After a year’s sabbatical following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Classic Suzuki Sunday is set to return the Super Sausage Café on 19 September.

Previous years’ events have seen packed crowds at the biker-friendly café off the A5 near Towcester, as Suzuki – through its popular Vintage Parts Programme – and Team Classic Suzuki display a range of 1970s, 80s, and 90s road and racing machinery.

Displayed at this year’s event will be the Team Classic Suzuki Katana endurance racer, which John Reynolds and Pete Boast raced to victory at Oschersleben. Sticking with the Katana theme, the outfit’s project Katana, based on world superbike underpinnings, will also feature.

Added exotica comes courtesy of a factory RGV250 racer from the 1997 Japanese championship, as ridden by Noriyasu Numata in its orange Rizla Suzuki livery.

Suzuki GB will also show off the GSX-R1100 and Bandit 600 rebuilt by apprentices on its Apprenticeship Programme, plus an RGV250 and the 1985 GSX-R750F restored at Motorcycle Live in 2015, as part of the model’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

Aftersales marketing co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said, “We are so incredibly happy that we’re able to put this event on again. It’s not far from Suzuki HQ and feels something like a home event, and after the year we had in 2020 we’re really excited to get back to the Super Sausage Café and bring our vintage fleet along with us. As well as the bikes we’re bringing, however, we are always keen to see what other people bring to the event, from GSX-Rs to GTs and everything in between. Traditionally there has always been a fantastic turnout, and being an outdoor event we’re hoping to see the bike park filled again this year.”

The Super Sausage Café can be found off the A5, between Towcester and Potterspury, Northampton, NN12 7QD.

Suzuki has added the ever-popular SV650 to its Summer Savings campaign, with the V-twin middleweight now available with a £500 off test ride incentive.

It means the machine that arguably launched the booming middleweight naked market can be had for just £6,099.

The SV650 produces 73PS, is capable of averaging nearly 70mpg in every day riding conditions, and uses Suzuki’s easy start function and low RPM assist.

Owning an SV650 became almost a rite of passage for riders progressing from smaller, learner-friendly machines. Today it finds favour with new and experienced riders alike thanks to its manageability and fun, easy-to-ride nature.

Suzuki has ranked highest in the automotive sector in the most recent UK customer satisfaction index, compiled by the Institute of Customer Service.

Over 45,000 responses were received as part of the survey, and Suzuki not only ranked as the highest automotive brand, but ranked joint third in the overall standings.

Suzuki has announced three summer saving deals, running until the end of September and covering much of the on-road range.

Worth exploring

Available across the V-Strom 1050XT and V-Strom 1050XT Tour, plus the V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 650XT, the 'worth exploring' offer combines a lower rate of finance – 3.9% APR representative – available on either a PCP or HP deal over three years with £500 worth of free accessories.

The V-Strom accessory catalogues includes three-piece aluminium luggage – which is comes as standard fitment on the V-Strom 1050XT Tour – heated grips, touring screens, engine bars, and sump guards.

The V-Strom 1050XTs boast a 1037cc V-twin engine delivering 107PS and bags of torque, plus three selectable engine maps, traction control with three modes, lean angle-sensitive ABS with two modes, linked brakes with slope and load-dependent control and hill hold, and cruise control. There's also low RPM assist and Suzuki's easy start system. Practicality comes from a height-adjustable seat and screen, 12V socket and USB port, centre stand, hand guards, and spoked wheels.

The V-Strom 650 uses Suzuki’s proven 645cc V-twin engine, packed with character and a broad spread of usable torque, and also features a traction control system, low RPM assist, and the easy start system.

Terms and Conditions: £500 towards Suzuki Genuine Accessories. Offer applies to purchases of a new V-Strom 1050XT Tour, V-Strom 1050XT, V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 650XT only. The motorcycle must be purchased and registered between 01/07/2021 and 30/09/2021 to qualify. Offer may be extended or withdrawn at any time. HP and PCP Finance offer applies to purchases of the V-Strom 1050XT Tour, V-Strom 1050XT, V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 650XT only from a participating Suzuki Dealership. Purchase and registration of your chosen motorcycle must take place between 01/07/2021 and 30/09/2021. Offer may be extended or withdrawn at any time. Minimum deposit required: £500. Credit is subject to status, UK residents aged 18 and over. Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH.

To get your pulse racing

A similar three-year, 3.9% APR representative offer – also on PCP or HP – is available on the GSX-R1000R, including the limited edition 100th anniversary model, and the GSX-S750. This time the deal is sweetened with a £500 off test ride incentive.

A 200PS motor sits at the heart of the GSX-R1000R, which inherits the same variable valve timing system as the MotoGP world championship-winning GSX-RR. It uses a comprehensive suite of performance enhancing electronics – including a quickshifter and autoblipper, launch control, lean angle-sensitive traction control and ABS. There are also three power modes, easy start, and low RPM assist.

The GSX-S750 uses a 749cc inline-four cylinder that started life in the iconic GSX-R750 and delivers a smooth, linear power delivery, and gets traction control, low RPM assist, and Suzuki easy start, all wrapped in an agile chassis and sharp, streetfighter styling.

Terms and Conditions: £500 test ride offer applies to purchases of a new GSX-R1000R and GSX-S750 only. The motorcycle must be purchased and registered between 01/07/2021 and 30/09/2021 to qualify. Offer may be extended or withdrawn at any time. HP and PCP Finance offer applies to purchases of the GSX-R1000R and GSX-S750 from a participating Suzuki Dealership. Purchase and registration of your chosen motorcycle must take place between 01/07/2021 and 30/09/2021. Offer may be extended or withdrawn at any time. Minimum deposit required: £500. Credit is subject to status, UK residents aged 18 and over. Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH.

Hand crafted just for you

The third summer saving offer from Suzuki this season is the continuation of the 0% APR representative deal available on the Katana.

Requiring a minimum deposit of £500, customers can enjoy the Katana over a three-year HP deal with no interest payable. And being a HP deal, there is no final balloon payment.

The fresh take on the iconic machine from the 80s uses a torque-rich, 999cc inline-four cylinder engine – kept in check with a three-mode traction control system – a twin-spar aluminium chassis and superbike-derived swingarm. This is all packed in angular, aggressively styled bodywork that also remains unmistakably Katana.

For more information on Suzuki's offers click here.

Terms and Conditions: HP Finance offer applies to purchases of the KATANA only purchased from a participating Suzuki Dealership. Purchase and registration of your chosen motorcycle must take place between 01/07/2021 and 30/09/2021. Offer may be extended or withdrawn at any time. Minimum deposit required: £500. Credit is subject to status, UK residents aged 18 and over. Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH.

Suzuki GB has announced limited availability of new Akrapovic slip-on silencers for it’s 2021 Hayabusa.

Just 20 are currently available from authorised Suzuki dealerships, with the aftermarket exhausts reducing weight by a total of 4kg and boosting power by 2kW, as well as enhancing the Hayabusa’s soundtrack.

The titanium silencers – which feature classy, laser-etched Akrapovic and Hayabusa logos – are capped with a carbon fibre tip, while the heat shield is also carbon fibre.

Akrapovic also supplies its exhaust-making expertise to Suzuki’s MotoGP team.

A pair of Akrapovic exhausts for the new Hayabusa come with an RRP of £2876.05 and either a three-year warranty when fitted at point of sale, or two-year warranty if fitted later. If fitted at the point of purchase they can also be included in any finance agreement, spreading the cost over monthly repayments.

Other accessories available for the new Hayabusa include the pillion seat cowl – which completes the iconic silhouette – a stylised seat, heated grips, and billet brake and clutch levers.

Suzuki has announced details of a new A2 licence-friendly GSX-S950, which is available from August and features the ability to be restricted to 35kW to comply with A2 licence regulations. The GSX-S950 will represent a new proposition in the market, providing a ‘big bike’ experience at a restricted output for new riders, before becoming an ideal stepping stone to more powerful machines once derestricted.

Based on the GSX-S1000 platform – and using the same torque-laden inline-four cylinder engine – the GSX-S950 produces 95PS in standard trim, with restrictor kits readily available to ensure it conforms to the A2 licence category. However, despite a reduced peak power compared to its GSX-S1000 sibling, the 950 still makes use of the donor engine’s creamy midrange to produce 92 Nm of peak torque, with the same slip and assist clutch aiding smoother downshifts and slicker upshifts under hard acceleration.

The motor is also wrapped in the same twin-spar aluminium frame and uses the same superbike-derived swingarm and rear shock, but to help achieve a lower RRP – and therefore making it an even more accessible package – it uses 43mm KYB front forks. Other chassis changes include the use of Tokico front brake calipers and straight ‘bars, while the bespoke Dunlop Roadsport 2 tyres, 19-litre fuel tank, and new seat remain.

An electronics package comprises a three-mode traction control system that adds a safety net, while convenience comes from Suzuki’s low RPM assist feature and easy start function. The ride-by-wire throttle from the GSX-S1000 is carried over.

Bodywork replicates the new, aggressive, and angular styling of the GSX-S1000, with the same stacked LED headlights front and centre. The taillight is also full LED.

Available in August, the GSX-S950 comes in a striking white and red, a matt black, plus a metallic triton blue, all adorned with the visually different 950 logo on the radiator shrouds.

Suzuki’s GSX-R1000R superbike and GSX-S750 naked are both now available on a new, lower than usual rate of finance, with 3% APR representative on offer over three years, across both PCP and hire purchase agreements.

The GSX-S750 uses a 749cc inline-four cylinder that started life in the iconic GSX-R750 and delivers a smooth, linear power delivery, and gets traction control, low RPM assist, and Suzuki easy start, all wrapped in an agile chassis and sharp, streetfighter styling.

Terms and Conditions: This is lower than our standard rate. HP and PCP Finance offer applies to purchases of the GSX-R1000R 100th Anniversary Edition, GSX-R1000R and GSX-S750 purchased from a participating Suzuki Dealership. Purchase and registration of your chosen motorcycle must take place between 21/05/2021 and 30/06/2021. Offer may be extended or withdrawn at any time. Minimum deposit required: £300. Credit is subject to status, UK residents aged 18 and over. Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH.

Suzuki is ready for the return of shows and events this summer, kicking off with the Adventure Bike Rider Festival on 24-27 June.

After the postponement of last year’s festival, Suzuki is bringing a fleet of display and demo machines to this year’s event, including the V-Strom 1050, 1050XT, and 1050XT Tour, the newest additions to Suzuki’s adventure bike stable.Using a more powerful version of Suzuki’s famed 1037cc V-twin, the XT adds a comprehensive suite of advanced electronics over the traction control and variable power modes on the base model, while three piece aluminium luggage features on the Tour edition.

The venerable and ever-popular V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 650XT will also be available to try, plus the newly-launched GSX-S1000. Displayed alongside the V-Strom range will be the RM-Z250 and Arenacross championship-wining RM-Z450 motocross machines and the third generation Hayabusa. For retro fans Suzuki will also show off a DR800S; the series of machines responsible for the adventure bike beak.

After a year or more with very limited racing activity, Team Classic Suzuki has unveiled its lockdown project build; a Katana based around a 2008 GSX-R1000 world superbike machine.

History already exists between Team Classic Suzuki and the Katana. After building a racing version at Motorcycle Live, Team Classic Suzuki raced a Katana in the European Classic Endurance Championship, scoring a class win at Oschersleben.

This time, Team Classic Suzuki has turned its hand to a road-going Katana project.

At the heart is a 2008 world superbike-spec engine from an Alstare GSX-R1000, fully refreshed by Team Classic Suzuki’s Nathan Colombi. Putting out around 200bhp at the rear wheel, it breathes through Alstare world superbike headers, mated to a Racefit link pipe and end can. Cooling comes from a factory radiator and oil cooler, with aluminium water and oil pipes. To keep things manageable, electronics comes as a Yoshimura EM Pro kit.

The package is housed in an Alstare world superbike frame, though dimensions are the same as the road-going GSX-R1000 K8. There’s a custom, over-sized swingarm and bespoke subframe from Alpha Performance Fabrications, both designed to facilitate a twin shock setup that pays homage to the original Katana. Suspension comes courtesy of Öhlins.

Dymag CH3 wheels also maintain a classic look, and are the same wheels found in Team Classic Suzuki’s XR69 replica machines. Mounted to them are Brembo discs, with calipers and pads also from the Italian firm. The rear caliper slots discreetly in between the swingarm and wheel for a cleaner look to the rear end. New aluminium rear sets were designed in-house.

Also cleaning up the rear end is slim LED tail light fitted to a seat unit that started life as a Team Classic Suzuki racing item, before being modified to fit the factory world superbike fuel tank. The nose cone is a new, old stock Katana unit, available from Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, which has been widened by one inch and modified to fit. Moulds from the nose and seat unit were used to create carbon panels that add a finishing touch. Fixtures and fittings come courtesy of Racefastener.

A new seat from Italian supplier Race Seats is finished with a Katana logo, the traditional red Suzuki logo of original Katanas still adorns the tank, while a Team Classic Suzuki logo completes the seat unit, again in the traditional red.

Suzuki is giving buyers of its V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 650XT machines £500 worth of free genuine accessories, until the end of June.

This is in addition to Suzuki's current 3, 3, 3 offer, which allows customers, with just a £300 deposit, to choose from a three-year HP or PCP deal at just 3% APR representative, lower than its standard rate.

Customers can opt to put their £500 towards a variety of accessories, from luggage – including top boxes, panniers, and tank bags – to protective components such bash plates and engine bars or styling items such as graphics kits and touring screens.

The V-Strom 650 uses Suzuki's proven 645cc V-twin engine, packed with character and a broad spread of usable torque, and features traction control, low RPM assist, and Suzuki's easy start system.

After indicating earlier this month that a new GSX-S1000 was on the way, Suzuki has now released details of the 2021 naked, which comes with:

• A completely new look, with sharp, aggressive new bodywork and futuristic LED lighting design.
• An updated, Euro 5 compliant 152PS inline four-cylinder engine with a fatter and flatter torque curve, providing a broader spread of power in the low and midrange.
• New electronics, including a quickshifter and auto-blipper, selectable engine maps and more levels of traction control.
• A larger fuel tank and new, wider set handlebars.

Styling

Immediately obvious is the new GSX-S1000's redesigned aesthetic; the bodywork and lighting is completely new, with a focus on sharp, angular, aggressive lines and a powerful stance, with a ‘mass forward’ demeanour.

Available in Suzuki’s traditional metallic triton blue, a new mechanical matt grey, and a stealthy gloss black, it’s streetfighter looks are enhanced with textured radiator shrouds, MotoGP-insipired winglets, and side panels that feature an urban camo-inspired design.

Arguably the most striking visual change is the new, vertically stacked LED headlight. As well as the practical benefits of a new mono-focus LED light source that displays a wide, bright light, the new design of two stacked hexagonal units topped by LED position lights creates a look that is lighter and tighter, and aids the desire for a more aggressive pose. There’s a new LED tail light, too, with both flanked by LED indicators.

Engine

The inline four-cylinder engine in the 2021 GSX-S1000 produces more power and a broader spread of torque in the lower rev ranges to deliver ideal naked sports bike performance. Changes include a new intake and exhaust camshaft, new valve springs, new clutch, and a new exhaust.

Compared to its predecessor, the new GSX-S1000 makes more cumulative torque across the rev range, filling in the dips in the graph with a flatter curve. It revs on to provide increased top end power, too, with peak power 152PS at 11,000rpm.

Thankfully, a new exhaust retains the soundtrack the outgoing model was known for, while aiding in the increase in power and the meeting of Euro 5 emissions requirements with an additional catalytic converter.

New electronic throttle bodies help achieve a more controllable engine response during the initial throttle opening. A new airbox manages to do without an internal separator, reducing intake resistance.

Reduced valve overlap also helps the new GSX-S1000 meet Euro 5 emissions standards, thanks to new a camshaft and revised cam profiles. The changes also aid engine controllability for the rider.

Added controllability and increased performance also comes thanks to Suzuki’s Clutch Assist System. The slipper clutch partially disengages to reduce negative engine torque and mitigate the effect of engine braking when downshifting from high rpm. This helps prevent the rear wheel from locking up or hopping and provides smoother deceleration, enabling the rider to shift down with greater confidence and maintain better control when downshifting into corners.

Adding an assist function increases the clutch’s clamping force under acceleration and thereby allows the use of softer springs while still efficiently transferring torque to the rear wheel, resulting in a lighter lever operation.

Electronics

An advancement over the previous GSX-S1000 comes with an updated suite of electronics, courtesy of Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS).

A new ride-by-wire throttle makes it possible for riders to more accurately and finely control the relationship between throttle actuation and engine response, especially when allied to the new Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS) system, with which the new GSX-S1000 is equipped.

SDMS allows riders to choose from one of three engine maps, depending on the riding conditions or their own personal preferences. Modes A-C all deliver the same peak power, but vary the sharpness and immediacy of the delivery, with A mode the sportiest, and C mode delivering the softest power delivery.

Performance is enhanced thanks to a bi-directional quickshifter, which reduces the need to operate the clutch during gear changes or close the throttle on upshifts, or blip it on downshifts.

A new traction control system comprises five modes, while it can also be switched off. Inputs from front and rear wheel speed sensors, and crank, gear, and throttle position sensors feed into the ECU which in turn controls the throttle valve opening, ignition timing, and fuel injection rate, to reduce or prevent wheel spin.

All the information is displayed on an updated and easy-to-read LCD dash.

Topping off the electronics package is Suzuki’s always-handy easy start system – which requires only one prod of the starter button to fire the engine – and low RPM assist, which raises engine speed as the clutch lever is fed out, to aid slow speed control and prevent stalling.

Chassis

The twin-spar aluminium chassis is mated to a rigid, GSX-R-derived swingarm for agile, sporty performance and handling. New, 23mm wider, tapered ‘bars help riders pitch the bike into turns with greater leverage. They are also set 20mm closer to the rider to improve comfort without compromising handling.

Suspension comes in the form of fully-adjustable KYB front forks and a preload and rebound damping adjustable rear shock, with revised settings from the previous iteration. 310mm front discs are paired with Brembo monobloc calipers.

A larger, 19 litre fuel tank and 46.3mpg equates to a tank range of 194 miles. Those miles can be undertaken in greater comfort thanks to a new seat.

Tyres are custom-engineered Roadsport 2 from Dunlop.

Pricing and availability

The new GSX-S1000 will be available in Suzuki dealerships from the end of June, with an RRP of £10,999.

Suzuki has shown the colour options available on its 2021 V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050XT, with bikes arriving in dealerships now.

Launched last year, the range-topping V-Strom 1050XT – which comes complete with three selectable engine maps, traction control with three modes, lean angle-sensitive ABS with two modes, linked brakes with slope and load-dependent control and hill hold, plus cruise control – remains available in the popular orange and white, DR750-inspired livery, but for 2021 it is joined by a classy, steely grey with blue decals and blue and grey seat, completed by blue spoked wheels.

An updated yellow option also features, unashamedly influenced by the firm’s RM-Z motocross range, with a black tank and gold rims. Gold rims also feature on an otherwise all black version, bar subtle grey and gold decals.

The V-Strom 1050 – which uses the same 107PS V-twin engine and many of the same electronics features as the XT but swaps the spokes for cast aluminium wheels and loses the standard fit engine bars and hand guards to come in at £9,999 – is available in a bold red and black livery and a more subtle all black option.

The new-for-2021 colours on the V-Strom 1050XT also apply to the Tour edition, which adds black three piece aluminium luggage as standard with 112 litres of storage space. With an RRP of £12,799 it equates to a saving of £370 over the purchase of the individual items.