For those that can't handle the all-world capabilities of the Suzuki Hayabusa->ke1989, you can always find solace in a bike like the Suzuki GSX-R1000->ke2088. It's not as powerful as the almighty Hayabusa, but it comes pretty darn close.

The 2012 GSX-R1000 was built with an eye towards designing a super bike that can make the competition wince. With the kind of history Suzuki has with these machines, it wasn't all that surprising that they've built a bike its customers will be very proud of.

Not only does the GSX-R1000 come with a new style and bodywork, but the bike also gets the benefit of a new chassis and suspension set-up that can support bikers during their high-speed excursions out on the the track.

Among the aesthetic features that have been built into the GSX-R1000 include a new high-grip leather seat that features outstanding holding properties, providing the rider with a greater sense of stability when accelerating. New front and rear tires have also been fitted with improved tread patterns and the front tire is 200 grams lighter, contributing to lower unsprung weight and sharper handling.

At the heart of the GSX-R1000 is a 999cc four-cyclinder engine that has been modified to deliver the kind of scintillating acceleration that few other top-end performance bikes are capable of replicating. The engine works hand-in-hand with a back torque-limiting clutch that incorporates the Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) for light clutch pull and optimum clutch performance, resulting in smoother downshifting, and allows the rider to take full advantage of engine output during deceleration. The GSX-R1000 also has a new 4-2-1 exhaust system that's significantly lighter than its predecessor, contributing to improved agility and handling of a bike whose power output is no laughing matter.

Find out more about the Suzuki GSX-R1000 after the jump.

2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000
  • Engine/Motor: 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, reed-valve engine
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Engine Features

-New 999cc four-cyclinder powerplant is modified to deliver extraordinary acceleration matched by maximum top-end performance of world-class racetrack performance.

-Race-proven designs include high-quality titanium valves, forged pistons, shot-peened conrods and large intake and exhaust valves.

-Pentagonal cut-outs in the sides of each cylinder bore have been enlarged and reshaped. The greater opening area makes the crankcase lighter. The shape of the ventilation holes - wider at the top, narrower at the bottom - matches the actual flow of the trapped air, reducing pumping losses due to internal crankcase air-pressure resistance to downward piston movement.

-New 4-2-1 exhaust system is significantly lighter, contributing to improved agility and handling. It is also increased mid-range engine power output further improving acceleration out of the corners.

-Suzuki Exhaust Tuning (SET) servo-controlled butterfly valve in the exhaust pipe helps to maximize torque throughout the rev range in diverse running conditions by optimizing the exhaust-system back-pressure in accordance with the engine speed, throttle position, and gear posistion.

-Finite-Element-Method (FEM) and fatigue-analysis techniques honed in development of MotoGP racebike engines were applied in making the pistons 11% lighter while retaining the same reliable level of strength and durability. The performance advantages translate into quicker acceleration and improved fuel economy.

-Crankcase is refined with larger pentagonal cut-outs in the sides of each cylinder bore. The shape of the ventilation holes reduces pumping losses due to internal crankcase air-pressure resistance to downward piston movement.

-Advanced technology from MotoGP competition was applied in modifying the camshaft profile. Thinner material for the tappet skirts results in a weight saving of 2.5 grams per tappet, reducing inertial mass and allowing optimization of the valve lift curve.

-Thinner material for the valves' tappet skirts saves 2.5 grams per tappet, which reduces inertial mass and allows optimization of the valve lift curve.

-An Engine Control Module (ECM) provides state-of-the-art engine management and has newly optimized settings to maximize the benefits of the new 4-2-1 exhaust system and other engine refinements.

-Suzuki Ram Air-Direct (SRAD) air intakes are positioned close to the centerline of the fairing to provide optimum intake efficiency. The intake-duct openings feature a louvered design that heightens intake efficiency, while also contributing to weight reduction.

-Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) system uses two butterfly valves (primary and secondary) in each throttle body barrel. As the rider opens and closes the primary valve, the ECM reads the throttle position, engine speed, and gear position and incrementally adjusts the secondary valve to maximize the intake-charge velocity. The result is a system that realizes the benefits of near-linear throttle response and torque output across the entire rpm range.

-Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) system allows the rider to select one of three fuel injection and ignition system maps, adjusting power delivery to suit personal preference. The mode selection switch is mounted on the left handlebar and its two buttons can be easily operated by the thumb and index finger.

-Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM) plated cylinders integrated into the upper crankcase helps reduce friction, improve heat transfer, increase durability and provide better ring seal.

Transmission Features

-The back torque-limiting clutch incorporates the Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) for light clutch pull and optimum clutch performance. The back-torque limiter offers smoother downshifting, and thereby lets the rider take full advantage of engine output during deceleration.

Chassis Features

-Twin-spar frame features an exceptionally short wheelbase and uses just five cast aluminum-alloy sections and an aluminum-alloy swingarm with just three castings.

-The compact engine allows a longer swingarm and shorter overall wheelbase for improved racetrack performance.

-The footpegs can be adjusted to any of three positions in a 14mm horizontal and vertical range. The rear brake pedal and master cylinder move with the right footpeg assembly, and the shift-lever linkage can be adjusted to accomodate changes in the position of the left footpeg.

-Lightweight 43mm Showa Big Piston Front forks (BPF) are refined to match the GSX-R1000's reduced weight. Their design offers more effective valving, with more controlled compression to deliver better feedback to the rider and enhance the rider's ability to make line corrections while cornering.

-The Show a rear shock works through an aluminum alloy lingage mounted on the swingarm and an extruded aluminum alloy link rod connected to the frame. The rear shock offers adjustable rebound damping, spring preload, and both high-speed and low-speed compression damping.

-Electronically controlled steering damper contributes to handling stability and a more alert and agile feel by increasing the damping force at higher speeds and reducing it at lower speeds.

New front axle is 38.9 grams lighter, further reducing unsprung weight and thereby improves handling.

-New 5mm front brake discs made of heat-resistant stainless steel work together with new top-of-the-line radial-mount Brembo monobloc calipers. The monobloc calipers are lighter and more rigid than conventional bolt-together calipers, giving better feedback to the rider. As a result, the calipers and discs are 130 grams lighter.

-The rear disc brake works with a single piston Nissin caliper mounted above the swingarm. The caliper's compact design contributes to a reduction of unsprung weight.

-New front and rear tires have improved tread patterns and the front tire is 200 grams lighter, contributing to lower unsprung weight and sharper handling.

-New high-grip leather seat features outstanding holding properties, providing the rider with a greater sense of stability when accelerating.

Specifications

Engine

999cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder, DOHC

Bore Stroke

74.5 mm x 57.3 mm

Compression

Ratio 12.9 : 1

Fuel System

Suzuki Fuel Injection

Ignition

Electronic ignition (Transistorized)

Lubrication

Wet sump

Starter

Electric

Color

Metallic Mat Black No.2/Glass Sparkle Black, Metallic Triton Blue/Glass Splash White

Brakes Front

Disc brake, twin

Brakes Rear

Disc brake

Curb Weight

203kg (448 lbs.)

Final Drive

Chain, DID50VAZ, 114 links

Fuel Tank Capacity

17.5 L (4.6 US gal)

Ground Clearance

130mm (5.1 in.)

Overall Length

2045 mm (80.5 in.)

Overall Width

705 mm (27.8 in.)

Seat Height

810 mm (31.9 in.)

Suspension Front

Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped

Suspension Rear

Link type, coil spring, oil damped

Tires Front

120/70ZR17 M/C (58W), tubeless

Tires Rear

190/50ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless

Transmission

6-speed constant mesh

Wheelbase

1405mm (55.3 in.)


Quotes

Motor Cycle USA----"At the time of its release the GSXR 1000, became the lightest, most high-performance sportbike on the road. Aesthetically Suzuki’s GSX-R 1000 was nearly identical to its smaller displacement GSX-R siblings. Inside of the GSX-R1000’s sleek body panels however it packs a tremendously powerful yet easy-to-use 999cc liquid-cooled Inline-Four cylinder engine. Other changes included subtle chassis tweaks including a thicker frame, braced swingarm and higher-spec suspension components. "