Revvin' Kevin Wrings Out New Gixxer!

REVVIN’ KEVIN WRINGS OUT NEW GIXXER!

ROUNDUP

FIRST PUBLIC THROTTLEto-the-stop spin on the new-for-2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 went to none other than 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz. At Road Atlanta last October for the annual Suzuki Cup Finals, the Texan got just two laps around the 2.54-mile circuit aboard Hamamatsu’s latest big-bore repli-racer, but was able to draw a few conclusions from the

experience.

“To me, it’s a bit rewier, and it wants to wheelie a lot easier,” he said. “It didn’t take much effort to get the front end up going down the front straightaway. I just rolled it on in second gear and the thing stood straight up!”

Lapping with Schwantz were Yoshimura teammates Ben Spies and Aaron Yates, both also on the new liter-bike, but only for one lap. “Spies thought it was as fast as his AMA Superstock bike,”

Schwantz said.

Schwantz was also impressed by the bike’s ergonomics.

“It looks compact, feels small and has a low seat, yet there’s room once you’re

down behind the bubble to get your arms in front of your knees. When I was tucked in and slid back in the seat, there was still some room to move around. I think even a guy who is 6foot-4 could get behind the windscreen pretty easily.”

Not everyone is enamored with the GSX-R’s avant-garde styling, but the new look is growing on Schwantz. “When I first saw it, I didn’t like it,” he admitted. “But the more I look at it... It’s so different from everything else out there right now. And I’m glad Suzuki didn’t go with a high pipe. It’s good to see somebody stick to their guns.” Spies, Yates and five-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin were scheduled to test the new machine in race trim at Daytona in January.

Matthew Miles