Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128364
s~ ~ 2004 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750 he decision to allow 10000c multicylinder engines into championship-level superbike road racing all but put the final nail in the coffin of the 750cc inline-four and Vfours that dominated superbike racing in the United States for nearly a decade. However, Suzuki, the same company that virtually created the 750cc buzz in the first place with its line of G5X-R750 motorcycles, has fought off the market trends and stuck by the class. As a matter of fact, not only did Suzuki decide to keep the bike in its product line, but the midsized Gixxer also received a major redeSign in 2004, and the all-new GSX-R750 is without question one of the most rewarding motorcycles to ride on a racetrack. It boasts the perfect combination of handling, power and weight. The only problem is that with the lack of participation from the other manufacturers, you'll likely not see the GSX-R750 competing at the World or AMA levels anymore. One trip to our local club races at Willow Springs International Raceway, however, proved that at least at the dub level, the 750cc inline four is still alive and kicking. I counted five to six classes that the GSX-R750 is eligible to CIOmpete in, including a Novice class. When we did our Open-class shootout last year, our editors and guest test rider Montano raved about the GSX-R750 around the track. •the stopwatch doesn't lie, and the 750 was still about a half off the times of the IOOOcc bikes. The GSX-R750 was in ~'II1jte, compared to the lap-scorching Yamaha Rl's 1:28.6. ... felt that the GSX-R750 was the perfect bike for pure ridt but that a little more performance would be a weladdition. That's when Yoshimura got involved. I spoke to mura's marketing and advertising manager Sean Gutierrez, the next thing I knew, I was GSX-R-Iess for quite awhile. Gutierrez and the Yosh boys finally got it back to me, , the wait was well worth it. I honestly can't believe how the bike turned out, although I never should have doubted abilities of the Yoshimura crew, which has assisted Mat In to five AMA Superbike titles - all on GSX-Rs. Not only is project bike littered with components from Yoshimura's Ive aftermarket catalog, but it also sports a beautiful job from California Cycle Design that just screams, "I'm thing special." Back in 200 I, Yoshimura built a GSX-R750 similar in concept this bike. It pumped out I34.8 horsepower at the rear . At the time, that seemed really impressive, but with the powerful platform of the latest generation GSX-R at their , the Yoshimura guys were able to extract 146.02 horsefrom this 2004 project bike. When we put the same exact In stock form on the dyno last year, it made 122.0 I hp. That ~itIonaI horsepower is worth talking about. bike is a showcase for the go-fast goodies that Yosh makes Ihany different brands of bikes, not just Suzukis, but when I Suzuki, I think Yoshimura. lie the 750cc engine has benefited from plenty of good massagan effort to extract that 146 hp, less internal motor work was done T '*'.. . . . .