Suzuki's (really) Retro-Runner

SUZUKI'S (REALLY) RETRO-RUNNER

Okay, old-style stuff is in, but this is ridiculous! Or is it? Set to go on sale in January, the 2001 Suzuki GS1200S is the latest addition to Japan's popular retro-sportbike category, joining the similarly modernized GSX1100S Katana and Kawasaki GPz900R Ninja. Penned to mimic Suzuki's early-Eighties GS1000R endurance racer, the half-faired machine is powered by a Bandit 1200-based, air/ oil-cooled CV-carbed inline-Four. Chassis-wise, there's a tubular-steel frame with a conven tional fork, square-sec tion aluminum swingarm, triple-disc Nissin brakes, dual shocks and 17inch wheels. Sadly, Suzuki has no plans to bring the bike stateside.

Matthew Miles