Motorcycle specifications SuzukiGSX-R 1000 R Legend Edition 2021 The legacy of kings

We' ve never seen so many GSX-R 1000 limited series. You'd think Suzuki was selling more of them than standard models. But the brand can go easy on the celebrations, given its achievements and its coronation in the 2020 MotoGP championship.

Victories, a title, admiration and that No. 1 which returns after a 20-year wait, Suz remembers the various champions who brought it the world crown. Six drivers, seven crowns, and the opportunity to make their mark with a singular approach.

This time, it's not a single model but a collection that Suzuki is offering as a special series, each equipped with an Akrapovic carbon muffler and matching seat cover. Each version tells a story, each GSX-R honors a Suzuki world champion.

1976 - Barry Sheene

A tribute to the RG500 with which Barry Sheene won the first Suzuki 500 World Championship in 1976. The GSX-R bears the colors of the famous Team Heron-Texaco and sports the English rider's unmistakable number 7. The dominant colors are white and red, separated by a two-tone black and yellow stripe, and the yellow is the large S on the tank.

1977 - Barry Sheene

In 1977, Barry Sheene was able to repeat the success of the previous year on an improved Suzuki RG500. The Team Heron-Texaco colors are back, but large black Suzuki lettering appears, while yellow gains more prominence. The 7 is present once again, as the eccentric Sheene was the first leading Grand Prix rider to stick to a specific number.

1981 - Marco Lucchinelli

It was Marco Lucchinelli's turn to win the title with the Gallina team. Here, the upper and lower parts of the bike are in dark blue, while white dominates the central part. Other distinctive elements are red piping, the yellow number plate with the number 5 and the star, which proved to be a lucky charm for Marco 'Lucky' Lucchinelli.

1982 - Franco Uncini

In 1982, the Gallina team succeeded in bringing the RG-T 500 back to World Championship victory, this time with Franco Uncini and under different colors. The GSX-R 1000 R, which replicates the look of this bike, is clad in blue, and sees the fairing, tank and tail adorned with a colored stripe that ranges from white through light blue to dark blue.

1993 - Kevin Schwantz

A long period in the desert for Suzuki, who had to wait for Kevin Schwantz to return to first place. The color scheme is typical of the sponsor at the time, Lucky Strike. Unable to use the original tobacco brand, the slot is filled with the famous number 34.

2000 - Kenny Roberts Jr.

The bright blue and typical yellow check pattern make clear the link between the sixth GSX-R 1000 R Legend Edition and the RGV-T 500 ridden by Kenny Roberts Jr in 2000. This season's outsider, the American rider was able to beat off the competition.

2020 - Joan Mir

Two decades of inactivity come to an end with Joan Mir's title. To celebrate the Spanish rider's new world championship, Suzuki Italia has decided to produce this seventh GSX-R 1000 R in the anniversary livery of the Ecstar GSX-RR and with the number 1. In this case, the blue and silver slate that recalls the 60th anniversary of Suzuki's debut in the world championship and the 100th anniversary of its foundation frames a few gold details, similar to those chosen by the Mallorcan rider for the celebrations. The livery is slightly different from the Anniversary version, which was launched in 2020.

Suzuki Italy is responsible for the show. The GSX-R 1000 R Legend Edition will be approximately 15% more expensive than the R model. Purchases can only be made online - https://shop.suzuki.it/moto/suzukilegends/default.aspx - where customers choose their model and dealer. A small deposit is required, after which the dealer will contact the customer to finalize the sale.

M.B - Manufacturer media