Suzuki has unveiled a GSX-R1000 flagship sports bike for 2009 at a world launch in Paris along with a new mid-weight naked bike and an updated cruiser.
The 2009 GSX-R1000 is expected in South Africa early in the second quarter of 2009 but no decisions have been made about the SV650 Gladius or the VN1500 Intruder.
The K9 Gixer has a new and more compact engine, a shorter wheelbase and tighter, more angular styling than its K8 predecessor.
Bore and stroke are even more oversquare (from 73.4x59mm to 74.5x57.3mm), compression ratio is up from 12.5 to 12.8:1 and the fuel-injection system has new 12-hole injectors to deliver a finer fuel mist. Careful repackaging has made the engine/gearbox unit 59mm shorter front to rear.
It's cradled in a shorter, twin-spar, cast cradle frame with a longer, banana-shaped swing-arm welded up from three castings. Wheelbase has been reduced 10mm to 1405mm.
Front suspension is by Showa's new "big piston" forks, based on endurance-racing designs. Rear wheel movement is modulated by a new monoshock with separate low and high-speed compression damping circuits.
One-piece forged callipers by Tokico are mated to floating 310mm front discs.
The GSX-R1000 also has a lighter, sculptured fuel tank that's narrower at the rear, an lap timer and revised drive mode selector controls.
LEGENDARY ENGINE
Also unveiled in Paris was the Gladius 650, a new naked mid-weight built around Suzuki's legendary SV650 V-twin engine, now upgraded with twin-plug heads.
Suzuki says its user-friendly ergonomics and neutral lightweight handling make it ideal for vertically-challenged or rookie riders.