Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Commemorative Edition

Suzuki Celebrates One Million GSX-Rs With Commemorative Motorcycle
Suzuki has recently produced its one millionth GSX-R motorcycle and is celebrating this special milestone with a commemorative edition of its flagship sportsbike, the GSX-R1000.

Worldwide there will be 1,985 commemorative editions of the GSX-R1000 available, to celebrate the very first year the GSX-R was born.

The GSX-R legend began in 1985 with the launch of the GSX-R750, the range propelling Suzuki to the forefront of motorcycle racing, making the GSX-R series the flagship of the brand and a favourite amongst professional racers and riding enthusiasts.

From the beginning, Suzuki has constantly redefined the GSX-R range into a super sport line-up that delivers the pure excitement of racing performance.

The introduction of the GSX-R750 changed the world of sportsbikes forever, as the first mass produced race replica, it was a race bike first and a street bike second.

Joining the GSX-R750 was the GSX-R600 and GSX-R1000, which equally dominated racetracks and sales in Australia and internationally.

Since its introduction just over a decade ago, the GSX-R1000 has won multiple championships and filled 1,000cc production based road racing grids worldwide and currently holds the Australian Superbike Champion title.

Ridden by 2009 and 2012 Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters, four-time New Zealand Superbike Champion Robbie Bugden and also recently retired three-time Australian Superbike Champion Shawn Giles, the GSX-R1000 continues to own the racetrack.

Featuring class-mastering performance, cutting-edge technology, design and engineering, the GSX-R1000 is the ultimate fusion of performance and design and delivers excellent mid-range power and acceleration.

The commemorative edition of the GSX-R1000 features a brand-new colour scheme reflecting its race heritage, decals on wheels, special anniversary decals and matching seat cowl.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 Commemorative Edition Key Features

Worldwide there will be 1,985 commemorative editions of the GSX-R1000 available, to celebrate the very first year the GSX-R was born.

A unique serial number plate and special key add to the value and exclusivity of this special edition.

in from tests made by Suzuki in compliance with WMTC. These tests were conducted by a single pilot with no additional optional equipment. Fuel consumption may vary depending on your riding style, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tyre pressure, the presence of accessories, the load, the weight of the crew and many other parameters.

Review

Since the original 750 was introduced in 1985, Suzuki’s sold over a million GSX-R sportsbikes. As the name suggests, this new 2013 Suzuki GSX-R1000 1 Million Commemorative Edition celebrates that milestone. But, 28 years later, the motorcycle world is a very different place. Is the GSX-R now what the GSX-R was then?

What’s New:
Only 1,985 units of the 1 Million will be sold worldwide, each denoted by a special plaque on the top clamp. .

In addition to that plaque, the 1 Million adds: unique (and much classier) graphics in traditional GSX-R white and blue; red anodized fork caps; gold colored forks; a red spring on the shock; black calipers with a red “Brembo” logo; “1 Million” wheel stripes; a unique key fob with a red “R”; a single seat cowl as standard.

Most noticeable is the newly red nose. We lovingly christened the bike “Rudolph,” but that that feature is actually a nod to Suzuki’s Bol d’Or racers of the 1980s, which had red numberplates, and we all unanimously agreed it’s a sharp looking add-on.

Other than that, the bike is identical to the 2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000 we reviewed last year, itself, a mild update to the one that’s been around since 2009. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; this is still an exceptionally fast bike, making 182bhp, 87lb-ft of torque and weighing just 447lbs (wet).

Small improvements have been made to smooth out fueling in the mid-range.

Over that 2009 model, this current model receives 12 updates:
1. Total weight is down 4.4lbs. Largely due to the switch to a single exhaust can that uses a much smaller collector and catalyzer, but unsprung weight at the front is also slightly reduced.
2. The exhaust valve is retuned to bring some minor advantages to low- and mid-RPM torque.
3. Pistons are 11 percent lighter thanks to a thorough finite element analysis that more finely webs their undersides.
4. Cylinder ventilation holes are now larger and pentagonal in shape, minimizing pumping loses inside the engine.
5. Compression grows from 12.8:1 to 12.9:1, again bringing claimed increases in low- and mid-range torque.
6. Camshafts alter in profile slightly. Again chasing that torque.
7. Valve tappet skirts shed 2.5 grams a piece thanks to thinner construction.
8. A revised ECM is claimed to bring 8 percent better fuel economy and make throttle response more linear.
9. Brembo Monobloc calipers and lightweight Sunstar Engineering discs improve stopping power, shed unsprung weight and add a little bling.
10. Settings in the front forks (Showa BPFs) are altered in some undefined way.
11. Brand new Bridgestone S20 OEM tires drop a little unsprung weight and expand the GSX-R’s performance envelope to be more appropriate for street use.
12. The material used to coat the rider seat is grippier.

The Ride:
Wes threw me the keys to the GSX-R for a few days and I used it around Los Angeles as sensible transportation, then hit the Malibu canyons on it two days in a row, where these photos and this video were shot.

I’m not fully bike-fit yet, after breaking my leg last fall. My right knee is still only about 70 percent of what it was, meaning I lack the full range of movement and I can’t modulate the weight I apply to the right rearset; my leg’s just dead weight. That wears me out fast and makes my foot go numb after just a quick stint of aggressive riding. This temporary handicap makes me extra sensitive to bike set up and ergonomics. Right now, I’m not able to make up for flaws in a bike’s handling using my typically-more-athletic riding.

What’s Good:
Once in the canyons, the Suzuki’s handling prowess comes to the forefront. I found myself being able to easily stick to my chosen lines. Both super agile and super stable, its predictable movements on the road translated into go faster confidence.

The slim tank is easy to grip with your outside knee and thigh, improving agility through direction changes.

The stock Bridgestone S20s provided plenty of grip and feedback, aiding stability under heavy braking and early throttle application.

I couldn’t stop raving to everyone I met in the canyons over the weekend about how Suzuki got the fueling so spot on. It’s such a relief to ride a stock bike in “A” mode and not have your confidence destroyed by incredibly abrupt, jerky fueling from off-to on-throttle. The GSX-R1000’s predictable, smooth power curve makes for confidence-inspiring throttle applications both in the city and through the canyons. You won’t be blown away by its outright power, but it is still competitive with its Japanese rivals.

What’s Bad:
I hate to bash the GSX-R’s ergonomics because I’m not fully fit yet, but my legs cramped immediately on the GSX-R1000. This made gearshifts cumbersome. It seemed like I had to move my left foot far too much to achieve a shift, really stomping on the lever to guarantee it selected the next gear down. Where I’d typically enter a corner hot, under heavy engine braking, this had me backing off and relying on the Brembos instead.

And while those calipers are Monoblocks, as fitted to most other superbikes these days, the master cylinder isn’t a Brembo item, leading to a vague, mushy lever feel. The power of the calipers isn’t felt until the second half of lever travel. The GSX-R is crying out for both a better master cylinder and braided lines, making that change will improve both feel and outright stopping power.

The short, narrow clip-ons can make for vague steering inputs. Wider units would increase leverage and speed steering.

Both the dash and three-spoke rims feel dated compared to the superbike competition. Update please.

The Price:
The 1 Million edition carries just a $200 price increase over the $13,799 regular bike. Worth it, for the much-improved paint, white wheels and the sense of exclusivity.

That price is exactly on par with the Honda CBR1000RR, $500 cheaper than the Yamaha R1 and Kawasaki ZX-10R. The problem is, that Honda comes with a much nicer, twin-tube rear shock, being quite noticeable handling superiority. The R1 and ZX-10R also have traction control, while the Ninja is also available with ABS. Power is roughly equivalent across those models, remember that the ZX-10R is 20bhp down in the North American market.

More problems arise for the Suzuki when you compare it to the European competition. The Aprilia RSV4 R now starts at just $13,999 and includes Aprilia’s amazing APRC suite of rider-aiding electronics. It’s also sharper, wears high-spec components and is totally ready to rock straight out of the box as a result. The all-conquering BMW S1000RR is more expensive at $15,050, but makes considerably more power and includes both TC and ABS as standard. At 18 grand, the Ducati 1199 Panigale is way more money, but captures hearts and headlines in a way the Suzuki can only dream about.

Having said that, Suzuki’s current 0% APR for five years across every single one of its models makes buying its bikes incredibly easy.

What Others Say:
We’re the first publication to ride the 1 Million edition, but since it’s mechanically identical to the regular GSX-R1000, we’ll pull quotes from those reviews.

“It certainly isn’t the fastest thing on the road nor the lightest in stock form. However it does continue to offer racers and track enthusiasts a competent platform to go race.” — Motorcycle-USA

“While this latest GSX-R1000 continues Suzuki’s evolution of refinement, unfortunately this wasn’t reflected in the gearbox – shifting was notchy and harsh at times.” — Motorcycle.com

“There’s no traction control safety net on the 2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000, and while it would be better for it in most riders’ hands, it’s not sorely missed either.” — Kevin Ash

The Verdict:
It’s easy to get lost in the hair-splitting between superbikes. All of them, including this Suzuki, are incredibly fast, capable machines that far exceed the skill of pretty much every rider.

Having said that, the GSX-R1000 is now the oldest basic design and is equipped with the lowest spec in the class. It’d take a $1,500 Ohlins TTX shock and $275 Brembo Master Cylinder to put it on par with the CBR1000RR and add an $800 Bazzaz TC unit if you want to start running with anything else. If you really want a GSX-R, you can probably find a 2009 or later bike with some of those upgrades for substantially less cash in the used market.

Or, forget all that and just enjoy what’s still one of the fastest vehicles ever made.

RideApart Rating: 6/10

Source HFL