Suzuki has announced a new GSX-R series of models that will go on sale in a number of Suzuki markets worldwide to celebrate the firm’s 100th #anniversary
The flagship superbike sports the same retro-inspired livery as the GSX-RR MotoGP machine, with the traditional blue and slate silver colour scheme paying homage to Suzuki’s early Grand Prix machines of the 1960s.
The GSX-R1000R - which has won races and championships in the UK, the USA and Australia, plus the Senior TT on the Isle of Man following its launch - also shares more than just paint with the GP racer, and utilises the same variable valve timing system to boost both torque and peak power. It also gets a comprehensive suite of electronics, which includes 10 traction control modes, a quickshifter and auto-blipper, launch control, and lean angle-sensitive ABS.
2020 marks 100 years since the inception of the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. The firm began the production of motorcycles in 1952 with the launch of the Power Free, and two years later changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. Since then it has gone on to produce some of the most iconic motorcycles of the 20th and 21st century, including the complete GSX-R series - most notably the genre-defining 1985 GSX-R750F and the 2001 #gsxr1000 K1 - the GT750, GSX1100S Katana, and RGV250.
That’s my feelings on it too. As a life long Gixxer fan it seems to be that Suzuki just gave up when BMW releases the S1000RR a decade ago. Maybe even before.
There’s been no R&D to speak of over the last ten years, just the odd bolting on other people’s innovation, ie Bosch’s electronics.
It’s a real shame. Love the engine but the chassis is just so old now. It’s a relic from the past really.
Limited editions like this are just such a weak marketing effort. There’s no engineering input.
A true test of whether a special edition is special is to see the photos first. If you then have to read the description to understand why it’s special, it really isn’t…
I can’t say that I’m exactly wetting myself with excitement over how it looks. As a special edition, it’s rather underwhelming visually and I wouldn’t give it a second glance.
