suzuki Archives

Suzuki Italy Teases with Special GSX-R1000 Model

Suzuki Motorcycle Italia posted a picture of a “special” GSX-R1000.
The hashtags seemed to suggest it will appear at the San Marino GP this weekend.
We hope it is a homologation model for WSBK in 2019.

Suzuki Italy had done a naughty thing by posting a picture of a special carbon-clad GSX-R1000 on their Facebook page along with #spotted #staytuned #motogp #2019 hastags. It’ll probably give Suzuki fans sleepless nights.

It seems to be a special edition Gixxer, by the looks of it since it is fitted with carbon-fibre fairing, lever guards and racing style windscreen. Plus, judging from the hashtags, it will probably break cover during this weekend’s San Marino MotoGP and is a 2019 model in accordance with the #2019 hashtag.

But of course, it may not be a high-volume production bike, instead it would very well be a limited production, high-end homologation model for the World Superbike Championship. Remember that WSBK is productions-based, hence manufacturers need to produce a certain number of homologation models in order to be eligible in the series. Being production based also means that the race bikes has to be as close to the bikes you and I can buy, so manufacturers build these special models with as close as they are to racing specs. Case in point: The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR with titanium connecting rods and finger follower valve actuation.

Other manufacturers have followed such path for example the Ducati 888 SPS, Ducati 916 SP/SPS, Ducati 1199 Panigale R, Yamaha YZF-R1M, Aprilia RSV4 APRC Factory, the aforementioned Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, and many more.

Let us hope that Suzuki does build this special model, instead of being a one-off for the San Marino GP and reclaim the World Superbike Championship title they won in 2005 with Troy Corser.

Stay tuned.

Limited edition Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000R – RM105,610!

Suzuki has unveiled the very limited edition Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000R where only 50 units will be made available.
The bike is based on the ones used by Bradley Ray, Richard Cooper, and Billy McConnell in the British Superbikes (BSB) series.
The Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000R is available in the UK at £19,999 (around RM105,610).

There is no doubt that the Suzuki GSX-R1000R is one of the biggest names out there in the world of top superbikes. Suzuki is also one of only a few manufacturers who enjoys releasing special limited editions of their fine superbike and their latest one sits somewhere at the very top when it comes to looks. (more…)

Fancy a Suzuki GSX-R1000R in Team Classic Suzuki livery?

Team Classic Suzuki has unveiled a one-off Suzuki GSX-R1000R in their iconic livery.
The retro white and blue colour scheme exploded onto the scene when they introduced their Suzuki GSX1100SD Katana race bike.
Suzuki is currently monitoring the popularity of the colour online and if it’s popular, they might just make it into an official colour option.

Remember the epic moment when Team Classic Suzuki unveiled their super sexy Suzuki GSX1100SD Katana race bike? The bike that made its premiere in the Endurance Legends race at Donington Park last year gathered so many crowds, especially on how beautiful the colour scheme is on the beautiful beast. (more…)

“Pelumba Malam” Suzuki GS1000E Reborn

This 1978 Suzuki GS1000E starred in the 1989 movie “Pelumba Malam (Night Racer).”
Its rich history included being raced at the Batu Tiga Circuit and stolen for a joyride.
It has now been reborn through the efforts of Legend Racing Garage, Taymen Airbrush and others.

Rebuilding a vintage or retro motorcycle may suck up one’s resources but it is worth the effort when it looks as good as this 1978 “Pelumba Malam” Suzuki GS1000E.

Let us rephrase that, it’s especially worth the while and money when the bike has a colourful history as this one.

This particular motorcycle was one of the two GS1000Es used in the filming of the 1989 movie, “Pelumba Malam (Night Racer).” The film starred A-list artists Mustapha Kamal, Sabree Fadzil, Sidi Oraza, Edika Yusof and Noreen Noor.

The bike made its first appearance at the opening credits, before being seen again during a racing scene in the Menora Tunnel near Jelapang, Perak. The tunnel had just been completed at the time of the film’s shooting.

Built in 1978, this Suzuki GS1000E was brought into the country via a grey importer. It had belonged to one of the actors of the aforesaid movie and was regularly raced competitively at the equally-legendary Batu Tiga Circuit, Shah Alam.

It was then sold to another owner, but thieves stole it and took it on a joyride around Kuala Lumpur. Thankfully, it was later recovered in Kampung Baru.

With forty years on its timing chain, the “Pelumba Malam” Suzuki was in a sad state when it arrived at Legend Racing Garage, Setapak. A decision was reached to strip it down completely for a thorough rebuild.

The rebuild process focused on returning the GS1000E to its original state while updating it for 2018 at the same time, rather than taking the custom or café racer path. It has now been repainted to the original red and white scheme, the same as the bike Wes Cooley campaigned in the 1979 AMA Superbike Championship in the United States.

The engine was rebuilt with Wiseco pistons that bumped its capacity to slightly above 1000cc from the original 998cc. Other new parts are the valves, engine internals and a new custom-made exhaust.

The Suzuki GS1000E “Pelumba Malam” was painstakingly restored by Legend Racing Garage throughout. The paintwork was applied by Taymen Airbrush which is next door to Legend Racing Garage; the seat was handcrafted by Has Kusyen in Subang Jaya; and powercoating and surface treatment and restoration were performed by Malaya Electro Plating.

Now fully restored, it showed why motorcycles such as this Suzuki GS1000E (collectively called the UJM – Universal Japanese Motorcycle) was so popular not only back then but still remains in the psyche of contemporary enthusiast and builders. The bike is beautiful in its simplicity and purposeful purity with nothing superfluous. Indeed, its purpose was to conquer the ultra-competitive AMA Superbike Championship.

But perhaps more importantly, this bike a tribute to how motorcycles formed an integral part of Malaysian popular culture for decades; and it’s now ready to carry that legacy for many years to come.

You may view the “Pelumba Malam” Suzuki GS1000E at the Art of Speed 2018 this weekend (28^th – 19^th July 2018) at the MAEPS Mardi Serdang exposition centre.

PICTURE GALLERY

Suzuki GSX-R300 Patents Leaked

Suzuki has filed a 300c sportbike’s patents, speculated to be call GSX-R300.
The sub-500cc segment is the most hotly contested in the market.
Suzuki feels that the motorcycle market is moving towards smaller capacity and cheaper bikes.

Suzuki is making a comeback into the sub-500cc segment. These 200cc, 250cc, 300cc, 390cc, 400cc motorcycles appeal to a large cross-section of enthusiasts, due to reasons covering:

The next capacity level to step up to after owning a kapchai or scooter.
More affordable for a large section of the populace.
Easier to learn on, easier to ride.
Lightweight and simpler – good as daily commuters, especially for those who already own a bigger bike.

This battleground has been fought by almost all manufacturers for a long time. You could find almost all the brands here, even BMW has joined the fray with the G 310 R and G 310 GS. Similarly, Triumph had tied up with Bajaj to work on a 400cc bike in the future.

Triumph Bajaj partnership announced to conquer middleweight bike segment

Now, Suzuki has decided to fight back after being ominously missing.

Suzuki’s patents drawing for their 300cc sportbike was recently leaked online and is rumored to break covers at EICMA later this year.

They already have the GSX-250R in circulation, but they bike is a woefully underpowered single-banger, while their rivals continue to build high performance lightweights such as the KTM RC 390/390 Duke, Kawasaki Ninja 250 /300 and now 400, Yamaha YZF-R25/R3, Honda CBR250RR, and so on.

From the patents, the engine appears to be a parallel-Twin. If Suzuki sticks to the dimensions of their GSX-R150’s engine architecture, the bore should be 62 mm and a stroke of 48.1 mm. That’s in the same league of its rivals and should produce around 40 bhp.

Also from the drawings, the 300 looks to have the design theme and lines of its GSX-R1000R big brother. The front wheel has a single, radially-mounted brake caliper and disc; the swingarm looks to be of aluminium, corresponding to that type of design. Tying everything together is a tubular steel frame.

Biggest question is if I’ll ever make to Malaysia. And if it did, will it be the full 300cc version or sleeved-down 250cc variant that we always see happening in our country?

Time will tell.

MotoGP: Should Marc VDS switch to Yamaha or Suzuki?

Marc VDS is currently caught in choosing between Yamaha and Suzuki as the main machinery for their 2019 MotoGP season.

The move has been sparked by Tech 3 who has confirmed their switch to KTM next season.

Both Yamaha and Suzuki are looking into running satellite teams to speed up their bikes’ development.

It was only last month when MotoGP Tech 3 team announced their switch of machinery from Yamaha to KTM for the year 2019. This monumental shift in the grid has caused quite a stir and it looks like it’s the beginning of many more changes to come. (more…)

Suzuki Katana is making a comeback?

The Suzuki Katana name has been filed for another application at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

This shows that the Japanese manufacturer is seriously planning for the Katana comeback into the 21^st century.

We might have to be patient as more news have been circulating around the launch of the next-generation Suzuki Hayabusa.

The good folks from Suzuki have apparently registered the Katana name at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This is actually the second time they’ve done so where the first application was filed back in 2015 alongside the Gamma name. (more…)

MotoGP: Suzuki satellite team coming in 2019?

Suzuki is planning to run a Suzuki satellite team in the MotoGP grid for the 2019 season.

Their plan in 2019 is to get four Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP to speed up the development and data collecting process.

Independent teams like Tech 3, Angel Nieto Team, Marc VDS and Reale Avintia are all looking to change their machinery for the next season.

There’s news going around in the MotoGP world that Suzuki is looking to run a satellite team for the 2019 season. The Japanese manufacturer’s initial plan of putting in four prototype machines this year was put on hold due to their difficult season last year but it might be plausible for the upcoming season. (more…)

2019 Suzuki Hayabusa will come with a semi-automatic transmission?

The 2019 Suzuki Hayabusa is rumoured to be equipped with a new semi-automatic transmission system.

New patents were recently filed by the Japanese manufacturer in Japan, USA and Germany.

The new system uses actuators to control the clutch and gear shifts whilst combining it with the traditional foot-controlled shifter.

The latest rumour surrounding the all-new 2019 Suzuki Hayabusa has made the pocket rocket even more enticing. Based on the latest report made by Motorcycle.com, Suzuki has filed patents for a semi-automatic transmission system which may be used to handle all that power on the new ‘Bird of Prey’. (more…)

Isle of Man TT: Michael Dunlop set for Supersport with Honda CBR600RR!

Michael Dunlop has confirmed his participation in the Isle of Man TT and other Supersport road races with the Honda CBR600RR.

The news was confirmed by PTR Honda on their Twitter page.

Michael Dunlop and PTR Honda won the Isle of Man TT Supersport category back in 2013.

After his recent appearance in the 2018 MotoGP pre-season winter test in Sepang just a few weeks ago, coveted road racing racer Michael Dunlop has confirmed his entry in the 2018 Isle of Man TT Supersport category and other road races with the PTR Honda squad. (more…)

2019 Suzuki Hayabusa will run a 1440cc engine?

Rumours have been going around about the specs related to the 2019 Suzuki Hayabusa.

The biggest rumour surrounding the new hyperbike is the new 1,440cc four-cylinder engine which will change it into the GSX-R1400R.

Expect a completely new machine considering that the Hayabusa will celebrate its 20^th anniversary next year.

There have been a lot of rumours flying around regarding the upcoming 2019 Suzuki Hayabusa which we all know is coming. While the Japanese manufacturer has been keeping a super tight lid on the new ‘bird of prey’, a lot of speculations have risen from top motorcycling experts across the globe. (more…)

2017-2018 Suzuki GSX-R1000 recall on possible chain breakage

Suzuki Motors of America has issued a recall on the 2017 to 2018 Suzuki GSX-R1000 regarding a possible issue which can lead to the chain breaking.

3,097 units have been identified in the US through the NHTSA where the chain may break when shifting from first to second at high RPM.

The Engine Control Module (ECM), chain and sprockets will be inspected and replaced to remedy the situation.

Suzuki Motors of America, Inc. has issued a recall on their latest 2017 to 2018 models of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 on an issue that may result in the chain breaking or snapping when shifting during high RPM. The recall report was released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) where they’ve identified 3,097 units affected in the US market. (more…)

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Suzuki Motorcycle Italia posted a picture of a “special” GSX-R1000.

The hashtags seemed to suggest it will appear at the San Marino GP this weekend.

We hope it is a homologation model for WSBK in 2019.

Suzuki has unveiled the very limited edition Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000R where only 50 units will be made available.

The bike is based on the ones used by Bradley Ray, Richard Cooper, and Billy McConnell in the British Superbikes (BSB) series.

The Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000R is available in the UK at £19,999 (around RM105,610).

Team Classic Suzuki has unveiled a one-off Suzuki GSX-R1000R in their iconic livery.

The retro white and blue colour scheme exploded onto the scene when they introduced their Suzuki GSX1100SD Katana race bike.

Suzuki is currently monitoring the popularity of the colour online and if it’s popular, they might just make it into an official colour option.

This 1978 Suzuki GS1000E starred in the 1989 movie “Pelumba Malam (Night Racer).”

Its rich history included being raced at the Batu Tiga Circuit and stolen for a joyride.

It has now been reborn through the efforts of Legend Racing Garage, Taymen Airbrush and others.