The 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Comes in Two Variants

It’s been nearly a year since Suzuki first revealed its 2017 GSX-R1000. While it’s been subject to much anticipation over the last few months, little has been said of the fact it will be offered in two variants.

The motorcycle’s release is imminent; however, Suzuki’s official publicity has surrounded the top-spec GSX-R1000 model only.

The Suzuki GSX-R1000’s fork technology has been one of the main talking points since it’s among the first production, road-going version of Showa’s BFF (Balance Free Front) fork. With it tell-tale remote reservoirs located behind the sliders, the Showa BFF forks look like units used in MotoGP and have so far appeared in showrooms only on Kawasaki’s 2016 ZX-10R sportsbike. Less visible is the matching BFRCLite (Balance Free Rear Cushion) shock system at the back, which is designed with the same goal as the fork, to eliminate pressure fluctuations.

On the entry-spec version of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 – revealed from a Suzuki design patent, but yet to be officially confirmed – the top-spec Showa suspension is notably missing.

It’s not a simplification made ourely for the filing of the patents, either. At the time of the 2017 GSX-R1000’s initial reveal last year, Suzuki – apparently accidentally – released a single photograph of a motorcycle without the Showa BFF suspension, perfectly matching these new designs.

Other changes include blacked-out air intakes either side of the headlight; they were all blue on the high-spec motorcycle first shown by Suzuki. The low-spec machine also lacks the flashy, white LED indicators of the more exotic version – here they have been replaced with conventional, larger, orange units.

Given that all the technical information revealed by Suzuki so far relates to the high-spec GSX-R1000, there remains a big question over whether the lower-spec model will also get the motorcycle’s other big talking point – variable valve timing….