Customer Reviews

Suzuki GSX-R: A Legacy of Performance

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Icons don't just happen. They can't be pushed or promoted. Pretenders get found out sooner or later, usually sooner, whether it's an artist or a business person, a car or a motorcycle. No shortcuts.
Icons earn status the hard way, like racers: public performance, bottom-line results vs. the competition based on commitment, energy and skill. From that perspective, as described here, the GSX-R is iconic. Back in 1985 it established new levels of power, low weight and sporting handling. The bike has never deviated from those goals. Riding the first-generation 750 at the time was an eye opener in performance, albeit not comfortable even for this 5-9/150# rider.
For what it is--a lavishly illustrated summary of GSX-R 1985-2005 evolution, produced to the highest standards of coffee-table elegance--this is a good book. It traces the bike's historical background from Suzuki's 1953 racing start, Barry Sheene's '76-77 World Championships in the RG500 square four to Wes Cooley's achievements--back-to-back AMA Superbike titles in 1979-80 on a GS1000S, aided by Yoshimura, with a nod to the GG250. The book outlines the seven-generation GSX-R development, ends with a chapter on production processes and includes photographs, some full page, of 30+ factory men who moved the bike forward. One specific issue affecting all riders is cited: the collapsing development cycle as competition accelerates. The effects on the industry are profound, not all good. Rusing to market has a serious downside.
The illustrations--sketches, computer-aided imagery, photography and charts--are fine. Most are from Suzuki though Kevin Wing contributed three. Most of the styling progressions are shown, many as full-page illustrations, plus photos that compare choices of lights, brakes, instruments and other key features such as the latest centralized exhaust system. Cutaways and cross-sectional engineering drawings reveal inner detail. A full page of 20th anniversary pix is included.
Though the book is as close to a Suzuki corporate brochure as one could imagine, a question arises in this reviewer's mind: why can Suzuki build GSX-Rs that win world championships (and many others) but cannot field a competitive MotoGP machine? Wouldn't engineering synergy on premises enable such effort? It's no secret, anywhere in Suzuki's racing operation, that the GSV lacks power and has risked the lives and limbs of its riders in attempting to be competitive--only in the wet (Kenny Jr. at Donington, 2005) could it shine.
As with Bull's fine Ducati book (see my review), this is a history airbrushed to perfection, no flaws or warts. This is disappointing, since mistakes and failures often fuel future success as inividuals find, admit and fix problems despite discouragement. Lack of perfection is endearingly human, but Cook's Suzuki men show no such humanity. It's a bit like the lack of "No" in negotiating with the Japanese--all one gets is a polite frown, a hissed intake of breath and "I don't think so" (translation: Hell, no!").
Book production matches Bull excellence: first rate. This is the kind of book that belongs on the coffee table of every GSX-R enthusiast, reflecting his or her enthusiasm for this iconic machine.

This is a very nice historical reference for GSX-R fans. It gives a strong detailed account of the changes from year to year, between the significant model revisions, as well as chronicling the revisions. Unfortunately, at times, this book was seemingly repetitive and lacked comparison of the GSX-R to it's competition over the course of it's history. Comparison to it's competitors would have made it a perfect book. All in all a really good piece.

I gave this book to my boyfriend as a gift. He is a huge fan of the GSXR and still has his 1980...something bike. He opened the book and could barley put it down when it was time to go to bed.

I bought this for my son for Christmas and he was thrilled. He is in his 30's and has been riding and racing since he was 16. It arrived in plenty of time and was in outstanding condition.