Japanese firm releases sporty new 1000cc bike, using GSX-S1000 engine in uprated chassis with aerodynamic full fairing and extensive electronics package, here’s your first look at the 2027 Suzuki GSX-10R.
We’re confirmed fans of the novel here. New bikes, new technology, new chassis designs – we love them all. But a new engine is generally one of the most interesting things to hear about – something like Honda’s new V3R 900, with an electric compressor and unique four-stroke V3 engine really whets the appetite.
So, on the face of it, we were a little disappointed by the 2027 Suzuki GSX-10R – but only at first. This brand-new sports bike, launched at the Milan show by Suzuki, is built around the technology of the firm’s GSX-S1000 naked roadster, which itself uses the basic engine design from the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5.
That was one of the greatest engines ever built, and put the GSX-R1000 at the top of the white-hot litre superbike class for the next few years.
A worthy forebear then. But as you might have noticed, a lot has happened since 2005, not least in the litre sportsbike world. Does releasing a bike in 2027 using a 22-year-old engine design (albeit heavily overhauled for emissions and performance reasons) make any sense at all?
You’d maybe think not. But we can see the potential advantages, and indeed, it looks like a lot of you agree: the new GSX-10R has grabbed a lot of attention since it appeared, despite the price not being announced as yet (we’re assuming the GSX-10R will be good value).
So – what’s Suzuki come up with here? The Japanese firm says from the off that this is not another litre sportsbike, aimed at taking on the current cream of the superbike crop.
Its current GSX-R1000 R is the chappie for that, and the GSX-10R is more of a ‘street’ sportsbike, with the ability for occasional track use. It seems similar in concept to the likes of a Honda CBR650R or Kawasaki Ninja 650 – but with a full 999cc motor.
That engine makes a claimed 150bhp@11,000rpm, and has had some minor detail changes over the GSX-S1000 unit, aimed mostly at improved durability. It’s fully Euro 5+ compliant, and peak torque of 106Nm appears at just 9,250rpm.
That should make it a more capable unit on the road, with solid midrange pull rather than the screaming top end of the 200+bhp superbike classes. It’s bolted into a conventional twin-spar aluminium frame and dual-sided swingarm, with geometry aimed at ‘stability’ but also providing a fun ride (Suzuki says the maximum lean angle is a tasty 53°…).
A conventional suspension package is by KYB, with 43mm USD front fork and rear monoshock, both fully adjustable, and there’s an electronic steering damper. You also get proper Brembo-branded radial calipers up front, and the cast aluminium rims wear Bridgestone S23 sporty tyres in superbike sizes: 120/70 17 front and 190/55 17 rear.
The new full fairing incorporates subtle winglets on the front nosecone, and the fuel tank has a healthy 18 litre capacity. Kerb weight is 214kg.
Perhaps the standout tech area though is the riding aids package. The GSX-10R comes with the latest Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS) setup, which has an IMU-assisted set of aids.
There’s slide control, traction control, launch control, wheelie control, and power modes, as well as cruise control, speed limiter, engine brake control, up/down quickshifter, brake hill hold and anti-rear wheel lift control.
It’s all accessed via a new LCD TFT colour dashboard, with full smartphone connectivity for navigation and phone control. A lithium battery and USB-C charging socket rounds off the electronics spec list.
A very solid-looking package then, despite the elderly basic engine design. You can check out the 2027 Suzuki GSX-10R in the metal at the Motorcycle Live show at the NEC in Birmingham in a couple of weeks – and we might get the price information then too (it will be on sale in the summer). In the meantime, more info at https://bikes.suzuki.co.uk.