Suzuki GSX-R1000 (2009-current)

Hi, picked my K9 up on sept 1st and just thought i'd share my thoughts. came from a K7 gixer 750 which i loved. I would give the bike 9 1/2 out of 10. i absolutley love the bike. it is crazy fast, my first 1000, and to be honest it's too fast for the roads. i'd say i was an average rider both on roads and track and would admit the bike is a lot faster than i am capable of. however my thoughts on the handling would be that it's like my other gixer as it rides very flat. there's no front or rear bias and is very neutral. the suspension is obviously fully adjustable but on standard settings are about perfect for me. i took a blade out before i bought the gixer and the one area i think the blade was better was on bump absorbsion. the blade floated over bumps and crests where as the gixer will skip and feels more lively. i enjoy this aspect but i suppose it's personal choice. i've changed the brake fluid on mine as they lacked initial bite and wern't that strong and it's helped. also ive got the akrapovic 4-1 and a power commander on the bike and the fueling is perfect with a custom map but i cant comment on the standard bike.one thing i don't like is the standard bridgestones 016's. i'm not that keen on them and i'll be putting some supercorsa's on it for spring/summer next year. really happy with the bike and won't be changing it in the next couple of years.

I bought my k7 without a test ride and was disappointed with the overall size of it and the power placement. Earlier GSXR 1000's have a huge wave of power from tickover. The K9 still lacks this one thing that used to set suzuki apart from the other big 3.... but they have addressed the size issue... it feels as though it is three quarters the size of my k7 and handles incredibly well. Definitely on par with the k5/ k6 (which may well be the best sportsbike ever produced) the engine although well suited for town and commuting still lacks the bottom end grunt that makes big bikes exciting from pull away. It's not a million miles behind the fireblades engine (which is the best engine at present) it is just more user friendly (nullifying the need for the 3 way power switch) and less scary after 6500 rpm. That said, it will wheelie from 60 mph off the thottle in 2nd and is less twitchy on typical pot holed british roads. I must agree with SteveW19 regarding MCN's Yamaha bias it has been going on for a few years since the 2007 bike came out (every year the new yamaha is the best thing since sliced bread). Also it is true that the other 3 will pull away from the gixxer round a track at wsb rider pace but average riders on all 4 wouldn't tell the difference. On the road is what counts. Personally I'd just like the k9 with a tweaked k5 engine in it but euro regulations and emission restrictions wouldn't allow it so this is as good as it gets.

Background - whilst I'm no self confessed track-day God, I am more than a little tired of people raving about alledged massive differences between the latest crop of superbikes. I am fortunate enough to have owned a lot of bikes over the years, including 4 GSXR1000's and I am awaiting delivery of a new K9 in 2 weeks time (to replace a K7). In my opinion - unless you really are a track day junkie etc. (and an advanced one at that) then you choose the bike that you think looks best. Splitting hairs is down to personal preference, and I agree with other comments here that for journalists to rave about 1 model as being significantly better each year - is really wearing thin with most of us. I used to rely on the road tests as being a fair account, but I agree that there seems to be a fair old bit of brand sponsoring going on. If you like the GSXR family, then you'll love the new one. I have a demo bike at the moment whilst mine is on order, and it feel very similar to the K7, I like the new touches, the dash, engine note. As I liked the R1s that I've owned too. I would have happily gone for a new R1, but I don't like the looks of the current model - and isn't that what many of us use as a buying decision? I am pleased to now see some of the UK magazines giving a more real world assessment on the bikes i.e. the differences are minimal and any bike will suit 99% of riders, you just choose the style and colour that you prefer. Sorry MCN, but as a long term reader can I simply ask for some basic objectivity and honesty.

I ride 600RR'07 before I upgraded into K9 happy with all the features I wanted. smooth delivery agile and lighter. I give 5 stars for this all new features Gixer.

In the last 6 weeks i have owned the new R1, Blade and now GSX R1000. They are all great bikes so i think it just comes down to personal prefence. Gixer wins for me though.

I have to agree with you GMan7, I suggest you check out MotorcycleUSA.com. They have a massively different opinion of the K9, written by someone who isn't on the Triple Tuning fork's payroll! I haven't ridden the K9, but I give Suzuki 5 Stars for being the only Japanese Manufacturer preserving good superbike design!

After reading the MCN test of the new K9 I was somewhat disappointed but after a long test ride I can confirm that it is an awesome motorcycle! I think MCN have lost a lot of Gixxer loving readers and Yamaha racing Michael Neeves has gone down in my estimation. In this time of economic troubles the last thing we need is a report on a new bike that actively turns people away from buying it. I have had a K1, K5 and soon a K9 and am so glad I dismissed and resisted opting for an R1 as instructed by Mr Neeves in your heavily Yamaha biased MCN test report.