Suzuki GSV-R
 | |
| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
|---|---|
| Also called | Suzuki GSV-R800 (2007 - |
| Production | 2002- present |
| Predecessor | Suzuki RGV500 |
| Class | Prototype |
Suzuki GSV-R is the name of the series of 4-Stroke V4 prototype motorcycles developed by Suzuki to compete in the MotoGP World Championship. GSV-R replaced Suzuki's 500 cc 2-Stroke V4 RGV500 which was ridden by Kenny Roberts, Jr. to win the GP500 Championship in 2000.
The GSV-R was introduced on 2002, one year earlier than the original plan, with codename XRE0. New regulations were promoting the growth of four-stroke engines, and the performance of the new engine during testing was strong according to Suzuki. Despite the use of a new engine, XRE0 was using the old RGV500 Gamma Chassis, which was later criticized as a big mistake by many MotoGP analysts. Using the chassis and fairings that were previously made for the 2-Stroke RGV500 engine, XRE0 was hampered by many stability issues. The use of RGV500 Tyre spec was another mistake. Despite all of that, XRE0 was able to taste its first podium (2nd place) on the opening round at Suzuka and sacked 3rd place at Rio in the same year. XRE0 achievements however were inconsistent, as the riders often fell down, crashed, or were forced to retire by technical failures. The top XRE0 rider by the end of The 2002 MotoGP Championship was Kenny Roberts, Jr. in 9th place overall.
For 2007, MotoGP rules were changed to allow a maximum displacement of 800 cc. Suzuki introduced an 800 cc version of the GSV-R also known as GSV-R800. The GSV-R800 was codenamed XRG0 because of its newly redesigned engine based on displacement limitations. The new XRG0 engine was based from the layout of the 2006 990 cc GSV-R however, the XRG0 engines bore, stroke, and cylinder pitch had been redesigned to better suit the 800 cc engine displacement. The Factory Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team stated the new engines aim was to ‘achieve the best possible horsepower and reliable high rpm operation, and to provide the riders with user friendly power delivery and predictable engine character.’ The XRG0 was also equipped with a redesigned Engine control unit supplied by Mitsubishi, capable of producing 220 horsepower at 17,500 rpm. The Chassis layout and wheelbase length from the 2006 GSV-R XRE4 used in the 2006 MotoGP season remained on the new model, however the fairing design had been updated to better accommodate high speed stability.[1]
The 2008 MotoGP season brought another redesigned GSV-R800 that Suzuki codenamed XRG1 as the successor to the XRG0 of the previous year. This second generation 800 cc four-stroke prototype was the most complex and technically advanced racing motorcycle Suzuki had ever produced at its time. The XRG1 had been developed closely with team riders Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi and the feedback from the MotoGP team and Suzuki test engineers. A key focus area in refining the XRG1 was improving acceleration. This was accomplished by refining every detail of the 2007 XRG0 engine and an updated Mitsubishi ECU. The resulted engine redesigning provided lower fuel consumption and increased usability. Further refinements of the XRG0 chassis for the 2008 XRG1 allowed for better cornering performance and change of direction. Along with the chassis refinements, a newly designed fairing was developed to reduce wind resistance to enhance handling characteristics.[2]
Specifications
| GSV-R XRE0 (2002) | GSV-R XRE1 (2003) | GSV-R XRE2 (2004) | GSV-R XRE3 (2005) | GSV-R XRE4 (2006) | GSV-R XRG0 (2007)[3] | GSV-R XRG1 (2008)[4] | GSV-R XRG2 (2009)[5] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Type | 60° 4-stroke water-cooled V4 | 65° 4-stroke water-cooled V4 | ||||||
| Displacement | 990 cc (60 cu in) | 800 cc (49 cu in) | ||||||
| Max Power | 210 bhp (156.6 kW) @ 14,000+rpm | 210 bhp (156.6 kW)+ @ 14,000+ rpm | 220 bhp (164.1 kW)+ @ 14,500+ rpm | 240 PS (180 kW; 240 hp) @ 16,000 rpm | 240 PS (180 kW; 240 hp) @ 16,000 rpm | 220 PS (160 kW; 220 hp) @ 17,500rpm | 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp) @ 18,000rpm | 225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp) @ 18,000rpm |
| Valve Control and Type | DOHC four-valve | Pneumatic (air control), DOHC four-valve | ||||||
| Carburation Type | Fuel injection | |||||||
| Lubrication System | Wet sump | Wet sump (MOTUL Lubricants) | ||||||
| Clutch | Dry multi plates (back torque reduce type) | |||||||
| Transmission | 6-speed constant mesh | Six-speed low-friction constant mesh | ||||||
| Final Drive | Chain | |||||||
| Frame Type | Twin spar aluminum alloy frame | |||||||
| Suspension | Front: Inverted type telescopic Rear: Link type |
Front: Inverted type telescopic (Öhlins) Rear: Link type (Öhlins) | ||||||
| Tyres | Dunlop/Michelin | Michelin | Bridgestone | |||||
| Wheels | Front: 16.5 inches Rear: 16.5 inches |
Front: 17 inches Rear: 16.5 inches |
Front: 16.5 inches Rear: 16.5 inches | |||||
| Brake System | Front: Double carbon disc Rear: Single disc steel or carbon |
Front: Double carbon disc (Brembo) Rear: Single steel disc (Brembo) | ||||||
| Overall Length | 2,030 mm (80 in) | 2,060 mm (81 in) | 2,080 mm (82 in) | |||||
| Overall Width | 660 mm (26 in) | |||||||
| Overall Height | 1,150 mm (45 in) | 1,150 mm (45 in) | ||||||
| Wheelbase | 1,420 mm (56 in) | 1,450 mm (57 in) | ||||||
| Weight | 145 kg (320 lb) | 148 kg (326 lb) | 148+ kg (330+ lb) | |||||
| Fuel Tank | 24 L (5.3 imp gal; 6.3 US gal) | 22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal) | 21 L (4.6 imp gal; 5.5 US gal) | |||||
References
- ^ "Rizla Suzuki unveil the new XRG0 GSV-R800". FasterandFaster.net. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- ^ "Suzuki officially presents GSV-R MotoGP racer". HighRevs.net. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- ^ "A Season to Look Forward To" (PDF). Rizla Suzuki MotoGP. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ "Rizla SUZUKI MotoGP XRG1 Specification". Rizla Suzuki MotoGP. Archived from the original on 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ "Rizla SUZUKI MotoGP XRG2 Specification". Rizla Suzuki MotoGP. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
External links
- XRG1 specification at rizla-suzuki-motogp.co.uk