Sports bikes are exceptionally built to produce high power and torque. They are extraordinary on highways and can zip along at high speeds. Therefore, anyone looking for a thrill ride and looking forward to doing some stunts would love to ride a sportbike.
Therefore, we compare two of the best in this category, the Suzuki GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR, and see which one comes out on top. The GSX R1000 (top speed: 190 miles an hour) and the S1000RR (top speed: 188 miles an hour) are both pretty powerful. They are equipped with features you will love to have on a sports bike.
But which one of these speed demons is better than the other? Keep reading this guide to find everything about it.
Industry History
Suzuki
Suzuki has been around for a long time, and it has been producing high-quality bikes for its consumers. The best part about Suzuki is, they make motorcycles for different niches. And this is how they differentiate themselves from the competition. Whether you are looking for utility, performance, or value, Suzuki has the right option for you.
BMW
BMW has been among the top producers of world-class motorcycles for a long time. The brand has also participated in numerous world championships. It has a variety of different motorcycles equipped with the latest technology in the industry. These bikes are all about performance and speed. You can’t go wrong with a BMW!
GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR – An Overview
The GSX R1000 2021
The GSX R1000 is one of the top-performing sports bikes by Suzuki. The company first introduced the R750 back in 1985, and since then, it has been continuously upgraded to meet market needs. The R1000 comes with the chassis of that R750 but has an upgraded 999.8cc inline DOHC engine built for incredible speed. And by doing so, Suzuki has made sports bikes affordable for everyone.
The S1000RR 2021
The S1000RR is one top performer when it comes to speed and agility. It is equipped with plenty of horsepower and torque, and if you are looking to be the ultimate king of the road, this is it. Moreover, if you are looking to upgrade the base model with some add-ons and accessories, you can do that.
Comparison Chart
| Features | Suzuki GSX R1000 | BMW S1000RR |
| Fuel and vehicle type | Petrol sports bike | Petrol sports bike |
| Fuel tank capacity | 4.2 gallons | 4.4 gallons |
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 4 cylinders inline DOHC engine | Liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder inline shift cam engine |
| Displacement | 999.8cc | 999cc |
| Maximum power | 199.3 HP @ 13,200 RPM | 205 HP @ 13,000 RPM |
| Maximum torque | 117.6 Nm @ 10,800 RPM | 113 Nm @ 11,000 RPM |
| Gear transmission | 6-speed constant mesh w/ wet multi-plate assist | 6-speed constant mesh w/ wet multi-disc clutch |
| Seating type and capacity | 2, dual stepped | 2, dual stepped |
| Seat height | 32.5 inches | 32.4 inches |
| Front and rear suspension | Inverted telescopic fork w/ 4.7-inch wheel travel and mono-shock w/ 5.1-inch wheel travel | Upside-down telescopic fork w/ 4.7-inch wheel travel and swingarm w/ 4.6-inch wheel travel |
| Front and rear brakes | Twin disc brake w/ 4-piston caliper and single disc brake w/ single-piston caliper (both with ABS) | Dual floating disc brake w/ 4-piston caliper and single floating disc brake w/ single-piston caliper (both with ABS) |
| Front and rear tires | 120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17 | 120/70ZR17 and 190/55ZR17 |
| Wheelbase | 55.9 inches | 56.7 inches |
| Ground clearance | 5.1 inches | 4.72 inches |
| Weight | ~443 lbs | ~434 lbs |
Engine
It’s going to be stiff competition so, let’s begin our discussion on this comparison of GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR with the engines. The R1000 by Suzuki comes equipped with a DOHC inline engine with 4-cylinders and a 4-stroke configuration. Therefore, it is one of the conventional types that are used in these sports bikes. So, maintenance will not be that costly.
You would expect that the BMW S1000 would come with an upgraded engine. And for that, normally, maintenance costs are high for BMW bikes. But that is not the case with the S1000, and it also comes with a shift cam DOHC inline engine. So, that’s a huge plus! Plus, the best part is that you won’t have to worry about any performance issues.
Both the bikes have liquid-cooled engines, and they both will perform well in warm climates too. However, with the traditional design, Suzuki has managed to edge past BMW and provide an engine displacement of almost 1000cc without adding more weight to the engine and the chassis.
This is where the R1000 will outperform the S1000, precisely why it has a better top speed than the S1000. So, this round will go to the R1000 for its better engine design and lighter chassis.
Weight
The next topic of discussion in this comparison of GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR is weight. The S1000 by BMW is around 9 lbs lighter than the R1000 by Suzuki, but we only talk about the base model with standard equipment.
Hence, you will notice if you are going for the base model, it is much better than the R1000 in maneuverability and handling. But adding more equipment to it will make it weigh more. And for that, you will have to compromise on handling maneuverability.
Even if you compare the base model of S1000 with the R1000, it falls slightly in speed and horsepower. With additional weight, the numbers are going to decline slightly further. So, if speed is your ultimate goal, go for the R1000. However, if you are looking for some add-ons, you have better options available with the S1000. So, purely in terms of weight, the winner of this round is the S1000.
Suspension and brakes
Suspension and brakes put you in control of your ride and feel comfortable on it. Therefore, they play a significant role in the overall performance and ride comfort of any bike. Let’s discuss what these bikes have to offer in this comparison of GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR.
The R1000 is equipped with an Inverted telescope guaranteeing 4.7-inch wheel travel on the front end. On the back end, it comes equipped with mono-shock and has 5.1-inch wheel travel. So, in terms of suspension, your ride comfort is going to be top-notch. Plus, you can also perform some stunts on your R1000.
However, the S1000 features an upside-down telescopic fork with 4.7-inch wheel travel on the front end and a swingarm with 4.6-inch wheel travel on the rear end. This bike also comes with pretty comforting suspensions, but it still stays behind the R1000, especially if you compare the rear-end suspension.
Moreover, when we talk about the brakes, the R1000 has twin disc brakes with ABS on the front end and a single disc brake with ABS on the rear end. There is nothing fancy about this brake system, and it’s just about good stopping power, which you will need, especially when zipping along at 190 miles an hour.
On the other hand, the S1000 features a dual floating disc brake with 4-piston caliper on the front end and a single floating disc brake with a single-piston caliper on the rear end. They both come with ABS, too, to ensure better stopping power at high speeds.
Disc brakes are slightly more vulnerable than floating disc brakes, and you will have to do some maintenance on them on regular occasions. So, in terms of brakes, the S1000 has a slight upper hand.
Ergonomics
Now let’s talk about the ergonomics of both these bikes in this comparison of GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR. Both these machines are quite comfortable to ride and have their handlebars and footpegs placed in the right spots to make them easily accessible for different riders.
Still, there is a slight difference in numbers when you compare the ergonomics. For example, the R1000 has a seat height of 32.5 inches, and it comes with a ground clearance of 5.1 inches with a wheelbase of 55.9 inches.
On the other hand, the S1000 comes with a seat height of 32.4 inches, while it has a wheelbase of 56.7 inches, and it features a ground clearance of 4.72 inches. When we talk about the seat height, the S1000 is 0.1-inch lower, so there is no significant difference.
But the R1000’s ground clearance is much more than the S1000’s, so it can handle a bit of uneven terrain quite well. The S1000 is much leaner and has a wheelbase of 56.7 inches which is more than the R1000’s.
The S1000 is a better option in terms of aerodynamics, while the R1000 is a better choice for ergonomics. But the R1000 still manages to perform better in terms of speed, so the winner of this round is the R1000.
Looks and aesthetics
Our next discussion will be based on looks and aesthetics, and it’s a highly subjective topic. But we would like to add a few words here because BMW takes pride in providing its consumers with multiple configuration options.
In other words, you can build your trim and choose from different colors as well. Of course, the accessories and add-on options are there as well. So, BMW is way ahead of any other motorcycle brand in this particular area.
On the other hand, the R1000 will only come in black color, and that’s it. This is exactly why there is a significant difference between the price of these two models when you are adding the accessories. And we will talk about it in just a bit.
The looks of the R1000 are not outdated by any stretch of the imagination, though. It looks pretty nice and crisp, and the trim is extraordinary as well. Suzuki has done a fair bit of a job with the new model by giving it a facelift. Similar is the case with the S1000, and we all know how good BMW is in design and aesthetics.
You always have that option if add-ons, and this is where BMW outcompetes its competitors. But if accessories and add-on are not interesting enough, the old R1000 is more than good for you. Otherwise, you will have to pay a bit more for the add-on that the BMW has to offer.
Pricing
As we have mentioned above, the S1000 does come with additional features and equipment if you are not going for the base model. But then what’s the point in going for the base model of BMW if you are getting all of that for a lower price from Suzuki.
If speed is everything you are looking for, then go for the R1000 but if you are looking for speed and accessorize your bike, go for the upgraded S1000. Choosing the base model of S1000 is just not worth it unless you are a huge BMW fan and want to go for their bike. The upgrade will cost you a bit more without adding more value.
GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR – The Similarities
There are some similarities in both these bikes as well. And in these sections, we will explore all of them briefly one by one.
Fuel and vehicle type
Both these machines run on petrol, and they both are sports bikes. They are very much similar in terms of design and looks as well. The only difference is that the S1000 is available in more colors and trims.
Gear transmission
Both these machines come with a constant mesh 6-speed gear transmission. The R1000 features a wet multi-plate clutch system, while the S1000 comes with a wet multi-disc clutch system. That’s the only difference between the gearing systems of both these machines.
Seat capacity and type
Both the R1000 and the S1000 have dual stepped setting setup, and they come with a seating capacity for two people. Both these machines are incredibly comfortable to ride.
Suzuki GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR – Pros & Cons
GSX R1000 2021
Pros
- More affordable.
- More traditional yet upgraded.
- Faster speed.
- Excellent suspension.
Cons
- Slightly heavy.
BMW S1000RR 2021
Pros
- Trims and colors available.
- Better braking power
- Bigger fuel tank.
- Superior stopping power.
Cons
- Low suspension wheel travel.
Conclusion
The winner of this comparison of GSX R1000 vs. BMW S1000RR is the GSX R1000. It comes with a smaller price tag, and you can get enough speed and performance from your R1000. If you are looking for more add-ons and features, the better option is the upgraded version of S1000.
But if that is not your concern, you will get more value for money from your R1000. It looks pretty slick and has everything you need for a thrilling ride on the highway. So, it’s the ultimate choice for a standard sports bike that can accelerate at impressive speeds.
