Suzuki Racing Asphalt Motorcycles

Suzuki rolls into 2021 with its newly-improved-for-MY2022 ambassador model for the sportbike world; the inimitable [Hayabusa->mot. Windtunnel-tested fairing tweaks seek to further improve penetration and reduce drag so you can get the most out of the next-generation in-line four. A beefed-up, model-unique electronics suite helps improve rider safety and control with a new ride-by-wire throttle system that supports a number of the new engine-control features.

Suzuki keeps improving and expanding its signature supersport series, and the 2020 GSX-R750 carries the torch first ignited by the original Gixxer 750 all the way back in 1984. Granted, the “late model” Gixxers dropped the steel frame in favor of aluminum, and the air-cooled engine has been replaced with a jacketed mill, but the overall mission for the bike remains the same: to provide the general public with the most race-ready production bike available for legal use on the street. Of course, the rest of the market has caught up to Suzuki and the supersport segment is flooded with similarly capable rides — and a good number of more capable sleds — though the most race-tastic of them are far more expensive than the $12K-ish GSX-R750.

Coming off a fresh update in 2017, Suzuki carries its GSX-R1000R into MY2020 with little else in the way of changes. The next-gen “Gixxer” 1000 brought an all-new 999.8 cc powerplant to the table with a claimed 199 horsepower at the shaft and a whole passel of electronic goodies to help manage all those ponies. Traction control, lean-sensitive ABS, launch control and more, Suzuki’s flagship literbike comes equipped with overlapping safety nets to help keep us mortal, non-professional riders dirty-side down as we explore our electronically augmented performance envelope. MotoGP tech influences the design to give the rider a little taste of track-day performance, or at the very least, ’performance light.’

Motorcycle racing took shape the minute the second motorcycle was made. Then came the madness of being the fastest man or building the quickest machine on the planet gave a new sense of high and want. It is intoxication, indeed. Setting records for the whole world to know became a fascination, and people spent all the time and money into this pursuit of speed.

In a world where outright horsepower and straight-line speed hold center stage, these machines bred by factory engineers have blazed the streets and have swept us off our feet in the most fashionable way possible. Here is our list of top ten machines ready to be plucked off showroom floors and much miles as quick as possible:

Suzuki improved its GSX-R1000 ahead of MY2020 in a bid to “reclaim the King of Sportbikes crown” as the factory so succinctly puts it. This rebuild comes close on the heels of the last revamp that landed just a couple short years ago, but it adds some significant features, most of which can be found “under the hood” or in the electronics suite. A couple of tweaks to the frame tune handling characteristics while the cornering ABS feature and variable valve-timing engine carries over from the previous generation. All in all, Suzuki turns in a very streetworthy racebike that’s nothing short of a technological showcase on two wheels.

It’s a Hayabusa. Is there really anything more to be said? Suzuki’s Gixxer 1,340 cc monster speed machine is back again for 2020. The ’Busa is one of the biggest sportbikes out there, so yeah, big and heavy; you don’t want to go slow for very long. Once at speed, the bike is in its element. Look up ’Stupidfast’ in the dictionary and you’ll find a picture of a Hayabusa.

Remember that special GSX-R 1000R with carbon-fiber fairing, top-spec exhaust, race-styled screen and lever guards we spoke about last week? Well, we thought that this was a limited edition affair to showcase Yoshimura’s involvement as the former’s official partner for the upcoming MotoGP season.

At least we were right about the limited edition part. What it is, is the Suzuki GSX-R1000R Ryuyo. It is a not so cheap, nor can be ridden on the street version of the “King of Sportsbike” that gets a bump in power to a crazy 212 hp while losing out a huge 77 pounds, courtesy - so much carbon-fiber.

A British Suzuki Motorcycle dealer from Swindon has commissioned a special GSX-R1000 Pepsi GP Edition. It pays homage to GP legend, Kevin Schwantz and his 1988 Pepsi-sponsored RGV500 that went on to win his 500GP title. The limited run motorcycle celebrates the 25th anniversary of this feat and the 30th anniversary of the Pepsi scheme on motorcycles.

Only 25 units of this special edition will be ever made, and each bike is numbered and bears the signature of the man himself along with the iconic number 34. Each one of them will come with a price tag of £13,999 ($19,500), $4,500 dearer than the GSX-R1000 ABS edition the bike it is originally based on.