Apr 20, 2002 ... Suzuki has definitely set the mark for performance, and knowing this market, the
... have to add your GSX-R1000 to my garage. —Walt Fulton.
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Model Evaluation
Suzuki’s innovative Dual Throttle Valve System (STVS) in cutaway: The lower butterfly is connected to the throttle grip, but the upper butterfly is controlled by a stepper motor linked to the engine management system so that constant intake velocity is maintained. Throttle response on all the GSX-R models is incredibly good.
SPECIFICATIONS AND PERFORMANCE DATA
Measured top speed ......173.2 mph 0–1/4 mile....................9.99 sec. @ 142.52 mph 0–60 mph ....................2.95 sec. 0–100 mph ..................5.58 sec. 60–0 mph ........................121.4' Power to Weight Ratio ........1:3.13 Speed @ 65 mph indicated ....60.3
Wheelbase: ................................55.5" Rake/trail ............................24.0°/3.8" Ground clearance: ........................5.1" Seat height :................................32.7" GVWR: ..................................830 lbs. Wet weight: ......................434.5 lbs. Carrying capacity: ..............395.5 lbs.
APRIL 2002
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MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS
B
28"
B: front of bike to center of handgrip.
C
uses a real metal tank that a magnetic tankbag, filled with stuff, can be attached to. This allows for the option of at least a couple of days on the road as opposed to short-lived canyon rides lasting no more than a day. This is a real plus for the kind of riding I like to do. For sometime now, I’ve placed sportbikes in the same category as a .44 magnum. Packed full of power, but something that isn’t real friendly to use. Thanks, Suzuki, for bursting my bubble. I may have to add your GSX-R1000 to my garage. —Walt Fulton
Just so you know, the Daniel Coe who wrote this test is the same Daniel Coe who did all of Cycle magazine’s testing for so many years before its unfortunate demise. Danny helped us with our 600 Sportbike Comparison last year, and has lost none of his race-winning speed. He’s so fast around a track that he’s hard to photograph! I’ve made a deal with Danny for regular contributions, particularly evaluations of the fastest sportbikes, where the depth of his technical and set-up knowledge will be a real asset to MCN’s readers. And, as I’ve mentioned before, Walt Fulton is a former factory racer for Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki and Suzuki and our offical performance tester. If guys this fast are impressed with the GSX—Dave Searle R1000, you should be, too. I am.
Front: 43mm inverted cartridge forks, adj. preload, comp. and reb. damping, 4.9" travel Rear: ..............................monoshock, adj. preload, comp. and reb. damping, 5.1" travel BRAKES
Front: ....................dual 320mm discs, six-piston, double-action calipers Rear: ..............................220mm disc, twin-piston, double-action caliper TIRES & WHEELS
Front:120/70ZR17 Bridgestone Battlax BT011 on 3.50" x 17" wheel Rear:190/50ZR17 Bridgestone Battlax BT010 on 6.00" x 17" wheel
FUEL
Tank capacity: ........................4.8 gal. High/low/avg. mpg: ....42.4/27.3/38.6
D: ground to center of handgrip.
53"
D
E: ground to center of footpeg.
Low end Mid-range Top end
The big GSX-R’s motor advances the state of the art. The most powerful in the class, it also has an accessible, linear powerband and fantastic throttle response that make it a great treat to ride. Only Suzuki’s own 1300cc Hayabusa can beat it.
TEST NOTES PICKS
Always exciting, its power is addictive Agile yet stable handling rewards the rider At $10,399, it delivers terrific bang for the buck
Rear ride height can’t be lowered, only raised Rear rebound settings are marginally adequate Styling is indistinguishable from the 600/750
OVERALL RATING
DYNAMOMETER DATA
Instruments: ....digital speedo, analog tach, odometer, dual tripmeters, clock coolant temp., and engine diagnostics Indicators: ........ hi-beam, t/s, neutral, oil pressure, water temp., low fuel MSRP: ..................................$10,399 Valve adj. interval:..............15,000 mi. Warranty: ......12 mo., unlimited miles Colors: ..............................blue/white, red/black
F: ground to lowest point of seat.
E F
MISCELLANEOUS
ELECTRICS
Battery: ................................12V, 8AH Ignition: ..............digital-mapped with throttle position sensor Headlight: ..............................55/55W
C: front of bike to center of footpeg.
PANS
160
160
139.0 hp
140
•
140 120
120
100
100
75.4 lb. ft.
80
•
80
60
60
40
40
20
20 0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
SAE CORRECTED REAR-WHEEL TORQUE, LB. FT.
20
A
–––––– Open Sportbike –––––– Engine Transmission Suspension Brakes Handling Styling Riding Impression Instruments/Controls Attention to Detail Value
A: front of bike to rear most seating position.
62"
SAE CORRECTED REAR-WHEEL HORSEPOWER
No question about it, Suzuki’s GSXR is a single-purpose motorcycle that has all the right pieces, as in Tokico six-piston brakes, Bridgestone 010 tires, adjustable front brake lever, etc. Throw in an engine that pumps out gobs of performance right off an idle and there is no question that Suzuki, and you, have a winner. I’ve insulated myself from purely sportbikes for the past couple of years and was quite surprised, after my first ride, with how versatile the GSX-R1000 is. Light, agile, responsive, and powerful are adjectives I can use to describe the GSXR. Once the suspension was dialed in there was even a modicum of comfort while riding, even straightline across the uneven concrete joints in the freeways. Suzuki
ERGONOMICS TEMPLATE
SUSPENSION
TESTERS’ LOG
As you ride this motorcycle, the expression, “Go Big or Go Home” keeps popping up, sort of like the front of the motorcycle under acceleration. The other phrase that comes to mind is, “over the top.” With the GSX-R 1000, both apply. This seamless power delivery has a way of narrowing the moral majority’s line between responsible and renegade. When riding, I can’t help but think that I, rather than this motorcycle, deserve some sort of disclaimer. Suzuki has definitely set the mark for performance, and knowing this market, the other manufacturers will not sit idly by to accept second best. Perhaps most exciting for me is imagining what will come next, and in turn what our motorcycling future holds. —Daniel Coe
EXCELLENT VERY GOOD GOOD FAIR POOR
Transmission: ......................6-speed Final drive: ........No. 530 O-ring chain, RPM @ 65 mph/redline ..4500/12,250 DIMENSIONS
Right: The handlebars are low, but not so low as the GSX-Rs of the past. The compact instrumentation is easy to read and contains a wealth of info. But, beware: That unassuming throttle grip holds the reins to 139 highspirited horses!
M/C RATING SYSTEM
DRIVE TRAIN
31"
Right: New six-pot calipers are stiffer for better braking feel and lighter, too—saving 8.5 ozs. Their power and feel are excellent. The fork stanchions are titaniumnitride coated for reduced stiction and better suspension compliance—very trick.
PERFORMANCE
Type: ............liquid-cooled, inline four Valvetrain: ....DOHC, 4 valves per cyl., adjusting shims under buckets Size: ..........................................988cc Bore/stroke:..........72.0mm x 46.0mm Comp. ratio: ............................12.0:1 Carburetion: ........Digital fuel injection 50mm x 4 Exhaust: ............4–2–1 with SET valve
15"
The SET (Suzuki Exhaust Tuning) valve can be found under the rear brake pedal. Simpler than Yamaha’s EXUP system or Honda’s HTEV valve on the CBR929RR, it allows the GSX-R1000 to use aggressive cam timing by controlling backpressure. Improved volumetric efficiency at low–to–mid-range rpm provides enhanced torque, the virtual elimination of flat-spots, cleaner emissions and reduced noise.
ENGINE
32.5"
Left: Suzuki fits a steering damper (photo top center) as standard equipment, helpful on any bike that floats its front wheel as much as this one does; saving you the price of an aftermarket damper.
2002 Suzuki GSX-R1000
10 11 12 13
RPM, THOUSANDS
STANDARD MAINTENANCE Item Time Parts Labor Oil & Filter ................0.3 ..........$14.95 + $12 $16.20 Air Filter....................0.5 ..........$49.95 ..........$27.00 Valve Adjust..............3.0 ..........$84.00 ........$162.00 Battery Access ..........0.2 ............MF ..............$10.80 Final Drive ................0.2 ................................$10.80 R/R Rear Whl. ..........0.4 ................................$21.60 Change Plugs............0.6 ..........$27.80 ..........$32.40 Synch EFI..................0.8 ................................$43.20 Totals 6.0 $188.71 $324.00
MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS
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APRIL 2002
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