Team Suzuki MotoGP News
With the 2015 MotoGP Championship quickly approaching, Suzuki has worked nonstop prepping for its return into the premier-class of Grand Prix road racing.
Besides its announcement of re-entry and testing with riders Randy DePuniet, Nobuatsu Aoki, and 1993 MotoGP Champion Kevin Schwatnz, all other details were hush such as bike details and rider lineup.
But that all changed Tuesday at the INTERMOT motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany. There, Suzuki Motor Corporation officially announced it’s entry into 2015 MotoGP as Team Suzuki MotoGP, along with the details of the new bike – the GSX-RR – and the team riders and structure.
As for riders, current Moto2 pilot Maverick Vinales will join the 2015 Team Suzuki MotoGP along with fellow Spaniard Aleix Espargaro, who currently pilots the open-class NGM Forward Racing Yamaha in MotoGP. The team manager will be Davide Brivio, who was known for guiding Valentino Rossi through seven MotoGP titles.
As for the bike, Suzuki began developing the GSX-RR in 2012, and spent much time testing it. The details are scarce due to competition, but Suzuki provided some. The GSX-RR, which produces over 230 horsepower, features a new inline 1000cc four-cylinder engine that features “a strong, flexible engine character, fuel efficiency, and durability at a high level.”
The frame has a layout that “keeps its width slim for both maneuverability and aerodynamic performances, and optimizes body strength and weight balance.”
Suzuki adds “The aim was to develop a highly competitive MotoGP machine that can bring out the straightforward maneuverability developed over the years with the GSX-R.”
Suzuki’s participation with this bike will allow it to provide technological feedback for future GSX-R models.
In other news, Suzuki also announced it will make a wildcard appearance in the final round of 2014 MotoGP held at Valencia in November.
uzuki entered the Grand Prix Championship in 1974 with Barry Sheene at the controls of the RG500. The manufacturer has six titles through its final year in 2011, including 1976 and 1977 with Barry Sheene, 1981 with Marco Lucchinelli, 1982 with Franco Uncini, 1993 with Kevin Schwantz and 2000 with Kenny Roberts Jr.
Suzuki’s last year in MotoGP was 2011 with Alvaro Bautista at the controls of the GSV-R. That year, Bautista finished 13th overall.
2015 Team Suzuki MotoGP GSX-RR Specs:
- Overall length x width x height: 2,096mm x 720mm x 1,140mm
- Wheelbase: 1,457mm
- Body weight: 160kg (based on FIM regulation)
- Engine type: Water-cooled, four-stroke in-line four-cylinder, DOHC four-valve
- Displacement: 1,000 cc
- Maximum output: Over 230 horsepower
- Frame type: Twin-spar aluminum
- Tires (front/rear): 16.5in/16.5in
- Front suspension: Ohlins, inverted fork
- Rear suspension: Ohlins
- Brakes (front/rear): Carbon disk/steel disk, Brembo
2015 Team Suzuki MotoGP Structure:
- Team name: Team Suzuki MotoGP
- Team riders: Aleix Espargaro (Spain): currently racing in MotoGP, and Maverick Vinales (Spain): currently racing in Moto2
- Team Manager: Davide BRIVIO (Italy): current test team manager
