Written by:
Evan Williams
How do you follow up a legend? It's not easy.
Suzuki's AMA Pro American Superbike program has that challenge this season. Everyone knows the previous version of the GSX-R1000 retired after Road Atlanta with an undefeated record. That's right, it never lost an AMA Superbike race. The '07 and '08 bikes were essentially the same model -- the Rocky Marciano of race bikes.
The older GSX-R was not only a winner with the factory Rockstar Makita Suzuki team, it also performed well as the bike of choice for most of the field, too.
Most privateers pick that bike. There have always been race parts available. The cottage Superbike parts biz produced what was needed for Suzuki models and there's a race catalog of stuff, too. It's been the easiest brand for getting a Superbike up to speed if you are buying it.
Suzuki also has had a historically strong roster of teams they support, as well, including the Jordan Suzuki squad that's earned the podium multiple times in AMA Pro American Superbike this season.
So it's news when those bikes are struggling some.
