Suzuki unveils new 2011 GSV-R

This is the new factory Suzuki GSV-R that Alvaro Bautista will race in the 2011 MotoGP world championship.

Sporting a striking blue livery inspired by Troy Lee Designs in the colours of title sponsor Rizla, the final 800cc GSV-R is one that Suzuki hopes will become a consistent top six contender when the new season gets underway in Qatar on March 20.

This year’s bike features a revamped V4 motor designed for increased horsepower and durability.

A new chassis and swingarm combination has also been developed to improve turning performance, while the Mitsubishi engine management system has also been upgraded to improve traction control and anti-wheelie.

Factory team boss Paul Denning told MCN: “We haven’t turned the bike on its head and done anything radically different for 2011. The engine is a higher spec and we’ve definitely got some more performance.

“It has more push everywhere and a little bit better throttle connection. I don’t think top power is much more but it is smoother off the bottom. And the electronics are a step too.

“We did some stuff on destroyed tyres in Sepang that made the bike much smoother on corner exit. It is not so much about the lap time but making the bike easier to ride when there is no grip.”

Suzuki has also targeted improving its performance in a broader range of conditions with the revised chassis and swingarm package.

At the first Sepang test in Malaysia back in early February, Bautista evaluated for different chassis specs.

The GSV-R has only excelled in searing hot conditions but various chassis, geometry and weight distribution modifications have been introduced to help make the bike more competitive in cooler temperatures with low grip.

Bautista’s best results in his rookie campaign in 2010 came with fifth places in Barcelona and Sepang, races that were run in extreme hot and humid conditions.

Bautista’s chief engineer Tom O’Kane told MCN: “With the chassis we hope it will make the bike easier to ride and smoother in changeable conditions. We’ve definitely got better turning performance.

“The bike does turn better in he middle of the corner and it is pointed a little bit more to the exit when Alvaro wants to get on the throttle. It is only a small amount but in every corner it can make a big difference.”

Suzuki has cut its involvement in the premier class in 2011 to just one bike, the Japanese factory blaming the on-going impact of the global financial crisis for its decision.

Denning recently held senior management talks in Japan prior to the second Sepang test but told MCN it was still too early to determine Suzuki’s future strategy for the new 1000cc four-stroke MotoGP format in 2012.

He said: “We exchanged some ideas and opinions on the future but no firm decision has been made by Suzuki as regards the future. But they were very useful discussions and it was a positive feeling about 2012 and Suzuki’s involvement.

“I think there’s an awareness of the importance of being in MotoGP for the promotion of the Suzuki brand and the development of future technology.”