SUZUKI GSX-R750 (1996 - 1999) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 3.9 out of 5 (3.9/5)
Annual servicing cost: £570
Power: 130 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm)
Weight: Low (395 lbs / 179 kg)

Overall rating

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

In 1996 Suzuki unveiled their new Suzuki GSX-R750. The engineers had ditched the cradle frame, which had been a feature of the bike since it invented modern superbiking in 1985.

They replaced it with a chassis developed from their RGV Grand Prix machine, crammed in a fallen angel of a motor and then sculpted the shape in a wind tunnel. The Suzuki GSX-R750 is nothing less than a track thoroughbred.

Ride quality & brakes

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

Refresh or replace the Suzuki GSX-R750's tired old suspension and suddenly you’ll discover a machine of dazzling handling quality.

The forks are quite soft and heavier or faster riders will benefit from an extra 30cc of fork oil to firm them up a tad. The steering damper is unadjustable and can the Suzuki GSX-R750 feel lazy in slow speed turns. The six-piston Tokico brakes are sensational, but will need braided hoses now.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Early Suzuki GSX-R750s were carb-fed (injection didn’t appear until 1998), which can cause the DOHC in-line four cylinder, ram-air assisted motor some carb-icing problems on cold, damp days.

It’s quite peaky as well, which dovetails neatly with its track-focus, but can be an issue if you’d rather dawdle than thrash. Some early ’96 Suzuki GSX-R750s had some cylinder head/piston clearance problems.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
2 out of 5 (2/5)

The Suzuki GSX-R750's finish is comically poor. The paint vanishes from anything and everything from the fork legs to the mirror stems and even religious cleaning helps not a jot. Intrinsically the Suzuki GSX-R750 is very reliable – though early bikes had a problem with a fuel pump hose. A green sticker on the right hand frame spar says it’s been fixed.

Value vs rivals

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

The cult of the Gixer keeps the flame burning bright, but these days the Suzuki GSX-R750 is considered old hat. Pish, of course, but you should budget for refreshing the Suzuki GSX-R750's suspension and replacing the inevitably notchy, wheelie-killed headraces.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Make sure the bike comes with its seat hump and pillion pad – one or other usually goes missing. There’s a world of aftermarket tat available for the Suzuki GSX-R750 – Yoshimura cans are good… tinted screens and anodised bolt kits less so.

Specs

Engine size 749cc
Engine type 16v in-line four, 6 gears
Frame type Aluminium twin spar
Fuel capacity 18 litres
Seat height 830mm
Bike weight 179kg
Front suspension Preload, compression, rebound
Rear suspension Preload, compression, rebound
Front brake Twin 320mm discs
Rear brake 220mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 190/50 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 40 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £570
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group 16 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 130 bhp
Max torque 59 ft-lb
Top speed 164 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 10.9 secs
Tank range 160 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

1996: Beam frame Suzuki GSX-R750 released.
1998: Suzuki GSX-R750 gets numerous updates including improved fuel-injection.
2000: Suzuki GSX-R750 replaced by all-new model.

Latest Suzuki GSX-R750 review

Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI GSX-R750 (1996 - 1999)

21 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI GSX-R750 (1996 - 1999) 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-R750 (1996 - 1999)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Engine: 4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Reliability & build quality: 3.9 out of 5 (3.9/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.6 out of 5 (4.6/5)
Equipment: 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5)
Annual servicing cost: £570
5 out of 5
22 May 2023 by Travis

Year: 1997

My bike was blue and white, I broke it in correctly and kept it inside a garage, as well as clean ans a fresh coat of wax on it. My paint looked as good ten years later as it did the day I bought it. It ran great only people who have no reason to be on a bike like this ever complained. Keep it above 10 grand and work the shifter like you are on a motocross bike and nothing could out run it. I even ran a 10.58 ET on my 2nd pass at U.S. 41 drag strip on test and tune night, I also won 100 bucks because rumor was thar the bike was not as fast as advertised. Truth was most people could not launch the bike or ride it to 80 percent of what was capable of.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

never had one problem

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

never did anything but change the oil

Equipment 5 out of 5
2 out of 5 Be careful if buying.
31 October 2022 by RM

Year: 1998

Wouldn't recommend to anyone. I owned 1996 SRAD just after they were released in the 90's. Absolutely beautiful black and silver model that was really low mileage, great fun, super fast but unfortunately almost had me off a couple of times with tank slappers when accelerating hard over slightly uneven roads. That wasn't the biggest problem though. Unfortunately the bike had a bottom end rumble on deceleration. Suzuki told me they would have to strip the engine down to the crank to fix it. I later found out this was a design fault that occurred with thousands of these. Fast forward to today and I recently bought a later model low mileage 1998 injected version. Great fun to relive the fun I had over 20 years ago? This 98 model, handles better due to the standard damper, accelerates faster due to the injection system and without any flat spots. Brakes unfortunately aren't up to expectations. But worst of all, this 98' engine has the beginnings of the low engine rumble that I found on the 96' model that I had owned. It seems Suzuki never bothered to fix the problem over two years of production. It is a shame because I felt this could have been one of the 90's icons; starting life with it's GP bike inspired frame and radical looks when it was released. Unfortunately it's good bye to any more SRAD's unless it's one that has had the extensive engine fix performed by a Suzuki dealer.

Ride quality & brakes 2 out of 5

Front brakes even with braided hoses are useless.

Engine 3 out of 5

Fuel injected model certainly more enjoyable to ride than the early carb model

Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5

Major engine/crank/bearing weakness should have been resolved early on.

Value vs rivals 2 out of 5

The thousands needed to be spent on the crank strip averaged over the years will still make these expensive even during a 10 year ownership.

Equipment 3 out of 5

Thanks Suzuki for the standard steering damper.

5 out of 5 SRAD review
11 October 2022 by Rob

Version: SRAD

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £100

Hard to state it's worst feature. Best feature when rode my first srad in 1998 which was a carb model was the power, speed, handling and braking. My later and existing SRAD is the injected model and apart from the slight improvement in power/speed/acceleration the rest is as good as the first one I owned over 20 years ago.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

It's not a sports tourer so more than 100 miles it becomes a little tiresome. I don't use it for longer distances.

Engine 5 out of 5

Cannot fault it.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

24 years old and still never fails to start and never fails to put a smile on my face when riding it.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Do my own servicing so I service it with better parts than suzuki would use and service more frequently than recommended.

Equipment 5 out of 5

This version has a steering damper as standard which the early one didn't. It is certainly an improvement.

Buying experience: Bought private and got a great deal.

4 out of 5 Re-visiting the experience
30 August 2022 by Reborn gixer rider

Version: GSXR750WX

Year: 1999

After buying a new GSXR750WW in 1998 and having a lot of issues with the bike it was sold and replaced with a 5JJ R1 The bike handled and performed very well, but there was a re-occurring issue with the gearbox of a false neutral between 4th and 5th with the dealer having the bike more that myself in the 3 years of ownership After some 20 years a GSXR750WX 1999 was purchased , a very well used and uncared for bike, on test ride the gearbox was the sweetest box I've used (this highlighted my many arguments with the dealer on the 1998 bike that they didn't know how to repair it) the updated ECU on the injection over the 98 bike is a vast improvement with a better and stronger power delivery

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

the handling is very good some don't like the 6 pot front calliper performance , preferring the 4 pot conversion however with the 98 bike the brakes performed well (apart from when collected new the packing grease was left on the disc vent holes, which was interesting to stop)

Engine 5 out of 5

the 99 uprated ECU performs even better than the 1998 injected bike

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

For a 23 year old bike that has been unloved over its life the bike is in fairly good order with little corrosion the paintwork has held up remarkably well , it does have the odd paint chip and scratch but this is expected at the age of it

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

As the bike hasn't been put on the road yet I can't give an estimated running cost servicing and repair will be done by myself so it will be only parts cost on my other bikes this has been oil and filters and tyres as needed A good overhaul of the bike is underway the un-skilled electrical attempt have been rectified the suspension is being serviced and a general going over and the oil changed

Equipment 5 out of 5

when new it had as much as every other bike apart from most where still running carburettors and this having fuel injection

Buying experience: The 1998 bike was dealer purchased new (and not a very good experience) the 1999 bike was purchase used privately which all went well

4 out of 5 1997 750 gixxer
27 May 2021 by Robert T Baker

Version: Srad

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £1,200

2 owners garage kept runs like new

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

It just goes

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

Buying experience: Private

5 out of 5 An appreciating classic
29 July 2020 by Ridni

Version: GSXR 750 W

Year: 1998

Where do I start! I bought my 98 fi model 2 years ago with 21000 miles for £900, it had some nice parts fitted, Ohlins shock & steering damper, Harries rearsets, Power Commander, K&N filter, downside it had some damage from a low speed spill. To cut a long story short, a total strip and rebuild, spent a lot of money but every penny completely worth it. First ride you definitely notice this bike has a very peaky motor, very flat at low rpm so requires a few revs to get off the line, but use the gears and keep the power above 6k it is very rewarding offering faultless fuelling and plenty of power. The rear shock and forks where serviced and re-sprung to my weight by Brooks in Bradford, spend the money here because you will end up with in my opinion one of the sweetest handling bikes I have ever riden, I still cannot believe this bike is 22 years old, fast changes of direction effortless, hard acceleration out of corners had no drama just tons of grip. Brakes are probably showing their age against newer machines but still good with quality pads and new hoses. Overall very happy, think she will be a keeper and Secretly do enjoy humbling Much more modern bikes.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

You do get a little buzz at the bars which can sent your fingers a little tingly when on motorways but no problem on A roads. Ride is a little firm but I did ask for the suspension to be set for fast road and track days, find some smooth tarmac it is superb, you will need good fillings on rough roads. The brakes are good, they modulate well and give plenty of power for the road but definitely not single finger jobs.

Engine 5 out of 5

The absolute star of the show, for the road more than adequate power but it’s the way it makes the power which is so addictive, very peaky but select the right gears and keep it buzzing it is such fun and rewarding.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Reliability has been good not had a single issue, but as with much of the criticism thrown at these bikes painted parts don’t fare well, much of the work I did on the bike was cosmetic but if you are prepared to do a bit of painting and powder coat this part can be massively improved

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Do the work myself, a good quality oil, genuine oil filter, new sparks, clean & re-oil the k&n. Brake fluid and new tyres every 2 years.

Equipment 3 out of 5

Basic by today’s standards, but does have decent under seat storage. Change the screen to a higher double bubble, braided hoses and upgrade the suspension are good additions. Keep gearing as standard. S20’s and S21’s have been a very good tyre choice.

Buying experience: Saw advertisement on marketplace, travelled from Leeds to Andover to collect, no issues

4 out of 5 Sweet Swift Safe Suzuki
18 April 2020 by Martyn Whitfield

Year: 1996

Annual servicing cost: £400

I ride my bike on the road and do track days on it. It is the most forgiving bike I have owned. When I make mistakes the Suzuki corrects them, especially in the wet. I have had plenty of slides on soaking wet track days and survived. My bike is capable of doing much more than I can.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

The bike is at it's best on track days but it is very comfortable to ride long distances with the only "rest" times are when refuelling which is not too often as it is quite economical.

Engine 5 out of 5

Fantastic engine, even for such an old bike.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

My bike is old and not in show condition. I don't mess with it and only do anything when neccessary. I have had it four years with no problems.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

I home service using good oil and filters. The cost includes new tyres.

Equipment 4 out of 5

No accessories. I use Michelin tyres which are very good in all weathers.

Buying experience: I bought my Suzuki privately. I only paid £1000 for it. The bike is worth much more than that to me. It suits me perfectly.

5 out of 5
26 June 2017 by Paul

Year: 1998

This could be the perfect bike. I was worried that it would be overpowered and cheap - being a suzuki. But the quality of the build is impressive, and it is easy as anything to ride. Perfect power delivery - nice and manageable at low revs then a monster when revved up. Feels so nice to ride. I cannot fault this bike - it could be perfect. 10/10.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Feels amazing to ride. Smooth and powerful when needed.

Engine 5 out of 5

Sounds amazing. There is no need for a bigger engine. This things roars when revved up - too powerful if anything. But supremely docile and manageable at low revs - great around town and in traffic.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 Bang per buck
21 September 2014 by

Picked up my '99 srad 750 a few months back after watching a certain youtube vlogger sing the models praises despite owning much newer and far more expensive bikes. Always been a Suzuki fan at heart. Just as long as it wasnt the all to common blue and white and did come with fuel injection. Found a relatively unmodded red black one with lowish miles and had to have it. I havnt been disappointed thus far in my bargain purchase. Very comfortable for me (6'2") compared to the newer stuff, engine is a gem but you do have to rev it, more like a six hundred than a thou. Starts on the button every time with fuel injection, the manual choke (high rev) lever is kind of quirky. Fuel consumption is fine. Lots of room under the pillion hump for storage too. Lighter and quicker than equivalent era Fireblade. Six pot front brakes are fine but need to be maintained. Rear brake is sublime. If there is one thing that lets it down its the vibes around the national limit but dont generally notice it unless cruising. Had a fair few bikes over the years and to be honest this is one that Im least likely to sell. For the money you cant really beat it. Yes the model has gone out of fashion I guess, but who cares when you know it hasnt cost the earth and will still give most a run for their money when things start gettin bit tasty. Cant recommend one enough.. Great bike.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 Awesome
13 April 2010 by billi808

What a bike, in it's hay day this thing was knocking on the door of the 1000's on straights, and the 600's in the corners. The best all rounder of all time!!! I have one for a year and loved the thing, everyone should own one at some point.

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 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 ***
18 September 2008 by SMITSJ

bought a 750 1999 as my first bike and absolutley love it.adrenaline rush is too soft a word for it.first and second gear wheelie,third gear pulls a house down and the rest pul you to 170 mph! yoshi rs3 and a kand n filter make the engine sound and pull better.stock brakes and suspension are fantastic for "a" road hacks,just fit a steering damper and it gives that little bit extra confidence. overall it is a lot of bike for very very little cash.ideal first bike.

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 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 bought
31 March 2008 by sad500

an old one to muck around on. Great handling and quite comfy. Build quality excellent tho broken down 4 times got a fueling problem. Overall tho an excellent bike and lts of fun to be had on a tight budget.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
3 out of 5 Exciting ride for the money
16 May 2006 by moonjarb

I bought the last model before Suzuki introduced fuel injection. After riding an old R1, I would say what the bike loses in power it makes up for in handling. The bike is a lot easier to turn than a lot of big bore machines. I've had a few bikes and this one was the most fun! Strengths: Quick and easy to chuck about. Weaknesses: The bars flap about on the power quite a bit. Build quality not great.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Engine 3 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 1998 MODEL WITH FUEL INJECTION WW MODEL
04 October 2004 by dish9999

I had a gsxr600 before this on which I did 16000 miles in its 1st year. Traded in for the 750. The first thing I noticed was the heavy steering at low speed - caused by the steering damper - anyway I left well alone because my 600 used to shake its head when powering out of bends. If you like peaky power characteristics then get one of these (bit like a peaky 2 stroke but with engine breaking) Its reliable , very fast and always brings a smile on a twisty country road. Now done over 30k miles - took it for a dyno - 121 bhp at the back wheel . I dont want and cant afford the latest model 1000cc posing machine - this is alot more fun r1s,gsxr1000,zx9,r1 owners look twice at the engine size after a run dave. Strengths: Performance, performance, reliability and looks. Weaknesses: I go out in all weathers and some of the finish is poor. perhaps I should wash it better.

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 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 My Review
31 July 2002 by bencolem

I have just traded a ZX6RG1 for this bike (a '99 WW). First, I've got to dispell at the rumours. Dead uncomfortable - not true. The bike is roomy enough for me and I'm 6'1". The screen is low so you do get wind blast but the bike really does have a good riding position. My wrists didn't need amputating after a long ride - its just as comfortable as the ZX6R but without the wind protection for your head (haven't tried it with the bird on the back yet, so can't give you pillion performance). No bottom end and crap-all mid-range - not true. Okay, the fuel injection means the bike does shunt when accelerating at low revs (under 4000?) from a closed throttle but after that the drive is as sweet as a nut. It is perfectly able to be driven around at less than 4000 revs if need be and the engine really gets going at 7000 revs. When it hits 10,000 the bike just goes barking mad - this is one very quick bike, don't believe the hype about it not being that quick - feels a lot quicker at the top end than my mates 'blade and you have to concentrate to keep the front wheel down, especially in second. But in terms of driveability and mid range, there really isn't a problem. Okay, you're going to get left behind by an R1 if you both need to leg it after pootling along in top and don't change down, but R1 owners I know sh*t themselves in the wet and at least you can moderate the power better in the Suzuki. But the star of the show is the bike suspension and handling. Hitting the front brakes hard on this bike is a dream - the forks hardly dive and the bike feels so solid, planted and composed that you just start taking liberties without thinking about it. I cannot tell you enough how fantastic the front end feels. I was lifting the back wheel into bends without even trying, the bike is that composed. I don't seen to be getting alot of rear wheel grip, but I'm going to change the pretty well worn D207 so I'll have to see if its the bike or the tyre. This bike looks lower and wider than the ZX6R and that's how it feels - lower to the ground and more stable with a more useable engine that is just barking at the top end of the rev. range. No wonder people call this a hooligan's tool. I just can't stop wanting to ride it and ride it hard. It is fantastic. Really. And who wants a Mondeo (sorry Fireblade) or common-as-muck R1 anyway?

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 My Review
07 June 2002 by skunk

I can't fault it, although it is starting to look a little dated, but after 6 months, what bike doesn't!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 My Review
22 May 2002 by bigjay

An utterly awsome machine. Gives loads of confidence partly due to the great tyres. I'm 6'3 so the screen is a bit low but i can live with it. Just need a new can now to make it sound like a true GSXR.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 My Review
19 February 2002 by irelang

Other bikes might be better, get caught in the low revs and youll be 4 bikes lengths behind, but it still looks sexy, nice fat rear (the bike, not the wife). Gets real hairy over bumps...but what a grin factor...will sell kids before bike.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 My Review
31 July 2001 by wheeler750

The bike is real fun to ride but I find the gearbox a bit clunky every now and again and the mid range was terrible till i fitted a K & N and the Yoshi end can now it's spot on.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 My Review
28 February 2001 by AGEE

I've actually just part exchanged it for an Aprilia RSVR 1000 Mille. This was after I tested one from Tony Jefferies in Warrington. I'd always fancied a twin, but having never ridden one, I was a bit wary, hence the test first. Anyway, back to the GSXR. It was a superb bike, far and away the best bike I've ever owned. It was ultra reliable and never once let me down, including a 1500 mile round trip to Alicante and back last year. However it's main use was for Sunday blast's and track days. I could not fault it here. It went round bend's as if it was on rails ! It was fast enough right through the range, although it did need to be revved right round to the red to keep it up there - then I initially thought it would do. The brakes were superb ( I had fitted HH pads ) and hardly went off by the end of a trackday - you just needed to tug them a bit harder. I actually swopped bikes round the TT course with a friend of mine - he had a 99 Fireblade. The Blade did feel slightly quicker in a straight line on smooth tarmac, but once we got onto the bendy bits it was a nightmare. It just did not handle anything like my GSX. It seemed to wobble and chatter into and round the corners and the brakes were just not up to the job. He said the complete opposite and is now looking to buy a new GSXR750 ! In short, I could not fault it - best £7000 I ever spent. I just hope my RSVR performs the same.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 My Review
29 January 2001 by R1marky

Overall I am very pleased with Gixer. Fantastic pinpoint handling and no funnies on the track. The only gripe is with the build quality in some areas.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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