2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000 launched at Rs 19 lakh

Suzuki India launched the 2017 version of the GSX-R1000 in our two-wheeler market today. The 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000 will be offered in two variants - standard and GSX-R1000R. The Suzuki GSX-R1000 has been priced at Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It will compete against the Yamaha R1, Honda CBR1000RR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Ducati 1299 Panigale, Aprilia RSV-4 and the BMW S1000RR. The flagship litre-class bike, the Suzuki GSX-R1000R will carry a price tag of Rs 22 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Booking for both the motorcycles had already commenced for Rs 1 to Rs 3 lakh depending on the city. Powering the new motorcycle is a 999.8cc liquid-cooled, in-line four engine delivering 202.1PS of power and 117.5Nm of torque. This means that the new motor develops 16.5PS more power and torque has been hiked by a marginal 0.9Nm over its predecessor. 

Among the major highlights of the 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000R is the fact that it is the first superbike with Variable Valve Timing (VVT), which has been indigenously designed by Suzuki themselves. The VVT system was developed for their MotoGP bike and it is a mechanical system. The benefit of VVT is that it offers the rider good mid-range performance along with an extra zing in the top end of the power band. With modern litre-class bikes pumping out in excess of 200PS, electronic aids have become more of a necessity than bragging rights. The 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000R gets three ride modes, a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), 10-level traction control, banking-sensitive ABS, launch control and a bidirectional quickshifter (only the Suzuki GSXR-1000R gets the last three features). ABS can only be turned off with the race kit while, surprisingly, the quickshifter can’t be disengaged. 

Suzuki engineers also claim that they tried the trick electronic suspension on the new motorcycle but felt the conventional unit performed better. For this purpose, the 2017 GSX-R1000R features Showa’s excellent Balance Free Fork and Balance Free Cushion shock as seen on the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. The wheels have also been crafted from lightweight materials and ride on Bridgestone RS10 rubber for the R version. The frame and subframe are also lighter by over a kilo in comparison to the older bike. Braking is done by new Brembo T-drive 320mm dual brake rotors with 4-piston monobloc calipers at the front and a single piston Nissin disc at the rear.The GSX-R1000 will be available in Metallic Triton Blue and Metallic Mat Black while the GSX-R1000R will be available in Metallic Triton Blue and Glass Sparkle Black. Deliveries for the superbikes will start by late June, 2017.