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Category: Motorcycles
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Suzuki will restore arguably the most important racing motorcycle it ever produced at this year’s Motorcycle Live – which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC 17-25 November – with the rebuild of the G-54, the precursor to the iconic XR14 and RG500 machines that went on to take Suzuki and Barry Sheene to world championship glory.
The bike will be rebuilt over the first weekend of the show and fired into life on Monday 19 November, before being stripped and rebuilt again over the final weekend ready for a second start up on Sunday 25 November, giving visitors two chances to see the iconic machine being built.
The restoration will be carried out by former Grand Prix technician Nigel Everett. Everett worked in Grand Prix racing from the early ‘70s through to 1988, when he setup Racing Restorations, working with the likes of Sheene, Mick Grant, Kevin Schwantz, James Whitham, Roger Marshall, and John Reynolds. He also worked with Suzuki in World Superbikes from 1995 to 1997. Also present over both weekends will be legendary Suzuki technician Martyn Ogborne and former Grand Prix ace Paul Smart.
Suzuki GB’s aftersales co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said, “I think this is the most excited we’ve been for our Motorcycle Live feature build, and that’s saying something as we’ve managed to do some really cool projects in the past, from restoring a Kevin Schwantz RGV500 to building a brand new TL1000S from parts. But this bike – the G-54 – is a really rare and really special thing. It paved the way for Suzuki’s return to Grand Prix racing and spawned the bikes that took Barry Sheene to world championship glory and was raced by some incredible riders in its day. It is probably one of the most important bikes from our history, so to not only be able to restore it using our Vintage Parts Programme but do so with the likes of Martyn Ogborne and Nigel Everett is really special.”
The G-54 concept was born in May 1973, five years after Suzuki withdrew from Grand Prix racing following regulation changes by the F.I.M. But, after competing in the smaller 50cc, 125cc, and 250cc classes, Suzuki had decided to make a return, this time in the premier 500cc class.
The bike – where G denoted Grand Prix use only and 54, strangely, stood for 1974 – was designed and built under the stewardship of Makoto Hase and Makoto Suzuki, who had previously been tasked with converting the GT250, GT500, and GT750 machines into the TR250, TR500, and TR750 race bikes. The project pulled in staff that worked on the two and three cylinder 50cc machines, the twin and V4 125cc machines, plus the square-four 250cc machine.
Barry Sheene got his first taste of the machine in November 1973, but to help keep the weight down the G-54 employed an open cradle chassis with no lower chassis rails beneath the engine. However, despite finishing second in its first ever Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand in April with Sheene aboard, by June the chassis had been replaced with a conventional double cradle design. It was raced by Sheene, Paul Smart, and Jack Findlay that year.
The bike will be built and displayed on Suzuki’s stand throughout the show, located in Hall 2.
For more show and ticket information, click here. For information on Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, click here.
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Following the announcement that Bradley Ray has re-signed for the Buildbase Suzuki team and will again race a GSX-R1000R in the British Superbike Championship next season, Suzuki is celebrating re-signing of one the UK’s hottest racing prospects by launching a fantastic ‘Suzuki Experiences’* package for customers of its stunning limited edition BSB replica.
As well as owning one of just 50 of these exclusive machines, customers will also receive a ‘BSB Experience’ for two, ‘On Track Experience’ and ‘Events Experience’ for two to three great events, during 2019.
The BSB Experience for two includes race day hospitality, a meet-and-greet with the team riders, grid walk and the chance to watch the race from the Buildbase Suzuki team garage. They’ll also be kitted out with some team merchandise.
The On Track Experience provides each customer with a complimentary place on one of the legendary James Whitham track days at Mallory Park, Croft or Anglesey, with professional one-to-one tuition from a Suzuki racing ambassador during the day.
Customers can further benefit from tickets for two to the Southampton Boat Show in September 2019, Motorcycle Live at the NEC in November 2019 and a home round of the MK Dons football team, sponsored by Suzuki.
Suzuki GB Head of Marketing, Fiona Cole, said,“We’re delighted that Bradley will remain with us in 2019 and build on the experience and results he has gained during his first season with a factory team. He’s proven himself to be one the brightest young talents in the paddock over the last few seasons, making impressive progress from superbike rookie to twice a race-winner this season and Showdown challenger.
“Race replica machines are desirable among sportsbike customers and the Buildbase Suzuki BSB replica GSX-R1000R is exceptional in both looks and performance. However we’re keen to offer our customers more just great products and this includes access to some of the fantastic partnerships and experiences Suzuki is associated with. This new ‘Experiences’ package being offered exclusively to customers who purchase the BSB replica GSX-R1000R has been warmly received and we’re pleased to be able to help create even more memorable moments for our customers.”
The limited edition Buildbase Suzuki replica GSX-R1000R comes with the same stunning paint scheme as the team’s race bikes, as well as engine case savers, brake and clutch lever guards, paddock stand bobbins, double bubble screen, pillion seat cowl, tank protector and fuel cap trim, with a Yoshimura R11 exhaust ready for track use. In addition, customers will also receive a Suzuki-branded Ogio kit bag, paddock stand, bike cover and GSX-R garage mat, with the ‘Suzuki Experiences’ package also included until 31 December 2018. An impressive package for just £19,999 RRP and currently available with low rate 3% APR representative finance*, over 3 years with a minimum deposit of £300.
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No-one can argue about what the oldest, fastest or most expensive motorcycles are - but how do you define something’s collectability? What makes one motorbike cooler, or more iconic than another?
There are plenty of lists online which claim to show the best of the best - but by comparing those claims with what people are actually hunting for and admiring online, Bikesure have produced a definitive set of Britain’s most collectible bikes.
Using Google search data to get inside the minds of the UK’s bikers, Bikesure examined whether the motorbikes we often see in lists of the best, fastest and most stylish rides are actually as desirable as they seem.
Bikesure’s final list reveals the 11 most searched-for and in-demand motorcycles in the UK, including:
· Honda Gold Wing
· Kawasaki Ninja
· Ducati 916
· Triumph Bonneville T120
· Norton Commando
Each bike is accompanied by commentary from four-times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty, who gives his view on whether each one deserves its place – and whether there’s anything missing:
“If I was choosing a bike for this or had to say what’s missing, I’d go with a Yamaha HRD 250 LC or 350 or the Honda RC30. The Honda in particular was way ahead of its time and dominated everything for a few years in circuits like the Isle of Mann TT”
To see the findings in full, head here
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Suzuki has announced a limited edition Buildbase Suzuki replica GSX-R1000R, with only 50 of the special machines available. With an RRP of £19,999, all will come with a numbered fuel tank, a number of Yoshimura components, and a host of genuine accessories.
Mimicking the British Superbike and Superstock 1000 racers of Bradley Ray, Richard Cooper, and Billy McConnell with a stunning replica paint scheme, the bikes also come with a Yoshimura R11 SQ exhaust and hangar and Yoshimura mirror blanks for track use.
Genuine Suzuki accessories fitted include engine case savers, brake and clutch lever guards, paddock stand bobbins, double bubble screen, pillion seat cowl, and tank protector and fuel cap trim. The bike will also come with a Suzuki-branded Ogio kit bag, paddock stand, bike cover, and GSX-R garage mat.
The Buildbase Suzuki team has taken wins in both the superbike and superstock classes this season, and took three podium finishes last time out at Cadwell Park, with Billy McConnell also holding the National Superstock 1000 championship lead.
The GSX-R1000R Buildbase Suzuki replica – along with the standard GSX-R1000R – is available on Suzuki’s current 2,3,4% finance campaign, which allows customers to choose from two, three, or four-year deals, an APR to match, and whether they’d prefer PCP or a hire purchase agreement.
For more information find your nearest Suzuki dealership here.
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Suzuki is pleased to announce that, in partnership with Motorfinity, it will continue to support the UK’s armed forces, veterans, NHS and emergency services personnel in 2018, offering up to £500 worth of genuine accessories or merchandise when purchasing a new model from its on-road range.
To claim their discount – which runs in conjunction with any other Suzuki or dealership offer, including the current low-rate finance campaign that allows customer to choose from a two, three, or four-year deal and an APR to match – members of the emergency services or armed forces simply need to present their Blue Light Card or Defence Discount Service Card to their chosen dealership at the point of sale.
Suzuki will offer a discount based on a model’s capacity, giving £250 worth of free accessories or merchandise away with bikes up to 250cc, £350 up to 650cc models, or £500 with bikes over 650cc.
Those that qualify for the offer include serving and former police officers and staff, fire and rescue personnel, and NHS staff and ambulance personnel, as well as those working in the prison service. Serving and veteran armed forces personnel along with reserve forces, spouses and partners of serving members, MoD civil servants, NATO, and Cadets over 16 years of age also qualify.
Ian King, Suzuki GB business development manager, said, “Every day our armed force and members of our emergency services put the lives and wellbeing of others ahead of their own, so it’s only right that we offer these brave men and women a reward when they choose to buy a new Suzuki. Many members of both the emergency services and armed forces are motorcycle riders, and hopefully this offer shows our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.”
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