SUZUKI CELEBRATE CENTENARY
And what better way to turn 100 than by taking an historic MotoGP title?
One hundred years ago the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company was formed – the genesis moment for the business that would one day be a household name in automotive excellence. And what better way to celebrate that centenary than by winning the 2020 MotoGP title? Founder Michio Suzuki’s company was established against the backdrop of post-war depression in Japan in 1920, and 68 years after the production of the company’s first motorcycle (the 36cc Power Free) and 60 years after the brand entered Grand Prix racing, Joan Mir became the sixth rider to win a world championship for Suzuki in the premier class of motorcycle sport.
While many teams and riders ebbed and flowed up and down the rankings throughout the Covid-disturbed season, there was one constant: the performance of Suzuki’s GSX-RR MotoGP bike. Despite a tricky start to the year – a high speed crash at round one for Alex Rins that resulted in a serious shoulder injury and two DNFs in three races for Mir – consistency thereafter saw Mir take seven podiums from nine races. After winning the first race of a double-header at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Mir wrapped up the championship with a round to spare with a safe seventh in the second leg.
“I recall with total clarity the moment when I crossed the line - it was pure ecstasy,” Mir said afterwards. “I just started to scream and shout, screaming at the top of my lungs! Then I got very emotional when I saw everybody around me starting to applaud, particularly my competitors. That cool-down lap was incredible with all the other riders congratulating me. “This title has special significance because we made history. It came in the same year Suzuki celebrates its 100th birthday and the 60th anniversary of racing. It’s also 20 years since the last title – it’s like ‘destiny’ that it all happened at once.” Toshihiro Suzuki, president of Suzuki Motor Corporation, added: “This is Suzuki’s 100th anniversary and in this memorable year we won the MotoGP championship, which is the world’s highest series of motorcycle racing. I would like to thank all the customers, fans and dealers who always encourage and support Suzuki.”
Mir can now be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Barry Sheene, who won back-toback world titles in 1976 and 1977, and Kevin Schwantz, the 1993 world champion.
From track to the road
Away from the racetrack Suzuki has also produced its share of legendary road bikes. Genredefining machines from race-reps to hyperbikes and bulletproof, affordable middleweights such as the GSX-R750, Hayabusa, GT750, RG500, RGV250, Bandit 600, and SV650 have all emerged from the Hamamatsu factory. And today, the GSX-R1000R represents the pinnacle of Suzuki’s production. The GSX-R1000R uses technology developed using learnings from its GSX-RR sibling, including a comprehensive suite of electronics - from lean-sensitive traction control to launch control and bi-directional quickshifter and a mechanical variable valve timing system that is built into the intake cam sprocket, activated by centrifugal force.
It’s been proven on track, too. In its debut season it won the Senior TT on the Isle of Man in the hands of Michael Dunlop, won races in British Superbikes and finished runner-up in the National Superstock 1000 championship, a class it won two years later after finishing second again in its second season, and in 2020 the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team lifted another world title. To celebrate the anniversary Suzuki has wrapped the rangetopping superbike in the same retro-inspired livery of the Grand Prix winner.
“With just 100 of these bikes available in the UK it is a unique opportunity to own and be a part of Suzuki history,” said Jonathan Martin, Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycles. “The GSX-R range, and the 1000 in particular, has long been the flagship range of sportsbikes with an illustrious history on road and track.
“To mark Suzuki’s centenary year it was only fitting to adopt the retro-inspired livery of bikes that have achieved and contributed so much to our history.”
To grab your slice of Suzuki limited edition history, contact your local Suzuki dealer today.
● You can find more information on the whole range, find your nearest dealer, and browse all the latest new bike offers online at: bikes.suzuki.co.uk.
‘As I crossed the line it was pure ecstasy’