Suzuki has learned not to mess with success. Suzuki's GSXR line has always been at home on the racetrack, so we weren't surprised when ours posted the quickest lap time of the day, narrowly edging the YZF1000 by just a few hundredths of a second. Its excellent ground clearance is its strong point, as is great feedback from the front end. These same qualities also made it a top choice for sport riding. Although it gives away as much as 14 peak horsepower to the competition, Suzuki's GSXR still posted a quick quarter-mile time of 10.42 at 130.11 mph.
Instrumentation remains racer-esque with a speedo separate from tach and temp gauges.
But when the road stops twisting, the fun ends. Also, the GSXR's buzzy and peaky powerplant lacks the midrange punch of its competition, a very desirable feature around town. Chuck Graves has considerable experience racing GSXRs, so we weren't surprised when he turned smoking laps on the 1100. Perhaps the biggest competition for Suzuki's 1100 is its own 750. At 122.6 bhp, the 750 is only spotting its big brother seven horsepower, weighs in nearly 100 pounds less, has a new-generation frame and cool styling, is quicker around a racetrack than the 1100 and better looking to boot.