1978–89

After the disappointment of retiring in the first race, Honda vowed to make a comeback. The following year, with the CB900, the Honda team avenged their loss and impressively dominated the top eight positions. Furthermore, remarkable achievements continued with the victory of the first Japanese pair, Shigeo Iijima and Shinji Hagiwara, riding the modified CB900F, and the first three consecutive wins with the S750R and RVF750. Please pay attention to Honda's trail of challenges during the early days of the Suzuka 8 Hours.

1978     RCB1000

Wes Cooley / Mike Baldwin (Suzuki) led from the start to win the inaugural Suzuka 8 Hours. Despite Honda racing two RCB1000s which dominated endurance races in Europe, both bikes retired.

1979　CB900

WINNER
Tony Hatton / Michael Cole

Race leaders and the strongest teams crashed one after another in a chaotic race. Tony Hatton / Michael Cole rode their CB900 to a victory for Honda which dominated the top eight spots.

1980　 RS1000

Suzuka 8 Hours is elevated to a world championship race with TT-F1 classification. The race was a battle between the winners Wes Cooley / Graeme Crosby (Suzuki) and second place Gregg Hansford / Eddie Lawson (Kawasaki). The Suzuka 4 Hours race was held for the first time this year.

1981

WINNER
Mike Baldwin / David Aldana

Wes Cooley / Graeme Crosby (Suzuki) had led the race, but retired. Mike Baldwin / David Aldana took over the lead on their RS1000. Wayne Gardner (Moriwaki) pushed hard in his first Suzuka 8 Hours, but crashed.

1982

WINNER
Shigeo Iijima / Shinji Hagiwara

The race was shortened to six hours due to deteriorating weather caused by an approaching typhoon. As race leaders crashed and retired, Shigeo Iijima / Shinji Hagiwara rode their CB900F to victory, becoming the first all-Japanese rider team to win.

1983　RS850R

The RS850R, introduced ahead of the world championship’s move to 750cc bikes, proved as competitive as the 1000cc bikes. Fred Merkel / John Bettencourt rode their RS850R to third place. Hervé Moineau / Richard Hubin (Suzuki) were the winners.

1984　RS750R

WINNER
Mike Baldwin / Fred Merkel

TT-F1 classification changed engine regulations to 750cc or less. Well prepared for this move, Honda entered six RS750R factory bikes to take the top three spots. Mike Baldwin / Fred Merkel were the winners.

1985　RVF750

WINNER
Wayne Gardner / Masaki Tokuno

Pole-sitters Kenny Roberts / Tadahiko Taira (Yamaha) lost the lead from the green light, but soon overtook Wayne Gardner / Masaki Tokuno. The RVF750 were once again in the lead as Taira crashed in the late stages, giving Gardner his first victory.

1986

WINNER
Wayne Gardner / Dominique Sarron

Wayne Gardner / Dominique Sarron (RVF750) started from pole, led throughout the race, and as their closest challenger Kenny Roberts / Mike Baldwin (Yamaha) crashed, went on to a comfortable win, giving Honda its third consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours victory.

1987

Wayne Gardner / Dominique Sarron (RVF750) started from pole, but retired on Lap 141. Garry Goodfellow / Katsuro Takayoshi (Suzuki) took the lead, but crashed with five minutes remaining. Martin Wimmer / Kevin Magee (Yamaha) went on to win, exceeding 200 laps for the first time.

1988

Grand prix riders Wayne Gardner (RVF750), Kevin Schwantz (Suzuki) and Wayne Rainey (Yamaha) are in a heated battle throughout the race. Wayne Gardner / Niall Mackenzie crash, handing the win to pole-sitters Kevin Magee / Wayne Rainey (Yamaha).

1989

WINNER
Dominique Sarron / Alex Vieira

As pole-sitter Wayne Gardner / Mick Doohan (RVF750) and Kevin Magee / Wayne Rainey (Yamaha) battle for the lead, both teams end up retiring. Dominique Sarron / Alex Vieira (RVF750) ultimately won the race.

1978-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2022-24