Digging deep into our archives, we carry you this First Experience assessment of a legendary bike: the 1995 Suzuki GSX-R1100. The GSX-R1100 grew to become tremendous well-liked in drag racing circles and for good cause – that 1074cc four-banger was made to zip you in a straight line shortly. If it was dealing with and circuit efficiency you have been searching for, the GSX-R750 was the bike to decide on. The 1100 was the game tourer of the time even when it wasn’t speculated to be. At the very least we’d contemplate it one now because of its clean, highly effective engine, clip-ons above the triple, and comfy seating place.
Let’s additionally take a step again and shed a tear for inflation. When it was new, you possibly can stroll out with one in all these GSX-R1100s for $10,000 and have some money left in your pockets. In 2023, a bike with comparatively comparable efficiency would price you twice as a lot! However as an alternative of dwelling on the present, we’ll allow you to benefit from the previous. Glad reminiscing.
The Massive Lean: Suzuki’s 1995 GSXR1100 Drops Weight, Positive aspects Efficiency
Mar. 19, 1995
When Suzuki’s GSXR mannequin line was first launched method again in 1986, they have been quintessential sportbikes. Gentle and highly effective with superior dealing with, the GSXRs have been the scourge of racetracks and canyons worldwide. Since then, the years have been merciless: The GSXRs, unequaled kings of the proverbial sportbike hill within the late Nineteen Eighties, grew fats and complacent on the prime.
All of the sudden, it’s 1994. And the GSXR lineup is pushing round 100 or so kilos of additional pork that was nowhere to be discovered on the featherweight originals, and Suzuki is getting stomped in Superbike and unlimited-class racing the world over.
So Suzuki places the GSXRs on a weight loss plan. The GSXR600 underwent essentially the most drastic cutback – it withered away fully! The GSXR750 was run by the weight-reduction mill final 12 months, dropping 24 kilos within the course of. This 12 months, fortunately, the GSXR1100 bought placed on a quick. And the outcomes are spectacular!
In the event you cough up the $9549 (American {dollars}) urged retail value for a 1995, you get 493 kilos of bike – replete with an awe-inspiring 1074cc, four-valve-per cylinder powerplant – that’s surprisingly comfy: With bars mounted above the triple clamps, low-mounted foot pegs, and multi-adjustable suspension at each ends, this large Suzuki is surprisingly tour-worthy. Nonetheless, it’s not for the meek – though we may see going coast-to-coast on a inventory GSXR1100, we’d rely on taking loads of stops to stretch and loosen up aching physique components.
And the GSXR1100 sacrifices nothing for this comparatively sedate driving place – floor clearance is greater than ample. Count on to by no means drag components on a correctly set-up GSXR1100, no less than not on the road.
One caveat in regards to the GSXR’s suspension: The factory-recommended rebound settings are too sluggish, which means the bike tends to “pack” beneath braking, and due to this fact, to wobble over bumps.
And these rebound settings compound a perennial flaw in GSXRs: When honking alongside at racetrack-like speeds, Suzuki’s GSXR line will get into slight, low-frequency wobbles when onerous on the brakes – probably from chassis flex. No worries although, as these weaves are solely vital sufficient to scare the rider, and received’t throw you so long as you don’t panic. This 12 months, Suzuki beefed up the body within the steering-head space, decreasing – however not eliminating – this tendency. The higher rails are additionally improved, and in an additional effort to enhance rigidity, the brackets now bolt the cylinder head on to the higher body tube.
The swingarm, too, has been beefed up, and now encompasses a racer-like “bridged” brace welded on prime. Moreover, the precise aspect of the swingarm is now extruded (forcing steel, often within the presence of elevated temperatures, by an aperture of the specified form) somewhat than pressed (stamping sheet steel into type), ensuing – theoretically, no less than – in higher rigidity. Total, Suzuki claims 5 % higher torsional (twisting) rigidity with out a weight improve.
However should you sit round complaining in regards to the GSXR1100’s minor dealing with issues and portliness, you’re certainly lacking the purpose! The chassis and tires on this machine are merely devices to attach the 1074cc mill to the pavement, no extra, no much less.
Have to squirt previous some visitors in prime gear on a busy rural freeway whereas driving two-up with a trailer? No downside on the GSXR1100. The motor’s been re-tuned for 1995 to churn out 10 % extra midrange, a superb factor for any road bike, even whether it is over-powered to start with. And carburetion is flawless from idle to redline. Equally, there aren’t any surprises within the energy supply, apart from that it makes gobs of horsepower, all over the place. So be careful–this bike is simple to get into bother with, besides in first gear: Suzuki has an ignition-retard circuit that, clearly, retards the ignition in low gear (it’s a red-and-black wire positioned beneath the seat).
So for the sport-touring lovers on the market, you owe it to your self to take a check trip on a Suzuki GSXR1100. As a result of should you like horsepower, you’ll love this bike, and if any little side of the GSXR1100 bothers you, look to the aftermarket, which helps this automobile with a plethora of components. From high-rise bars to fairing-eliminator kits and trailers (and even Nitrous Oxide!), you’ll have little problem constructing your dream bike out of a Suzuki GSXR1100.
Specs: Producer: Suzuki Mannequin: GSXR1100 Worth: $9549 Engine: dohc, 16-valve, inline-4 Bore x stroke: 75.5 x 60.0mm Displacement: 1074 cc Carburetion: (4) 36mm Mikuni Transmission: 5-speed Wheelbase: 58.5 in. Seat peak: 32.1 in. Gasoline capability: 5.5 gal. Claimed dry weight: 493 lbs.
Impressions:
1. Tokico brakes have been superior, by no means fading or misbehaving. And it’s a superb factor, as a result of this GSXR suffers from the identical wobble-while-braking that’s plagued GSXRs for years, a mixture of a number of components, together with a still-too-weak body. Nevertheless, one full-throttle burst is sufficient to wipe any complaints straight out of your head: This engine is nothing wanting mesmerizing. And with a confirmed endurance racing report of success that nearly ensures you years of trouble-free excessive efficiency, the GRXR1100 will amuse for years to come back. Primarily based on it’s superior acceleration, shocking consolation and monitor report, I give it 4 (out of a attainable 5) stars.
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