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Suzuki GSX-R1000
For the Suzuki GSX-R1000 life began in 2001. With it's 988cc engine
displacement and 160 bhp at 11,000 rpm, the GSX-R1000 could make a quarter mile
run in under 10 seconds. No matter how you look at it, the GSX-R1000 was fast.
Leaving the competition in the dust, it has never looked back. There are more
comfortable bikes that are best suited for touring or cruising, but for the
rider who want to lay down the miles as fast as possible, the GSX-R1000 is the
bike to own.
When looking at the GSX-R1000 and comparing it to the GSX-R750, there are
noticeable similarities. The main frame is the basically the same for both
bikes, but the metal is .5mm thicker on the GSX-R1000. And Suzuki claims that,
overall, the frame is more rigid then the 750. Color schemes, graphics,
fairings, seating, are all very much alike. But when you dig down, the GSX-R1000
is a more robust, faster, more powerful machine that screams speed.
For 2 years, the GSX-R1000 did not undergo any major changes. Then in 2002,
Suzuki engineers released a new and improved GSX-R1000. They put the bike on a
diet, increased it's power and improved it's handling. The results were
dramatic. The aluminum frame was redesigned and re-enforced with internal ribs
and the frame and wheels were coated black. Front brakes were changed from the
six-piston caliper brakes to the four-piston calipers, saving weight while
improving stopping performance. The headlights were mounted vertically, enabling
the ram-air intakes to be relocated closer to the bikes center. And the
instrument cluster was redesigned. The engine was left at 988cc but redesigned
to create more power and torque while improving throttle response.
In 2005, the GSX-R1000 got a new liquid-cooled engine with a significant
amount of engine reworking to increase power, torque and acceleration.
Horsepower was bumped to 170 hp.
At the Paris Motor Show in 2007, Suzuki unveiled their updated GSX-R1000.
This bike was not a total make-over, but the engine displacement was bumped to
999cc which increased power, torque and acceleration even more. And it had
3 engine mapping configurations that could be selected by a switch on the
handlebars.
Today, the Suzuki GSX-R1000 is top of its class. Extremely fast and nimble,
it sends the standard for high performance sportbikes.
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