Thursday, March 5, 2009

2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 first ride


According to the guys at MCN, the 2009 GSX-R1000 is better than the 2008 and 2007 models, but is that going to be enough to take on the new R1 and Fireblade?

With about 170-180 horsepower at the rear wheel and 203kg kerb weight (170kg dry weight), the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 has to be an amazing bike. Then again, this is the year when Yamaha have fitted a MotoGP-inspired crossplane crank engine on the R1, Honda have fitted C-ABS on the Fireblade and Ducati have DTC traction control on the 1198S. So does the GSX-R still have what it takes to be the best in the litre-class/open class superbikes segment? Well, there's no way of knowing until someone actually tests the three bikes back to back, but we do suspect the GSX-R is not going to be able to come out on top.

Next year though, Suzuki should be back with a radically redesigned GSX-R1000, probably with ABS and traction control as standard equipment. So the K10 should be the one to watch out for...!

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