Another attractive feature is the very reasonable price of $1767.83 (tax included).
The Jog 125 is also attractively priced at $1767.83 including tax.
By the way, although there has been no official announcement yet about the 50cc versions of the Jog and Jog Deluxe, they may disappear from the lineup soon.
This is related to the new exhaust gas regulations scheduled to come into effect in November 2025 (Reiwa 7). When these regulations are introduced, it is highly likely that many models of mopeds currently rated 50cc or less will not be able to be sold due to the technical and financial difficulties of making them compliant with the new regulations.
By the way, in response to this trend, the National Police Agency plans to designate 125cc and 110cc motorcycles with maximum output controlled to 4.0kw (5.4PS) or less as "new standard mopeds" and treat them the same as current Class 1 mopeds. The new system is scheduled to be introduced on April 1, 2025.
Due to these developments, as mentioned above, the current 50cc versions of the Jog and Jog Deluxe may disappear.
In that case, it is also possible that a new standard moped version will be released instead, based on the 125cc Jog 125, with a horsepower limit of 4.0kw (5.4PS) or less.
In that case, it is possible that there will be two types: a Class 2 moped version with the same horsepower as the previous model, a maximum output of 6.1kW (8.3PS), and a Class 1 moped version with less restrictions.
In any case, since it is a popular scooter that has been around for many years, it will be interesting to see what happens next.
The future developments of the 50cc versions of the Jog and Jog Deluxe are also of interest.
Honda Dio 110
Honda's Dio110 is a popular scooter with a stylish appearance and easy-to-handle characteristics.
Honda Dio 110
As long-time motorcycle enthusiasts know, the original Dio was a 50cc moped model that appeared in 1988. Equipped with a 49cc air-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder engine, it was a huge hit among young people at the time thanks to its sporty style and highly practical under-seat helmet storage space.
The first Dio, which appeared in 1988
Currently, the 50cc version is out of the lineup, but it has produced many famous models, such as the Super Dio (2nd generation) released in 1990 and the Live Dio (3rd generation) released in 1994. Along with Yamaha's Jog, it led the 50cc sports scooter boom from the late 1980s to the 1990s and was one of Honda's representative motorcycle brands.
The Dio 110, a 50cc model, inherits the name of such a famous model. The current third generation model will be released in 2021. In addition to adopting styling that expresses activeness with dynamic body lines, the geometric patterns on the muffler cover and floor steps also create a high-quality feel.
The Dio 110 expresses activity with its dynamic body lines.
The engine is equipped with a 109cc air-cooled 4-stroke single cylinder "eSP" that combines light running and fuel efficiency. This engine, which exerts a maximum output of 6.4kW (8.7ps), improves combustion efficiency and output at low and medium speed ranges by adopting a compact combustion chamber with a high compression ratio, realizing a light running.
In addition, the unique "eSAF" frame, which pursues high rigidity and light weight, and the adoption of large diameter wheels of 14 inches front and rear, etc., make it attractive for a running that combines stability and comfort.
In addition, it boasts a multi-function meter equipped with an ECO indicator that supports fuel-efficient driving, a storage space under the seat with a capacity of about 18L, and other equipment that is easy to use and highly practical in various scenes such as commuting to school or work and everyday shopping.
The lineup includes the Dio 110 that adopts the "Honda SMART Key System". This system boasts high convenience by allowing you to start the engine without taking out the key if you carry the smart key in your pocket or bag.
In addition, the Dio 110 Basic is also available without the Honda SMART Key system, making it more affordable and catering to a wide range of needs.
Prices (including tax) are $1440.46 for the Dio 110 Basic and $1673.26 for the Dio 110.
Dio 110 Basic
