The Suzuki GSX-R is a top-of-the-line sport bike that was considered a breakthrough model when it was first released back in 1985. Although several generations of the GSX-R have been introduced over the years, the model has maintained its reputation for being the closest thing any Japanese manufacturer has yet produced to a street legal racing bike. Over the decades the GSX-R has been continually refined and perfected to provide riders with unparalleled power and performance capability.
The 2012 Suzuki GSX-R has the same classic sport bike look that past models have sported. However it also features a new color scheme as well as a number of new styling elements. These elements include new instrumentation, new black fork tubes, and new red-pinstriped wheels. The 2012 Suzuki GSX-R delivers engine performance that’s incredible from idle to redline and all points in between. The 999cc four-cylinder engine has been modified specifically to provide spectacular acceleration and a level of performance that would make the bike more than capable of holding its own on the racetrack. Engine features include high-quality titanium valves, forged pistons, shot-peened conrods, and exhaust valves. Each of the cylinder bores features pentagonal cutouts on the sides. This larger opening results in a lighter crankcase, while the ventilation holes, which are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, help match the actual flow of the trapped air. This reduces pumping losses from internal crankcase air-pressure and minimizes resistance to downward movement from the pistons. The bike’s improved 4-2-1-exhaust system is also lighter, helping to facilitate greater agility and handling, as well as to increase mid-range engine power for better acceleration around corners.
The 2012 Suzuki GSX-R is outfitted with a back torque-limiting clutch that incorporates the Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) for a lighter cpull and optimized performance. Downshifting is smoother, thanks to the back-torque limiter. This enables the rider to take full advantage of the engine output when decelerating. The 2012 GSX-R is built on a twin-spar aluminum-alloy frame with an aluminum-alloy swingarm. The bike’s compact engine enables a longer swingarm as well as a wheelbase that’s shorter overall. Footpegs can be adjusted to three positions in a 14mm horizontal and vertical range. Rear brake pedal and master cylinder also move with the right footpeg assembly, while the shift lever linkage can be adjusted in order to accommodate left footpeg position changes. The suspension has been refined to provide a smoother ride, while handling and braking have also been fine-tuned.
An electronically controlled steering damper that provides a more alert and agile feel further bolsters handling ability. The damper increases damping forces at high speeds and decreases them at slower speeds. The front disc brakes are made from heat-resistant stainless steel and work in conjunction with the top-of-the-line-radial-mount Brembo monobloc calipers. Rear disc brakes rely on a single piston Nissin caliper that’s mounted above the swingarm. The 2012 Suzuki GSX-R features new high-grip leather seating that helps hold the rider in place while providing a greater sense of stability during acceleration. Despite having been introduced nearly 30 years ago, the Suzuki GSX-R remains the top dog in the open-class sport bike category. Recently the model was identified as the top motorcycle in the world by a number of publications. With speed, power, balance, and styling, the 2012 Suzuki GSX-R delivers all you could look for in a sport bike. With Suzuki continually refining the model and making subtle improvements from year-to-year, it’s likely that the GSX-R1000 will continue to be the last word in sport bikes for some time to come.