Lifestyle

2016 Quail Gallery: 40th Anniversary of Superbike

Some old and some new, a look at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering’s Superbike class.

May 25, 2016

Instantly recognizable with its opposed cylinders, bikini fairing and Smoke Gray paint, the 1974 BMW R90S of Jeffrey McCoy ranks among the most indelible of early superbikes. Steve McLaughlin won the first AMA Superbike race aboard a race-tuned version.Jeff Allen

This patriotically colored 1982 Ducati 900 SS custom of Kevin R. Bracken, is powered by the last of the great “bevel-drive” Ducati engines, so named for their bevel-gear driven camshafts. A trellis frame and upgraded suspension update the venerable desmo mill.Jeff Allen

Ducati aficionado Tom Stephens added a Carbon Dream kit to this 2002 Ducati MH900e to achieve a truly spectacular ride. Additionally, Stephens rode a Paul Smart 1000 LE redone in New Blue livery on the Quail tour.Jeff Allen

With its liquid-cooled V4 engine and 16-inch front wheel, Antony Richards’ 750cc 1983 Honda V45 Interceptor ushered in a new era for Honda, for sportbikes, and for racing. The early Eighties are starting to look good again.Jeff Allen

American Honda gave AMA Superbike champion Wayne Rainey this 1986 Honda VFR 750 as part of his racing contract at the time. Quail event promoter Gordon McCall is the lucky owner.Jeff Allen

After Honda punched out the Britbikes’ lights with the four-cylinder 1969 CB750, four years later came a counterpunch from the 903cc 1973 Kawasaki Z1. Steve Till owns this knockout 1974 example.Jeff Allen

Wayne Rainey’s title-winning 1983 Kawasaki GPz750 earned both the 40th Anniversary of Superbike Award and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Heritage Award at the Quail. The bike is owned by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.Jeff Allen

Owned by Kyle Kozak, this 2003 Mondial Piega borrows its name from the famous Grand Prix racers of the 1950s and its engine from the Honda RC51. Most of the rest is pure Italian exotica.Jeff Allen

Ben Spies won the World Superbike championship using this crossplane-crankshaft 2010 Yamaha YZF-R1 during his 2009 rookie season. The bike is now owned by bike designer, restorer and collector Jeff Palhegyi.Jeff Allen