Product Review for the 2008 Suzuki GSX-R Series

The 2008 Suzuki GSX-R Series of high-performance racing/street bikes includes three different models, identified by engine size (600cc, 750cc, and 1000cc).  There are a few other minor differences in these three models that this review will reveal, but all in all, the Suzuki GSX-R is a bike that masters the track as well as the expressway in style, performance, and wow-factor.  Suzuki’s tag line says that you will “Own the Racetrack” but with one of these machines you will own your destiny as well, as these bikes sport high performance handling as well as good looks and power.

 

Full Specs

 

2008 GSX-R Series Specifications (at a glance)
Spec	GSX-R1000	GSX-R750	GSX-R600
Engine Type	4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC	4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC	4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Displacement	999 cm3 (cc)	749 cm3 (cc)	599 cm3 (cc)
Compression Ratio	12.5: 1	12.5: 1	12.8: 1
Bore x Stroke	73.4 x 59mm	70x 48.7mm	67 x 42.5mm
Transmission	6-speed constant mesh	6-speed constant mesh	6-speed constant mesh
Length/Width/Height	80.5” / 28.3” / 44.5”	80.3” / 28.1” / 44.3”	80.3” / 28.1” / 44.3”
Wheelbase & Grnd. Clearance	55.7” / 5.1”	55.1” / 5.1”	55.1” / 5.1
Dry Weight	172 kg	165 kg	163 kg
Suspension (front / rear)	Front: oil spring (cartridge type) & adjustable spring preload-rebound & compression damping. Rear: Link type, with adjustable (2 way) rebound damping and compression	Front: oil spring (cartridge type) & adjustable spring preload-rebound & compression damping. Rear: Link type, with adjustable (2 way) rebound damping and compression	Front: oil spring (cartridge type) & adjustable spring preload-rebound & compression damping. Rear: Link type, with adjustable (2 way) rebound damping and compression
Brakes	Dual hydraulic disc / Single hydraulic disc	Dual hydraulic disc / Single hydraulic disc	Dual hydraulic disc / Single hydraulic disc
Ignition Type	Electronic ignition (Transistorized)	Electronic ignition (Transistorized)	Electronic ignition (Transistorized)
Tires (front/rear)	120/70-ZR-17 190/55-ZR-17	120/70-ZR-17 180/55-ZR-17	120/70-ZR-17 180/55-ZR-17
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.5 Litre	17.0 Litre	17.0 Litre
Details
All GSX-Series bikes have the following details: Adjustable foot pegs, 2 fairing inlets, and multi reflector headlight with vertically stacked high and low beam halogen bulbs (inside reflectors are blue for European models).	Comes in 3 colours: 1.     Blue/White 2.     Black/Gold 3.     White/Silver	Comes in 3 colours: 1.     Blue/White 2.     Orange/Black 3.     Black/Matte Black	Comes in 4 colours: 1.     Blue/White 2.     Silver/Yellow 3.     White/Silver 4.     Black/Matte Black

 

Outstanding Features

 

* NEW* Engine improvements include:

• 32-bit ECM with 1024 kilobytes of ROM for maximum performance.
• Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) system that has two injectors per cylinder and a compact 8-hole fine spray for better atomization.
• Larger exhaust cam tappets (25.0mm).
• Suzuki Advanced Exhaust System (SAES) with below the engine chamber and large-volume muffler (w/ triangular-shaped silencer).
• Idle Speed Control (ISC) system that improves cold starts and produces a consistent idle while also reducing emissions.
• Back-torque limiting clutch that can reduce pressure on the clutch plate for much smoother corner entry and downshifting.

* NEW* Chassis improvements include:

• An overall redesign that balances compactness with high performance looks, and all new headlight design and angular tail section.
• Lightweight cast-aluminium wheels with a new angled spoke design.
• Die cast aluminium seat rail is updated by a two-piece design that reduces overall weight.
• Electronically controlled steering damper with solenoid valve that can reduce or increase oil flow and thereby adjust the damping force for either racing or slow driving.

 

* NEW* The GSX-R series now incorporates Suzuki’s Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) that features simple push-button cycling through three performance settings, allowing a rider to adjust to three different riding conditions and personal riding styles and is now located on the right handlebar’s control module.

 

Review

 

The GSX-R series was first put into production in the late 1980s with the GSX-R 750 (F) oil-cooled engine, and the series has steadily improved over time adding better ignition and carburetion, better aerodynamics, much better performance components, and now new to 2008: Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS). 

 

Drive mode selection requires some review, being new and often misunderstood (asking your dealer will result in a blank stare).  Drive mode selection is nothing new to Formula 1 racing, as this technology allows the drivers there to change engine mappings using the pit crew’s computer, and when applied to riding one of the new models in the GSX-R series, it gives the rider throttle control not seen in other bikes of this class. Drive mode selection allows the rider to reduce the horsepower of the bike when it is not really needed, and can be selected based on road conditions or driving style – all with a push button interface.  There are three modes of reduction in the S-DMS system: a) no reduction at all, b) reduction is based on throttle position: with full throttle there is no reduction at all and at low throttle there is the most reduction, and reduction varies all the way in-between, and finally c) where there is always a reduction in horsepower. 

 

This technology is best experienced while driving then reading about, but some drivers have reported substantial fuel savings using S-DMS in the latter mode.  S-DMS aside, the new improvements to engine and chassis design in the 2008 model make this well-renowned street racing bike even better then before.

 

BASE MSRP (US)

 

The manufactures suggested retail pricing for the 2008 GSX-R series is as follows: 2008 Suzuki GSX-R 600 ($9,399.00), 2008 Suzuki GSX-R 750 ($10,599.00) and 2008 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 ($11,499.00).

 

Changes From Previous Year

 

Changes between the model year 2008 and 2007 for the GSX-R series include colour changes from 2007’s colour scheme and slight price increases in the 1000 & 750 models, and a substantial price increase from the 600 model ($500).  Also, a slight increase in fuel tank capacities can be seen in the 2008 models (part of the 2008 redesign) as well as the introduction of under slung exhaust systems and the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS).  In the GSX-R600, there was also a change in the standard compression ratio of 12.5: 1 to 12.8: 1.