[3833]

Well.

The GSX-R thou was updated substantially for 2003, so we probably won't have a new GSX-R 1K until 2005, but it probably will be a scorcher.

The interesting one will be the new GSX-R 600 and (?750?). Suzuki seems to be on a deliberatley staggered refresh cycle from the other three, so they have a year between viewing the competition and releasing the bike.

 

[24905]

Soup has articles on both now.

http://www.amasuperbike.com/newind.htm/

 

[24905]

both supersports

 

[detansinn]

I've got links to all the new Suzukis including the GS500F and V-Strom 650 on my web log.

http://www.buzzwordenabled.com

The GSXR-1000 appears virtually unchanged for the new year. Both the 600 and the 750 feature revisions such as Titanium valves, radial calipers, and a long laundry list of items.

 

[detansinn]

And of course, just as I posted MO posted an update to their site as well. Way to go MO!

Click here to view the new Suzukis

 

[brickl]

I've not seen any info on the 04 1k, but I wonder if the AMA rule changes have had any effect on the plans? I mean, Mladin is going to have to bin his one-off FI system, which will put him back 15-20 ponies. Certainly not an advantageous position for a guy who can't seem to win on anything less than superior machinery.



So, is Suzi hard at work on a dual injector FI system?

 

[The_Aerodynamic_Head]

You know, I'd like to start by giving props to MO for the super-fast turn-around on these scoops. Good on you.



Second, you just KNOW that Suzook is only updating all these models for their 41st Anniversary to try and eke out a place in the market to compete against the new Sportsters. Right? Um, guys?



Third, okay, here we go. This SV-Strom, THIS is what the market was looking for in middleweight do-it-all bikes, and could the final coffin nail for Honda's 599, yes? The family is now complete. 650s in Vanilla, Sport, and Semi-Faired Standard.



Lastly, I really want to applaud Suzuki for bringing back the little GS. 600 supersports are most emphatically NOT beginner bikes, and even the SV-engined bikes, as wonderful as they are, can be a bit much for the true newb. The GS and Kawi's EX250 and EX500 are the beginners' class for sporty-type bikes, and that entry-level, both in terms of performance, price (and eventually, a cheap, unlimited supply of bullet-proof trackwhores) is really, really, important.

 

[dominatr37]

650 Vstrom? Hhhmm, that was not expected at all. But a 32.5" seat height considered low? I think not.

 

[3833]

Cute...

The 650 V-strom is a neet idea, it looks like the real competition for the FZ6 (dispite the vastly different looks), as it seems like the other "Real World" motorcycle to come out.

The GS500S is also an interesting twist, a pure beginner-bike with a real nice style to it. I hope it sells (but I fear that it won't)

 

[The_People]

You must have forgot about Mladin's Superbike Championships in `99, `00 & `01 when he wasn't on far superior machinery. You might want to actually know what you're talking about before posting.



Also, is it Suzuki's fault that they GSX-R is just better than everything else this year? Why doesn't Honda or Kawasaki race their liter bikes? Not enough development time or do the bikes just suck? Caught off guard? Suzuki was able to step up and get the bike dialed in. Also, Mladin hasn't won every race, so I guess the other bikes seem to be reasonably competitive, too??? Many are posting faster top speeds than the GSX-R 1K.



Facts be damned, it's just easier to bash an unpopular racer.

 

[rc51zen]

Wow The DL 650, An adventure touring bike that you might be able to take a a trail! I like it.

 

[x_employee]

Re: What's up with the '04 uninspired design, or SOS (Same ole 5hIT)

Is it me, or is 04 an uninspired year design, particularly from the Japanese? The GS500F and the V-Storm are hideous and the Gixxers are, well, Gixxers with the same blue and while graphics, not ugly by any means, but not particularly "OH MY GOD THEY ARE SO COOL LOOKING!" The new Yamaha R1 colors are fine but the FZ6 is way FUGLY. The Honda's ... don't get me started. They can't even get their BNG's right. I like the Rune, but it if Honda's going to browse through Anime videos and the Manga stacks for their inspiration, then there are some far more radical design ideas to rip off. Kawi's are Kawi's, always conservative, and the most interesting looking one isn't even coming to the US this year.

Even the Italians can't seem to get motivated. The Ducati Monster line-up seriously needs an overhaul, they are looking way dated. Aprilia's are good looking bikes, but there is nothing really new. I like the Guzzi's but the V11 is long in the tooth and their sales are so small in the US I can't see their up-coming new sportbike making a significant impact on design, at least in the short term.

You know the world has changed when Buell, once the trolls of mass-produced motorcycles, wins prestigious design awards.

PS. Hey MO, why recent the unedited posts of the manufacturers' press spooge? I mean, jeez, at least take out Mark Reese's name and phone number for God's sake. Even better, try to write your own previews in your own words. When I worked at MO we did just that. We got the previews the day they were received and we still had time to take two-hour lunches and download porn.

 

[rc51zen]

How does Bill Mayer find time to make motorcycle seats and host his own HBO comedy series?

 

[3833]

The SV-Strom is a cute one. I think it will sell well, as now there are two good middleweights which have "Comfort + Wind protection + Low Cost": the FZ 6 and the SV-Strom. No sign of a centerstand on the SV-Strom however.



And agreed, the SV-Strom is the last nail in the coffin on the 599, as with the SV-Strom, SV-650, and the FZ 6 all on the market, all for lower to a lot lower cost, why get the 599?



I'm not sure how the GS500 will sell, the new bodywork is nice but the SV650, apart from having a good 30 more HP and $1k more in cost, is about as good a beginner bike, and for those who are paranoid, they could import a british restrictor kit.



But it is good to see that there still are beginner 500s on the market in the US.

 

[12er]

Looks like the new maurader is a rebadged mean streak. Or is it just me?

 

[kz1000ken]

Suzuki Marauder 1600 = Kawasaki Mean Streak 1600

It's a Kawasaki Mean Streak 1500 with the *new* Kawasaki 1600 motor in it. I looks like Kawi gave them the new sport cruiser frame and their newest update to that line.

Who's gonna buy a 2004 Mean Streak 1500 when they can have it with a 1600, the only difference being a Suzuki sticker on it?

Looks like this is the fruit of the much talked about "partnership"

Kawi released their new 1600 powered vucan "classic" and their "mean streak" update just went to Suzook.

wierd, but makes sense from a marketing standpoint. Kawi now has a new big-block twin, and so does Suzuki, and it aint "Kawi's old big block" its "kawis newest-old big block update" so, not a useless purchase in the eyes of the educated bike buyer.

 

[rider_md]

yep, ill give credit where credit is due.



with their fast turnaround, my 11 dollars and something was well spent.



thanks MO.



and oh yeah, i agree re: the reintroduction of the 500 beginner bike. this market could use another one along side kawasaki's 500. 600 supersports aren't beginner bikes, and it makes me cringe when newbs ask around for one to start off with.



i learned overseas on a 125 cc. best thing ive ever did to preserve my interest in riding.

 

[GSXRWolf]

Well written. But don't forget the mighty Yamaha R1. We don't see many of those filling the AMA Superbike grids. And where are the Aprillia's? You know with the superior way they lay down the power coming out of corners and handle so darned well you'd think the privateers would load up on RC51's and Aprilia's. Whatsamatter? Can't keep up to anything with more than 750cc?

 

[Robbed]

Don't forget that was 180HP with ram air. I have heard people mention 172hp without ram air. Based on the 15% loss that equates to 146rwhp. Nice to see others are paying attention and not buying all of the hype (every mfr does it). I think 15% is steep, given Honda claimed 150hp for the 954 and wound up about 135, which shows about 10% loss. Even with that small of a loss, it only has the R1 at 154rwhp if 172hp is correct.

 

[brickl]

No, I didn't forget. Give Miguel, EBoz, or young Roberts (or even Bussei, I'd wager) a 10% power advantage on the field and see what happens. Mladin will be an also-ran next year like he was last year if he's got similar hp output compared to the rest of the grid. I'll give you that the 02 suzi entrant wasn't the bee's knees, but you'd expect more than two 3rd place podiums from the Great reigning champ.



As for why the 954 wasn't entered in superbike in 03, I'd bet it had a lot to do with the amount of work that'd been done on the 51, and the knowledge of the fact that the 954 was going bye-bye after 03. Why invest in a bike that's not long for this world? Same w/ the 02/03 R1, which, even though it is seriously hampered in the power and chassis dept compared to the gixxer and the Duc, still shows it's stuff from time to time in BSB.



And the ZX9? Please.



Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if AMA made the induction/FI rule changes just to screw Mladin in an attempt to drag him off the stage. And I'd be right there with them in the effort. I'm just tired of seeing him act in completely rude ways to fellow riders, fans, and the press. Refusing to even turn and look at the Speed reporter attempting to get a word from him after VIR race 1 was just despicable. I wanted to reach through the TV and slap the crap out of him.



The sport of motorcycle racing, and AMA road racing in particular, needs willing and skilled ambassadors. People who are happy winning, and happy promoting the sport. Everyone carps about how Nascar is a $2bn enterprise and AMA SBK gets bumped off the tube, well Mladin doesn't help matters. We have the most exciting sport I know of, but punks like Mladin help to keep it in the cellar.



If he weren't such a yellow belly, maybe he'd try to take the step to the big leagues. But he knows something you don't, which is that he understands where he rates, and it ain't pretty.