SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2012 - 2016) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £180
Power: 182 bhp
Seat height: Medium (31.9 in / 810 mm)
Weight: Medium (448 lbs / 203 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £6,400 - £7,000

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The now old GSX-R was an exceptional bike, winning AMA and world endurance titles and narrowly missing out on a BSB title. Suzuki have simply improved the weak points, namely better brakes, more midrange, lighter handling with a few cosmetic tweaks, which in the end produces an exceptional road bike with real world manners.

It may lack sophisticated traction control and ABS, and isn’t as race-focussed as BMW’s S1000R or Kawasaki’s ZX-10R but it won’t be far behind in terms of lap times and is much more forgiving on the road.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 was one of the first bikes to have Big Piston Showa front forks. For 2012 the forks remain but have been revised with a shorter fork length and softer spring as the bike is lighter. The rear suspension remains unchanged.

Suspension feel is excellent and it’s easy to transform the Suzuki from a mild mannered road bike into a cutting edge race bike with a few clicks of the suspension.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 has always had an exceptional engine and the new motor follows that tradition with class leading torque. Pistons have been redesigned to be 11% lighter with different crowns which has increased compression from 12.8:1 to 12.9:1. Torque is up to a quoted 86ftlb with peak power of 182bhp. Peak power may be slightly down compared to the sporty ZX-10 and S1000R but it’s far more usable through the midrange.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Our MCN long-term GSX-R1000 has completed more than 16,000 trouble-free miles and after a quick clean comes up looking like new. GSX-R reliability is legendary and there’s no reason to question the new bike, the motor should be bullet proof even after a mild tune.

The quality of components used on the bike is high, like Showa suspension and Brembo brakes. Compared to the old GSX-Rs, Suzuki have pulled their socks up in terms of build quality and it shows.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

At just under £11,000 the GSX-R is one of the the cheapest superbikes on the market. It’s a few hundred cheaper than the standard Honda Fireblade, a grand less than Yamaha’s R1 and over a grand cheaper than Kawasaki’s new ZX-10. Yes it’s the only 1000cc bike not to have traction control but it’s the cheapest.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

Unfortunately there’s no optional ABS and there’s no traction control which may put a few potential owners off. However, the GSX-R does have a three-way power mode switch which restricts the power, which can be done easily and whilst on the move from an easy-to-use paddle switch on the left bar. There’s also fully adjustable foot-pegs as standard and now the addition of Brembo radial brakes as standard on the new model.

Specs

Engine size 999cc
Engine type 16v (74.5 x 57.3), 6 gears
Frame type Aluminium twin spar
Fuel capacity 17.5 litres
Seat height 810mm
Bike weight 203kg
Front suspension 43mm fully adjust
Rear suspension Single fully adjust
Front brake 2x310mm four piston caliper
Rear brake 220mm disc single piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70x17
Rear tyre size 190/55x17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 50 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £180
New price -
Used price £6,400 - £7,000
Insurance group 17 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 182 bhp
Max torque 86 ft-lb
Top speed 186 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 10.3 secs
Tank range 180 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2012: model introduced

Other versions

None

Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2012 - 2016)

10 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2012 - 2016) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2012 - 2016)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Engine: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Equipment: 3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Annual servicing cost: £180
4 out of 5
27 February 2023 by Mick

Year: 2012

I find after a while my wrists start to ache then I get pins and needles in my hands then my fingers start going numb and cold also I find my seat uncomfortable after I have been on the bike a while.apart from that it’s ok.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5
07 May 2021 by Iain Nicholls

Version: L5 MotoGP

Year: 2015

Looks fantastic, handles great, comfortable to ride all day. Engine has lots of low down power, midrange grunt plus the steaming top end. ( like a 1000cc bike should be). Induction roar is awesome.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Quality Showa BPF, set up fir the roads. Brennobi brakes are very good, improved with EBC HH pads & HEL lines

Engine 5 out of 5

Engine has lots of low down power, midrange grunt plus the steaming top end. ( like a 1000cc bike should be). Induction roar is awesome.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

No corrosion at all (it is ridden in the wet but not winter salted roads).

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

I do my servicing, it’s easy to work on.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Shows it’s age in design in this area. But thrn again it’s refreshing to know that full power in always thee with a twist of the throttle. Have Added a HM racing quickshifter

Buying experience: Dealer Laguna motorbikes, ex demo 5 months old £9500 including the yoshi pack

3 out of 5 Great bike but....
17 November 2018 by Gary

Year: 2017

Annual servicing cost: £200

Looks stunning at first, good motor once set up right and lots of extra cash spent exhaust, dyno time ,brakes .Low quality finish let’s bike down not in the same league as BMW Triumph Ducati Aprilia better value in long run. Good bike built to a price in certain areas. Iconic model is its strongest point. This model needs fine tuning to get the most out of it so bare that in mind and budget spending @ £3k to make it spot on.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Brakes are acceptable for normal road riding but not a good Brembo set up. Master cylinder and lines needed to bring it up to same level as competitors. Standard suspension once set up not too bad will be more than adequate for most . Ok riding position for sports bike. Toured Germany not too bad returned decent mpg. Decent all round bike but in my opinion a well set up K5/6 is still more usable all round just long in the tooth now. Engine is a peach when on song.

Engine 4 out of 5

Brilliant vvt engine once above 6k . Fuelling is poor needs setting up . Suzuki could learn a lesson from Triumph as their fuelling much more sweet from low down. Engine is what you’re buying but let down in other areas . Power is brutal on higher rpm a serious rush.

Reliability & build quality 2 out of 5

Paint finish thin and cheap plastic components. Engine is great when set up. Electrics are dodgy . Throttle can be snatchy. Reported catalytic converters melting. Disappointed. Rattling SET valve needs regular adjustments. Full exhaust cures cat problems and SET valve.

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Servicing reasonably priced average running costs . As with most sport bikes budget for tyres.

Equipment 3 out of 5

Looks it great . A full exhaust system ,remap, brakes upgraded, Pirelli supercorsas recommended. Then you have a bike Suzuki should have developed in the first place.Elecronics are a step forward for Suzuki but unfortunately not in the same league as many of competitors.

Buying experience: Initially good buying experience.But after a electrical fire issue Suzuki let me down. Thus I would not buy again from them. Good bike but flawed in a few areas . The money that needs investing to make it great is better spent elsewhere on another brand. Loved the top end rush and looks but sold her in the end. Suzuki have great finance deals so will sell plenty, but customer care is questionable.

5 out of 5 Best Japenese Sports bike
01 March 2016 by Bigfish

Year: 2015

Annual servicing cost: £160

Outstanding real world handling and performance, the best Jap 1000 by far. Unfortunately even with the generous riding position it had to go die to comfort issues after 50 miles, I'm 6ft 4ins.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Brakes outstanding with loads of feel. Loves to be thrashed the faster the better, hold onto your licence. Got an indicated 175 on a closed road still more to go!! Forget the pillion seat its an instrument of torture.

Engine 5 out of 5

Need about 4000 rpm before anything interesting happens but the top end rush to 13000 rpm is incredible, Very easy to ride with no hidden surprises like the ZX10R. When running in it is still very quick below 6000 rpm.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Bought new, but never gave me a problem. Nothing fell off or broke.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Only had 1st service done. Tyre wear good for such a quick bike

Equipment 3 out of 5

Pretty basic but look at the price

Buying experience: Excellent from AM Motorcycles in Letchworth, very helpful and went for Suzuki option pack with tinted screen, bargain

5 out of 5 Mr
07 July 2015 by GWF

Version: L3

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £200

Brilliant, done 11k miles since last summer and just can't stay off it.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Razor sharp front end. Brakes - Grab a handful and get that superb feel, recommend standard pads, they are very good, with instant bite.

Engine 5 out of 5

All the power you need.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Sound quality and bullet proof reliability.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

I service this myself and indulge in fresh oil & filter every 2k... I also choose to replace tyres in pairs, as I believe there's no point in compromising the quality of riding on new tyres by having a part worn front and new rear. I personally like it on Dunlop Sportsmart 2...

Equipment 5 out of 5

Does me fine, I like analogue riding with no rider aids... raw and sincere power, it's how I was brought up!

Buying experience: New for 9k!

5 out of 5 You'll Be Laughing On Judgement Day! :-)
16 June 2015 by Ashy

Version: L2

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £150

This is the most fun bike I've had since I had an RG500! It makes my old GSX-R1000 seem like a dinosaur!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

My back needs a little tlc these days but this is the best of the sports litre bikes for comfort.... have you sat on an Italian bike recently? The ride quality is superb on the roads, stable, flickable and rides the bumps instead of clattering off them! The brakes are superb. There is more movement at the lever than say an S1000RR but that just allows gentle braking in the real world. Feel and power is fantastic. I read the previous reviews before adding mine and noticed some similarities to my own experience in that, I went on a test ride of an L4 on the Suzuki roadshow. The demo bike had harsh suspension and the brakes felt wooden and the electronic steering damper felt alien. My bike had 3.5k miles on it and showed none of these issues. So don't be put off, I'm glad I wasn't.

Engine 5 out of 5

I bow to the knowledge of the MCN testers who say the S1000R and ZX10R are more powerful but I really love this engine. It's really smooth and linear in the way it produces the power with stacks of grunt and a mental top end - as a litre sports bike should! It has a raw edge and sound to it too that I love.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

It seems much better put together than my old GSX-R1000 but I've only had it since August '14 with only issue being a replacement battery needed. Also, you can't complain about a few stone chips on a machine capable of 180MPH+!

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

I thought the MCN review 50mpg was a misprint, it isn't. A 'sane' ride out with the missus on the back on country lanes for 4 hours gave over 48mpg! 'Enthusiastic' solo riding can still give impressive figures north of 40mpg. Some great bargains out there so what are you waiting for?

Equipment 4 out of 5

I know I could do with more under seat storage, bungee hooks and helmet holders but I've chosen a sports bike and have to live with my decision. What I couldn't live without was a grab handle for my missus courtesy of Renntec. If a bike has pillion pegs it should come with a grab rail even a removable one! My bike has the genuine Suzuki sports pack and I would recommend it particularly the double bubble screen which does a great job of letting you tuck in.

Buying experience: I bought from a dealer who bent over backwards to help me and gave a fair trade-in for my old GSX-R. Thanks KJM!

5 out of 5 Suzuki GSXR 1000 2012 from a professional Advanced rider ( can't spell the job but do the Maths ) Previuos racer also and plenty of bikes and miles under the belt/ this bike is awesome !!!
18 May 2015 by Thursy111

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £180

perfect balance of power, affordability and style

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Numbness through the hands after a long ride but thats only because she hates being ridden at sensible real world speeds

Engine 5 out of 5

Bonkers power ! Bullet proof reliability

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

AMA winner for many years and far better than the Italian stuff ( and yes I owned a new 999s )

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Services are never cheap but I believe Suzuki could trim the price down a bit

Equipment 4 out of 5

Who needs traction and ABS with a bike this good. If you like buttons look elsewhere

Buying experience: TOP notch

5 out of 5 Fantastic Bike
15 November 2014 by Preadator

Had the L4 for about 3 months now having riden the GSXR 750 for 4 years. Love the power and torque of the 1000 and having Big piston forks and Brembo brakes it has the front end the 750 always needed. Doesn't have traction control or ABS etc. but I feel it really desen't need it, amazing value for money, recommended.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
3 out of 5 Almost great
25 January 2014 by tman39a

test rode an L2 demo and the bar vibe was unbearable...goes great but got a K5 instead and its in a different league but hard work. The K7/8 model I had for 3 yrs combines the best of both once de-cat'd and for me felt more complete

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 2 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 2 out of 5
4 out of 5 still a bridesmaid
11 May 2013 by

owned since mid summer 2012 (was there a summer in 2012 ?) several rusty parts already but that's normal for Suzukis I've owned loads over the last 40 years so usual 4 stars for quality, Reliability has been perfect (aided by not installing an alarm which makes all suzuki F1 lights come on at some point). Engine feels more potent but strangled to death by the catalytic converter.... which is welded in to the pipe which goes from the engine to the end can so to get to the power require a complete exhaust system which is a shame. The previous model L1 is virtually the same bike but you only need a link pipe to remove the cat and a can to free enough power for 3rd gear wheelies, the cost of changing the whole system puts it too close the the price of a BMW s1000rr which makes it pointless to spend as much for a lot less bike. The L2 is vastly overpriced for what it is.... great bike but I paid under 10,000 and if you pay more you've failed to haggle a fair price. Suspension is incredibly hard at first but beds in and softens within 1500 miles. handling is great high speed long sweepers to hairpin bends all easy and confidence inspiring. Adjustable height footrest is the only thing that made me buy this over the repsol blade they make the difference between being able to ride 100 miles or 250 in one go. equipment is enough for what you need, no more, no less... no electrical toys to rely on, just you and a throttle and brakes (how I like it). If you've owned a GSXR you know what to expect in terms of quality issues but you also know what to expect from the power, fun and handling, Great bike, worth around £10,000 no more. More comfortable than other sportsbikes which makes it the better bike for the road.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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