INTRODUCING
THE ALL NEW
Suzuki has two versions of the
GSXR1000.
The GSXR 1000A and the GSXR1000R.
Differences:
Although the two versions share the same
frame, the suspension systems are very
different. The base GSX-R A, uses Showa
Big Piston front forks, and a Showa rear
shock, while the GSX-R1000R is supported
by Showa’s top of the line Balance Free front
forks, and rear shock. Another difference
between the two bikes is the fact that the IMU
on the A model has a 3 point system – and the
R boasts 6. A visual giveaway between the
two models are the sexy LED riding lights on
the R.
The base model GSX-R1000 uses the
same 190bhp*, liquid cooled 999cc inline
four-cylinder engine as the more expensive
GSX-R1000R. It features VVT (Variable Valve
Timing), which gives a less peaky, wider
spread of power. It also has a six speed close
ratio gearbox. Both of these bikes came with
up and down quickshifters with two settings
– and a very subtle autoblip.*Dependant on
which Dyno you talk to.
Keeping all that power accessible and under
control are three throttle response modes,
a cassette-style, -6speed transmission, an
assist-and-slipper clutch and a six r three
(dependant on model, see above ) direction,
three-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
that sends data to the new -10level traction
control system.
The brakes roll with dual 320 mm discs
and four-piston Brembo calipers up front
and a 240 mm disc and Nissin caliper
out back, and the anchors come with a
very special sort of ABS on board; the
Motion Track Brake System. It reads the
bike’s motion and attitude as recorded by
the Inertial Meaurement Unit, calculates
the available traction and tailors the
intervention levels to match. If you
overbrake up front and start to lift the rear
end, the system feathers the front brake
to maintain even traction and keep the
bike stable.
Some ride impressions:
Once again, we roped in a selection of
riders and took off on some of JHB’s best
loved breakfast run routes. The bikes are
just so much fun. So fast, and you always
feel in control. Open the throttle and the
world starts to pass you by in a blur. It
feels as if you have a swarm of bees
under the seat as that big Suzuki mill
starts to rev… man – such a cool feeling!
Mpumalanga twist: “Tight corner, slow
way down, lean over and take a wide line
to straighten out. Pick the bike up and
twist the throttle, the road bends slightly
to the right as it crests a small rise. Gear
up, up, up again, so quick! Accelerate
hard 220 ,210 ,200! WOW!!! Sit upright,
get hit in the chest with a great blast
of wind, squeeze the brake lever, a bit
harder, tense up, hold on tight. Everything
comes back into focus, slow down hard
and fast, downshift, downshift, downshift,
knee out, set up for the next corner,
breathe – and do it all over again…”
We found that the GSX-R1000 is seriously
potent with a wide spread of power that’s
perfectly suited to the stuff that breakfast
runners and twisty racers love.
Horsepower might be lower than some of
its rivals, but the bikes have an elephants
sufficiency of grunt for any road. In SA –
we all tend to be fixated on horsepower
figures, but the simple fact of the matter is
that in the real world, most normal people
will never use these bikes to anything near
their full potential. Your eyes are wiiiide
open long before you reach anything near
what these can do.
With its compact cast ali frame and longer
swingarm the Suzuki is recognized one of
the sweetest steering and neutral handling
superbikes you can buy. On the road, it’s
one of the most comfortable, too – far less
aggressive than many of its rivals.
Even Glenn who spends most of his time
in the dirt and on adventure machines
was totally happy to hit the long roads
on these.
“I fully expected to be bunched up like a
Pretzel, but, relative to some of the other
supes I have ridden recently, these gixxers
are actually pretty comfy. You do ride in
the typical crouched position but of the
hyper bikes, you sit more in the Gixxers
than on top of them. Not so much force on
those wrists for sure.”
All of our lot preferred the firmer stance
of the R model in the twisties and faster
stuff. It feels slightly a bit more positive
and you seem to crouch a bit less than
on the other one.
Some interesting things happened while
we were out and about, like the time we
stopped for Coffee and a muffin at one
of the stops – a little boy literally dropped
everything that he was up to, RAN across
and just gazed at the bikes in awe.
That has not happened for a while
– the kids of today seem to be more
into Playstations and cell phones than
The Master of Adventure - Now Available
- Hill Hold Control System
- Slope Dependent Control System
- Load Dependent Control System
- Cruise Control System
- 3 level Traction Control System
- Height Adjustable Rider Seat
www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za suzuki_motorcycle_s.a @MotorcycleSA
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