Force fed: four bikes with the benefit of boost

Honda CX500 Turbo
While some may argue that Kawasaki’s 1978 Z1R TC was technically the first turbocharged production bike, Honda’s CX500 Turbo was the pioneer of mass-produced boost. After five years of development, Honda unveiled the 1982 CX500 Turbo. It was a water-cooled, fuel-injected turbocharged V-twin that never really lived up to the world’s — or Honda’s — high expectations and lasted just a single year on the market before it was replaced by the CX650, a 673cc variant. The 500 Turbo boasted 77hp compared to the standard CX500’s 47, and it had a top speed of over 200km/h which gave it parity to the superbikes of the era.
On sale in Australia: 1982-1983, priced at $5859.

Yamaha XJ650 Turbo
In 1982 Yamaha revealed the futuristic looking XJ650 Turbo. Its 673cc inline four-cylinder engine was one-up on Honda’s V-twin so was, in hindsight, Yamaha’s choice of simplicity. Where the CX500 was a pure display of Honda’s technology capabilities with fuel injection, water cooling, self-diagnostic software and even early examples of engine mapping, Yamaha’s strategy was simple: a carb-fed air-cooled bike with more cubes, more cylinders and more power. Boasting 90hp, the XJ stood firmly in the sportstouring camp with its shaft drive, drum rear brake and 262kg of heft.
On sale in Australia: 1982-1983, priced at $4999.

Suzuki XN85
Suzuki’s response to Honda and Yamaha’s turbocharged offerings was the 1983 unveiling of its XN85 Turbo. Based around the GS650 engine, the 673cc inline-four cylinder was capable of 85hp, 76Nm of torque and had a top speed of 210km/h. The Suzuki was known for its handling capabilities which far exceeded that of both the Honda’s and Yamaha’s, and its Katana-inspired looks secured its sportsbike intentions. While its output was regarded as somewhat tame compared to its contemporary’s aggressive delivery of boost, it was the first of the Japanese turbos to step out of the sportstouring square and firmly into sportsbike territory.
On sale in Australia: 1983-1984, priced at $5000.

Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo
Kawasaki was the last of the Japanese to release its turbocharged offering and so not surprising its GPz750 Turbo offered more cubes, more power and a higher top speed than its rivals. With 112hp on tap and 99Nm of torque, the Kawasaki claimed a top speed of well over 220km/h. Released at the end of 1983 and lasting only two model years, it was widely regarded as the best all-round Japanese turbocharged production bike of the era with highly capable sportsbike handling and a higher, more refined power delivery. It’s also the one fetching the most in today’s second-hand market.
On sale in Australia: 1983-1985, priced at $5200.