Suzuki Italy goes the extra mile and shows the track only GSX-R1000R Ryuyo

Bruno Gomes

September 17, 2018

The superbike segment is filled with exotic and special models, and some of them are track only versions, which means anyone with money can buy them, but they can’t be ridden on public roads. Up until now Suzuki didn’t have one of those track only versions, but their subsidiary Suzuki Italy has taken care of that “problem”.

Revealed today, the new GSX-R1000R Ryuyo is a special version made in Italy of the well-known GSX-R1000R.

Its name was chosen as an homage to the private circuit that Suzuki has in Hamamatsu, the Ryuyo test track, where the Japanese brand develops its most secret projects, like the GSX-R1000.

The base for this track only version is the GSX-R1000R, which means the Ryuyo version will come with the factory spec Showa BFF and rear shock Balance Free Lite, as well as a quickshift for up and down clutchless shifts. But Suzuki Italy has changed the power figures, using a race spec Yoshimura full system, made in titanium, which together with a specific ECU by Yoshimura, the EM-PRO, makes the inline-four engine boost power up to 212 hp.

Not only the Ryuyo version is more powerful, but it’s also lighter.

In fact, and according to Suzuki Italy, the GSX-R1000R Ryuyo is 15 kg lighter than the standard R version of the GSX-R1000, and that means this track only bike will top the scale at a mere 168 kg, dry weight. That loss in weight was achieved by the use full carbon fiber fairings, lighter wheels, the race exhaust, a new lightweight subframe and the removal of all the lights and other mandatory elements for road use.

Unfortunately, and because this isn’t all good news, Suzuki Italy will only produce 20 units of the GSX-R1000R Ryuyo. So, If you have the money, and you want to own one of those 20 bikes, please hurry up and e-mail Suzuki Italy to ryuyo@suzuki.it and ask them if they can send one to your home.