NEW SUZUKI GSX-8R PRICING ANNOUNCED
Fresh from its reveal at Eicma in Milan, Italy, earlier this month, Suzuki has announced UK pricing of the new GSX-8R: the new middleweight sportsbike will come with an OTR price of £8,899 when it arrives in dealerships in February.
The GSX-8R uses Suzuki’s new 776cc parallel twin engine, with its 270° crankshaft providing a V-twin-esque feel and soundtrack. Thanks to its long stroke design it produces an abundance of torque throughout the rev range, peaking at 78 Nm at 6800rpm. Peak power is 82.9PS at 8,500rpm.
While the main chassis is shared with the GSX-8S, suspension comes from Showa, and there are lower handlebars to provide a sportier riding position, with riders tucked behind the new, GSX-R-inspired full fairing.
As standard there is a bi-directional quickshifter, three power modes and three selectable traction control modes, with all information displayed via a 5” colour TFT screen.
GET THE RIGHT WINTER BLUES WITH 2.9% OFFER FROM SUZUKI
It might be getting colder but Suzuki is making it easier to get the right sort of winter blues by offering 2.9% APR finance on a number of models. Available over four years on both PCP and HP, the offer includes the Hayabusa – including the new 25th anniversary edition – both the V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050DE, the GSX-S1000, and both the GSX-S1000GT and GT+.
There’s also £500 off the GSX-R125 and GSX-S125, plus £750 worth of free accessories available on the V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050DE. All three offers run until 31 January 2024.
As a part of the 2.9% finance deal, the flagship, 25th anniversary special edition Hayabusa – complete with its legendary 1340cc inline four-cylinder engine, sophisticated electronics package that includes power modes, cornering ABS, traction control, anti-wheelie, a bi-directional quickshifter, multiple engine braking settings, launch control, and cruise control, and striking bodywork – can be ridden for £149 per month on a four-year PCP deal, with a £4,210.48 deposit.
Or, those looking to cover big miles on a big adventure bike can pick up the V-Strom 1050, with its similarly all encompassing suite of electronics, DR Big-inspired style, and punchy 1037cc V-twin motor, for £109 per month over the same period with a £2,711.30 deposit, while also equipping it with their choice of complementary extras.
New riders or those looking for the perfect tool to tackle city congestion and keep running costs to a minimum can also enjoy £500 off the GSX-S125 and GSX-R125.
Jonathan Martin, Suzuki GB head of motorcycles, said, “The clocks have gone back, the nights have drawn in, and the temperatures have dropped, but it’s still a good time for riders to put a new Suzuki in the garage for less this winter. We understand that monthly payments remain key for our customers and by offering an incredibly low 2.9% through the winter we believe more customers will take advantage now and not wait until spring to ride away on a new Suzuki.”
NEW V-STROM 800RE TO ENHANCE SUZUKI ADVENTURE BIKE LINEUP
Following the launch of its all-new V-Strom 800DE earlier this year, Suzuki has announced a new V-Strom 800RE that will further expand its adventure bike stable, ensuring the V-Strom range is truly ready for any terrain, any horizon, any adventure.
Born to roam, the V-Strom 800RE will provide a more road-focussed offering than its more off-road-ready sibling. With DE denoting the V-Strom 800DE’s positioning as a dual explorer, the adoption of RE for the latest V-Strom 800 model highlights its abilities as the road explorer.
Arriving in November, the new V-Strom 800RE will come with an OTR price of £9,699.
At its heart, the new V-Strom 800RE uses the same new 776cc parallel twin engine as its stablemate, with its double overhead cam and 270° crankshaft design delivering a broad spread of torque throughout the rev range – peaking at 78Nm at 6800rpm – and a rumble and character more akin to Suzuki’s famed V-twins. Peak power is 84.3PS at 8500rpm.
It also uses the same steel main frame, engineered for a balance of straight-line stability and agile handling. The narrow steel tubes also help maximise fuel tank capacity, which comes in at 20 litres. However, the new V-Strom 800RE differs from its more rugged counterpart most notably by swapping 21” and 17” spoked wheels and tubed tyres for 19” and 17” cast aluminium wheels, wearing Dunlop tubeless tyres.
Like the V-Strom 800DE, high quality suspension is still provided by Showa, but with a focus on delivering superior on-road performance. 150mm of travel at the front and rear comes courtesy of preload-adjustable inverted front forks and a link-type monoshock adjustable for preload and rebound damping, delivering sure-footed roadholding and a plush ride for long days in the saddle. Stopping power comes from radially-mounted four piston Nissin calipers.
Further underlying the V-Strom 800RE’s prowess as the tool to explore all roads it comes with a seat height of 825mm, while aluminium, rubber-covered footpegs are set 14mm further rearward and 7mm higher than the V-Strom 800DE, and aluminium tapered handlebars are 13mm lower and 23mm further forwards. They’re also 15mm narrower. A taller and wider screen offers more weather and wind protection on longer rides.
Nestled underneath the screen is a 5” colour TFT screen with dual display modes for day and nighttime riding. All the navigation of menus and features is done via a simple, easy-to-use rocker switch on the left-hand handlebar. There’s also a handy USB port located on the left-hand side.
Displayed on the bright, clear screen is all the information required by the rider, including the current setting selected from its three-mode traction control system – which can also be switched off – and the current power mode selected, from Active (the more sportier and direct throttle map), Basic (ideal for cruising or city riding), and Comfort (perfect for wet or cold conditions). There are also two ABS settings, providing differing levels of intervention.
A ride-by-wire throttle connection provides a natural feel and connection to the rear wheel, while a standard-fit bi-directional quickshifter – allied to a slipper clutch – makes gear changes slick and seamless. There’s also Suzuki’s low rpm assist and easy start function.
Sharing a similar DR Big-inspired look as the 800DE, complete with iconic beak and full LED lighting front and rear, the V-Strom 800RE will come in Pearl Vigor Blue, Metallic Matt Steel Green, and Glass Sparkle Black.
There will also be a full suite of genuine accessories available including a choice of three-piece aluminium or plastic luggage, heated grips, and a centre stand.
V-STROM 650XT ADVENTURETO ARCTIC FINLAND
The call of the open road, the thrill of exploration, and the allure of far-off destinations have always been the hallmarks of motorcycle adventures. Gordon Stuart has been lucky enough to travel some of the world’s greatest roads by motorcycle, from the Dalton Highway in Alaska, The Verdon Canyon in South East France, to the Lofoten Islands in Norway and the F roads across Iceland.
As part of his ongoing quest to ride across The Arctic Circle in every country possible, at the start of 2020 Gordon settled on the V-Strom 650XT as the perfect bike for his next planned adventure to Arctic Finland as well as plenty of day trips around his native Northumberland, and weekend runs to Scotland.
Gordon had ambitious plans, 4,000 miles in nine and half days from home in Newcastle to Arctic Finland via Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, popping into Norway on the way home just because. Utilising his personalised champion yellow V-Strom with silver Givi outback trekker side cases, Gordon set off from Newcastle to catch the ferry to the Netherlands from Hawrich in Essex, some 326 miles away.
After the rest of an overnight ferry, Gordon docked early into Rotterdam at 8am on day two, ready for what turned out to be a punishing day in the saddle. Blitzing through the picturesque Dutch countryside and the distant cityscapes of Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Apeldoorn, Gordon was in Germany before noon with 150 miles in the bank. It was another 280 miles across Germany to the Northern town of Puttgarden where he would catch a ferry to Denmark.
Progress was stalled upon hitting major roadworks on the Bundesautobahn 1. Sweltering in the sun, low speed filtering became a chore, slowing progress, making the arrival into Denmark late. Even though the sun was starting to sit low in the sky he pressed on for Sweden, crossing the iconic Øresund Bridge from Copenhagen into Malmo, offering breathtaking views of the Baltic Sea – entering Malmo around 10pm, 545 miles done and 30 shy of the planned mileage.
The final leg of the journey North took him into the wilderness of Finland. The landscape evolved from lush forests to vast tundras and crystal-clear lakes, and not a motorway since Germany. The weather in Finland was cold and wet, up there with some of the worst conditions he had ridden – on par with Iceland in 2018 and Norway in 2011.
Thankfully the final day north saw the weather ease but the roads narrow. This northern wilderness was bathed in perpetual daylight, creating a surreal atmosphere, especially witnessing the midnight sun inside the Arctic Circle, which marked the pinnacle of this adventure and the fourth time Gordon had crossed the Arctic Circle by motorcycle.
The route home took in more of the delights of Finland, as well as the seemingly never-ending forests of Sweden, and a small visit into Norway to enjoy some of the amazing roads and landscapes.
Gordon said of the trip, “My V-Strom 650XT was the perfect motorcycle for the trip and never missed a beat. There was a great amount of power and range in the engine, even when fully loaded with my camping gear, and it was light and nimble enough to really enjoy the Scandinavian roads and mountain passes. The fuel-economy was fantastic which was a helpful benefit considering current fuel prices across Europe. Comfort was good, too, with some long days in the saddle. Needless to say, I can’t wait for my next V-Strom adventure.”
Find out more about the V-Strom 650XT.
NEW AND ICONIC SUZUKIS SET FOR MOTORCYCLE LIVE
Suzuki is bringing a fleet of new and iconic models to Motorcycle Live 2023, which takes place from 18-26 November at the NEC in Birmingham.
The firm’s entire product range will be on display, including its new-for-2024 models, alongside the fresh metal that joined the lineup this year.
That includes the award-winning GSX-8S and its adventure-shaped sibling, the V-Strom 800DE, both of which use the new 776cc parallel twin engine with a 270° crank, with an abundance of torque, and a comprehensive suite of electronics.
Both flavours of V-Strom 1050 – the 1050 and 1050DE – will also populate the adventure bike section of the stand, as will the venerable V-Strom 650XT, while the 8S will be joined by the GSX-S1000 and SV650 in the street bike section.
Powered by the same superbike-derived inline four-cylinder engine as the GSX-S1000, the revered GSX-S1000GT sports tourer will make an appearance, shown in its new colours for 2024, as will the iconic Hayabusa, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2024.
Making up the scooter section will be the trio of new 125s – the Avenis, Address, and Burgman 125 Street EX – and the Burgman 400, the original maxi scooter. Flying the yellow flag in the off-road corner will be RM-Z machinery, including race bikes from renowned supercross team and bike builders SR75 Suzuki. Their special, supercross-inspired V-Strom 650 will also be on display.
Visitors to the show will also be able to test ride a number of the models on display, with a fleet of Suzuki’s learner legal machines available in the Try Ride section, while experienced riders can sample the delights of much of the range out on the roads.
Harking back to Suzuki’s heritage will be a number of icons from the firm’s vintage fleet,, including the Team Classic Suzuki Katana and GSX-R1000 K1 endurance racer, with famous faces stopping by throughout the show, including BSB legend John Reynolds.
During the show Suzuki can be found in hall four, on stand 4D20.
GSX-8S NAMED AS THE MCN NAKED BIKE OF THE YEAR 2023
Launched alongside the new V-Strom 800DE at Eicma in 2022, the GSX-8S is a brand new bike in every sense, featuring an all-new parallel twin engine, new chassis layout and futuristic styling. A tubular steel subframe, aluminium swingarm, 43mm upside down front forks and rear shock from KYB, lightweight aluminium wheels, and wide aluminium ‘bars provide the perfect blend of stable roadholding, agility and all round manoeuvrability.
At the heart of the 8S is the long-stroke 776cc twin providing punchy torque with three rider modes to match the rider's style and a bi-directional quickshifter allowing for crisp changes. The patented cross-balancer system and 270-degree crank ensure that the GSX-8S suppresses vibrations creating a smooth riding experience, while also delivering a V-twin esque character and feel, while the 5-inch colour TFT dash, aggressive looks and agile handling complete what MCN have dubbed “the new middleweight king”.
SUZUKI ROLLS OUT 'CLICK TO BUY' ON 125CC SCOOTER RANGE
Suzuki has rolled out a new ‘click-to-buy’ scheme on its 125cc scooter range, giving customers the opportunity to buy online via the official Suzuki website, with orders fulfilled by their local dealership.
Making the buying process quicker and simpler, the scheme is available on the newly-launched Address 125, Avenis 125, and the Burgman Street 125EX, with just a £99 deposit required.
Hitting the ‘click-to-buy’ option from the respective model page or by visiting buy.bikes.suzuki.co.uk, customers enter their postcode before selecting their preferred colour option, after which they will be prompted to choose their nearest dealership with their choice of model and colour in stock and available.
Once the customer has added their details and payment information for the £99 deposit, the order will be fulfilled by the dealership in the usual way.
All three of Suzuki’s new 125cc scooters are engineered to provide comfort, practicality, and outstanding urban performance while also delivering excellent levels of economy and efficiency, but they do so in their own way and with their own style, giving customers the option to enjoy their city, their way.
They are powered by the proven Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) engine; the air-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant that currently powers over five million Suzuki models worldwide. All three scooters allow customers to ‘go further on a fiver’ by achieving an impressive 148.67mpg* fuel consumption figure and produce just 44g/km of CO2 emissions. At the same time, they still deliver powerful acceleration, with peak horsepower and maximum torque delivered at low rpm.
For more information on Suzuki’s scooter range, click here.
*Official WMTC figure.
SUZUKI SUMMER TEST RIDE ROADSHOW BACK FOR 2023
Suzuki GB will again embark on a test ride roadshow this summer, when it brings an additional fleet of demo machines to a number of dealerships nationwide.
The first of 14 events will take place on the 1-2 of April at new Suzuki dealer Mo-Tech Suzuki, based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, with a test ride fleet including the all-new V-Strom 800DE middleweight machine, powered by a new 776cc parallel twin and equipped with a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes including an off-road mode, plus switchable ABS. The list of demo machines also features the new V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050DE; which also feature a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes. The V-Strom 1050DE also gets switchable ABS and an off-road traction control mode.
The summer’s list of demo machines also includes the GSX-S1000 and GSX-S950, as well as the GSX-S1000GT – the best-selling sports tourer of 2022 – the updated Katana, the Burgman 400 maxi scooter, and the iconic hyperbike, the Hayabusa.
Joining the test ride fleet from the 8th April will also be the all-new GSX-8S which features a new 776cc parallel twin and equipped with a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes.
(Note that bike availability will differ from one event to another. Customers are advised to speak to their local dealer in advance of the event to check availability and to pre-book.)
Away from the test rides, Suzuki staff will be on hand to provide information on the firm’s full range of models and current offers and incentives. Additionally, individual dealerships will also provide extra entertainment and activities on the day, such as refreshments, special guests, offers on clothing and accessories, and motorcycle health checks.
Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, said, “The test ride roadshows have become a staple part of our summer events’ calendar, and we’re looking forward to getting them underway again in 2023. Not only can potential customers try a rich variety of Suzuki machinery on the day, it is also a great opportunity for us to spend time talking with existing and potential customers to better understand their motorcycling needs and habits. We’re travelling the length and breadth of the country, and it’s set to be another busy summer of motorcycling.”
For a full list of dates, see below, or visit the event’s calendar.
- 1-2 April, Mo-Tech Suzuki, Bridge House, Elizabeth Street, Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 1JS, 0191 265 9793
- 8-9 April, McCrum’s Motorcycles, 48 Armagh Rd, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3DR, 02838 868004
- 10 April, GS Motorcycles, 5 Pennybridge Industrial Estate, Ballymena BT42 3HB, 028 2563 1000
- 15 April, St Neots Motorcycles, 29-39 St. Marys Street, Eynesbury, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 2TA, 01480 212024
- 22 April, Thunder Road Motorcycles, Tremains Road, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, CF31 1UA, 01656 661131
- 28-29 April, Bulldog Suzuki, 267 – 269 Reading Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5AB, 01189 360725
- 13-14 May, Crescent Motorcycles, 324-326 Charminster Road, Charminster, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 9RT, 01202 512923
- 27 May, Groombridge Motorcycles, Mayfield Road Garage, Cross In Hand, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 0SP, 01435 862466
- 3 June, Two Wheel Nation, 3 Pontefract Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 1AJ, 01226 747669
- 22 July, Bill Smith Motors, 30/36 Tarvin Road, Boughton, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5DH, 01244 323845
- 12-13 August, Two-Wheel Centre, 1-5 Priory Works, Priory Square, Mansfield Woodhouse, Mansfield, Notts, NG19 9LN, 01623 627600
- 19 August, Powerslide Motorcycles Stoke, 962 London Road, Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent, ST4 5NQ, 01782 415298
- 3 September, Orwells Motorcycles, Copdock Bike Show, Trinity Park, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, IP3 8UH
- 9-10 September, Fowlers Suzuki, 2-12 Bath Road, Pylle Hill, Bristol, BS4 3DR, 01179 770466
SUZUKI LIVE RETURNS FOR 2023
Suzuki Live will return for 2023, with a full weekend of activity planned at Cadwell Park on 15-16 July, including track sessions, a new adventure bike zone, trade stands and displays, plus special guests.
Spread over both Saturday and Sunday, the event will again bring together track sessions for classic and modern machines, with novice, intermediate, and experienced groups available for pre and post-2000 Suzukis. There will also be a number of classic race bike parades across the two days.
A new adventure bike zone will give V-Strom owners the chance to take their bike off-road, as well as test ride the new V-Strom 1050DE and all-new V-Strom 800DE. The zone – free to enjoy over the weekend – will include expert tuition, a skills area, and a test ride loop through woodland and undulating terrain.
Out on the roads local to Cadwell Park, visitors will be able to test ride other models in Suzuki’s on-road range, including the new GSX-8S, GSX-S1000GT, GSX-S1000, and the iconic Hayabusa.
Joining in the fun will be the likes of three-time British Superbike champion John Reynolds, former National Superstock 1000 champion Taylor Mackenzie, and former 500 Grand Prix racer and British champion Steve Parrish.
Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, said, “Last year’s Suzuki Live event took place in glorious sunshine and was a spectacular day out for us and for everyone that joined. So much so, we couldn’t wait to extend it to a full weekend of track activity, parades, displays, and entertainment., and also add a new adventure bike zone. It’s going to be a full weekend of Suzuki-themed fun, and we’re excited to join our customers on road and track this summer.”
Track day sessions for the full weekend are available for £229, with race bike parade spots costing £199, and both all include camping and evening entertainment on Saturday night, which will feature trophy presentations, lively stories from the star guests, and a live band.
Traders and clubs can also book display space.
PRICING FOR ALL-NEWV-STROM 800DE ANNOUNCED
Pricing for the most off-road ready V-Strom yet, the all-new V-Strom 800DE, has been announced at £10,499.
Powered by Suzuki’s new 776cc, long-stroke, DOHC, parallel twin with a 270° crank, the V-Strom 800DE is born to explore and is equipped with a host of electronic rider aids and chassis features designed to help it tackle the rough stuff, as well as ensure it remains capable and usable on the road, too.
Suzuki’s new powerplant delivers 84.3PS peak power at 8500rpm and 78Nm of peak torque at 6800rpm in the new V-Strom, though riders can choose their preferred power delivery thanks to three selectable engine maps, controlled by a rocker switch on the left handlebar and displayed on a 5-inch colour TFT screen.
Also displayed on the dash in the selected traction control mode, with three on-road modes available to choose from and a G mode, for use off-road, that allows more wheelspin, which is suppressed only enough to help prevent excessive slip, so power continues to be delivered to the rear wheel with minimum interruption. It can also be disengaged completely.
There are also two ABS settings, providing greater or lesser intervention, plus there is the ability to disengage the rear ABS for improved confidence and control off-road, and a bi-directional quickshifter for seamless gear changes.
A new steel frame with bolt-on subframe and aluminium swingarm is suspended by fully-adjustable Showa components providing 220mm of travel and ground clearance. That ground clearance also comes courtesy of 21 and 17-inch wire-spoked wheels, front and back, running tubed Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres. Wide aluminium ‘bars and tough steel footpegs are designed to provide greater control when stood up off-road.
All this is wrapped in unmistakable a new, sharper, taughter incarnation of V-Strom stylinge, complete with a DR-Z-esque beak, and comes in the classic yellow that pays homage to Suzuki’s off-road racing heritage. The V-Strom 800DE is also available in a striking matt grey, with yellow accents, and subtle black, with blue.
It will be in dealerships in the spring.
BURGMAN STREET 125EX PRICING CONFIRMED
Suzuki has confirmed the recommend retail price (RRP) of its new Burgman Street 125EX as £2,999.
The new luxury 125cc scooter forms part of a trio of new scooters from the Japanese brand, set to boost its small capacity range in 2023.
An ultra-clean Suzuki Eco Performance alpha engine sits at the heart of the new Burgman Street 125EX – an air-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant currently powering over five million Suzukis worldwide – and delivers an impressive 148.67mpg, while producing only 44g/km of CO2 emissions. Though gentle on the wallet and the environment, it still delivers punchy performance with peak power – 8.6PS – and peak torque – 10Nm – delivered low in the rev range, at 6,500rpm and 5,500rpm respectively.
It also boasts an auto stop-start function, the indicator for which appears on a neat LCD dash, next to the eco indicator light, to encourage economical use.
The smart city commuter fuses class, style, performance, comfort, and practicality, the latter taken care of by 21.5 litres of underseat storage space and two helmet hooks, plus two utility hooks for carrying extra items. There’s also a closable front compartment with a USB charging port and an additional easy access front storage compartment, next to which is the ignition key slot which can be covered using a magnet mechanism coded to the owner’s key.
Comfort is aided by a long, well-padded seat, and wide floorboards with extended footboards up front, with a look of luxury and sophistication created by elegant lines and striking bodywork, and attention to detail, such as red stitching on the seat, distinctive lighting, and integrated turn signals.
Arriving in the spring, at £2,999 it joins the new Avenis 125 – at £2,699 – and the new Address 125 – at £2,499 – enhancing Suzuki’s scooter and 125cc model range.
RELENTLESS RINS WINS DOWN UNDER
Alex Rins took an emphatic victory at the Australian Grand Prix, coming from 10th on the grid to win a race that will go down as another Phillip Island classic.
In what was the first visit to Australia for the MotoGP circus since the pandemic. Rins made a strong start and got among the leaders with a series of expertly executed overtakes.
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He hit the front at the halfway stage, but with the top-10 covered by less than two seconds, it was not going to be straightforward.
The lead changed hands again and with three laps to go he was back in third place. However, he made two passes into the Southern Loop, in what had become his signature move after a number during the race, and held on to take the win.
He said of his win, “I’m super happy. During the race I was feeling pretty good, in fact my feeling with the bike was amazing. The pace was fairly slow to try and preserve the rear tyre, because we know this place can be tough on tyres. But in the end, I was able to find some good traction in the sweeping corners and this allowed me to gain places and feel strong until the end, but we had a fantastic battle all together.
“His entire team and everyone who has worked on this project deserves this win, and so do the fans, I’m so pleased that I could celebrate another victory together before we depart.”
THE FINAL FLAG – SUZUKIWAVE GOODBYE TO MOTOGP
The final race weekend of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship season has ended with emotions running especially high for Team Suzuki Ecstar, who bow out – not only from the season, but from the championship.
They did it in spectacular style as Alex Rins led from start to finish in the Valencia GP, taking a whole-hearted victory. Joan Mir showed his usual grit and perseverance to take a solid sixth place.
The team have achieved many great things in the relatively short space of just eight years, with the undoubted highlight being the team and Joan Mir becoming World Champions in 2020.
The journey to the final flag has been quite the adventure, ranging from the very first prototype test in 2012 to the last victory just a few weeks ago in Phillip Island, so instead of dwelling on our exit, we wanted to highlight some of the key moments of our last eight years in MotoGP:
2014: Although the story started under the spotlights of an official MotoGP test in 2013, the wheels weren’t truly rolling until we entered the championship in 2014. Aleix Espargaro arrived at his first day with the team with a statement helmet reading: “The Story Restarts,” and the intention was set.
2015: The first full season back coincided with the 30th anniversary of the legendary GSX-R1000 and a stunning retro livery was unveiled for the riders, Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales. This ‘bedding in’ year resulted in several Top 10 race finishes and 11th and 12th respectively in the championship standings.
2016: The first sweet taste of success came just one year later, with Team Suzuki Ecstar and Maverick Viñales’ first MotoGP victory at Silverstone. The image of Vinales crossing the line, standing high on the pegs with his arms aloft in victorious form gave the team impetus for more moments like this.
2017: The team welcomed a new line-up for 2017, the dynamic duo of Andrea Iannone and MotoGP rookie Alex Rins. It wasn’t smooth sailing for the squad, but with support from the test riders, Sylvain Guintoli and Takuya Tsuda, and the determination of the young riders, a couple of fourth place finishes were achieved.
2018: Suzuki grabbed an impressive nine podiums in the 2018 season with Rins becoming more confident in the class, taking his first MotoGP podium in Argentina. Iannone also put in some impressive rides – especially in Texas where he wore the Stetson with pride from the top step of the podium.
2019: Fast forward a year, and the Circuit of the Americas enjoyed another Suzuki success; this time it was Rins’ turn! This wasn’t to be the only triumph for the number 42 rider though, and in August of 2019 he took an emphatic and thrilling win at Silverstone. A photo of Rins taking the chequered flag, just fractions ahead of Marc Marquez, with the pair eyeing each other up to the finish line has become an absolute classic – not only in the Suzuki history books, but the MotoGP books too. A fast young Mallorcan talent named Joan Mir joined the ranks in 2019 too, showing flashes of excellence in several GPs.
2020: As the world reeled with the emerging pandemic and the MotoGP calendar was left in tatters, Suzuki pulled together and remained focused on racing goals – something which was evident in their month-long stay in Qatar at the start of the season, to protect staff and concentrate on the project. After a slightly rocky start to the season, things soon started to look up for the blue team. Joan Mir put together a sensational season, showing consistency and maturity throughout the year to be crowned MotoGP World Champion and put Suzuki back in the spotlight after 20 years. Coupled with Alex Rins’ impressive form which saw him finish third in the standings, this was truly the ‘comeback’ year for Suzuki – a feat made even more special as the factory celebrated 100 years since their founding, and 60 years in racing.
2021: Entering the year as reigning champions, and with the tried and tested line-up of Rins and Mir, the goal was once again to contend for podiums, wins, and the best championship positions possible. What the team lacked in luck that year, they made up for in tenacity. Rins had a tough year, although a second place at his beloved Silverstone gave a much-needed boost. Mir clocked six podiums through the year, and his consistency gained him third place in the standings at the close of the season.
2022: The final flag. It goes without saying that the highlight of the year for us was Rins’ heartfelt and thought-provoking final Suzuki victory in Valencia – a fantastic reward for the hard work and strong-will shown by the team. Although his nail-biting and ferocious run to the top step in Australia is a close contender. Mir also put in many brave and determined displays. We pulled together for every session of the season, and we stand strong together as we reach the final flag.
Alex Rins: “Well, I managed to achieve exactly what I wanted: another win with my team. This one, being at home and being our last together tastes extra special and it’s very emotional. Over the years Suzuki and I have celebrated some really beautiful victories, but also shared many beautiful moments as a family. I’ll miss everybody so much, and I’ll carry the lessons with me for the rest of my career.”
Joan Mir: “I’m happy to take a pretty solid finish in my final race with Suzuki, especially after a tough few weeks. Winning a title with this team is something I’ll keep in my heart forever, we’ve worked relentlessly during all our years together, but in 2020 everything just came together for us and it was simply fantastic. Thank you to the whole team for their help.”
Livio Suppo: “What more could we ask for? The only thing better would have been a double podium. But Alex showed, once again, how competitive he and our bike are. And Joan did a great job. My time with Suzuki has been short but very sweet. Working with an iconic brand, with superb people, and a great bike has been a big pleasure for me, and I think we can bow out with our heads high.”
Ken Kawauchi: “Today Alex did a very impressive job, getting the holeshot and leading the whole race, thank you to him for this final victory, and also to Joan for a nice sixth place. Finally, thank you also to all the staff for their work during all the years. We have been a very good group of people, and we always tried hard to get the best results.”
Shinichi Sahara: “Victory today in Valencia! What a great reward for the team. I’m very proud of the staff, the riders, the engineers in Japan – not only for today but for the whole season. We had a fighting spirit until the end, and we leave with a World Title and many victories and podiums.”
SUZUKI LAUNCHES INDUSTRY-FIRST ACCIDENT AFTERCARE PROGRAMME
Suzuki has launched its new motorcycle accident aftercare programme, an entirely free service for all customers, regardless of age of machine, that aims to make dealing with the aftermath of an accident or theft as smooth and as pain-free as possible. The programme provides riders with a single point of contact and will handle everything from liaising with insurance providers and recovery of the motorbike, right through to the repair at an authorised Suzuki dealership using only Suzuki Genuine Parts.
The service is a motorcycle industry first, and by helping to remove a lot of the stress from what is already a high-stress situation, it highlights Suzuki’s ongoing commitment to its customers past the new motorcycle point of sale.
With no sign-up required, any Suzuki owner involved in an accident – regardless of their insurer – can benefit from the service by calling Suzuki First, a dedicated call centre available 24 hours a day. From there, the entire claims process, recovery, and repair, will be handled on the owner’s behalf. Suzuki First will also be there if the motorcycle is stolen.
Jacob Lewis, Suzuki GB’s customer retention manager, commented, “We pride ourselves on our level of aftersales care at Suzuki, and I think our customers will agree we put a great deal of effort into things like our Suzuki Service Promise and our Vintage Parts Programme. Now, we’re really pleased to be able to further demonstrate our commitment to Suzuki owners with the Suzuki Accident Aftercare programme. Sometimes accidents happen and we know how stressful it is managing the fallout, arranging recovery and dealing with insurance companies.
“We aim to make this process as easy as it can be, by handling everything on the owner’s behalf. Not only that, by managing the process we can ensure that their Suzuki is repaired to the highest possible standard, using Suzuki Genuine Parts and by fully trained and experienced Suzuki technicians. And best of all it is completely free, there is no charge to the owner. All they need to do is call Suzuki First and we’ll take it from there.”
SUZUKI BRINGING CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING SUPERBIKES TO STAFFORD
SUZUKI BRINGING CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING SUPERBIKES TO STAFFORD
Suzuki is bringing championship-winning superbikes to this week’s Stafford Classic Bike Show – which takes place on 15-16 October at the Staffordshire County Showground – with Troy Corser’s World Superbike-winning GSX-R1000 K5 on display next to John Reynolds’ 2004 British Superbike title-winning machine.
The two iconic superbikes, in their Corona Suzuki and Rizla Suzuki liveries from the period, will be on display in the show’s new 90s and 00s hall, with Reynolds himself present for the duration of the show. The GSX-R750 SRAD ridden by Michael Dunlop at this year’s Manx GP will also feature.
Other classic Suzukis on display include the TL1000S that was out of brand new parts in 2014, thanks to Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, and a GSX-R1100L and Bandit 600 that were both restored by apprentices at the Suzuki Apprentice Centre in Doncaster. Also on show is a DR Big and a GSX1000SZ Katana, one of only 166 imported into the UK in 1981.
Alongside the classic fleet the latest Katana will head a display of modern machines, which will also include the third generation Hayabusa and the new GSX-S1000GT sports tourer.
Support over the course of the event will be Vintage Parts Programme specialists, Robinsons Foundry, as well as representatives from Suzuki Insurance and Motul.
