Onqh6rm Wrap-Up
onqH6rm Wrap-Up
Suzuki
GSX-R 000
FASTER AND MORE FURIOUS
MOST MOTORCYCLISTS MODIFY their bikes to some degree. Repli-racer riders are no exception, and many go to great lengths to build bikes perfectly suited to
their needs and wants. We took such an approach with our 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 1000, aiming to improve the bike's track-day performance while maintaining its excellent streetability. First, a little history: Our bike finished 14th in the Toyota 200 at Willow Springs International Raceway, local hotshoe Ben Welch doing the riding. Documented in SporiBike 2006, the race was a successful experiment in transforming a streetbike into a competitive racer.
Because we knew the GSX-R wasn't going to remain a racebike forever, we returned it largely to stock after the event at Willow Springs. We kept the internal fork modifications but swapped out the borrowed race-spec Penske shock for a stocker modified
by GP Suspension. Changes to the fork included different needles, damper shims, fluid, pistons and stiffer springing. The shock got the same treatment. These changes, totaling S45 1, firmed up the ride and provided a wider range of damping adjustability, allowing the bike to be both more trackand street-friendly. Regard ing the latter, we even went so far as to review a luggage rack on the big Suzuki! Our double-duty approach also dic tated rubber choices. We tried Dunlop Qualifiers ($289) and Metzeler Sportec M3s (S307). We found the Dunlops a bit numb when cold, but once up to temper ature, they handled the Gixxer's prodi gious power. The Metzeler's broader, more rounded profile didn't agree with our suspension setup, resulting in a bike that wouldn't finish corners as well as it did on the Dunlops. Racers often favor a reverse-shift pat tern-one up. five down-to keep their boots from becoming trapped under the gear selector at deep lean angles. Sato Racing's fully adjustable billet-aluminum rearsets (S495) allow both standardand reverse-shift, and are fully adjustable, to boot. One note: The knurled pegs offer lots of traction, but per their race-orient ed focus are of the non-folding variety. Sato also supplied a beautifully welded
E~ My GSX-R is a superb all-round er. I can't imagine selling it, which is saying something, considering I used to change bikes once.a year.
full-titanium exhaust system ($1250), which included a header, a midpipe, a long oval muffler and related hardware.
Though noticeably louder than stock, the pipe emitted a mellow tone at idle and a crisp note under load. Best part is, the system weighed just 11 pounds and produced 5.5 more horsepower and 1 more footpound of torque at peak, with an average gain of 1-3 hp and 1-2 ft.-lb. through the rev range.
Routine maintenance could not have been easier: oil/filter changes and chain lube. We used PJ1 Goldfire 4T 10w-40 oil and stock filters. Apparently, the Suzuki s six-speed transmission liked the semi-synthetic formula, as shifting, both up and down, was buttery-smooth.
More racetrack carryovers: Soft-compound, diamond-pattern Renthal handgrips ($13) were thinner than stock and transmitted more engine vibration, but the tradeoff was enhanced grip. Ditto the peel-and-stick StompGrip Traction Pads ($40) with their “aggressive volcano-profile bumps” at the gas-tank/knee interface.
An asset on the track, the pre-cut designs were somewhat intrusive on the street, especially when wearing jeans.
Which brings us to the point of the whole matter: Is a track-ready repli-racer
Quotes from the logbook
Thanks to the GSX-FTs fantastic chassis and motor, suspension setup is all you really need to think about. Our modifications are biased toward the racetrack, which is how I think it should be!
¿niickw Hard launches have the front wheel skimming the deck through three gear changes! The Gixxer is stable, too; no worry about a tank slapper when you set the front end back down.
Can’t say I’m in love
with the big Suzook’s looks, but there’s no arguing with the bike’s performance. This thing is a rocketship!
I use my GSX-R1000 to outrun, outplay and outwit every motorcycle on the Angeles Crest Highway! I've taken it to track days but typically it's my hot bike for the canyons. -Dave Ciesielski, El Segundo, California
too hard-edged for day-to-day street use? Not in our experience. While it's true that comfort was compromised somewhat on the street and a dedicated, no-holds-barred racebike could lap even faster, our modi fied long-term GSX-R1000 proved itself well in both arenas. Call it the best of both worlds.
I ride my GSX-R mostly on Sunday mornings and at the racetrack. It looks good, is wicked fast and has good suspension and brakes. What's not to like? -Christopher Chadwell San Antonio, Texas
SPECIFICATIONS
$10,849
