Suzuki's 2009 GSX-R1000 finally goes on sale

After what seems an eternity since Suzuki first went official with its clean-sheet GSX-R1000K9, the bike has finally gone on sale in Australia for $18,999 (plus ORC).

In its first full redesign since 2001, the K9 has a new engine and chassis, and the suspension, brakes and bodywork have also been attended to.

"The reaction the new generation, 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 has received since it was launched last year has been incredible," Perry Morison, General Manager Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia, said. "It's been getting rave reviews from enthusiasts, racers and motorcycling publications around the world, and the countdown has been on until its Australian arrival.

"The GSX-R1000 has always been a class-defining superbike, and Suzuki engineers have made that package even better with the new 2009 model.

"With American (Mat Mladin) and British Superbike (Sylvain Guintoli) wins on debut, the all-new GSX-R1000 has already demonstrated its pedigree on the racetrack."

The engine features Suzuki's Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) fuel-injection system, is lighter and shorter, and is claimed to deliver improved performance and throttle response throughout the entire rpm range, while also reducing emissions.

The K9 boasts an even more over-square engine (bore and stroke is now 74.5mm x 57.3mm), larger titanium valves, and a higher compression ratio (now 12.8:1 as opposed to the K8's 12.5:1). It's also 59mm shorter than the K8's powerplant.

The K9 has three different power maps via Suzuki's' Drive Mode Selector, and the instrument cluster also features a lap timer/stopwatch and a programmable rpm indicator system with four LEDs.

There are MotoGP-inspired titanium curved silencers, a large and efficient trapezoidal-shaped radiator, and the slipper clutch is new.

There's a new twin-spar cradle frame, a 10mm shorter wheelbase and 33mm longer arch-type swingarm, which is aimed at making the bike more tractable - and nimble.

The Suzuki, like the 2009 model Kawasaki ZX-6R, features the Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF), which uses a single 39.6mm upper piston riding against the inside wall of the inner fork tube, which relocates the fork springs to the bottom of each fork leg. BPF also lowers unsprung weight.

As you'd expect, the Showa rear suspension offers the full spectrum of adjustment, and there's an electronically controlled steering damper.

The brakes are monoblock forged aluminium-alloy units, gripping 310mm (front) and 220mm (rear) discs.

Dry weight is 167kg, and Suzuki is claiming 190hp at the crank. Colours are blue/white, white/silver or black/matt.

Of the four Japanese 1000cc sportsbikes, the GSX-R1000K9 is the lowest price, followed by the Honda CBR1000RR ($19,490), Kawasaki ZX-10R ($19,499) and all-new Yamaha YZF-R1 ($19,999).

To find the location of your nearest Suzuki dealer, click here.