Suzuki’s Iconic Gixxer Celebrates 40 Years Of Speed With Surprise Return

Mark Twain is said to have personally told a newspaper investigating rumors of the American satirists demise “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Until recently Suzuki’s original superbike was believed to have been undone by stringent Euro 5+ emissions regulations, just sadly sticking around unchanged until its ultimate global demise. Not so! The GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R will finally get the updates they need to not only return to the European market, but compete with the best liter bikes in the business again. While the basic chassis will remain much the same, the bike has a new look, the engine has had a complete revamp, and there’s some trick suspension and electronics work underneath. While the motorcycle industry keeps pushing superbike prices toward the stratosphere, the Gixxer remains one of the cheapest ways to put 200 horsepower between your legs. The GSX-R line has been around for forty years, sold over 1.2 million units since 1985, and it’s not going anywhere.

Suzuki

In order to meet those Euro 5+ standards, the 998cc engine had to be completely re-jigged with higher compression 13.8:1 pistons, a completely redesigned crankshaft and cylinder head, a new fueling system with eight injectors, and a new 4-2-1 exhaust system with a longer and slimmer muffler. All of this unfortunately means a slight reduction in power, making 192.4 horsepower and 81.1 pound-feet of torque (down from 199 and 86.7 respectively). The new bike is also 3 pounds heavier than the one it replaces, now 448 pounds in ready-to-ride condition. In spite of this 3.3% drop in power that you probably won’t notice, and weight gain that you definitely won’t notice, the bike is still incredibly quick and will probably produce faster lap times. 

Both the new GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R will get electronic help from Bosch’s latest IMU, tracking the pitch, roll, and yaw of the motorcycle. This data can be used in real-time for advanced features like anti-wheelie, anti-stoppie, and lean-sensitive torque control for faster lap times and potentially helping you avoid a nasty high-side. While down on power, apparently the new bike’s throttle mapping has been improved to take advantage of a flatter and wider torque curve. Suzuki also threw all of its most modern electronic controls at this bike with its smart clutch assist system and bi-directional quick shifter. There’s even a “low RPM assist” feature which helps smooth out your standing starts, and pairs well with the bike’s launch control. 

Suzuki

The chassis gets upgraded Brembo Monobloc 4-piston calipers and revamped Showa suspension. There’s some use of titanium in the exhaust and a compact lithium-ion 12v battery to keep weight manageable. A set of large carbon fiber winglets can be optioned to the front cowl in order to generate downforce at the front wheel, combatting lift on corner exit and enabling smoother acceleration. In general I don’t like this trend of aero downforce on motorcycles for the street, but it’s track-tested and proven tech that could reduce your lap times. 

There’s no word yet on pricing, but as the liter bike competition creeps closer to $20,000 expect Suzuki’s “king of sportbikes” to also be a performance bargain. The outgoing GSX-R1000 started at just $16,499, and while the new one will probably balloon slightly, it should still undercut BMW’s $18,995 S 1000 RR by a healthy margin. If you want to go fast for less on track, call your Suzuki dealer. Who am I kidding, you’ll see most of these terrorizing the streets ridden at triple-digit speeds by twenty-somethings with no more safety gear than a t-shirt and tennis shoes.