THE superbike wars are revving up with the four Japanese models taking different directions.Yamaha and Kawasaki have followed the lead of European models from BMW and Ducati with electronic traction control, while Suzuki and Honda have steered away from the heavy electronics. The new Kawasaki ZX10-R will also have anti-lock braking like Honda, BMW and Ducati, while Yamaha and Suzuki do not have ABS.
The latest to announce details of its litre-capacity sports bike is Suzuki whose 2012 GSX-R1000 is so light they softened the suspension to match. Rarely does a sports bike receive softer suspension, but Suzuki has shaved 2kg off their already lightweight superbike for next year.
That makes it 3kg lighter than the Yamaha R1 which next year puts on 1kg and remains the heaviest of the litre-capacity sports bikes. At 136kW, the Suzuki also 2.1kW more powerful than the Yamaha.
Suzuki engineers have shaved most of the weight from the engine with 11 per cent lighter and stronger pistons, revised crankcases with newly designed ventilation holes, a modified exhaust camshaft profile and increased engine compression ratio. It continues with engine modes like the BMW, Ducati and now Yamaha.
Suzuki Australia spokesman Eoin Black says it will arrive early next with pricing yet to be decided. Other changes include a new exhaust with lightweight titanium muffler; dual Brembo monoblock calipers up front on new discs; softer and lighter Showa suspension; and a high-grip seat. Like all new models, there are changed graphics and colours including pin stripes on the wheels.
The top-selling sports bike in Australia continues to be the Honda Fireblade, followed by the Kawasaki ZX10-R and Hyosung GT650R. Suzuki has the next three places with its 600cc, 750cc and 1000cc bikes, then the exotic BMW S1000RR.
SUZUKI GSX-R1000L2
Price: about $19,000
Warranty: 2-year/unlimited km
Engine: 999cc, 4-cylinder, 136kW
Transmission: 6-speed, chain
Suspension: adjustable Showa forks and rear shock
Brakes: Brembo calipers, 310mm discs (front), Nissin caliper, 220mm disc (rear)
Tyres: 120/70 ZR17; 190/50 ZR17
Fuel: 17.5-litre tank
Dimensions: 2045mm (L), 705mm (W), 1130mm (H), 1405mm (WB), 810mm (Seat)
Wet weight: 203kg
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