Last month we hopped up the GSX-R1000's power through engine and electronic mods from Bazzaz Performance and Micron. This time around we chose to lighten and tighten the chassis to help cope with the extra fire in the beast's belly.
The laws of physics have proven to us that with more mass comes more energy required to accelerate, change direction and stop an object. Therefore, reducing unsprung weight with lightweight wheels and rotors will dramatically enhance a bike's performance. The weight savings from lighter components directly translates into less energy required to do what this bike is meant to do-go fast around twisty bits. Taking into consideration that we've already added more power, and are about to reduce the weight further, the GSX-R should go from fast to ballistic while improving handling and stopping ability.
The Gixxer's three-spoke cast-aluminum wheels are some of the lightest stock wheels available today, but to take it to the limit we went to Galespeed for a set of its Type M (magnesium) wheels. The Type Ms not only enhanced the appearance with their cool 10-spoke design and metallic flake finish, but at 7 pounds combined weight savings (5 in front and 2 in the rear) over stock they proved to be a valuable investment. When they showed up at the office we had to double-check the box to make sure both wheels were in there!
After running Maxxis Presa Sport tires on several of our test bikes with positive feedback we chose to fit another set to the Suzuki for the ultimate test of abuse possible. Next month we'll find out whether they can cope with 175 horses running through them.
 The juicy performance upgrades...  The juicy performance upgrades run deep: Braking USA's directional rotors are held by a magnesium Galespeed rim, while Brembo's HP calipers fed by HEL lines slow it all down with help from a Maxxis Presa Sport tire. |  Gilles axle adjusters and...  Gilles axle adjusters and swingarm spools add extra race appeal to the Galespeed rear wheel. |  Holy hella-dash! Rizoma reservoirs...  Holy hella-dash! Rizoma reservoirs frame the Scotts steering damper. Note the mounted traction-control adjuster and fuel-mapping switch over the Brembo clutch bolt. |
With the wheels sorted we wanted to continue with the lightweight performance theme for the rotors. After all, huge acceleration isn't that valuable if you can't slow it all down. Braking USA's SK rotors went on easily and sure look smart, but we almost made a mess of it. The SK rotors counteract a standard rotor's problem of heat dissipation with directional left and right cutouts to aid in cooling, but we didn't pay attention initially and nearly installed them backward. The moral here is that when installing directional rotors, double-check that they're facing the right way.
With the modded motor and lighter front end dialed in we needed to upgrade from the stock steering damper to a more powerful aftermarket unit. If you've experienced a full-blown tank slapper you'll know why we upgraded-if not, you don't want to find out! Scotts Performance had just the item we were after-a fully adjustable rotary damper that installed in minutes. We'll keep the damping tuned low initially and feed it in as necessary, but considering the Gixxer's light weight and big power we'll be needing it and welcoming the confidence that an aftermarket damper offers.
Despite recent improvements in Suzuki's braking systems we needed big firepower to deal with the mightier motor and lighter wheels. The master cylinder and calipers capable of shutting the speed party down come courtesy of Brembo, whose new street line has made race-spec components affordable for street guys. Its HP calipers are a direct replacement for the stockers, and they're a copy of Brembo's own MotoGP monoblocks, but instead of a single piece they've been machined from billet in two halves to keep the price reasonable.