I first bought my GSXR in September 2000 not long after the new models first hit the streets. It was between this bike and the R1 and at the time people were still raving about how good the R1 was. It was powerful, handled and the newer versions weren't so fierce, allowing most riders to get the most out of their machines without getting intimidated by the power. Anyway, by this time I had spoken to a lot of people concerning the R1 and nearly everybody said that it is a bike that always holds a surprise for the rider. And that if for any reason you lose concentration for a moment while on the gas this machine will bite you. Not the sort of bike I want really, I mean the power is awesome and the handling is brilliant, but I don't want to be steaming round some race track and then suddenly the back end breaks loose big time? Then just as we had pretty much made our mind up about the Yam, Performance Bike magazine published the 'Sportsbike of the Year Award' and have a guess what bike slaughtered the opposition? Yes, you've guessed it, the new GSXR750WY. This year's bike is lighter than the current R6, handles like a 250 and accelerates with the big boys, this is my baby methinks As soon as the bike arrived and was run in, I quickly found out that it was an absolute missile. It pulled clean and hard through the revs, but really started moving in the latter end of the scale. Hit 13 - 1400 revs in every gear and the world is a virtual blur. Then soon it's time to tuck in and hold very tight. This is by far the best bike out there for all round handling and performance. There is loads of horse power and it will pull hard in mostly every gear. Corners are simply eaten up with no effort, all you have to do is point it in the direction of the corner and the rest is history! Even the riding position is comfortable and according to my wife Marisa, the pillion is perfect. It's no Pan European, but very easy on the back side all the same. The only thing the GSXR needed was a grab rail, as this bike pulls a bit too hard to just use the strap. So far everywhere I've been I have either run out of clear roads or run into the local constabulary and it really doesn't help having such a loud race can on board either. I have to say though, that out of all of the bikes I have ridden over the years, this has to be the best. I've done three track days on the Suzuki now, Snetterton twice and Brands both back in 2000. And although I was caught out by some grease on the way to Burnham on Crouch last October and was high-sided writing it off, I have another identical GSXR750 lined up in a couple of weeks time. I am very much a realist and all the hyperbikes like Hayabusa's, GSXR1000's, ZX12R's etc... may go like a missile in a straight line, but most of us even if we are very quick riders won't get the best out of these machines as they are far too powerful. Whereas the GSXR750Y has the power on tap if you want it and also will hold a corner like it's on rails at any speed. For example, on Riches Corner at Snetterton Park, I had my knee and toe dragging at about 130+mph and the nimble Suzuki held the line and didn't move about one bit! In fact, I spent most of the day passing R1's and the like and there wasn't much in the difference of acceleration between the two bikes on the fast back straight either? I can't wait to get the new one soon and book up the next track day! There's more about my Suzuki on my web pages and loads of pictures to ogle at. Motorcycle Mayhem & Trackday Madness (http://www.geocities.com/dawnr_uk2000/front_page.html) Dean Baldwin, Essex.
