Suzuki GSX-R 1000 édition Yoshimura 2010 — Specifications

What’s the point of a limited-edition motorcycle, with only 20 units sold for nearly 20,000 euros, if not to stroke the ego and boost the resale value? Suzuki, with this GSX-R 1000 Yoshimura, is taking a gamble. And it must be admitted, the result is striking. It’s a far cry from lackluster stickers. Here, the flamboyant blue and white, copied from the victorious motorcycle from the 2009 Suzuka 8 Hours, has the look of a track beast. It’s a real paint job, a strong tribute to thirty years of collaboration with the Japanese tuner.

Underneath this striking livery, we find the solid base of the GSX-R 1000 K9. The mechanics remain the same: an inline four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 999 cm3 that delivers 185 horsepower at 12,000 rpm. A linear power output, a torque present from mid-range revs, in short, the perfect weapon for the track as well as sporty road riding. The perimeter aluminum frame and fully adjustable suspension constitute a chassis of surgical precision. At the time, it gave the Yamaha R1 and Honda Fireblade a run for their money, notably thanks to its incredibly communicative front-end feel.

The real added value, apart from the collector's decoration, lies in the pair of Yoshimura GP Evo IVS silencers fitted as standard. An aesthetic and sonic bonus that slightly lightens the beast, but does not modify its raw performance. To really gain horsepower, you’ll need to go through the preparation box, as Yoshimura does so well in competition. That’s where the shoe pinches: at this price, one might have perhaps hoped for a little something more, even just a specific mapping. By comparison, a standard GSX-R 1000 cost considerably less, leaving a comfortable budget for custom modifications.

This special edition is clearly aimed at the collector, the unconditional fan of the Suzuki brand or the Yoshimura racing team. For the hardcore track rider seeking absolute performance, the money would be better invested in a standard version and a thorough preparation. But for those who want a showroom jewel, a recent piece of motorcycle racing history registered for the road, this limited series has an unbeatable argument: its exclusivity. Only twenty numbered copies arrived in France. Today, it is undoubtedly become a coveted object for enthusiasts, a nugget that has gained value over time, well beyond its initial 18,499 euros.