Suzuki GSX-10R revealed as new road and track sports bike

Suzuki has taken the covers off the GSX-10R, a new litre-class sports bike designed to offer a more usable alternative to the increasingly track-focused superbike formula. 

Built around a 999cc four-cylinder engine with roots in the much-loved K5 GSX-R1000, the GSX-10R combines serious sports bike hardware with a chassis and electronics package developed to work as well on the public road as it does on track.

Suzuki is keen to position the GSX-10R as a bike for riders who enjoy sports riding without necessarily wanting the uncompromising nature of a dedicated homologation-level superbike. 

The company says it has been developed around the idea of enjoying a motorcycle across a range of environments, from commuting and weekend rides to touring and track sessions. In its own words, the GSX-10R is intended to be a different kind of GSX-R, rather than a machine chasing outright performance at the expense of everyday usability.

At its heart is a 999cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC inline-four, based on the K5 engine architecture and further refined through the GSX-S1000. 

Suzuki has made changes to the exhaust valve specifications and cam chain assembly to improve reliability and reduce noise, while revising the engine's characteristics following testing on both circuits and public roads.

The result is a claimed 150bhp at 11,000rpm and 78lb-ft of torque at 9,250rpm, with the engine meeting Euro 5+ emissions requirements. 

A ride-by-wire throttle and three selectable power modes allow riders to tailor the delivery, while a bi-directional quickshifter and slipper clutch are also fitted.

Electronics are a major part of the GSX-10R package, with Suzuki's Intelligent Ride System incorporating 15 control systems. 

Among the headline additions is Suzuki's first slide control system, which works alongside traction control to detect and manage lateral movement of the rear tyre during cornering. The system is designed to allow a degree of controlled sliding while stepping in if the situation becomes more difficult to manage.

Other equipment includes launch control, engine brake control, a lift limiter, cornering ABS and cruise control with curve speed control. There's also a new brake hold system, which can operate on flat ground and slopes.

The GSX-10R sits on an aluminium twin-spar frame with a newly designed aluminium swingarm, while the suspension comes from KYB. 

The 43mm inverted front forks are fully adjustable, while the rear linkage-type shock allows adjustment of preload, rebound and high- and low-speed compression damping. Suzuki says the setup has been developed to offer a balance between circuit performance and comfort on the road.

Braking is handled by twin front discs with a radial master cylinder, while the bike runs on Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres, in 120/70ZR17 front and 190/55ZR17 rear sizes. Suzuki also quotes a maximum lean angle of 53 degrees, five degrees more than the GSX-S1000.

Despite its sporty intentions, the GSX-10R gets a fairly substantial 18-litre fuel tank and a newly developed seat designed to allow movement during spirited riding while offering more comfort on longer journeys. 

The forward-leaning riding position is described as equivalent to that of the GSX-R1000R, although Suzuki says the seat has softer padding than its flagship superbike.

A full-colour TFT display, smartphone connectivity through the Suzuki Ride Connect+ app and a USB Type-C socket are also included. 

Styling takes obvious inspiration from the GSX-R family, with forward-swept winglets integrated into the fairing and three colour options: blue and silver, red and grey, and black and grey.

The new bike tips the scales at 214kg (claimed kerb weight), has a seat height of 810mm and a wheelbase of 1,455mm. Suzuki has not included UK pricing or availability details in the launch information, but we’ll update that as soon as we have it.

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