In 2001 the Suzuki motor company launched a performance motorcycle which blew the opposition out of the water. The Suzuki GSXR 1000 was a bigger engined addition to the already existing GSXR range, comprising of 750cc and 600cc models. The new "gixxer thousand" as it became known boasted a 998cc engine and produced 161 brake horse power at top revs which was a whole 10bhp more than its rivals from Honda and Yamaha.
However it was not just the power of the engine which made the GSXR 1000 such a legendary motorcycle. The bike was light in weight with excellent braking systems and this made the bike's handling superbly responsive. The frame of the larger GSXR was slightly different to that of its siblings. The aluminium frame was largely unchanged but the beams sported slightly thicker outside walls and an extra engine mount. The fairing too was strikingly similar to that of the GSXR 750 or 600. The GSXR 1000 however was easily distinguishable due to the gold finished, titanium coated, upside down forks and the six piston front brake calipers. The rear wheel was also slightly larger.
Incredible Performance
The GSXR 1000 gained a reputation as a wild untamable bike strictly to be ridden by lunatics very soon after its release. The raw animal power which was unleashed when you wound back the throttle felt strong enough to rip your arms from the sockets. The throttle itself was extremely precise and sensitive, meaning the rider would only have to adjust the wrist slightly to find masses of power available. Not only did the GSXR 1000 produce incredible acceleration, but the mid range power and top end speed were just as impressive. There was no dip in the power delivery at all. The GSXR 1000 was easily capable of 185mph, and that was with a standard factory model.
The first GSXR 1000 model weighed in at only 170kg, which is a mere 4kg more weight than the GSXR 750. With superior suspension and braking systems to boot this made the handling of the 1000 model far more amazing than that of its lower sized engine predecessors, not to mention the opposition. Hard cornering was no problem for this awesome machine, with a suspension that balanced beautifully between absorbing the lumps and bumps of the road without taking away the any of the feel of the road required to ride quickly and precisely. The six piston brakes were capable of huge stopping power, to bring the beast back to normal speeds quickly and with minimal fork dive.
A Popular Favourite
The GSXR 1000 was showy, racy and powerful. It quickly became a firm favourite in the hearts of many a hardcore biker. It might have looked very similar to its stable mates but underneath that ordinary exterior was one of the best standard sports bikesof the time. The GSXR 1000 range has been improved and upgraded in the last decade, but still carries the same basic qualities as the very first 2001 model, known as the K1.
The most recent model has an even more powerful and even more technical engine. Developed on the race track and designed to be as fast as possible without compromising on handling the latest GSXR 1000 is sure to be as well loved as every other model produced in the last decade.
SOURCE: Brown, Roland, The Ultimate History of Fast Bikes, Parragon (2002: UK)
Victoria Williams - I am a 25 year old writer living in Scotland. Writing has been a major passion of mine for my entire life.
