Bikes

Image Gallery: Suzuki's 2015 GSX-RR MotoGP Bike

Suzuki continues to prepare for its full-time return to the MotoGP series

December 23, 2014

The GSX-RR is a 1000cc transverse, inline four-cylinder machine, whereas the previous machine, the GSV-R, was an 800cc V-four. Suzuki claims the new bike has more than 230 horsepower. Suspension is by Ohlins, brakes are Brembo units. Team Manager Davide Brivio explains the reasoning behind the switch to an inline configuration: “Well, to be also closer to our production bikes. One of the aims of participation in MotoGP is to develop technology to transfer to production bikes. So using the same engine layout there means stronger links to our production. That’s the target; the aim.”

Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales are the team's riders for 2015. Espargaro was the top MotoGP Open-class rider in 2014 on the Forward Yamaha, while Vinales finished third in the 2014 Moto2 World Championship. The two riders tested the bike after the final 2014 round at Valencia.

1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz put in demonstration laps aboard the GSX-RR at the Twin Ring Motegi round of the MotoGP series, as part of the bike's official introduction. “I started very carefully as we didn’t start from pit-lane and without tyre warmers, but I soon felt the machine was being very stable and I was able to speed-up. I understand the bike, it’s a very good machine; and I really enjoyed riding it.”

Aleix Espargaro: “I'm quite optimistic with the package we have and it was good that I could make lap-times that were not so far from the top guys. Now I'm really looking forward to the next test and further development." Espargaro posted the 10th quickest time at the Valencia test, a 1:31.973.

Maverick Vinales: “I have learned a lot about the bike and I had so much fun riding it! I look forward to the next test in Jerez, as we have lots more to try there.” Vinales was 18th-quickest at the Valencia post-season test, with a 1:33.216 lap time.

Randy De Puniet was the official Suzuki test rider for the GSX-RR in 2014, and raced the bike at Valencia. De Puniet has technical problems in the race and did not finish: “We knew it would not be an easy weekend but I did not expect to run into these problems. Everyone in the team tried their best but it was not sufficient to finish as I struggled with a gearbox-shifting problem. It is a shame because in these race conditions I might have been able to push for a good position."

According to Team Manager Davide Brivio, electronics is one of the main focal points in the GSX-RR's development: “Now we are working a lot on the electronics, because the electronics are very sophisticated in MotoGP and we have been out for a few years, so we need to recover. And also we are working on engine performance - not so much the top speed of the engine - but more the drivability of the engine and the power. And we have to enter and see where we are; how much work we have to do!”

Suzuki has a long history in the premier class, with 500cc World Championships won by Barry Sheene, Marco Lucchinelli, Franco Uncini, Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr. The company's only race win in the four-stroke MotoGP era was at the 2007 French Grand Prix at Le Mans, with Chris Vermeulen taking the victory.

Suzuki has been preparing for its return to MotoGP full-time for close to two years now, with continued testing and development of the all-new GSX-RR. We've gathered up this gallery of 12 shots of the new bike during testing and the official release held at Motegi in October. Scroll through the gallery above to see the images and learn more about the GSX-RR and Suzuki's return to MotoGP competition.