End of the road for Suzuki 750?

Dec 1 2008 Harriet Ridley

THIS time two years ago I raved about the perfect motorcycle, Suzuki's GSX-R750. I called it a 600 on steroids, the ideal compromise between a lithe and agile 600 supersport machine and the uber-powerful litre superbikes.

But two years is a long time in the world of motorcycle technology and a lot has changed. Don't get me wrong, the GSX-R750 is still without doubt the best 750 production sportsbike out there. In fact, it's the worst 750 production sportsbike too. But that's only because it's the only 750cc sportsbike out there.

Yes, Suzuki is the only manufacturer to continue producing the 750cc sportsbike. It comes from the days when four-cylinder machines competing in the World Superbike championship (WSB) had a capacity limit of 750cc, so all the manufacturers had a flagship 750cc superbike.

But since the legal capacity for WSB was upped to 1,000cc, manufacturers dropped their 750s to concentrate on 1,000cc superbikes and 600cc supersports. Apart from Suzuki, which kept its 750cc because it saw it as the perfect compromise between the middle and litre bike classes.

And the gamble proved right as for years it was one of the best-selling sportsbike out there. But 1000cc bikes continued to get easier to ride, with much smaller chassis and more manageable power. They've now become veritable pussycats, with a power mode button so you can cut power if you're still a little nervous. And 600s have become increasingly smaller and more agile with a much better midrange.

Meanwhile the 750 has remained on the bulky side compared to a 600, with not as much power as a 1,000cc. Rather than a 600s on steroids, the 750 now feels more like an underpowered 1,000cc. Or like the GSX-R1000 in a low power mode, if you prefer.

I felt this the minute I got on. The riding position is spacious so it suits taller people far more than a proper 600. But it felt rather too big to belong to the supersports category.

As I rode it through town I was disappointed in the lack of midrange. I had to keep the needle above 6,000rpm to feel any kind of power kick, which is nigh-on impossible when you're battling through traffic.

If I had this bike I'd definitely fit a larger rear sprocket or knock a tooth off the front to improve low-down and midrange activity. Sure enough, when I took it on a track day I discovered it did 125mph in first gear - a sure sign that this machine's overgeared.

Of course, to criticise a machine as sublime as this shows how spoilt we've become in this day and age, and how motorcycle technology has moved the goalposts forward. The Suzuki may require a little bit more effort going into corners than a 600cc, but as you open the throttle on the corner exit, you're met with smooth, progressive power.

Suzuki's Dual Throttle System (SDTV) delivers a linear power curve, with no sign of that snatchy throttle you used to get so often on modern fuel injected bikes. The 750 gets Suzuki's slipper clutch to keep the bike composed as you slam down the gears and it works so well.

The gearbox is the usual super-smooth Suzuki unit; it's a pleasure to change gear. Of course, you don't have to go up and down the gears on the 750 as much as on the 600; it's a much more forgiving package, with more drive in all gears and although it's still a high-rev machine, it's better suited for the road.

The 750 flies down the straights at warp speed, and it's never long until you have to brake for the next corner. But you can leave it as late as you like as this GSX-R's brilliant radial-mounted Tokico calipers give you mountains of feel, power and progression.

The 2008 GSX-R750 I'm riding had just been updated, so it will stay the same for 2009. Last year's tweaks include a chassis that brings the styling in-line with the 600 and 1000cc bikes. It also benefits from a lighter parts and a high-tech steering damper that reacts to different speeds. The engine has also been modified to improve overall performance.

While just a couple of years ago the GSX-R 750 felt like the most perfect sportsbike out there, changes to the 600 and 1000cc classes have made me wonder whether it really is time for Suzuki to wave goodbye to its iconic GSX-R750

FAST FACTS

Suzuki GSX-R750

Price : £7,799

Mechanical : 749cc, liquid-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke with 16 valves; 148bhp at 13,200rpm, 64lb/ft of torque at 11,200rpm. Six-speed gearbox, chain final drive.

Max speed : 170mph

Combined mpg : 37