Suzuki GSXR-1000 2008

From the moment it was launched, the Suzuki GSXR-1000 (1100 originally) was the bad boy's on-the-road race replica. Handling on the originals was “dubious,” to say the least and a quick look around any bike breakers will tell you how much of a handful they were in the old days. But things have moved on considerably since then and the 2008 gixxer behaves in a manner not destined to end in tears and a crushed front end.

You don’t win the AMA Superbike series on a bike that doesn’t go round corners or stop very well, and Ben Spies has taken the championship two years running. Watching his masterful riding was a joy all last year as he scraped in just ahead of his team mate and fellow Suzuki GSXR rider, Aussie Mat Mladin.

Suzuki call the package “Total Performance,” – an apt metaphor. What do you want from a liter sport bike? You want it to accelerate as hard as possible, brake as hard as possible and go round corners as hard as possible. Preferably without spitting you off on the way. Suzuki have achieved all this and more with the 2008 GSXR1000. Just take a look at the video clip of Spies and Mladin duking it out in the 2007 AMA series. That’s a well mannered bike to be able to do the sort of thing these guys are doing. Just remember, these are professional riders – don’t try this at home ☺

The GSXR-1000 specs read pretty darn impressive too – a 999cc 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine with hollow camshafts, forged aluminum alloy pistons, chrome-moly shot-peened connecting rods, and secondary balancer.

Suzuki’s Dual Throttle Valve System (SDTV) features the Compact fuel injection system - with twelve small holes for maximum fuel delivery and steeper angle for secondary injectors. High volume Suzuki Advanced Exhaust System (SAES) with equal length head pipes feeding a unique under engine chamber leading to two compact aluminum/titanium mufflers on each side. A Self adjusting hydraulic clutch; S-DMS, Suzuki’s onboard computer system lets the rider switch between 3 engine settings with a switch mounted on the handlebar. Close-ratio six-speed gear box; adjustable footpegs to suit leg length; electronic steering damper, the list is endless and impressive.

Suzuki have gone to an awful lot of trouble to make this model as competitive as possible on the race track which is good news for road riders. You can buy what is basically a race bike for less than twelve grand. What are you waiting for? And anyone who says beer and bikes and girls don’t mix obviously never met the Suzuki/Corona girls.