Motorcycle specifications SuzukiGSX-R 1000 2006 Give me back my throne!

"Shit, shit... and shit!" said the GSX-R to herself as she woke up one dreary spring morning. The day before, it had taken on the new hypersport horde of 2004. A fight to the death against the hungry CBR 1000 RR, ZX-10R and R1. A battle from which she emerged groggy, wounded in the heart, humiliated: she had just lost her crown as queen of the track.

after several years at the top, it hurts to wake up with such a hangover. And to add insult to injury, she'd also just lost her World Endurance Championship title, which had been snatched from her by GMT 94's R1. So, at Suzuki, the computers are smoking, the brains are boiling, half of Japan's brainpower has been mobilized, and they intend to reign again in 2005 - the new GSX-R 1000 is on its way, and it's not kidding around any more!

although entirely new, the Gex is still a Gex. The colors, the overall look, it's recognizable at first glance - but this new generation will shock many. Especially that exhaust pipe, which has come out of nowhere. "What's that?" Well... we're not going to blame them, but it's a weird exhaust. It doesn't belong to either of the two schools currently in vogue (traditional on the side or kitsch under the saddle). In short, a new style, halfway between a scooter pot and a kitchen utensil.

the fairing is also innovative, in a more cheerful style. The embossed blue top panel has a distinctive design. It is isolated from the fork head by the forced-air intake duct, which is no longer hidden. The headlamp is modelled on that of the 600 and 750 GSX-R, the fuel tank has a new shape, and the rear end seems to come from another time - the future. Flashing lights integrated into the body, a design that borders on space-time. It would not be surprising if the Japanese designers had watched an episode of Star Trek just before putting pen to paper. A clash of genres, the 1,000 shakes things up.

the mill will also shake things up. Its bore is enlarged to swell its displacement to 999 cm3. With titanium valves and new pistons that have lost 8g, it gains a new injection rail, with butterflies increased from 42 to 44 mm in diameter and a set of 2 injectors per cylinder.) Add to this an increased compression ratio of 12.5 (previously 12) and you have a monster that now develops an impressive 178 hp, making the GSX-1000 the most powerful and lightest hypersport in its class. In fact, the Gex has lost another 2 kilos, and weighs an incredible 166 kgs, the same as the GSX-R 750 of 4 years ago. It's incredible!

And the chassis had to be adapted to take advantage of all this. Suzuki didn't beat about the bush: new frame 15mm narrower, new rims 300g lighter, hyper-reinforced swingarm (they must have used the one from MotoGP's GSV-R), brake disc diameter increased to 310 mm (+10 mm), column angle modified and wheelbase reduced (-5 mm). For maximum efficiency, the Japanese have further improved the bike's aerodynamics. The GSX-R is slimmer and lower, and the rider is even better integrated - the frontal area has been reduced by 4%.

a number of small details are also sure to be talked-about, such as the front turn signals integrated into the rear-view mirrors, the torque-limiting clutch to reduce dribbling when downshifting, or the modified instrument panel featuring an engaged gear indicator. As for the GSX-R, it's all about getting the word out - sorry, exploding lap times.

its raptor look and technical data sheet left no doubt as to its personality - furious and fiery. But the approach is far from monster-like. A lower seat than before, a more compact appearance, a slenderness dictated by aerodynamics... The GSX-R doesn't just weigh the same as a 600, it boasts the size of a 600. It's only 5 kg behind its supersport sibling, the equivalent of a full Akrapovic line.

if the first big GSX-R from 1986 was a "heavy atom", the 2005 has almost become a free electron. With a near-perfect engine, a responsive and highly efficient chassis, a ride that matches performance and almost untouchable limits, the 2005 Suzuki 1000 GSX-R has never been so close to Superbike. The 1000 is back, and it's seriously pissed!

M.B - manufacturer's photos