The 2019 Ryuyo: Suzuki’s Fastest GSX-R1000 Ever

Suzuki Italy enters the ultra-elite superbike segment with the introduction of the new, $35k, 212hp, 370lb, carbon-clad, race-ready, 2019 GSX-R1000R Ryuyo

In the last couple of years manufacturers have been introducing increasingly elite, race-spec variants of their already impressive, existing flagship superbikes. Not content with the company’s R-spec Gixxer thou, Suzuki Motor Italia opted to create a small batch of WSBK-grade GSX-R1000R’s, brimming with top-shelf components, precious materials, and of course, an ungodly amount of horsepower.

Creating the Ryuyo meant more than just tacking aftermarket goodies onto the liter-sized Gixxer, with Suzuki Motor Italia actually partnering up with an array of leading companies in the aftermarket sector (Öhlins, Brembo, Yoshimura, D.I.D., K&N, Motul, Dunlop, Bonamici, etc) to collaborate on the project and bring the "GSX-Ryuyo" to fruition. The team at Suzuki Italia also saw to it that the 1000R’s inline four mill was pored over in order to squeeze out some additional power, taking the flagship Zook to the next level.

Race-Spec Running Gear

The Ryuyo’s suspension is made up of Showa Big Piston Front (BPF) forks housing Öhlins NIX 30 internals, paired a TTX GP monoshock out back as well as one of the Swedish company’s steering dampers. The brakes on the 370lb missile are comprised of top-shelf Brembo units; 19RCS Short stroke brake lever, articulated RCS pads, and Brembo masters, all linked via top-shelf steel-braided lines.

212hp Inline-Four

Powering what Suzuki Italia is touting as the fastest Gixxer thou of all time, is the liquid-cooled, 998.8cc, four-stroke, DOHC, inline four found in the latest GSX-R1000R. The Ryuyo’s mill has been massaged to make an additional ten horsepower thanks to a Yoshimura R-11 Titanium exhaust — which saves 13lbs (5.9kgs) over the stock unit — and an EM PRO control unit switchboard. The Ryuyo (according to Suzuki Italia) puts down an impressive 212horsepower at 12,900rpm and an equally hefty 88 foot-pounds of torque at 10,300rpm.

The engine is also equipped with a modern suite of electronic aids; multiple fuel-mapping modes, adjustable 10-level traction control, launch control, slipper assist, and bi-directional (up-and-down) quick shift system. The elite new Gixxer’s “Ryuyo” moniker is a nod to the Japanese marque’s Ryuyo Research and Development center — which is complete with both road and off-road test courses/tracks — which is responsible for developing and testing Suzuki’s latest and most cutting-edge offerings.

A Well-Farkled Gixxer

The Ryuyo’s multi-adjustable GP EVO rear-sets, brake calipers dissipators, lever guards, and some of its engine protection have been 3D machined from solid aluminum billet. In addition to the Ryuyo’s full carbon fiber bodywork, the exclusive Gixxer also sports carbon frame guards, airbox, front fender, engine protection, and air-ducts. Even cooler is the carbon fiber chassis which not only adds lightness but also looks trick as all hell.

Other noteworthy bits on the Ryuyo include Ergal GP clip-ons with MotoGP-style racing buttons (pit limited and rear rain light), K&N race filter, remote control brake pump, Evo rapid gas control 3, HP closed cell neoprene saddle, GP-style windscreen, GP Racing DID Step 520 sprocket, and Dunlop rubber (KR108 and KR109 race slicks). The Ryuyo also gets a trick race-spec TFT display that looks straight out of WSBK.

Special Ryuyo Race Livery

Adorning the Ryuyo’s full carbon bodywork is a special livery consisting of white and blue highlights, the logos of the various outfits involved in bringing the elite Gixxer to life, and a massive “RYUYO” script stretching across the tank, frame, and front faring. Though I’ve never personally been a fan of the WSBK-style fake headlight decals, I do thoroughly dig the special paint job on the Ryuyo. Because Suzuki Italia makes no mention of the rims, I’m left assuming the Ryuyo is rolling on the 1000R’s stock six-arm wheels, which I would have loved to have seen jettisoned for carbon fiber units. I can also do without the cheap plastic reservoirs, but those are my only real complaints.

How The Ryuyo Stacks Up Against the Competition

The 2018 GSX-R1000R has an MSRP of $17,199 and still makes a very respectable 202hp at 13,200rpm and 86.73 foot-pounds of torque at 10,800rpm. Thanks to all the carbon fiber, the 212hp Ryuyo is 77lbs lighter than the 1000R at 370lbs (or 168kgs) dry. As a point of reference BMW’s super elite HP4 Race weighs in at 377lbs WET and makes a (claimed) whopping 215hp (at 13,900rpm), while Ducati’s equally exclusive 1299 SuperLeggera comes in at 368lbs wet and also puts down 215 horses.

While the European, carbon-clad competition does admittedly boasts more impressive specs on paper, the Beemer and the Duck both carry significantly more exorbitant price tags of $78K and $80K respectively. The Ryuyo’s MSRP is less than half that at around the $35K mark. And in all seriousness, only a very select few on the planet would be capable of exploiting the difference in performance between the Zook’s Ryuyo and the HP4 or 1299SL.

Who A $35k GSXR is For?

Put simply, the Ryuyo is probably aimed at affluent riders who are more concerned with raw power and performance than they are with the prestige of owning a wildly elite, low-volume European track weapon. Quite frankly, if you aren’t purely focused on performance, it’s hard to imagine why one would want to fork over $35K for a Gixxer.

Though I’ll readily admit that I’m pretty excited about the Ryuyo, it would have been even cooler to see a full factory-backed homologation special like BMW’s HP4 Race or Ducati’s 1299 SuperLeggera. Who knows? Maybe if the Ryuyo sells out in five-minutes, Suzuki might be motivated to pull the trigger on a limited-production WSBK machine.

MSRP and Release Date

While the Ryuyo wasn’t ever intended to be a mass-produced offering, it’s still a bit surprising to learn that only 20 examples will be produced in total, making it an extremely exclusive bike. The MSRP on the 2019 Suzuki GSX-R1000R Ryuyo has been announced at €29,990 (or $35,330 US). Suzuki Italia has yet to release a comprehensive spec-sheet, but the company has announced full details will be revealed at EICMA 2018 in November. The outfit will begin accepting orders on November 10, so act fast if you wish to be one of the lucky 20. For anyone itching to know more you can check out Suzuki Motor Italia’s website.

Suzuki Italia also put together this promo video for the Ryuyo