Photo: Suzuki
After a pretty rough patch, Suzuki is showing signs of recovery with the launch of its new superbike - the 2016 GSX-R1000. To say that the new model will have a mountain to climb would still be euphemistic.
The main novelty for the new Suzuki flagship is, obviously, its engine. The rumors have now been confirmed officially, and the new gixxer will be the first superbike to use variable valve timing. Not only that, but Suzuki’s system isn’t a clone of the similar solutions used by other manufacturers. Instead, the Japanese use a special system that delivers smooth acceleration and plenty of torque at lower revs while doing nothing to hinder the motorcycle’s performance at the other end of the rev counter.
Speaking of power, the new GSX-R1000 will receive a 1,000 cc engine (no surprises here) producing 200 hp and 82 lb-ft (111 Nm) of torque, which is more than plenty, especially if you consider how it will be made available and the total weight of the bike (which should be below the 200 kg / 440 pounds mark).
As it’s the norm right now, the Suzuki GSX-R1000 will come fitted with a plethora of electronic aids such as launch control (two-wheeled Nissan GT-R in the making?), a bi-directional quick shifter, selectable fuel maps, and a traction control system with ten different positions. Also, proving to be a little cocky (but having the excellently balanced GSX-R750 to fall back on), Suzuki says they won’t offer an IMU (inertial measurement unit) because the rider won’t actually need it.
To back this statement come the Showa Balance Free Front fork and Balance Free Rear Cushion shock, which are the best suspension pieces of equipment available at the moment and come with fully adjustable setups.
There’s no word on its price yet - the new GSX-R1000 is actually expected to be released halfway through next year as a 2017 model, so there’s still time - but Suzuki says they always kept an eye on the final cost of the bike throughout development, so expect it to be very competitively priced.
The gixxer will always have its fanbase, but there’s no reason to keep it from growing as well, and the new GSX-R1000 seems like it has everything needed for that to happen. It looks great, it will undoubtedly go fast and it should also handle magnificently.
Speaking of power, the new GSX-R1000 will receive a 1,000 cc engine (no surprises here) producing 200 hp and 82 lb-ft (111 Nm) of torque, which is more than plenty, especially if you consider how it will be made available and the total weight of the bike (which should be below the 200 kg / 440 pounds mark).
As it’s the norm right now, the Suzuki GSX-R1000 will come fitted with a plethora of electronic aids such as launch control (two-wheeled Nissan GT-R in the making?), a bi-directional quick shifter, selectable fuel maps, and a traction control system with ten different positions. Also, proving to be a little cocky (but having the excellently balanced GSX-R750 to fall back on), Suzuki says they won’t offer an IMU (inertial measurement unit) because the rider won’t actually need it.
To back this statement come the Showa Balance Free Front fork and Balance Free Rear Cushion shock, which are the best suspension pieces of equipment available at the moment and come with fully adjustable setups.
There’s no word on its price yet - the new GSX-R1000 is actually expected to be released halfway through next year as a 2017 model, so there’s still time - but Suzuki says they always kept an eye on the final cost of the bike throughout development, so expect it to be very competitively priced.
The gixxer will always have its fanbase, but there’s no reason to keep it from growing as well, and the new GSX-R1000 seems like it has everything needed for that to happen. It looks great, it will undoubtedly go fast and it should also handle magnificently.
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