Suzuki previews 40th Anniversary GSX-R1000R

Suzuki are celebrating 40 years of their iconic GSX-R sportsbike in 2025, unveiling an updated edition of the GSX-R1000 that honours the model’s four decades of history, while also looking to the future and “embracing bold innovation”.

While the GSX-R name has been around for 40 years, the GSX-R1000 dating back to 2001. The foundation for Suzuki’s success in the FIM Endurance World Championship (that includes 15 titles), the GSX-R1000 has also been victorious in superbike and superstock competition.

In its newest form, the GSX-R1000R remains street-legal, but can be easily converted to track-ready specification.

The 40th Anniversary GSX-R1000R features revised engine internals, a new cylinder head design and slimmer muffler, plus new and updated electronics. The three-setting Suzuki Drive Mode Selector remains, but launch control has been updated and new features for the Smart TLR Control traction control have been introduced. A new, lightweight battery has also been introduced.

Most of other changes are cosmetic, including 40th Anniversary logos on the fuel tank, fairing and key, plus three all-new colour schemes. How many of these will be available in Australia is unknown and won’t be revealed until closer to the local launch in the second half of 2026.

Engine Revision

Under the concept of “Designed to Perform, Built to Thrill”, the 2025 GSX-R1000R was subject to a thorough review and optimisation of the 999.8cc inline four engine, to not only improve performance, meet emissions regulations and noise standards for road use, but also withstand tuning to ensure the bike is competitive on the track.

Improvements made to the DOHC, liquid-cooled four include eight-hole primary fuel injectors (reduced from ten-hole) and increased fuel pump pressure. The cylinder head design has been revised, with the intake and exhaust ports modified for greater efficiency. Piston crowns have been reshaped to reduce weight and improve durability, while also allowing larger valves to be fitted. Compression ratio increases from 13.2:1 to 13.8:1.

New engine parts include a wider cam chain, thicker crankshaft journals and revised crankcase handle to suit the higher engine loads, plus a single stage funnel design (for cylinders 1 and 4) to improve performance at high rpm. Intermittent camshaft lubrication is also new, improving oil flow efficiency.

The muffler is slimmer (but longer) and caps an updated exhaust system that’s said to have improved aesthetics and sound.

The transmission is still of the six-speed, constant-mesh type, with the Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) and a bi-directional quick shifter that can be reversed. When in neutral, the Suzuki Easy Start System allows the bike to be started without pulling in the clutch lever, while Low RPM Assist ensures smoother starts when moving from stationary or riding at very low speeds.

Chassis, Suspension, Brakes and Wheels

The MY25 GSX-R1000R continues to be based around a twin-spar aluminium frame, matched to a bolt-on aluminium subframe and race-inspired aluminium swingarm.

Bodywork is unchanged, with aero-optimised features also carrying over, like the slotted front brake lever tip. A pair of MotoGP-style front winglets that attach to the fairing's leading edge are available as an option.

Suspension consists of Showa BFF inverted telescopic forks, with a Showa BFRC Lite link-type monoshock at the rear. Both units offer full compression, rebound and preload adjustability, but front/rear travel is not listed.

Brembo four-piston, radial-mount monobloc calipers grip dual 320mm ‘T-Drive’ front discs, with a single-piston caliper for the 220mm rear disc. The ABS control unit has been updated, being smaller and lighter, while remaining lean sensitive. As part of this, Suzuki’s Motion Track Brake System maintains stability when cornering, with Slope Dependent Control adjusting ABS intervention when downhill braking.

Seventeen-inch alloy wheels front and rear appear to be the same, narrow six-spoke design from the current GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R, with Bridgestone Battlax tyres - 120/60 ZR176 at the front, and 190/55 ZR17 at the rear.

Tech Assist

As part of the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS), the MY25 GSX-R1000R is loaded with rider-assistance tech, including the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector, that provides three selectable throttle response settings – Active, Basic and Comfort - to suit different riding conditions. 

A ride-by-wire throttle remains, as does Launch Control, but the latter has been updated to reflect the engine changes.

The Smart TLR Control 10-mode traction control system is lean-angle sensitive and also switchable. When activated, Smart TLR Control limits wheel spin at a level set by the rider, reducing power when a loss of traction is detected. The new additions to this system for 2025 are a ‘Lift Limiter’ wheelie control and ‘Roll Torque Control’ to optimise stability when cornering. These, and all the other tech features, operate off a three-axis, six-direction Bosch IMU that’s fractionally lighter than the current unit.

Rider settings and important bike information is displayed on an instrument screen that prioritises speed, rpm and gear position, flanked by the usual array of warning lights. Surprisingly for a bike of this high specification, this screen is the LCD type, not a multi-colour TFT display.

New to the GSX-R1000R for 2025 is a HY battEliiy P-series battery that’s claimed to be a major innovation in motorcycle battery tech. Smaller and lighter than conventional lead acid batteries, this unit is also described as being more durable and reliable, with a longer lifespan – up to 10 years.

Style and Colours

Design of the MY25 GSX-R1000R is mostly unchanged from the current model. The fairing is virtually identical, bar what appears to be a minor alteration to the bellypan to accommodate the reshaped exhaust system. The longer, narrow muffler lends a slimmer look to the back end, even though the seat and tail unit are the same. The heavily-sculpted fuel tank helps the rider tuck in for race-mode riding.

At the front end, a compact, vertically-stacked LED headlight arrangement is flanked by slim LED DRLs on the aerodynamically optimised upper fairing, just above the SRAD air intakes.

The three colour options are said to be inspired by famous racing liveries on past GSX-R machines. Those options are Pearl Vigor Blue and Pearl Tech White, Candy Daring Red and Pearl Tech White, and Pearl Ignite Yellow with Mat Stellar Blue.

Each combines ‘Suzuki’ identification on the upper fairing with the distinctive GSX-R logo on the tank, seat and muffler. The ‘R’ from this logo is repeated on the bellypan. A 40th Anniversary emblem features on the side of the fairing and top of the fuel tank, as well as the key.

Other cosmetic changes include gold anodised front brake mounts, a black fuel cap, and a switch from black to grey for the magneto and clutch covers.

A Long Wait

Despite being revealed in July, the 2025 Suzuki GSX-R1000R is not scheduled to reach Australian dealerships until the second half of 2026 – almost a year away. A price has not yet been provided, but the current GSX-R1000R lists for $27,490 ride away (MY25 clearance pricing). The desirability of a 40th Anniversary model is likely to add a small premium, but this will be confirmed closer to local release, along with colour options for the Australian market.