Suzuki GSX-R1000 | Acceleration and Top Speed

05 GSX-R1000 still blistering today

K5 GSX-R1000 0-180 mph in 21.33 seconds!

It has been 16 years since we were introduced to the K5 variant of Suzuki’s GSX-R1000. In terms of looks, the motorcycle has aged relatively well and still looks as purposeful as it did at launch. Back in 2001, the GSX-R1000 was Suzuki’s answer the Yamaha YZF-R1.

The GSX-R1000 had a monster engine that eclipsed and lead the literbike class in terms of get-up-and-go performance, but it was not as nimble as its rivals of the time.

Building upon the K1 with redesigned chassis and bodywork and a revised and slightly more powerful engine, the K3/4 was an attempt to sharpen up GSX-R and to improve and at least match the handling of Yamaha’s revised R1 that came in 02.

The 02 R1 was grown-up interpretation of the original balls out misbehaving R1 as well as Honda’s sharp CBR954RR, which at the time was arguably the best handling litrebike.

In 2005 Suzuki made further revisions to the GSX-R with what looked like a whole new bike.  Adorned with a new lighter and stiffer chassis and a tweaked engine. The new GSX-R Made a claimed 178 crank horsepower and was a mind boggling 166 kg dry.

Handling was even better than ever and now not only could Suzuki claim the strongest engine once again but could also claim to be among the best handling too.

During this time back in 05, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda all launched new motorcycles just a year prior in 04 but Suzuki still maintained the lead with the best overall performance package at the time that closely followed arguably by the 04-05 Kawasaki ZX-10R which is a missile in its own right.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 Dyno Curve

Many motorcycle journalists as well as owners or whoever has ridden a K5 GSX-R1000 have been known to claim that the engine is the greatest conventional 1 litre 4-cylinder engine of all time. While today we are now familiar with 200 hp engines, the 15-year-old engine from the K5 still stands out as a hugely capable engine.

Its peak rear wheel horsepower figure of 162 hp might not seem that impressive by today’s standards but what is so impressive about this engine is its huge spread of power/torque which arrives from almost tickover and drives all the way to the redline with wicked veracity.

Combined this engine delivery with optimum gearing, and an exceptionally low dry weight of 166 kg results in this engine being very explosive from any speed in any gear making the k5 GSX-R1000 still to this day one of the best in-gear roll-on acceleration motorcycles on the road.

Riding the K5 Suzuki GSX-R1000 below 8000 rpm and comparing to many modern litre bikes of today, you’d swear it that there was nothing faster than the might GSX-R.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 Acceleration Test Review

The k5 GSX-R1000 isn’t the fastest motorcycle tested but it will, and with its head held firmly high hold its own against pretty much any production motorcycle at any speed below 150 mph / 240 km/h.

For a 15-year-old motorcycle the GSX-R1000 is ballistic and deals out bloody noses to any competitor!

0-60 mph is a pretty pointless metric for any sportbike over 600 cc as they all do high 2s or low threes but the time you get is much more down to rider kill and how easy the bike is to launch rather than outright power.

Keeping that in mind the GSX-R1000 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in only 3.1 seconds which like all lightweight litre bikes is wheelie limiting.

This is a purely old school and delicious analogue motorcycle from the peak of the analogue era with very little ff no nanny throttle restrictions and has no traction control or wheelie/launch control to provide manners while launching this weapon from a stop.

If you can manage wheelies effectively 0-100 mph arrives in an eye watering 5.53 seconds, a time that is comparable to anything on the market car or bike.

0-150 mph and the standing start quarter mile arrive in a little over 10 seconds.  The GSX-R 1000 is capable of sub tens across the 402m sprint but is hindered by its devastating engine that would rather point to 12 O’clock without much invitation.

The GSX-R1000 does lose out to more modern motorcycles above 150 mph but still records and amazing 0-180 mph in only 21.33 and only around 3 odd seconds slower than a Ducati Panigale 1299.  Against and R1 it is further behind but can monster the R1 below 8000 rpm in any gear and in most low rpm roll on situations.

Top speed is typical of litre bikes from the last 15 years at over 180 mph with the K5 GSX-R1000 achieving 183 mph flat-out. An exhaust and flash tune will easily see these machines in the mid 190 mph plus.

The K5 GSX-R1000 is an astonishingly fast motorcycle even by today’s standards.

Often, we remember motorcycles from back in time as being insanely fast, then ride them years later and are left unimpressed but not with the K5 GSX-R1000…. It is that good.

A full exhaust system complimented with a tune would bring this motorcycle only a sniff behind some of the later motorcycles predating on the streets. In terms of engine, you really do not need more than this.