Suzuki has brought back the legendary GSX-R1000 to the UK and the EU with some required and meaningful updates, and now it’s called the GSX-R1000R. Most visibly, the bike’s now got winglets and a long single-sided exhaust that adds to the purposefulness of the motorcycle, along with some other subtle changes.

The 2026 Suzuki GSX-R1000R’s 1000cc engine gets updated internal parts like the new forged pistons with reshaped heads that increases the compression ratio to 13.8:1. They are also said to improve durability. The connecting rods are now made of chrome-molybdenum steel with carburised surface treatment for increased reliability, especially when further tuned for racing.

Also, the crankshaft and crankcases are also new and every part has been updated and designed new keeping racing requirements in mind. Every update is done to maintain reliability and optimal performance when fine-tuned for professional racing.

The new exhaust is also made of titanium and has a reduced capacity of 5.5 litres (from 8.3 litres). It is long but slim and clearly reminds of chunky old-school side-mounted exhausts. I think it looks great and adds to the personality and intent of the GSX-R. The entire fuel injection system has also been updated with new fuel pump, injectors, and throttle bodies.

The GSX-R1000R’s engine makes 195 PS of power @ 13,200 RPM and 110 NM of torque @ 11,000 RPM. The engine continues to use Suzuki Racing-Variable Valve Timing (developed for the MotoGP GSX-RR) for smooth and linear power-curve.

The chassis is comprised of aluminium twin spar main frame, a bolt-on aluminium sub-frame, and an aluminium swing-arm. Furthermore, at the front, there’s a pair of Showa Balance Free Forks (upside-down) and the rear receives a Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) lite shock. Engineered to provide exceptional road-holding capability as well as agility needed for confident and fun riding dynamics.

The braking setup includes twin 320mm discs at the front with monoblock Brembo calipers and a 220mm single at the back. The new ABS unit is 51 grams lighter than before.

One of the things I like about the new GSX-R1000R is it doesn’t exactly gets a coloured TFT console, instead, there’s an LCD screen. It is fully digital, but monochrome, and not a coloured TFT. I like it! Through it, riders can control all the bike functions of course and there are quite a few - Suzuki Drive Mode Selector with three riding modes (Active, Basic, and Comfort), lean-angle-sensitive ABS, there’s also an enhanced traction control functionality with Roll Torque Control. It works to prevent wheel slip rather than activating when a wheel slip occurs. This system is said to provide more linear acceleration rather than a feeling of abrupt intervention.

The 2026 GSX-R1000R celebrates 40 years of the GSX-R name which began with the GSX-R750 in 1985. And Suzuki does it in great nostalgic style with three retro-inspired colour schemes and they look great! The winglets on the front fairing are made of carbon fibre using “dry carbon” with a hollow structure. They help in bike stability at higher speeds without compromising its agility.

And though the new GSX-R1000R is originally launched for UK and Europe, it seems Suzuki will make it available in the US as well since the bike can be seen on Suzuki’s US website, along with the standard GSX-R1000 (which has Showa Big Pisto Forks instead of the Balance Free Forks in the R1000R version).