Suzuki GSX-R1000: PH Fleet
PH2 adds a GSX-R to the fleet for a long-term test - just don't call it a Gixxer, OK?
GSX-R1000 has all the trick bits
Where the likes of the Yamaha YZF-R1 have traction control and the BMW S1000RR both TCS and ABS, the Suzuki has none of these. Sure, you get variable fuel modes (Suzuki was actually the first to introduce these on the 2007 GSX-R1000), but that's about it. The Suzuki is very much an 'analogue' motorcycle - you twist your wrist and the bike accelerates, you hit the brakes and it stops. If at either point the tyre can't handle the demands, well, that's when issues start.
But is that a bad thing? If you are obsessed with the latest technology then yes but, you know what, while I'm all for electronics in some ways it's a delight to return to a modern bike without them. Since I started road testing bikes over a decade ago, dashboards have become overloaded with information that is mind-bogglingly hard to interpret, let alone actually change. I've still never worked out how to do anything on an MV dash aside from zero the trip and Aprilia's RSV4 is even worse - I remember years ago asking one of the bike's designers how to use the lap timer and he just shrugged. So in truth the lack of electronics doesn't worry me, what does concern me is the performance.
Some suspension fettling among early tasks
Again, compared to the latest litre bikes, some may say the GSX-R1000 is a bit dated. But come on, can we put this into context? The Suzuki makes a genuine (not claimed) 156hp at the rear wheel and weighs 203kg ready to rock. It can cover a quarter mile in around 10.5 seconds and be doing 150mph when it does that. Within a mile it will crack 180mph and fairly soon afterwards be touching its (limited) top speed of 186mph. So anyone who says the GSX-R1000 is slow really does need their head examining. It's not as fast as some other litre bikes, but any vehicle that can break the national speed limit in three seconds from a standing start is hardly slow. Which is my worry.
Put quite simply, I like going fast. I struggle with self-control and on a bike as fast as the GSX-R I am slightly nervous about my licence. Although I own a few older litre bikes, they aren't anything like as easy as the Suzuki to go ballistic on. On my first ride of the GSX-R I blatted gently (I thought) through a few gears and then got quite a shock when I looked down at the speedo. Rapid recalibration of my brain is needed and I'm now more aware than ever before about speed limits and unmarked police cars. I've always shied away from owning a modern litre sportsbike due to fear of speeding, so I'm interested to discover if all this power and performance is worth having over a slightly more licence-friendly 600 or 750.
More height at the back among tweaks planned
Although I've only done a few miles so far on the Suzuki (I flatly refuse to call it a Gixxer as I hate that expression) there are a few bits that I want to sort. The suspension isn't 100 per cent as I'd like it and I reckon the rear needs a bit of height to sharpen the handling (thankfully an electronically adjustable steering damper comes as standard). I'm also thinking the forks could be softer, but I'm going to chat to a suspension person about that. I'm interested in seeing what it will do (at a private test facility, naturally) without its top speed limiter and I've heard talk about power restrictions in the lower gears that need investigating with an ECU remap.
Although, having said that, I may just ask them to reduce the top speed limit to 70mph... I'm also intrigued as to how an 'old' GSX-R1000 has managed to win a WSB race when everyone was writing the bike off before the 2014 season started, so a trip to the WSB team's HQ is certainly on the cards. The GSX-R1000 should open the doors to some great PH2 features in the upcoming months. Hopefully not one ones about how to defend yourself in court on a speeding charge...
FACT SHEET
Bike: Suzuki GSX-R1000
Run by: Jon Urry
On fleet since: April 2014
Mileage: Not many yet
List price new: £10,999 (basic rrp)
Last month at a glance: Well, it's fast. Really, really fast.
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