rare 1983 Suzuki โXN85 Turbo Commands Premiumโข at Auction
Aโ pristine 1983 Suzuki XN85โ turboโค – a โlandmark motorcycle representing a brief but โinfluential foray into โforced induction – recentlyโข sold โคat auction โคfor an undisclosed sum,highlighting theโ growing collector interest in thes historically meaningfulโ machines. The sale, conducted by Iconic Motorbike Auctions, featured a unit โwith just 4,395 miles (7,000 km) and exceptional condition.
The XN85 arrived in 1983 as the firstโ series production motorcycle with a 16-inchโ front wheelโข and Suzuki’s Full Floater rear mono-shock โฃsuspension. Based on the GS650โ platform, its 673cc inline four-cylinder engine was boosted by a turbocharger, โdelivering a claimed 85 horsepower – hence the “85” in โฃits name.The model was โonly offered for a single year, โmaking it exceptionally rare, particularly outside of regions like the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla โฃwhere anโ earlierโ Japanese motorcycle import ban didn’t apply. In the United States, the XN85 originally retailed for $4,700 (approximately โขโฌ4,300โค in 1983).
Beyond its technological innovations, theโ XN85 is notable โfor its styling, penned by Hans Muth – the designer โalso responsible for the iconicโ Suzuki Katana. The auctioned unit’s โcombination of rarity, condition, and aesthetic lineage contributed toโค its desirability among collectors. The XN85 represents a pivotal moment in motorcycleโ history,demonstrating the โฃpotential – and challengesโ – of turbocharging โฃin the motorcycle world.
