Suzuki has pulled the covers off of its 2012 GSX-R1000, and the bike brings a smattering of mechanical improvements to an already capable platform. All told, the machine is just under 4.5 pounds lighter than last year. Part of that savings comes from specially-developed pistons that are 11 percent lighter than those found in the previous-generation GSX-R1000.
Suzuki says the components were developed using technology borrowed from its MotoGP efforts. The same goes for the engine tappets, which are 2.5 grams lighter than the old pieces. The new hardware means that the 2012 GSX-R1000 can use a revised exhaust cam profile for reduced valve overlap.
Engineers also turned up the compression from 12.8:1 to 12.9:1, and a lightweight 4-2-1 exhaust system caps off engine modifications. Suzuki turned to a set of Brembo Monoblock calipers for 2012 for increased braking performance, as well a lighter wheel and tire combination. Suzuki isn’t saying exactly how much horsepower the engine produces with its new internals, nor has the company released any performance specifications, but we imagine improvements all around.
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