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Difference between revisions of "Suzuki GSX-R History"
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The third revision of the GSX-Rs mainly centred around the introduction of an updated watercooled engine which, oddly, retained the air-cooling fins. This increased power slightly. The frame was subtly improved and the suspension a great improvement over earlier models. The 750 watercooled model (not to be confused with later SRAD/K series GSX-Rs) ran from late 1992 to 1996. The 1100 from 1993 to 1998. Power was 121 and 155 bhp respectively. However by the end of the range the flagship 1100 model was substantially heavier than its original creation, by over 20 kilograms, and was considered a topheavy and only averagely handling bike. The new Honda Fireblade was substantially lighter, had a similar speed, and was a far racier machine than the GSX-R1100 now was. Sales records and racetrack comparisons showed up its weaknesses. It took several years for Suzuki to remedy this. | The third revision of the GSX-Rs mainly centred around the introduction of an updated watercooled engine which, oddly, retained the air-cooling fins. This increased power slightly. The frame was subtly improved and the suspension a great improvement over earlier models. The 750 watercooled model (not to be confused with later SRAD/K series GSX-Rs) ran from late 1992 to 1996. The 1100 from 1993 to 1998. Power was 121 and 155 bhp respectively. However by the end of the range the flagship 1100 model was substantially heavier than its original creation, by over 20 kilograms, and was considered a topheavy and only averagely handling bike. The new Honda Fireblade was substantially lighter, had a similar speed, and was a far racier machine than the GSX-R1100 now was. Sales records and racetrack comparisons showed up its weaknesses. It took several years for Suzuki to remedy this. | ||
In 1996 an all new GSX-R 750 was introduced, the 'SRAD', featuring a new modern spar frame, all new watercooled motor and all new suspension. A year later a 600 cc model was introduced, to compete in the supersport class. They shared little in common with their earliest incarnations, bar their name and niche, and were a revolutionary change in the GSX-R series rather than evolutionary. However the series had stagnated somewhat and failed to successfully compete with the burgeoning 900-1000 cc market opened up, mainly, by the [[Honda]] Fireblade series and then the highly successful R1 Series from [[ | In 1996 an all new GSX-R 750 was introduced, the 'SRAD', featuring a new modern spar frame, all new watercooled motor and all new suspension. A year later a 600 cc model was introduced, to compete in the supersport class. They shared little in common with their earliest incarnations, bar their name and niche, and were a revolutionary change in the GSX-R series rather than evolutionary. However the series had stagnated somewhat and failed to successfully compete with the burgeoning 900-1000 cc market opened up, mainly, by the [[Honda]] Fireblade series and then the highly successful R1 Series from [[Yamaha]]. | ||
In 2001, [[Suzuki]] reintroduced the GSX-R 1000 in the form of a 988 cc fuel injected motorcycle which put its predecessor to shame with a whopping 160 bhp at the crank. Created to compete with Yamaha's R1 series they amply met the challenge and continue to this day at the leading edge of the sports bike genre. | In 2001, [[Suzuki]] reintroduced the GSX-R 1000 in the form of a 988 cc fuel injected motorcycle which put its predecessor to shame with a whopping 160 bhp at the crank. Created to compete with Yamaha's R1 series they amply met the challenge and continue to this day at the leading edge of the sports bike genre. | ||