2012 Suzuki Motorcycle

When it debuted in 1985, the GSX-R 750 reshaped the sportbike world. The bike immediately became an icon, and continued to gain popularity throughout the years.

This is still true in modern sportbike times, even though it's the only bike in its class.

Why so popular? The "Gixxer" 750's fame is relatively simple - the mid-weight bike provides riders with the lightweight, compact chassis of a 600cc supersport machine but with the added displacement for literbike-like power.

And for 2011, things got much better for the GSXR 750, as Suzuki redesigned it for more performance and lighter weight. The 2011 GSX-R, which was only $400 more than the GSX-R 600, was an instant hit with the media, and received many accolades.

Having an already successful design, Suzuki again offers the GSX-R 750 for 2012 as a carry-over model with one new feature - a Marble Daytona Yellow/Glass Sparkle Black color option.

The 2012 GSX-R 750 is outfitted with a 750cc inline four that features an over-square bore and stroke ratio; this over-square design allows for higher-revving performance.

The Suzuki's engine has revised camshaft profiles, shot-peened connecting rods, chrome-nitride-coated upper compression and oil control rings, and pentagonal ventilation holes.

Feeding the 750 is Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) fuel injection, which uses fine-spray 8-hole injectors for improved fuel atomization, which contributes to more complete combustion.

Further improvements came by ways of a lighter, 4-into-1 stainless-steel exhaust system with a titanium muffler. This exhaust uses a Suzuki Exhaust Tuning (SET) valve to improve torque and throttle response in the low-to-mid RPM range.

Electronics are plentiful on the 2012 GSX-R 750; the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) offers push-button selection of two racing-developed engine control maps to suit road conditions and personal tastes.

Also found on the 2012 Suzuki GSX-R 750 is race-breed suspension components. Up front, a lightweight 41mm Showa Big Piston front-Fork (BPF) handles the road, with a Single Showa rear shock that features externally adjustable rebound and compression damping, along with adjustable ride height.

The GSX-R 750 features very powerful Brembo front brakes with fully floating 310mm discs and radial-mounted, four-piston monoblock calipers. Out back is a single 220mm disc squeezed by a single-piston caliper.

The 750 GSXR instrument cluster features an analog tachometer with LCD readouts of the speedometer, odometer, dual trip meter, reserve trip meter, clock, coolant temperature/oil pressure indicator, S-DMS and gear position indicators.

Following are the specs, color options and MSRP for the 2012 Suzuki GSX-R 750.

2012 Suzuki GSX-R 750 Specs:

• Engine: 750cc (45.8 cu. In), 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC
• Bore Stroke: 70.0 mm (2.756 in) x 48.7 mm (1.917 in)
• Compression Ratio: 12.5 : 1
• Fuel System: Fuel Injection
• Ignition: Electronic ignition (Transistorized)
• Lubrication: Wet sump
• Starter: Electric
• Brakes Front: Disc brake, twin 310mm discs
• Brakes Rear: Disc brake, 220
• Curb Weight: 190 kg (419 lbs)
• Final Drive: RK525ROZ5Y, 116 links
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.0 L (4.5/3.7 US/Imp gal)
• Ground Clearance: 130 mm (5.12 in)
• Overall Length: 2030 mm (80.0 in)
• Overall Width: 710 mm (28.0 in)
• Seat Height: 810 mm (31.9 in)
• Suspension Front: 41mm Inverted telescopic, Big-Piston
  Front-fork (BPF), coil spring, oil
  damped, spring preload fully adjustable,
  rebound and compression damping force
  fully adjustable
• Suspension Rear: Link type, coil spring, oil damped,
  fully adjustable spring preload and
  rebound and compression damping force,
  compression damping force 2-way
  (high-speed and low-speed) adjustable
• Tires Front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless
• Tires Rear: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless
• Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh
• Wheelbase: 1390 mm (54.7 in)

2012 Suzuki GSX-R 750 Color Options/MSRP:

• Metallic Triton Blue/Glass Splash White / $12,199
• Marble Daytona Yellow/Glass Sparkle Black $12,199