Left for Dead, Suzuki’s Iconic Superbike Is Back With a Vengeance

These 40th anniversary Gixxers aren’t just for show — updated to meet modern regulations, they still offer plenty of go, too.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published 11 hours ago

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Just a few years ago, it seemed the GSX-R1000 and R1000R were sputtering to a farm upstate — an ignominious end for iconic nameplates boasting literally decades of high-speed history.

But this week brings news that, not unlike Mason Storm, these Gixxers are hard to kill.

suzuki gsx-r1000r hero — A hair less lean and mean but outfitted with the latest electronics, the GSX-R100OR is back, baby.

Suzuki is overhauling a number of GSX-Rs, headlined by the 1000s, just in time for their 40th anniversary.

While there are nods to that heritage on the bikes themselves, the (mostly good) updates go beyond a few strategically placed decals.

Up to code

Considering the R1000 was discontinued around the world last year and hadn’t seen a meaningful update since 2022 (the same year Suzuki abandoned MotoGP), no one could be blamed for believing its best days were far behind it.

The big hang-up, as far as Europe is concerned, is that it needed to meet the new Euro 5+ emission and noise regulations.

2026 gixxer and 1985 gixxer motorcycles — The new bike (right) may have less juice than the 2022 edition, but it has a heck of a lot more than the original 1985 GSX-R750F does. (I wouldn’t kick that old Suzuki out of bed though — it’s kind of sweet, right?)

Unfortunately, bringing it into compliance means a small sacrifice of power and torque. The new 998cc inline-four engine makes 192.4 horsepower at 13,200 rpm and 81.1 lb-ft of torque at 11,000 rpm.

These numbers fall short of the 2022 edition’s 199 hp and 86.7 lb-ft of torque, but for most of us, that’s not enough to keep them from being hella fun to ride really fast around in circles — or even straight or zig-zaggy on the road.

I never thought I’d say this, but the Pearl Ignite Yellow/Metallic Matt Stellar Blue GSX-R1000 kind of slays. It’s like if Bumblebee transformed into a motorcycle instead of a car — and was cool.

With a 448-pound wet weight, the new bike is also three pounds heavier than its predecessor. On the upside, a wider cam chain and reinforced crankshaft decrease friction and improve load capacity.

Both the R1000 and racier R1000R boast 3-axis, 6-direction IMU, tracking pitch, roll and yaw movement — with the data enabling even more advanced features such as Roll Torque Control, Motion Track Braking and the Lift Limiter.

2026 suzuki gixxer 1000 track action — You don’t *have* to don leathers and hit the track to ride the R, but it probably does feel most at home there.

The bikes also tap into a growing trend, courtesy of Suzuki’s Clutch Assist System and a bi-direction quickshifter.

The R1000R gets a few additional upgrades. For example, while both bikes feature Brembo Monobloc 4-piston calipers, the “R” edition packs stainless steel braided brakes lines.

It also has slightly beefier Showa suspension and winglets for added downforce/wheelie prevention.

Style points

As is often the case, the aesthetics are less substantial yet more noticeable — and likely to have an outsized impact on the market for these bikes.

Right off the bat, the paint schemes recall classic Suzuki looks of yore. I never thought I’d say this, but the Pearl Ignite Yellow/Metallic Matt Stellar Blue GSX-R1000 kind of slays. It’s like if Bumblebee transformed into a motorcycle instead of a car — and was cool.

2026 suzuki gixxer 1000 paint schemes — In the US, both models will get the blue paint scheme, while the R1000R will also be available in red and the R1000 will also come in yellow.

In the US, the GSX-R1000 will also be available in Pearl Vigor Blue/Pearl Tech White, while the GSX-R1000R will come in that paint scheme as well as Candy Daring Red/Pearl Tech White.

As I alluded to earlier, the bikes also feature 40th anniversary badging on the tank, side fairings, muffler and key mascot.

This kinda thing can quickly get dorky, but, credit to Suzuki, they kept it pretty understated, and the bikes look all the better for it.

2026 suzuki gixxer 1000 exhaust — Seems odd to say about a superbike, but the exhaust system wins by not trying too hard.

One other feature that’s hard to miss for a silencer fetishist such as myself is the streamlined exhaust with titanium muffler.

It’s another element that’s easy to get wrong, and in channeling the sleek superbike exhausts from 30 years ago (aka early in the Gixxer’s reign), Suzuki demonstrates they left no stone unturned in getting this beloved bike back on track.

Availability and pricing

These details have not yet been announced, although I can confirm that both models will be available in the US, while Europe will only get the R model (in all three aforementioned colorways).

2026 Suzuki GSX-R1000R

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.