Slow Burn: The Growth of Superbikes and Superbike Racing 1970 to 1988

The story of how the Superbike racing motorcycle developed out of the roadgoing sports-tourer to become the protagonist in one of the most successful competitions in all forms of motorcycle sport. As well as offering world championship class competition in its own right, Superbike racing has been a highly competitive training ground for grand prix riders, as well as helping manufacturers, distributors and dealers develop and improve their motorcycles.

Superbike racing is to the motorcycle industry what touring car or NASCAR competition is to the car world: race on Sunday, sell on Monday. All the big names were drawn into the sport during its formative years, and have been there ever since: Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati and Aprilia have all used Superbike racing to test their street bike designs.

Some of the greatest riders in the sport – Wayne Gardner, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz and Eddie Lawson – all started out on big, unruly Superbikes, learning how to powerslide their way around the world’s toughest tracks.

It’s all in Superbike – and it’s all in Slow Burn.