Martin gets first taste of TAS GSX-R1000

LIKEABLE LINCOLNSHIRE LAD Guy Martin got his first taste of the Relentless Suzuki GSX-R1000 last weekend at Almeria in Spain.

Martin also took part in the launch of the all-new GSX-R600 along with journalists from the UK; read our first impressions of the new bike here.

Martin completed just over 80 laps of the Almeria circuit on the racebike in near perfect conditions, with the same specification that had been used at this year’s Ulster Grand Prix, as team manager Philip Neill wanted Martin to use it as a starting point.

Two different engine specifications and a number of new parts were taken to the test, and although the team opted to run the bike with limited electronic aids – to give Guy a feel for the engine – he still reported it was the best Superbike he’d ever ridden.

Guy Martin:

"It's mega to get out before Christmas with no pressure and no stop watches and just try different things – I mean who else is out there testing before Christmas? The last time I rode a GSX-R1000 was for a magazine test last year and I gave it a good write up, but the Relentless Superbike was just mega. I was more than impressed with it and the way the boys worked with me was equally as impressive. They knew exactly what I wanted and in less than a day the bike felt like it was mine – I would have been quite happy to race it. They tailored all the little things I like to suit me and the feel I got from the engine, suspension and chassis was fantastic.

"I also got the chance to ride the new little 600. The GSX-R600 was never a bad bike, but having lost a bit of weight and added more grunt, it's not going be on the back foot now is it. I'm looking forward to running it in race trim in the new year."