Bridgestone was the most successful marquee on Japanese racetracks in small displacement categories during the midsixties, eliciting considerable attention by American riders. This prompted the SR series in 90, 100 and 175cc, which were slightly modified raceonly versions of the roadgoing models. The roadgoing 175 was enlarged to 200cc in 1970. Many of the cuttingedge engineering features found on Bridgestones were not exclusive, but nowhere else could so many advanced features be found in one place. So why did production cease? Many reasons are cited. The advanced engineering and quality came at a price. The 350GTR was introduced at over $900US in 1967. That is nearly $6000 in todays dollars, and was at a time that a basic new Ford or Chevrolet automobile could be purchased for $2000. A Honda or Yamaha of similar displacement could be had for around $700US, which would be equivalent to $1500 less expensive in todays dollars. Though this did nothing to squelch desire it did inhibit sales. Cheaper products are easier to sell to the majority of buyers when the differences in quality are not so apparent just sitting new on the showroom floor.

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