SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2001 - 2002) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £130 |
Power: | 160 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm) |
Weight: | Low (375 lbs / 170 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThis Suzuki GSX-R1000 is the original ‘Gixxer-thou’ – THE top dog sports bike of its day. Later Suzuki GSX-R1000s became smaller and more revvy as well as faster round circuits and arguably easier to handle.
- Related: Latest 2017 Suzuki GSX-R1000 review
The original Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1 and K2 models are still supremely competent sports bikes and pretty decent all round machines too.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Suzuki GSX-R1000 is capable of leading the fast group at track days or winning races but useable and stable on the road. It’s not super fast steering but it’s still a nimble bike. Really hard use can show up weaknesses in the Suzuki GSX-R1000's front brakes. Try fresh fluid and pads but if they doesn’t work, a Brembo 1920 master cylinder should help.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Suzuki GSX-R1000 has always had the strongest engine in the 1000cc sport class – that makes it king of the gods. The Suzuki GSX-R1000's huge power on tap just above tickover, a walloping midrange and a top end rush to make you laugh all the way to the magistrates court.
Lower ratios means it outperforms the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K3-K6 models in top gear too. Pleasantly raw with enough gruff edge to excite as well.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueGenerally pretty robust. The gold coloured Titanium Nitride coating flakes off the Suzuki GSX-R1000's front forks but it’s only a cosmetic problem. Gearbox problems are not unknown if the Suzuki GSX-R1000 is ridden really hard – which probably means track use. The odd engine problem occurs but they’re easy to work on for a big, potentially complex engine.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentYou can get a Suzuki GSX-R1000 for £3000 if you look hard and buy privately. That’s a stunning deal. But the 2002 Yamaha R1 and Honda Fireblade also make superb buys on the used market – and the Blade’s a little better put together than the Suzuki. It’s still a great deal especially as most people want the later, prettier versions of the Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Equipment
Amazingly for a class leading (borderline class redefining) hardcore sports bike, the Suzuki GSX-R1000's pretty comfy too. A sensible riding position (ok, the pegs are a tad high for all-day riding) plus soft gel filled seats and a decent fairing mean you can tour on the Suzuki GSX-R1000. There’s some under seat storage and reasonable mirrors and headlights too.
Specs |
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Engine size | 988cc |
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Engine type | 16v in-line four, 6 gears |
Frame type | Aluminium beam |
Fuel capacity | 18 litres |
Seat height | 830mm |
Bike weight | 170kg |
Front suspension | Preload, compression, rebound |
Rear suspension | Preload, compression, rebound |
Front brake | Twin 320mm discs |
Rear brake | 220mm disc |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 190/50 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 32 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | £130 |
New price | - |
Used price | £3,700 - £5,500 |
Insurance group |
16 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 160 bhp |
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Max torque | 81 ft-lb |
Top speed | 180 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | 10.6 secs |
Tank range | 125 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2001: Original Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1 model launched.
2002: Suzuki GSX-R1000 K2 model has different graphics and stainless exhaust front/mid section.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2001 - 2002)
17 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2001 - 2002) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2001 - 2002)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £130 |
Year: 2002
Annual servicing cost: £150
The engine has so much power everywhere, even comparing it to my 2017 gsxr1000 absolutely love it wish I'd bought one sooner. Handles incredible it may have had a suspension upgrade turns in faster than any modern sportsbike I've ridden even with a slightly squared off rear tyre. 6 pot brakes are also very powerful as long as they are looked after
Quite comfy for a sports bike, brakes are very sharp
Recently picked up a 2002 and it's in excellent condition only one or two rusty bolts apart from that looks great
Comes with a fuel light and digital speedo that's about it
Year: 2002
Annual servicing cost: £110
Love it. Nothing more to add
A bit snatchy at low revs
Had a couple of starting problems and think it was down to dodgy wiring ( corroded ). Time will tell as it was at the end of last year.
Change the oil, filters and plugs myself
The way it goes
Version: K1
Year: 2002
Annual servicing cost: £150
Awesome bike loads of grunt everywhere fast as hell keeps up with newer stuff you wont find better for this money had a k5 in the past that was better would love another one but they are more money I'm more than happy with my k1. Also a lot of these reviews say these have stainless down pipes they dont they are titanium and the k1 is aswell accept the link pipe is steel but k2 link pipe is titanium I have the k2 link pipe fitted on mine.
Ride quality is excellent I deducted a star for the brakes they're ok but not the best.
Phenomenal engine loads of grunt everywhere it will make you smile!
If you want a proper hooligan bike for this money you wont find better
No cup holder or stereo! But does 180mph so I will overlook this
Buying experience: Bought privately off autotrader was up for £3200 i got it for £2650 which was a mega bargain as it was and still is an absolute minter only had 14900 miles on it. The previouse owner was honest and decent and was as fanatical as me about looking after the bike and keeping it clean polished and up together.
Version: K1
Year: 2001
Annual servicing cost: £100
Used bargain and clean/ well kept ones will start to become a sound investment soon.
Braided lines and calliper service a must. Handling sorted by HM Racing and feels fantastic for a 18 year old bike.
Huge torque and power delivery everywhere - you always run out of road...
Simple to work on and 99% of parts are still available
Bought mine for £2k - what a bargain. A simple bike that thrives on minor servicing.
Basic but that's good. Added HealTech gear indicator and TRE which I now think is essential.
Buying experience: Private sale from eBay on a whim... I was lucky the bike just needed some fettling and you can tell it's never been binned.
Year: 2002
I've had just about everything apart from a cruiser. I've had the modern stuff too. So far my favourite sportbikes are the early blade I had and 2 x ZX9rs. Decided to try the Gsxr1000 k2 after read the amazing reviews. At 6 ft 4 I am really quite comfy on it. Took it for a first proper ride tonight. It has done 1000 miles in the last 6 years and needed some fresh petrol and then just using as you could tell it was suffering from lack of use. I went out with an open mind and tried to relax into a comfy position and just settle in to it. After a hundred miles of mixed roads and riding I was really really impressed. Believe everything you read about that motor. It's very very very strong. But easy to ride at sane speeds. I headed for squires and had a pasty and a brew and just sat and looked at it. It dawned on me how nice the chassis is too. A 16 year old superbike with with all that performance for £3100 and barely run in. Where is the Argument for a new bike!!!??? Really really impressed. I'm going to stop now as I could go on all day. Go and get one for the same amount of money your mates will lose in the first twelve months buying the latest thing.
Where on earth could you explore this bikes upper reaches on the road. Answer... you can't really. Amazing midrange. I've had a glimpse at the top end but always seem to run out of road!!!!
It's a sportsbike.
Buying experience: Bought private with 9k on the clock for £3100. One original owner from new with full supplying dealer history. Very pleased
Year: 2002
Amazing bike, bought 5 years ago with 1,450 miles on it and have used it for touring, nurburgring trips and is still used for the everyday commute (its my only mode of transport)
Brakes were not great when i got it, but decent pads and braided lines helped.
Can't fault the engine, still smooth and great power and so reliable (touch wood)
It's now on 60,000 miles and i have had no real problems at all. Been serviced regualry, i had to replace swingarm pivot bearings thats all
Oil change every 3000 so not the cheapest to maintain I suppose
It doesn't have many luxury items, but i like that basic motorcycling. I would recommend the for mentioned brake upgrades.
Buying experience: I bought this bike from a great little garage which has now closed, the guy was an ex club racer, the bike was owned from new by an older chap, i was 24 at the time so i classed him as older. who had a problem with his back and couldn't ride the bike, hence the 1,400 miles, it had been off the road for 7 years.
I have a gixxer1000k1 with a yoshi,k@n power is 152bhp which is pretty decent. mid range is awesome top end power,lets just say good enough to get up in trouble with the boys in blue.running michelin 2ct tryes seems to do a great job on handling,road holding,what suprises me most is how comfy the bike is im 6,1 and seat,bar fit me like a glove fuel,reliability has been top rate ,if you can pick up a decent one trust me you cant go far wrong for the money you will be hard pressed to get better.
The Gixer k2 is as good a bike for most of us as we're ever gong to want. With a pipe and power comander the old girl is still packing over 145 hp at the wheeldespite over 50 thou on the clock .Put some quality rubber on those rims and it will deliver for the most. The motor is as reliable as a rock , it handles as good as any other within given bounds, and can be got for a song. If you buy a bike such as one of these , you will give that throttle a healthy handful . That I can assure you. I have spend many an hour pondering over this bike and that as the best to get . There's no denying some of them are brilliant , but does an extra 10 > 20 (AUS)thoasand dollars warrant it ? I have mixed it with 1098's and held my own , to be given a lesson in riding by an R1 rider the next day. For the street,the K2 has it all. From that brilliant reliable long stroke torquey motor ,great stable handling,good comfort, and a brilliant purchase price , the K2 would have to rate arguably as the best value hyper bike on the market. There are many that rate it above the K9/10, and a modded k2 actually beat the K9 by a second around the race track according to a bike mag.We can hum and ha all we like, think this and that , but what really matters is bang for your buck .You'll be very hard pressed to find anything that will deliver for the price of a K2. Simply ; the best valued sports bike on the market ATM .
Chopped in a 1993 rrp blade for this, what a culture shock, no oversteer, masses of power everywhere, just short of one thing, a packet of disposable underpants in a dispenser small enough to fit in the underseat storage. Fitting a timing retard eliminator cured the snatchy low rev throttle response, some goodridge hoses bought from ebay firmed up the front brakes. Only other gripe is the paintwork on the fairing lowers is suffering from stone chips far too readily. Apart from that it's the dogs. Check out www.shineydave.co.uk for some pics of my nitrous install, lol. Strengths: Outright sheer power, handling. Weaknesses: Brakes, finish.
Very fast but comfortable. It should have a hugger as standard though, and the brakes are no-whee near as good as my old GSZ-R750WW. There is a stumble just off idle than can nearly have you off during U-turns, but once rolling the pick-up is very smooth. But my God is it Banzai fast - I have a feeling jail may be my end destination!
Been amazing. so much fun. since I have a address in Italy I bought it there, insured it there, ride it here. Hence the price which was total cost to ride away. Don't like the wheel spins when you don't need them. And it seems to lose power after 45 min of riding?? 3rd gear wheelies stops?? Fuel injection needs setting up, jerky.
Before this, had a year-2000 CBR929RR (Fireblade). Compared to that: slightly stiffer but much more stable confident handling. Higher speeds don't seem as fast, because so smooth and easy (the Blade's front end gets uneasy when you push it very hard). Very easy to lean far over, confidently... the bike likes it. Brakes are slightly stronger than the godlike brakes on the 'Blade, but with less feedback and a bit mushy (in comparison), but still excellent and just a hair more powerful. I just took it on a 500 mile trip and it wasn't so bad, comfortwise... IF you find the right way to sit, weight on the wrists is no worse than the Blade. If not, you do notice more weight on the wrists, but it's liveable. Pillion will lean against you more, transferring more weight to wrists, unlike a CBR. Seat is cushier. Engine is much smoother and solid-feeling. Does not rev quite as fast/hard as the Blade (which was really fun about the Blade), but the 12500 redline, which is 1000 higher, is very nice... that last 1000 is just enough to make the bike feel more... extreme and thrashable. All in all, best bike I've ever ridden... it makes crazy speed easy. Stable smooth obedient handling with smooth controllable loads of power. The stock exhaust is so quiet, that along with the smooth power delivery, it adds to the illusion you aren't going fast, when in fact you are rocketing like a missile. The throttle demands respect, and in the first two gears, even in third gear, it always has more power than you can use, just waiting to lift the front wheel on you.
This is the best bike I have ever owned. In fact it is the best I have ever ridden! Power is intoxicating. Handling is a dream. Comfort is liveable. WOW factor every time I ride it. It has that holy shit ability to keep you interested and on your toes at all times.
Best bike I've owned .... No real dislikes except those thieving rip-off merchants insurance companiesys. Oh, and the feds aren't too keen on them either...
Very good at everything (much better than me). You don't need to work hard to keep up with anything. The engine has a v/good midrange (my last 2 bikes have been gsx-r 750's). Build quality could be better - some of the castings are very rough. Paint on the wheels is very thin as well. Gearbox was bad but has got better since 600 miles.
Great bike, very fast, but the handling is excellent - makes every other bike I've owned feel rubbish and under powered. great feedback from the front end. Its a tall bike... which does take some getting used to, and feels a bit snatchy on the throttle.... definately not a novice bike.... but there again I'm not a novice. Got an oil leak within 300 miles from the engine which made life interesting at the rear end.
As far as a play thing... guarenteed to give you a stiffy. As far as a road bike... previous bike was a lot better.. Hayabusa. But I did buy it for intended use at track days..