Suzuki GSX-R1000R, the easy-to-ride queen [TRACK TEST]

“The King is Back”, finally for me too. In recent days we had the opportunity to participate in the Imola date of the Pirelli SBK Track Days 2018. We did so with a Suzuki GSX-R1000R, in this new 2018 white color, which joins the black version and the one with the MotoGP livery , updated this year with some black details. We know the bike, given that we tried it last year on its debut and that we had the opportunity to get back on the bike recently at the Suzuki Day. Three Motorionline testers had the opportunity to ride it, but I never did. There was a lot of curiosity and the debut, here in Imola, is an important one. The circuit is in fact one of the "serious" ones, one of the most technical and with ups and downs that make many corners blind and have to be set "by heart".

A couple of apprentice laps, given that this is also the first outing on the track of the season and we begin to get the hang of it, raising the pace. In a few corners I can only agree 100% with what Gianluca told you last year in his test and which he has just reiterated to me. The bike is fast, with 202 horsepower available (as well as a variable timing derived from that of the bike that races in the MotoGP world championship), it has electronics that boast an inertial platform, traction control on as many as 10 levels, three maps, up to get to goodies, such as the gearbox with quickshifter (including the "blipper" when downshifting) and launch control. However, what puts it on the level of the best competitors, even if the "Gixxer" is the cheapest of all (19 thousand euros for the "R", 16.690 for the standard), are its handling and ease. Being compact and extremely balanced makes it seem like you're driving a 600 from many points of view and the fact that it makes everything easy allows you to put all your attention into driving, into those details that you often overlook, because you have to manage something else. The "R", compared to the standard GSX-R1000, has multi-adjustable Showa "Racing" suspension, another significant and fundamental detail for a truly exceptional day on the track like this.

We would like to point out only two defects to the Gixxer: one is purely aesthetic and easily solvable, the exhaust is not exactly its most beautiful element to look at, but replacing it with an after market one is a no-brainer. The second, more important, concerns braking. In the first laps no problems, on the contrary. The system is well modulated and very powerful, to the point that it comes off strongly even with just one finger. After the first rounds, when we forced the pace for several laps in a row, however, we noticed an increase in stopping distances, which was not even too progressive. Finding yourself long, after having broken off at exactly the same point as the previous lap, is not exactly one of the best situations you can find yourself in. Luckily she is very forgiving, including making the wrong trajectory and setting the curve several meters wide, without the slightest problem.

Even in this case, however, the defect which in our opinion is difficult to reconcile with severe use on the track, finds a solution that is anything but complicated or expensive. The cause lies in fact in the choice to use rubber braking system pipes, typical of road motorbikes. A choice perhaps dictated by the fact that, in any case, the GSX-R1000R is a motorcycle approved for the road and, as such, it was decided not to sacrifice the modulability of the control, avoiding making it too aggressive. A kit of braided hoses, so-called "aeronautical", is enough to give the GSX-R1000 the last piece to be a perfect companion, even for the track. We're talking about a cost of around one hundred euros, plus labor, without even having to give up ABS. We received confirmation from the trailblazing instructors present at the Imola date of the Pirelli SBK Track Days, who use two "Gixxers", with this small modification. Almost, given the beautiful "series specials" created by Suzuki Italia (for example the GSX-S750 Yugen, the proof of which you can find here), we would like a version with exhaust pipe, braided pipes and a few other touches, to make it really almost perfect.

Photo by Fotoeventi.com

Tester clothing
Suit: Dainese Kyalami
Boot: Dainese Axial Pro In
Gloves: Dainese Full Metal D1
Helmet: Kyt KR-1 Espargarò
Gianluca Cuttitta collaborated