The Suzuki GSX-R750RK, also known as the RR (which stood for race replica) was a “straight-out-of-the-crate” racer and only 500 were produced. They weren’t imported into North America, so here is a rare opportunity to pick one up here in the states.
I will admit that I was not familiar with the RR/RK model from 1989, but according to the sellers post (and wikipedia), the bike had a significant number of upgrades from the standard model
“The ‘Double R’ received a new 40mm Slingshot carburetor, a 4-into-1 exhaust pipe, a close ratio gearbox, new rear swingarm and sub frame, new aerodynamic fiber bodywork with large air intake duct, solo seating with race number box and a 19 liter aluminium fuel tank as standard equipment. The dry weight 411lbs and 120hp at the wheel rivals some modern sport bikes to this day.”
1989 Suzuki GSX-R RK/RR (repli-racer)
Perhaps the biggest changes were in the engine which reverted back to the long stoke design while also receiving upgrades.
“The RK was designed to be a bike which could be tuned easier than its short-stroke predecessor. Racing teams which were already adept at tuning the long stroke engine and so were more familiar with this revived long stroke design, The newly redesigned engine reverted to the original long stroke (70 x 48.7mm) configuration. Crankcase, crankshaft connecting rods and clutch were among the critical areas receiving more attention necessary for the race duty.”
This particular example certainly looks very clean but the pictures indicate two different exhausts were on the bike and the windscreen may be an aftermarket piece. Also, it does have 10k+ miles which for a repli-racer may mean some aggressive track use in the past and the seller indicates the bike is registered in California but has an EU title (???) so it may take a bit of work to get titled with the local DMV.
Prices for bikes like these are hard to figure but a bit of research shows that back in 2012 another RR was estimated to be worth 20-25. That’s right in line with other WSBK repli-racers like the RC30 and OW01.
Note: This is my first official post as a contributing author to RSBFs.com. Hope you enjoy!
MG (marting)
Here’s one that got over $25K in England and another sold in Canadian that was raced for $22.5K
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=191199847507
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Suzuki-GSX-R-/181409251046?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
Sorry to demonstrate my ignorance, but how does this stack up against the GSXR LTD? I beleive the LTD has a dry clutch and they don’t cost as much, and although I have two friends that own them, I can’t say that I know any more than that about them. Can someone tell me the difference between the LTD and the RR.
I have a very clean RC30, I always thought the LTD was the Suzuki equivelent.
Great find and great first post, Marty!
great bike.
I wonder if the rear wheel HP is inflated. I remember reading stories that when these came to England for the guys to race the rear wheel HP was only about 95 when put on the dyno. I even question the weight.
Welcome Marty. I used to write on RSBFS too. I recently became father and free time has basically shrunk to 0. Hence I am also selling some of the bikes in my private collection. This includes an 86 Limited with 2000km. It might be an opportunity to do do a follow up on the RK. Let me know and I’ll send you some pics and links. As most of the posts I used to write, this is available in Switzerland 🙂
Claudio
Great bikes these. That rad looks well worn not really consistent with an 11000km bike – raced or not ? Not sure. The Jap spec was way down on HP but I think the EU and AU spec were full power. Also first road bike to be fitted standard with radial cross ply tyres. Either way these are becoming very very collectible and should surpass RC30 in value in time. Unlike RC30/OWO1 these are really a race bike dumbied down for the road. These share very little with the “K” model GSXR when you pull them down
I was lucky enough to have owned a RR in the mid 90’s, although mine was an ex-race bike. I believe 48 were imported to Canada with most of them sold to race teams and only a handful sold as road bikes. The seller had the original fairings preserved in boxes that he had offered to me for an additional $2000. At the time, I had priced the fairings and gas tank at my local Suzuki dealer and to my surprise…….the gas tank (aluminum) was $3300 and the two piece fairing and the tail section added up to over $8000. Non the less, I paid the $2000 for the ones in the box that were in mint shape. The bike was an awesome ride and always attracted people curious as to what it was. I regret selling that bike, even more when I learned that it had burned to the ground in a shop fire while in for service. it was a shame to see the handmade body work in a pile of hardly recognizable fiberglass.
@Damon
The GSX-R 750 Limited Edition was a Slabside special edition,presented in 1986. Dry clutch,GSX-R 1100 NEAS fully adjustable forks,piggyback rear shock absorber,a handmade fiberglass solo tail section,aluminum fuel tank as well as larger brake rotors were some of its special features. At the time,it was the most expensive japanese bike,at 6500$,and today it’s a collectible,even more so the japan only Yoshimura Limited Edition (no differences except for the paintwork).
The GSX-R 750 RR we have here,is based on the next GSX-R model,the Slingshot,which was presented in 1989. So,since the RC30 was originally presented in 1987 in Japan,you could say that both the Slabside LE and the Slingshot RR were its rivals.
P.S: Excuse me for my english
Well I contacted the owner about what specfically was the “wear and tear” on the bike and asked for pictures (plastics are a big thing) . Instead I got pixs of the engine and vin plate and a lecture on the virtues of “riding not hiding” and performance. ..although he has the original muffler the header is in a far away land. Which always pisses me off. Do these “riding not hiddem” folks beleive these bikes just fall out of the sky with 10K miles or less after 20+ years. Duh…. MY responze to his e-mail…….
A interesting perspective. You don’t care about about the collecting factor, but this bike was easily out performed in a couple of years. So why the high reserve, I am sure it’s not based on performance of the bike. Give me a break, I can spend half the money and blow this bike off the street, if your talking performance. The value is in the history, you know it, and I know it. So let’s not be so critical of us “collecting types” we do ride and appreciate these bikes for what they WERE then , not how they perform now. But originality is what were looking for, not because it;s the best now but because it was the best then. Performance wise I can buy a ton of bikes, that will smoke this bike with easy on the road. But that is not the point., is it? Give me some decent pictures of the bike, wear and tear just does not do it. If I’m considering spending around 20K, hey I’m a collector/rider I want to know what I am buying, I
A interesting perspective. You don’t care about about the collecting factor, but this bike was easily out performed in a couple of years. So why the high reserve, I am sure it’s not based on performance of the bike. Give me a break, I can spend half the money and blow this bike off the street, if your talking performance. The value is in the history, you know it, and I know it. So let’s not be so critical of us “collecting types” we do ride and appreciate these bikes for what they WERE then , not how they perform now. But originality is what were looking for, not because it;s the best now but because it was the best then. so point being your selling the history not the Performance. I can buy a ton of bikes, that will smoke this bike with easy on the road. But that is not the point., is it? Give me some decent pictures of the bike, wear and tear just does not do it. If I’m considering spending around 20K, hey I’m a collector/rider I want to know what I am buying, Thats my beef with motorcycle classics magazine they promote this “ride’m not Hide’um” crowd perspective and miss the point that us Rider/Collectors are there bread and butter and yours.
Done with the rant, done with this bike.. The seller seems to have the “ride hard: and hung up wet perspective .I am bias as well LOL not interested now
seller added the following information: On Jul-02-14:
Just to clarify since I keep getting the questions over and over again. The bike was never raced or tracked. The first owner never road it, the 2nd that had it before me in Germany, road it a lot to GSX-R functions and trips with his club, you can see the tank badge in one of the photos listed. I’m of the belief these need to be ridden as intended so not into show bikes. The wear and tear is normal from riding it and shipping it. Some of the plastic has minor scratches, and the back of the seat has some wear marks from just riding but all and all the bike is in very good condition. The carbs have been completely over hauled, jets cleaned, oil changed and new plugs and battery the last month. All electrical works as it should. The bike shifts smooth, stops on a dime and very fast. One the best handling bikes I’ve ridden it has very low center of gravity.
The stock muffler and mid pipe are included in the sale. I do not have the header currently. It is in Germany, but I might be able to source it but no guarantees. Again, I don’t care about the collecting factor as some of you here; it sounded like crap and weighed a ton. The Schüle on it is extremely very rare in itself, highly sought after in Europe, and it is the correct 4-2-1 system that the race teams had, not the 4-1 that it came with. Plus it cost a pretty penny to have this made. Peter Schüle only makes one maybe per year if that.
Regarding registration and titling, it currently registered and insured. DMV inspected it and approved it and I was issued a plate and it has current tags. The Sacramento office sent my paper work back stating if I wanted a title, I needed a CHP inspection. I spoke to a CHP officer, he says it’s considered a gray market bike and my best bet is to register in a state that allows gray market registration, like AZ and they’ll title it. I don’t have the time or care at this point to do this so hence it only comes with the German/EU title. It’s legal to ride in CA currently and it’s insured in my name, just no CA title.
Please stop asking for a price, this is an auction. Bid what you are willing to pay for it or make me an offer I can’t refuse but I’m in no rush to sell and still enjoy riding it.
I don’t get it. Why is there a problem with posting pictures of the “wear and tear” Pretty D** simple! A literal no brainer. You want top dollar from a collector (and thats the only folks interested) you provide the information requested. Ciao
Hey there! This post could not be written any better!
Reading this popst reminds me of my oldd room mate!
He always kept talking about this. I will forward thi write-up to
him. Fairly certain he wiol have a good read.
Thank you for sharing!
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What I posted is what I have and I’m not going to have an opportunity due to the impending Holiday (July 4th) to do this before the auction ends. I went head and posted all the pics in hi-res to Photobucket that I have and that’s the best I can do for now.
http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/coulisnosaj/library/GSXR-750RK?sort=6&page=1
Regarding, the “collecting factor” maybe you miss understood me but I was referring to the original exhaust not the bike it’s self. Of course I bought it for the vintage aspects and being a Suzuki fanatic as well. But I’m from the other school who likes their bikes loud and fast, having an exotic exhaust makes it more appealing to me than the stock anchor but again to each his own.
As for the performance you are mistaken really have no clue, and it is apparent you haven’t ridden one and at his rate you won’t ever. No one likes a “Tire kicker” Tully, especial rude ahole who trashes the bike and then acts like a little child when someone doesn’t do what you want or gets the answer they didn’t want to hear.
I’m over you and your games, you bid will be rejected and no offer you can make will change that.
additional photos from the seller
http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/coulisnosaj/media/GSXR-750RK/2014-05-16184631.jpg.html
“The truth knocks on the door and you say, “Go away, I’m looking for the truth,” and so it goes away. Puzzling.”
― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
“I’d rather have this bottle in front of me
than a frontal lobotomy”
W.C. Fields
😉
This being a GR79b Eu spec was restricted to 100hp I think. The Jap spec GR79c was restricted to around 77hp and the Gr79a Australian version was the full power 120hp. They were and are still a great bike to ride and as I said before they will only appreciate further in value. Not knocking Honda but Suzuki and Yamaha stopped at 500 homologated bikes – Honda stopped just short of 5000. In terms of collectability that speaks volumes.
BoB, for some reason we ended up with quite a few of these here in Australia, they actually come up for sale on a regular basis. As you mentioned Honda with the RC30 made a bloody shed load, nearly 5000, not really low production, which is why there is ALWAYS a number of RC30’s for sale at any time!
Yeah there was actually very few that came to Australia, The vast majority that come up for sale are Japanese grey imports.
Most that came in were raced with only a handfull of Australian road reg examples available. Unfortunately most of the bikes from Japan suffer from corrosion.
I’m lucky enough to own Canadian number 25.
Sean-
what do you think a reasonable price for one of these is?
Mine was a bit rough and needed quite a bit doing to it. I paid $12,500 three years ago and spent maybe $3000 restoring it. I was recently offered $25,000. They are getting very collectible for someone wanting the full set of Homologation bikes, after all they only made 500 of them, no more no less. :o)
$25k is the current market, if you can find one. I think it will pass the RC30 in value. Time will tell.
sold at 22k…interestingly that no last minute bidding on this one…guess now we know what the market for these are.