EDSBK is a blog about a small group of sports bike riders, the places we go in search of our ultimate road and the motorbikes we ride..

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Showing posts with label Suzuki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suzuki. Show all posts

Suzuki GSXR K8



 This is Carls Suzuki GSXR 1000 K8. The model was released in 2008 having minor changes to the paint scheme from the previous K7 model that Jon owns. Suzuki have always made class leading motorbikes and this is no exception. The engine chucks out 185 BHP and was the first main stream bike to have a power mode switch that lets the rider select between full power, medium for economy and a wet weather mode. Suzuki have fitted twin pipes on their 1000cc model which is different from the other manufacturers who make superbikes. 
Carl has changed the factory exhaust from the standard 2 pipes into a Scorpion, shorter, single sided pipe which gives a much louder roar under acceleration, saves weight and looks great. He has had the suspension lowered as it was a bit to high for him and finds it handles well.


 He has been making some artsy, photoshop pictures and has submitted them to the site for all to see. 






Eco Challenge

Every year while on our road trip we do an Eco Challenge. This means everytime we fill up with fuel I have to write down how many litres of fuel each of us drew.
 The fuel used ranged from 55.1 MPG to as low as 36.4 MPG over the 6 days.
We all took the same amount of luggage and used the same Oxford Hump Back soft luggage.
 Our trip was 905 miles which included a good mixture of roads and steep hills, a fair bit of stops to take photos, eat, drink, repair and dry off. 400 Miles were on Motorways and the rest A or B class roads.

Loaded

Col on the Honda Fireblade with a 900cc engine recorded the best MPG at 55.1, this is down to the combined weight of the bike and rider being the lightest which gives a good power to weight ratio. He averaged 48MPG over the trip. His average MPG when wearing his waterproofs dropped by 4MPG

Rich with the Kawasaki ZX636 a 600cc machine got 52.7MPG at best and averaged 47.6MPG over the trip.His average MPG when wearing his waterproofs dropped by 1 MPG

Phill with the Yamaha R1 a 1000cc machine got 50.8MPG at best but averaged 45.3MPG over the trip.His average MPG when wearing his waterproofs dropped by 2.5 MPG

Jon on the Suzuki GSXR another 1000cc machine got 48.7MPG and averaged 43.6MPG over the trip.His average MPG when wearing his waterproofs dropped by 3 MPG

Ed is the average of the 4 of us.

 For 3 journeys we were wearing waterproof over suits, which have a lot of loose fitting areas and flapage, when on these journeys the bikes average MPG dropped by 1-4 MPG.

 This year I have scored it in the same method as the Olympics, counting the amount of Golds, Silvers and Bronzes for the 5 catergories below.

  • Average MPG
  • Best MPG
  • Tolerance (The difference between best and worst MPG)
  • Best MPG compared to MCNs figure
  • Difference between biggest and smallest amount of litres bought

 Results 
                                         Gold            Silver        Bronze
Best Average MPG           Col              Rich          Ed
Best MPG                         Col              Rich          Ed
Tolerence                          Ed               Phill           Jon
Better than MCN              Rich             Phill           Ed
Difference between fill ups Col              Ed             Phill


 Col - Honda Fireblade  3x Gold    0x Silver    0 x Bronze
 Rich - Kawasaki 636    1x Gold    2x Silver    0 x Bronze
 Ed - LAW of Average  1x Gold    1x Silver    3 x Bronze
 Phill - Yamaha R1         0x Gold    2x Silver    1 x Bronze
 Jon - Suzuki GSXR       0x Gold    0x Silver    1 x Bronze

2012 EDSBK Road Trip. Part 1 (Moffat)

  We set out on Sunday 8th July headed for Moffat in Scotland, about 50 miles from the border with England. Col arrived first followed by Rich who was already wearing his water proofs and Jon arrived a few minutes later. The sun was trying to make an appearance as we set off and the odd patch of blue sky appeared on the horizon. We stopped for a cuppa and fuel and Rich said he was too hot, so took off his waterproof suit and we headed off. As we approached the climb up Shap in the lakes district the heavens opened and gave us a few minutes of rain, we decided to wear the water proofs until we arrived in Moffat.

The Buccleuch Arms Hotel
The garages
  Moffat is just off the A74 (M) at junction 15.
The Buccleuch Arms Hotel was our destination in Moffat. We were met by the owner David, who showed each of us to our own garage for the bikes, then to our rooms in the hotel. (EDSBK Recommended)
 The following morning we decided over breakfast to follow a route that was recommended by a website called
  Motorcycle Scotland, through Dumfries to Galloway Forest following along the coast roads. After a while we needed a coffee so pulled in at Carsluith Castle over looking the bay towards Wigtown where we stopped and had a look around. We could see the clouds were once again getting dark and heavy so water proofed up in preparation for the next part of the ride.

Along the A712


Carsluith Castle
 We mostly avoided the rain only seeing a few seconds worth just before we reached a town called Newton Stewart, we headed through Galloway Forest along the twisty A712 until we came across Clatteringshaws Loch where we stopped for a few minutes to admire the views. Then we headed towards the village of  New Galloway where we found the A702 and followed it as it again twisted and dipped and climbed its way through the landscape. The route made it into our list of ultimate roads.
 We arrived at Thornhill not seeing any rain from the again threatening skies. Drumlanrig Castle was only a few miles away so we went off route to go and have a look.
Drumlanrig Castle
Clatteringshaws Loch




Once getting back on route (A702) we followed the road up through the valley which was Cols favourite section of road and then the heavens opened and it absolutely threw it down for the last 20 minutes of the ride, we headed back to the Hotel and parked the bikes back under cover and left the water proofs to dry out. Luckily the radiators were on in our rooms so all the wet clothing got dried overnight.

 The next Morning we awoke to more rain, that got heavier as we ate breakfast. We were heading to Kendal after dinner for the 2nd part of our trip, to the Lake District.
  David from the Buccleuch Arms had talked to us about a short route he used that went around an area known locally as The 3 Locks and The Devils Beef Tub, we thought it sounded an interesting route and long enough to give us something to do before heading off to Kendal. We put our now dry clothes on, packed our bags to collect later and set off along the A708 towards St. Mary's Loch and as it rained all the way we stopped at Glen Cafe for a drink.
Glen cafe looking towards Loch of the Lowes
 The rain carried on as we set off along the A708 and took the first road on the left heading towards Meggets Reservoir and Talla Reservoir linking the A708 to the A701. The road was steep, windy,  slippery from the covering of a mixture of sheep dung and slime, had loose gravel, puddles and was flooded in places, not really a sports bike type of road at all, but the scenery was beautiful.
 At the end of the road we turned left onto the A701 and rode through the forest, a winding fast section of tarmac, it felt good to be back on an A class road again, even if it was soaking wet.
The water proofs brigade!

 We had been told that the Devils Beef Tub is so called as it was a place that Scottish cattle rustlers used to bring the cattle from England too. The English used to chase after the cattle to get them back and the Scotts then attacked, killing the English and keeping the cattle. We stopped in a layby and looked down the valley at the Beef Tub and could see how the natural shape of the land played a part working in the favour of the Scotts.
The Devils Beef Tub
 We went back to the Hotel and collected our luggage then set off to Kendal.


2012 EDSBK Road Trip. Part 2 (Kendal)

 We were already soaked from the ride in the morning around Moffat.
As I got on to the motorway my feet, collar and gloves felt damp, and I thought if this rain would stop then they may dry out enough to stop me thinking about how soaked I was and wondered if the others felt like  I did? As soon as we entered England the sky was lighter and the rain stopped, thank goodness for that I thought. Forty minutes later the rain was back, but harder than the mornings effort. My drying boots, collar and gloves gave up any water proofing they had left and left me with soaked feet and hands and I could feel the water occasionally dripping down the insides of my Jacket on the inside of the water proof over suit.
 We arrived at the services ten minutes after the rain had stopped for a rest, Jon and me took our boots off and rang out our soaking socks, while Col and Rich talked up their boots that hadn't leaked at all.
I didn't bother to put my socks back on, it wasn't worth it.
 We left the motorway at the next junction after the services and followed the A684 into Kendal which turned out to be an unexpected bit of road offering some fun for the last 12 miles of the journey.
Just after a soaking on the services at Shap
Sundial Guest House
 We had stayed at the Sundial Guest House before and were made most welcome by Sue and Andy the owners so stayed there again this year. (Everyday Superbike Recommended) We arrived at the Sundial dried off then found The Miles Thompson for some food. Rich has relations in the area so went for a visit, leaving the rest of us to drink too much beer and talk about who has done the best in the Eco challenge, the best of the roads we had ridden so far, leading into the 5 pints later who of us is the biggest biking hero conversation which normally arises, with tales of who's seen the biggest speeds, who's had the most air, who's got the best cornering lines, endo's, wheelies, other shenanigans and who had had the closest of close shaves, all story's to be taken with a pinch of salt and have a laugh over!

 The following morning we awoke to some hope of dry weather and blue patches of sky. Unfortunately the heating in the Sundial was off so our damp boots, gloves and leathers had stayed damp so hoped the wind as we rode along would dry them out for us. We set off with water proofs bungied to the rear seats in case we needed them.
 The route was made from a list of recommended roads that we had strung together, being mindful of the few dark clouds towards the north we did the route backwards and headed south. Rich knew the area reasonably well so led for a while until we came across the A5804 which became a most entertaining bit of road that twisted a lot and eventually went along the side of lake Coniston.
 We turned left following the A593 and A595 both roads were fun to ride, until I gave my bike a big handful of throttle and the exhaust came apart. We stopped in a layby and assessed the problem, nothing major just a screw clip had come loose, so I did a roadside repair and we carried on eventually reaching Penrith as the A686 and the Hartside Cafe was not far from there. We arrived at Melmerby the start of the climb up the Hartside Pass and the clouds were dark and meaningful, looming above the hills. I think we had all guessed that the road was going to be damp. Luckily the rain didn't start while we were there, however there was a lot of water running off the hills and across the road, more than enough to spoil our fun, limiting us to a more careful accent. The menu in the cafe was the same as last year so we had Mars Bar cake and a coffee, Mmm yum!

We set off back down and the roads were still covered in water but Col and I exchanged the lead on a few occasions as we dropped back into Melmerby. Then finding the A6 towards Kendal we hit our next problem. Col pulled over and thought his chain was slapping as it went over the swing arm, he adjusted the chain, but it made little difference, we stopped again and re adjusted the chain but again it made little difference but Col said it seemed better than the first time we had stopped, also his Fireblade felt strange when braking and a warped front disk was suspected. The A6 turned out to be a nice route offering some good fast sections and some good corners. I passed Jon who seemed to be messing with something on the side of his bike and about a mile later pulled in to wait for the others in another layby. Col turned up shortly after still with a problem from the chain, then a few minute went by and Jon and Rich turned up. Jon informed me that his Mini DV camera had come off at 70 mph and he had had to go back to fetch it, luckily it still worked but looks battered!
We returned to the hotel and messed with the bikes, and I discovered my exhaust end can had rotted through around the area that meets the pipe, it was wobbling around but was not going to drop off.
The following morning we headed home and 2 of us were contemplating some unexpected repairs.
  Once at home I changed my exhaust can and now my R1 has the standard can refitted until I can afford to replace it. Cols Fireblade had crushed bearings in the rear wheel and a warped front disk, both problems have been repaired and our bikes are back on the road.

Summary
Date:- 8th - 12th July 2012
Weather:- 1 dry days, 4 raining
Hotels:- The Buccleuch Arms (Moffat) / Sundial Guest house (Kendal)
Miles:- 860.
Fuel cost per litre:- 1.36p to 1.39p a ltr (8 petrol stations)
EDSBK Riders:- Phill,Col,Jon & Rich
Aim:- 
Ride the best roads around Galloway, visit a Scottish Castle, have another go along the A686 Hartside pass and explore the area in search of more ultimate roads.
We decided as we had enjoyed the lake district in 2011 to return and explore the area to the south as we had not tested any roads down there, also Galloway has featured in articles I've read in the past so I thought why not combine the two areas into 1 trip.

Suzuki GSXR 1000


Jons Suzuki GSXR 1000 K7
The GSXR K7 model has the indicators built into the mirrors


 This is Jons Suzuki GSXR 1000 K7. The model was released for 2007 - 2008. Suzuki have always made class leading motorbikes and this is no exception. The power was raised to 185 BHP and was the first main stream bike to have a power mode switch that lets the rider select between full power, medium for economy and a wet weather mode. Suzuki have fitted twin pipes on their 1000cc model which is different from the other manufacturers who make superbikes.


Controls
 The Clocks have a rev counter, with a gear indicator, a Digital Speedo with 2 trip counters and odometer, temperature guage and clock. the usual array of lights surround the left side of the rev counter, and a rev limit light is set just below. The handlebars are a nice distance away and slightly higher than the Yamaha, and the foot pegs are adjustable, giving the rider a choice of aggressive or relaxed seating positions. Suzuki has removed the indicators from being stalks sticking out the fairing front and back, but have gone for indicators in the mirrors and built into the rear body, this gives a sleeker look and reduces wind drag. Suzuki have only one centre headlight, so if the bulb goes when your out theres no 2nd light to get you home.The rear section of the seat comes off and there is room for a tool kit, wheel lock, a drink and a Kitkat, but if you replace the seat with the plastic seat cowl there is enough extra space for a packet of crisps!

Riding it
 There is plenty of power from the engine when in A mode and after 8000rpm in B mode. All Suzuki engines have a sporty sound to them and this one sounds great. The handling is very good, turning in when you lean into the corners. The bike makes you feel in control at whatever pace your going. Because of the adjustable foot pegs you can have as much room to move as you set it too. The suspension is fully adjustable so can be set for any sized rider.


Stats and Everyday Superbikes stats

  • Engine size - 999cc
  • Top speed - 186 MPH
  • Power - 185 BHP
  • Weight - 172 kg
  • Fuel tank size - 17.5 ltr
  • Average MPG - 38
  • Tank Range - 146
  • Insurance group - 17
  • Tyres - Front 120/70 x17,  Rear 190/50 x17
  • Suspension - Fully adjustable

Mods

 Jon has added 2 Arrow end cans, and a power commander to his bike.
 Carl has had fitted a 2 into 1 straight through exhaust, and had the bike lowered at Revs suspension (revsracing.co.uk) ,who did a great job of setting the bike up for him to ride.




Before a lap of the Ashwood Triangle

As New


Carls GSXR K8 Has slight update to paint scheme
Jon with his GSXR

Suzuki GSXR 1100M


My Gixer 1100

 This Suzuki GSXR 1100M was the model from 1991 it was nick named the sling shot by many owners and people in the bike industry. When the bike was new it was hailed as the bike to own getting a reputation for being the meanest, biggest and baddest because of its massive power. 
 In1994 the Honda Fireblade came along bringing with it the modern era of motorbikes and in 1998 the last GSXR 1100 rolled of the production line.

 The GSXR 1100 was introduced in 1989 through the years had very few changes made to it. Most of them invovlved changes to help with the handling. 

Controls
 The bike I owned was not as it came out the shop by the time I bought it, and the instruments differed slightly to other GSXR 1100s that I came across. The speedometer had a trip counter and odometer, and the Rev counter which was the same size was set slightly higher. Underneath was the usual array of lights. The Handlebars were in a nice position, and the seat felt quite low and peg quite high, sitting you more upright than the modern superbikes. The seat seamed huge, and the rear section lifted off to reveal a compartment large enough for tools,locks,dinner and drinks.

Riding It
  Believe all the reviews that you read that say the handling was poor. I know they say a bad workman blames his tools, however at the time I owned this bike I thought I was rubbish at going round corners, until I rid the same road on another bike, then I realised how hard to handle the gixer really was. Mind you it made up for that on a straight or slightly twisty road with the power the thing had, you twist the throttle and it just kept going faster and faster and the noise was amazing! The engine was air/oil cooled and when it got hot, the heat went up the inside of the fairing right at you.

Stats and Everyday Superbike stats
   (its been a while since owning this bike so some stats are estimated)
  • Engine size - 1127cc
  • Top speed - 155 MPH (I saw 120mph)
  • Power - 145BHP
  • Weight - 238kg
  • Fuel Tank - 21 ltrs
  • Avg MPG - 38
  • Tank range - 180 ish ( I never did more than 180 but it could have)
  • Insurance Group 16
  • Tyres 130/60 zr17 front, 180/55 zr17 rear
  • Suspension - Fully adjustable all round. Upside down forks on front

Mods

 The bike I ownedI think is still my favourite to look at, the colours were good and the polished aluminium finished it off nicely.
It had a list as long as your arm of alterations, so here goes with the better bits:-
 After market rear swing arm, K&N filters, Dyno Jet stage 3, Full Art race exhaust system, Ohlins suspension for front forks, braided brake hoses, Tinted screen, Painted wheels, Gold Chain set (cant remember the make though).
 This stuff above would have given it more power and is the reason it made it sound as good as it did.
Unfortunately, the bike had so many problems it was off the road for 6 months of the 2 years I owned it. 
 These were:-
            The cog on second gear stripped some teeth and the gear changer kept jamming, it suffered with Clutch Creep, thats when your stopped but in gear with the clutch is pulled in and the bike trys to move very slowly forwards. Other people used to love the bike that much that they tried to pinch it twice.
 It is the only bike I have ever took the engine out of and took to pieces, suprisingly I put it back together and it worked first time. 
Oh and did I mention, that awsome sound :)

As New