Suzuki GSX-R1000 Motorcycles, page #24

Moto blog

Suzuki Requests Invite to Official 2013 MotoGP Tests

When Suzuki pulled out of MotoGP racing a year ago, the manufacturer said it hoped to return by the 2014 season. In the time since suspending its MotoGP program, Suzuki has been showing signs it is on track for a 2014 return. Work on Suzuki’s 1000cc MotoGP project is apparently proceeding as planned, with the manufacturer reportedly ready to join official testing during the upcoming season.

Schwantz and Mackenzie on the Nurburgring box

A 500GP bike never fails to stop me in my tracks and that’s exactly what happened when I spotted this Schwantz example from the early nineties, proudly displayed on the Arai stand at the recent Motorcyclelive show.  On loan from Crescent Suzuki and accompanied by a rostrum publicity shot from the 1990 German GP at the Nurburgring, I felt the urge to write a few words on that special weekend. I started the year running my own 250 GP team with fairly standard TZ Yamahas but was drafted in as Kevin Schwantz’s team mate after Kevin Magee suffered a serious head injury at the second Grand Prix in Laguna Seca.  With no testing and some major Spanish food poisoning I finished 8th at the next round in Jerez then followed that up with a 5th place in Misano. Next up was the Nurburgring and after qualifying on the second row of the grid, my crew chief Geoff Crust informed me he had a premonition of a race day rostrum finish. He also told me I better make it come true as he was already looking forward to a few post race celebratory refreshments. While I hoped Crusty was the new mystic meg, the truth was I would have been more than happy to buy the beers if I made it to the flag inside the top five. I had an outside chance of catching one major scalp as Wayne Rainey was riding with a nasty hand injury but I suspected adrenalin would see him through the day. I also followed Mick Doohan a fair bit in practice but he was beginning to find his feet on the Rothmans Honda so was going to be another problem.  When the lights went out Schwantz and Rainey went straight to the front I while I hung in behind Doohan and Pier Francesco Chilli, and then it happened. Coming out of the bottom right hand hairpin, Doohan and Chilli simultaneously high sided in one of the most spectacular crashes of the season. I never liked seeing any fellow riders crash but I made the most of this early race gift and rode my 160bhp/115kg RGV hard to the flag, claiming my first podium of the season.  We partied hard (win or lose we always did) that night and I went on to have my best ever season finishing fourth overall in the championship. After the last round in Australia, I finished second to Kevin at Sugo in Japan then won in Malaysia at another international race that KS didn’t attend. I also tested at Eastern Creek for the following season but then was flicked from the team for reasons that still remain a mystery. Hey Ho!       

Chris Ulrich Takes Passengers on Charity Record Ride

During the eighth annual Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF) at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, Team M4 Hammer GEICO Suzuki rider Chris Ulrich felled every existing record for a two-up track riding charity event During the course of the two-day event Ulrich, on his GEICO Suzuki GSX-R1000,  carried 71 passengers around the Speedway 213 times for a total of 489.9 miles. This beats previous RWAF records for most two-up rides and also sets new fund-raiser records for most laps completed in one day with a passenger (114) and over two days (213), plus the most miles ridden in one day with a passenger (262.2 vs. 248.4) and over two days (489.9 vs. 432.2 miles).

Sixteener wheeler

Dunno 'bout you but most of my sixteenth year was spent picking gravel out of my knees. I think I probably fell of my Fizzie at least once a week. All of it was my fault, of course.

Suzuki Reports Q2 2012-2013 Results

Suzuki made headlines earlier this week when its American subsidiary filed for Chapter 11 and announced it is quitting the automobile business to focus on motorcycles and its marine operations. American Suzuki‘s car business has been struggling for a while and it remains to be seen how these developments will affect its motorcycle business. Today, Suzuki released its report for the first half of its 2012-2013 fiscal year, providing much needed context to the earlier news.

Take A Picture, Win A New Suzuki

Free is always good and Suzuki is offering its enthusiasts a chance to win big. To start, simply stop by an authorized Suzuki dealership for a photo op with the motorcycle, scooter or ATV of your choice and a Suzuki salesperson. Then, post the photo and corresponding information on Suzuki’s Facebook page under the “Take Your Pic 2012 Giveaway” tab and voila, you’re qualified to win.

Suzuki to Close Spanish Motorcycle Factory

The digital ink is still wet on news of American Suzuki declaring bankruptcy and shutting down its car business to focus on powersports and marine products, and now there’s more bad news for the Japanese manufacturer. Suzuki announced it will close its motorcycle factory in Gijón, Spain, in March, 2013, shutting the company’s sole European production plant. The factory has been producing motorcycles and scooters for Suzuki since 1984, with the manufacturer taking 100% ownership of the factory.

Suzuki Files Chapter 11

From an American Suzuki Motor Corporation press release: AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION (“ASMC”) ANNOUNCES RESTRUCTURING AND REALIGNMENT TO FOCUS ON MOTORCYCLES/ATV AND MARINE DIVISIONS ASMC to wind down and discontinue new automobile sales in continental U.S. Consumers will be protected and all warranties will continue to be fully honored BREA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2012 – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (“ASMC” or “the Company”), the sole distributor in the continental United States of Suzuki Motor Corporation (“SMC”) automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and marine outboard engines, today announced that it plans to realign its business to focus on the longterm growth of its Motorcycles/ATV and Marine divisions.

Suzuki GW250 Inazuma Reportedly Coming to Canada

The Suzuki Inazuma is coming to Canada, according to multiple reports. The entry-level motorcycle was displayed at a recent dealer meeting in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, though it appears Canadians may have to wait as bit longer for the Inazuma to arrive in showrooms. According to Canadian sites CMGOnline and MotorcycleMojo, Suzuki is in the initial stages of introducing the 248cc streetbike to Canada, so a 2014 launch may be more likely than 2013 availability.

Londoners: free motorcycle wash!

London-based motorcycle dealer, Motoden, are running a Suzuki test-ride event this weekend and are offering FREE motorcycle cleaning and FREE coffee. Book your slot by calling Tim on 0207 241 6363 and mention Visordown. You'll get yourself a test ride on a gleaming brand-new fancy Suzuki while some poor sod cleans your filthy, dry-chained, bald-tyred, hanging excuse for a motorcycle.