Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001, the first of its class
When Suzuki discontinued its powerful but overweight Suzuki GSX-R 1100 in 1996, the Japanese firm was left without a litre-class sportsbike. Although its Suzuki GSX-R 750 was an excellent machine, it was outclassed in terms of sheer power by Honda’s CBR900RR FireBlade, Kawasaki’s ZX-9R and the Yamaha R1.
So the only surprise about this 1000cc version of the Suzuki GSX-R750 was how long it took to appear. Introduced in 2001, the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 instantly went to the top of the performance charts, with the lightest, most powerful engine and chassis package available. Lighter and more powerful than Yamaha’s Rl, the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 took sportsbike performance to a new level, with a maximum speed of 290km/h (180mph), a 119kW (160bhp) engine and dry weight less than some 600cc bikes.
The Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 engine and chassis are both heavily based upon the 2000-model Suzuki GSX-R 750. The aluminium twin-spar frame is identical, except for 0.5mm(0,02in) thicker walls and an extra engine mount, while the swingarm only received minor internal construction modifications.
The engine is the same 16-valve, inline-four layout, with six-speed gearbox and electronic fuel-injection. The cylinder head is the same as the 750, but with a slightly larger combustion chamber, and the overall engine size is only 14mm (0.6in) taller and 6mm (0.2in) longer: both engines are the same width. The fuel-injection is an updated version of the SDTV system first used on the Suzuki GSX-R 750.
The engine of the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 engine was basically a redesign of the Suzuki GSX-R 750. Has 1 mm larger in diameter and 13 mm longer stroke, newly designed pistons with lower crown and balancer combat gear, to name a few differences. The engine weighs 59 kg, which is slightly heavier than the engine Suzuki GSX-R 750, but 14 kg lighter than the engine of the Suzuki GSX-R 1300 Hayabusa.
As befits a flagship sports model, top-quality suspension units are fitted front and rear. The 43mm (1.7in) Kayaba upside-down front forks are lighter than the Suzuki GSX-R 750 parts, and have a special titanium nitride coating on the stanchions, reducing static friction, or ‘stiction’. A piggyback-reservoir rear shock, also by Kayaba, is fully adjustable and gives superb damping on track and road.
As revealed the model name, the engine displacement was 100 cc smaller than its predecessor, but the new 988 cc engine was more than enough to give the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 huge benefits. Offered 160 hp at 11,000 rpm and the bike was able to do a quarter mile in under 10 seconds.
The Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 front brakes use a pair of Tokico six-piston calipers operating on 320mm (12.6in) discs. These calipers and the gold-coloured fork tubes are the most obvious cosmetic differences between the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 and the Suzuki GSX-R 750 2001.
The Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 is lightweight, powerful and more balanced than any legal street race replica and even more than some motorcycle racing. The Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 was voted the Best International Motorcycle of the Year in 2001 by 13 motorcycle magazines worldwide. The Suzuki GSX-R 750 won the award in 1997.
The Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 was not just a stretched version of the Suzuki GSX-R 750, while sharing many characteristics with his little sister.
The main frame is basically the same in both models, but the material used in the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 is 0.5 mm thick. According to Suzuki, the torsional rigidity of the frame increased 10% compared to the Suzuki GSX-R 750. The dimensions of the bike have more in common with the Suzuki RGV500 race with the Suzuki GSX-R 750.
Although built to the same basic design as the 750, the GSX-R1000’s chassis is balanced to match its engine size, weight and power delivery. The aluminum alloy main frame spars are stronger and 0.5mm thicker with two engine mounts on each spar compared to the 750 with two on the left and one on the right. The rake angle and trail remain the same, and the seating position and relationship between the handlebars, seat and footpegs are unchanged. The suspension consists of fully adjustable KYB 43mm inverted forks with titanium-nitride-coated stanchion tubes to reduce stiction, and a fully adjustable aluminum-bodied shock absorber. The front brake calipers are a staggered-diameter six-piston design that are lighter than six piston calipers used on previously models. Lightweight 17″ wheels and radial tires have also been developed for the GSX-R with a wide 6.0 inch rear wheel and 190-size rear tire. Topping off the package is aerodynamic bodywork with ram-air inlets, a narrow headlight assembly and a compact digital instrument cluster.
Unique to the GSX-R1000 is its 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust system which is constructed of titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum parts to reduce weight. The exhaust system features new digitally-controlled Suzuki Exhaust Tuning (SET). This system uses a servo motor-controlled butterfly valve in the exhaust to regulate back pressure. At low rpm, the valve closes, increasing back pressure and improving low-end torque while also reducing exhaust noise. As rpm increases the valve progressively opens to reduce back pressure and increase mid-to-high-range power.
An exhaust valve has been mounted inside the exhaust pipe. Suzuki says the system matches the exhaust engine speed, throttle position and gear selection for increased torque, lower emissions and noise decreases. The tilt is adjustable, as worn by motorcycle racing.
Using titanium for the exhaust pipe and muffler inside the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 2001 is now 1.8 kg lighter compared to the Suzuki GSX-R 750. Titanium is also used in the forks, the inner tubes are coated with the resistant material.
Suzuki GSX-R1000 2001 Specifications
Colours
Pearl Suzuki Deep Blue / Pearl Still White (L99)
Pearl Novelty Black / Metallic Sonic Silver (CY9)
Metallic Saturn Black / Pearl Helios Red (M4L)
Dimensions and curb weight
Overall length: 2,045 mm (80.5 in)
Overall width: 715 mm (28.1 in)
Overall height: 1,135 mm (44.7 in)
Wheelbase: 1,410 mm (55.5 in)
Ground clearance: 130 mm (5.1 in)
Seat height: 8230 mm (32.7 in)
Empty weight: 170 Kg (374 lbs)
Engine
Engine Type: 4 stroke, liquid cooled, DOHC
Number of cylinders: 4 cylinders
Bore: 73 mm (2.874 in)
Stroke: 59 mm (2.323 in)
Displacement: 988 cc (60.3 cu in.)
Compression ratio: 12.0: 1
Fuel System: Fuel delivery method
Air filter: Paper element
Starter system: Electric
Lubrication system: Wet Collector
Drivetrain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate oil
Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh
Gearshift pattern: 1 reduction, 5 increase
Primary reduction ratio: 1.553 (73/47)
Gear Ratio:
First: 2,687 (43/16)
2nd: 2.052 (39/19)
3rd: 1.681 (37/22)
4th: 1.450 (29/20)
5th: 1.304 (30/23)
High: 1,208 (29/24)
Final reduction ratio: 2.470 (42/17)
Drive chain: DID 50V4, 110 links
Chassis
Front suspension: Inverted telescopic, coil springs, adjustable preload, damping oil.
Rear suspension: articulated type, coil spring, oil damped, adjustable preload fully adjustable shock compression and rebound.
Steering angle: 29º
Tilt the front axle: 24th
Filmed: 96 mm.
Turning radius 3.2 m.
Front brakes: Double disc brake
Rear brake: Single Disc
Front Tire Size: 120/70 ZR 17 (58 W), tubeless.
Rear Tire Size: 190/50 ZR 17 (73 W), tubeless.
Electrical Equipment
Ignition Type: Electronic ignition (Transistorized).
Ignition timing: 8 BTDC at 1150 rpm
Spark plug: NGK or DENSO CR9E U27ESR-N
Battery: 12 V 36.0 kC (10 Ah) / 10 HR
Generator: Three-phase AC generator
Main fuse: 30A
Fuse: 15/15/15/15/10/10 A
Headlight: 12 V 55 + 55 / 55W (H7) + 12 V 60/55 W (H4) x 2
Flashing light: 12 V 21 W
Brake light / license plate: 12 V 21/5 W x 2
Brake / rear: LED Light: 12 V 5 W
Speedometer light: LED
Neutral indicator light: LED
Indicator light beam: LED
Indicator light turn signal: LED
Indicator light fuel level: LED
Light oil pressure warning: LED
Capabilities
Fuel tank, including reserve: 18 l.
Engine oil:
oil change: 3,000 ml.
with filter change: 3.300 ml.
Repair: 3,600 ml.
Refrigerant: 2,400 ml.
Front Fork oil 517 ml.
Suzuki GSX-R1000 2001 Image Gallery
