Suzuki GSR 750 2017 — Specifications

When middleweight motorcycles became a playground for Japanese manufacturers, Suzuki really had no choice. The Kawasaki Z 750 had pioneered the segment, the Yamaha FZ8 followed with its R1 heritage, and the Z 800 consolidated green domination. A response was needed. The Suzuki GSR 750 was that response, and it had at least one significant argument in its bag: a four-cylinder engine directly derived from the GSX-R 600, reworked with a more generous bore and stroke to reach 749 cc. Where the Kawasaki engine carries its ZX-9R origins like old baggage, Suzuki preferred to start from a recent sport base. The result: 106 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and, above all, 80 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm. These figures don't inspire on paper, but on the road, it's precisely this torque that transforms the machine. Compared to a 600 that constantly demands high revs to express itself, the 750 pulls from the middle of the range, with that feeling of fullness that no smaller displacement supersport can offer.

Regarding the chassis, Suzuki built a steel tubular frame with a integrated rear loop, which complicates life for those who like light customization. The square-tube swingarm does its job without seeking to impress, and the inverted fork, which is well in line with sporty naked bikes, lacks adjustment. At €7,499 new, one could have hoped for a little more latitude regarding the suspension. Purists will object. Those looking for a used Suzuki GSR 750 on the classifieds will, however, find examples well-equipped by their successive owners, often shod with an engine guard and a Yoshimura exhaust that radically transforms the engine's sound. The used market is abundant, Suzuki GSR 750 parts are accessible, and this is a significant point in the long term.

What saves the day is the coherence of the whole. The suspensions, although fixed in their settings, are calibrated seriously. The machine weighs 213 kg when wet, which remains reasonable for a four-cylinder engine of this displacement. A seat height of 815 mm and a wheelbase of 1,450 mm define an upright riding position, engaged but not aggressive. With a consumption announced at around 3.9 liters per hundred kilometers, the 17.5-liter tank ensures correct autonomy. And then, there's this engine. Lively, precise, honest in its responses, it offers a noticeably more complete experience than the 600 it descends from. It's the kind of machine that suits a mid-level rider coming from smaller displacements, but also a touring rider who wants versatility without having to deal with a large displacement engine.

The question of style remains. The white or blue Suzuki GSR 750 have their own character, and the sculpted headlamp fairing succeeds in imposing a presence in traffic. But overall, compared to a Z 800 or an MT-07 launched shortly after, the Suzuki lacks that visual soul that marks the minds. Lovers of Suzuki GSR 750 stickers or Suzuki GSR 750 kit déco have also understood the stakes, and the market for aesthetic accessories for this model is particularly active. It is perhaps the best compliment one can pay to a motorcycle: owners care enough to invest in its personalization. The GSR 750, in its 2016 version, remains a solid, efficient and honest choice in a segment where the competition shows no mercy.