"[1] Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz continued to perform impressively while Freddie Spencer made a less than successful comeback attempt with the Marlboro Yamaha team.
Australian Wayne Gardner was out for most of the season after breaking his leg at Laguna Seca but not before winning the inaugural Grand Prix in his home country.
Another Australian made his Grand Prix debut for the Rothmans Honda team with Mick Doohan scoring a third-place finish at the Hockenheimring.
The Nations Grand Prix at Misano was boycotted by most of the top riders for safety reasons.
Derbi rider Manuel Herreros had the honor of winning the final 80cc world championship as the class would be discontinued after 1989.