Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K1

What is it?
The GSX-R 1000K1 mimics the highly successful formula used in the 750. In fact in terms of overall geometry the 1000 is identical. As with the 750 and 600, the liquid cooled DOHC 988cc four-cylinder motor is fuel injected and drives through a six-speed gearbox. Although the 1000 shares a lot in common with the 750 there are some subtle but obvious differences other than the numbers on the sides, and the motor behind the panels.

On the subject of panels, the aesthetics of the thing are right on the money. No one is going to buy a sports bike that doesn't please the eye, and the GSX-R range are certainly good to look at.

Back to the subtleties, the adjustable for everything Kayaba USD forks have the stanchions titanium nitride coated to improve the action and importantly, and make the bike look impossibly trick. Also on the list of parts that look like they've come from a mega buck race teams parts bin, are the glorious in gold six pot brakes, more of which later.

What's it go like?
You don't have to be a genius to work out that any bike with 160ps on tap and weighing just 170kg dry, is going to be fast, very fast! The thing is, like a few others at the launch, I'd read the all the tests and hype from the world launch, and what I was expecting was not what I got. I was expecting to be a passenger, a passenger on a violent and uncompromising missile that was going to intimidate me and quite possibly hurt me.

The truth of the matter is the GSX-R 1000 is incredibly easy to ride. The boys and girls that developed the motor have given it a huge spread of power that just builds resolutely from the moment the clutch is out. In terms of fuelling, the engine mapping for the fuel injection is faultless. Tweak the throttle and the revs zing, with a crisp response that invites you to tweak it again just for the hell of it. No matter what you do with the throttle position, you just can't catch it out.

With that kind of response and huge torque, you'll need to be careful with first gear if you don't want to wear the top yoke in your mug. However, you could ride this bikes flexibility on the open road, or through the city without ever needing to sample the real power above 6000. And you would'nt feel that you'd missed out. You would be missing out of course, because the sheer unstoppable rush towards the horizon is utterly intoxicating. Once you've been to that particular lolly shop, you'll want to go back more than once.

If the motor is capable of combining ballistic with benign, the riding position goes a long way towards reinforcing that notion. On first acquaintance the position feels natural but committed. Put your hands on the bars, and your feet will immediately settle onto the pegs. Admittedly the footrests initially do feel high, but they'd be dragging on the ground frustratingly early if the full potential of the tyres and suspension is ever to be sampled. After a day of frenzied "testing" no-one complained of sore wrists, shoulders or backs, my suspicion is that if you've got to put some big distances in, the big Suzuki may be less painful than some of the others in the same arena.

When it comes to handling, the GSX-R is by far the best in the league. Any corner at any speed the thing tracks precisely with that glued to the planet security that only comes from great suspension. Changes of plan, speed or direction, or even the kind of stupidity that flings the back wheel sideways do nothing to upset that stability. Based on my limited time aboard the bike, and the fact that it was all at a racetrack, I suspect that it'll be just as good on the less than perfect roads that it'll spend most of its time on too.

If there's a criticism of any sort, its down to personal preference and is aimed at the brakes. They're tremendously powerful as you'd expect, but the initial application just lacks the bite and conviction of the units fitted to the 600, which, at 270kmh at the end of the main straight can be mildly disconcerting.

Who'll buy it?
Obvious this, track day junkies and anyone who absolutely, positively has to be on the best and most powerful corner killing machine ever, will be lining up to buy it.

Summing up
Really you have to hand it to Suzuki for simply moving the game into a different league. The GSX-R 1000 is impressive not for what it does, but for what it's doesn't do. It's not intimidating, it's not violent and I'm relieved to say it didn't hurt me. In fact it's an extremely capable and usable machine that looks sensational and will sell by the truck-load.

Story: Rob Smith