Suzuki GSX-R 1000

KEY FEATURES:

- Powerful 996cc 90° V-twin, DOHC 8-valve, liquid-cooled engine. Engine uses forged pistons and light weight conrods to reduce weight and increase rev capability.

- Electronic dual-stage fuel injection system, fed by ram air intake with larger volume airbox. System is programmed to work with exhaust, intake and ignition settings for higher power output. Includes self diagnostic system with LCD readout.

- Stainless steel exhaust system has increased capacity and reduced back pressure for increased power output. Upswept aluminum mufflers are aerodynamic and provide additional swingarm clearance.

- High efficiency twin-radiator cooling system increases cooling capacity and blends with aerodynamic design of the fairing - includes compact liquid-cooled oil cooler.

- Smooth shifting 6-speed transmission.

- Large diameter hydraulic clutch has increased capacity to match engine power plus power assist and back torque limiter for smooth engagement and down shifts.

- Semi-gear driven valve system simplifies maintenance and minimizes cam sprocket size and engine height for optimum engine placement.

- Lightweight shim-under-bucket valve system operates large 40mm intake and 33mm exhaust valves.

- SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electro-chemical Material) plated cylinders minimize cylinder size and improve heat dissipation.

- Lightweight magnesium valve covers, ignition cover, and sound deadening plastic outer clutch cover.

- Full fairing design with emphasis on aerodynamics and low drag coefficient. All fairing components, including windscreen and tail section, have been designed to reduce drag and turbulence.

- Aluminum spar-type frame, with cast and extruded sections, is lightweight and exceptionally rigid. Features a bolt-on sub-frame to simplify maintenance.

- Bridged-type, aluminum swingarm features an adjustable pivot point on the frame similar to GSX-R750 (requires optional race kit parts - check race regulations for eligibility).

- Fully adjustable 43mm inverted front forks with aluminum triple clamps, steering stem and steering damper.

- Unique rotary damper rear suspension uses separate leverage ratios and linkage for the spring and damper, resulting in a smoother ride and high traction throughout the range of wheel travel. Damping and preload are fully adjustable.

- Powerful 6-piston front brake calipers with 320mm floating brake rotors.

- Lightweight speedo and tach. with LCD displays, twin operation tripmeter and odometer. Coolant temp. display doubles as fuel injection diagnostic display.

- Digital ignition system provides optimum ignition timing with separate maps for each cylinder.

- Radial tires mounted on lightweight 3-spoke aluminum wheels. Wide 190-size rear tire is mounted on 6" wide rim.

- Hinged fuel tank provides easy access to the airbox and air filter.

- Removable passenger seat cover comes as standard equipment.

Suzuki's GSX-R 1000 arrived on the scene with a bang some two years ago with the 'Own The Racetrack' slogan, like many other parts of the world, it has done just that.

For 2003 Suzuki have given the GSX-R 1000 a thorough make-over along with more power, less weight, a new frame and a host of other changes which make the 2003 GSX-R heavily revised machine.

The GSX-R 1000 engine quickly established new ground with a level of horsepower out of the crate that the competition could not match, particularly in the area of mid-range thrust.

An interesting change to the motor has been the addition of new ventilation holes between adjacent cylinders to help equalize crankcase pressure. Suzuki claim that these holes allow air to be pushed down by a descending piston escape through the whole to fill the void left by a rising piston in the adjacent bore. The new system reduces the distance air must travel to equalise lower cylinder pressure and in turn is effective in reducing internal crankcase pressure, windage and associated mechanical losses.

New internal oil passageways feed the automatic, hydraulic cam chain tensioner which replaces the previous model's external oil feed lines, saving a small amount of weight and simplifying the design.

The GSX-R's digital engine management system has also been upgraded with a move to a 32-bit CPU with triple the memory capacity of the previous model's 16-bit unit. The engine RPM sensor wheel now has 22 sensors, 14 more than in the previous design which allows for much more accurate control. The ECM carries a total of eight fuel-injection control maps, two for each cylinder. The system's 'light load' maps calculate fuel injection volume using engine RPM and intake air pressure while the 'heavy load' maps use engine RPM and throttle opening. The ECM calculates ignition timing using throttle position and engine RPM.

New dual-piece throttle bodies are lighter, but the individual throttle body bore diameter and shape is unchanged, tapering down from 50mm at the airbox to 42mm at the engine intake. Each throttle body throat carries a single fuel injector positioned at a steep 60-degree angle and works with Suzuki's well established SDTV system of throttle butterflies.

While the original GSX-R 1000 exhaust system combined titanium headers and titanium collector with a stainless pipe between the collector and muffler, the 2003 model scores a complete titanium system save for the muffler cover which remains aluminium while the internals are titanium. The muffler itself is 10mm larger in outside diameter and 100mm longer than the previous model.

Suzuki's have also given the GSX-R 1000 a new look for 2003. Suzuki claim the styling changes take their cues from aerodynamic development on the GSV-R MotoGP machine.

A new front guard, rear guard and of course the new vertically stacked headlight seen on the previous page. Suzuki say this change has been made to allow for the ram-air ducts to be positioned closer to the machines centreline and therefore at the highest point of air pressure.

A black painted frame, and swingarm add to the machines different look. Suzuki have also made the fuel tank slightly narrower where it meets the seat, adding knee room and making it easier for a rider to tuck in.

The frame is completely new and uses a cast steering head section and swingarm pivot plate. Geometry is unchanged from the previous model. However the main frame spar on each side is now made of an extrusion with three internal reinforcing ribs. The bolt-on tail section is now simpler, using four straight pieces of extruded aluminium alloy tubing. Redesigned tail section mounts on the swingarm pivot plates are less likely to break during a small fall.

For racing the GSX-Rs swingarm pivot position can be adjusted using optional race-kit parts. The swingarm pivot shaft fits in to a spacer in each side's swingarm pivot plate; the stock spacer can be replaced by the optional race-kit spacers with a reposition pivot shaft hole, allowing the swingarm pivot to be moved up or down to adjust swingarm downslope.

The braced swingarm assembly uses extruded main arms welded between the extruded pivot tube and link front section and axle mount ends. The extruded arms feature an internal reinforcing rib, dividing the arm in to two lengthwise sections and contributing to torsional rigidity.

Source  MCNEWS