Sat on the Steam Packet ferry, watching the world in its leathers walk past, I'm trying to remember the last time I made it over to the Isle of Man to watch the TT races. I've only been there during race week once, back when I was a youth firing around on an NC30 in 1995. With PH2's long-term GSX-R1000 at my disposal, 2014 seemed like a good year to return. It's amazing how few things change over on the island, despite nearly two decades passing...
Plenty to ponder after a dyno session
Getting on the Steam Packet ferry, for example, is the same chaos that I remember from years ago. And the bit of frayed rope that they give to secure your pride and joy to a vaguely padded piece of rail is also unaltered. The food prices onboard are still astronomical and it remains equally tricky having a wee in touring gear on a moving boat, but on the island it is very different.
As you exit the ferry you ride down Douglas high street. When I last went to the TT this was the scene of much nudity, beer drinking and general motorcycle hooliganism until the small hours. But without Bushy's bar (it is now a beer tent on the other side of the street) all was rather subdued. I was afraid to celebrate my arrival with a small wheelie down the prom, something that was virtually obligatory many years ago. I guess times change, thankfully the racing was still just as good.
There is no way you can go to the TT and not be impressed by the whole event. The open paddock and friendliness of the teams and riders is just a small part of what makes this event so special. It's when you get to sit out on a grass bank, watching at close hand motorcycles pass at 180mph on public roads that the hairs on your neck really start to stand up. I have to say, the TT has become far more professional since I was last there and is better for it, however I for one miss the Miss Wet T-shirt competitions. Yes, I know the Bushy's tent had one, but come on, two entrants and no nudity, what's the TT coming to? At least the stunt show was worth watching. And yes, I said stunt...
Win on Sunday, sell on Monday applies with bikes!
Although there is technically no speed limit in certain areas around the TT course, I'm always a little unwilling to go mad on a bike during TT week. I've seen too many accidents and bikes parked on Douglas with signs reading 'crashed on the mountain, please give generously' so I waited until I got back to the UK to speed test the GSX-R. With a claimed restriction of 186mph I was hoping the Suzuki would easily top 180mph, so my first run of 169.8mph was slightly disappointing. Reckoning the GoPro was stopping me hit full aerodynamic stance, I removed it, folded back the mirrors and tried again. A slightly better 173.7mph, but still not 180mph despite the speedo
showing 186mph
Power dip
After my last report, a fair few PHers responded that the GSX-R1000 has dropped in power over the generations, despite what Suzuki claim. This intrigued me so I got hold of a few dyno charts and it shows that's correct. On the same dyno a K7 made 166hp, a K9 160hp and an L2 158hp, with corresponding reductions in torque. However while peak figures may tell this story, for me the most significant thing is the huge gain between 4 and 7,000rpm, something that explains why the bike feels so gutsy and is proving such a lovely road bike.
To be honest, when you have over 150hp at your right wrist you seldom find the need to give it the full berries and I often find myself just cruising around at lower revs having short-shifted through the gears. So what's behind the peak power dip? I have a feeling this might be down to OE exhaust restrictions, so I'm trying to replicate these figures with bikes that have non-OE cans fitted. More next month.
See the time gap between 60 and 100...
Last month I also mentioned I felt the back end of the GSX-R1000 was a touch low, making the steering a bit sluggish. A mate has come to my assistance and lent me a spacer, which fits under the shock's mounting bolt to effectively increase the length of the shock and raise the rear up in the air. This is the cheaper alternative to fitting a 190/55 rather than the stock 190/50 rear tyre, as there is still loads of life left in the rear I'm not wanting to sacrifice it quite yet. Although, that said, it's really good fun flicking the clutch in first with a cold tyre and leaving black lines up the road... Life without traction control can be very amusing.
FACT SHEET
Bike: Suzuki GSX-R1000
Run by: Jon Urry
On fleet since: April 2014
Mileage: 1,729
List price new: £10,999 (basic RRP)
Last month at a glance: Beer, ferries and speed. Lots of speed.