TOP DOG

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 backs up its bark with a sharp bite.

- WORDS: JON URRY

.. With the unveiling of a 'new' GSX-R1000 for 2026, eyes are sure to turn towards the used market as whenever a model is back in fashion, buyers' imaginations are sparked. However, as Suzuki's litre sportsbike is now approaching its 25th birthday, there are a fair few options out there. You could go for an original K1/2 model, although they are a bit raw. The K5/6 is regarded as the quintessential example but they tend to be overpriced, and the K7/8 is a bit disappointing. Our advice? Look towards the generally underrated K9-L1 generation... Launched in 2009, the GSX-R1000 K9 hit the ground at the worst possible time for Suzuki. Not only was the world plunged into an economic crisis, Yamaha stole all the litre-bike thunder with its crossplane R1, and just a year later the BMW S1000RR arrived and dominated the segment. Against this background, the K9 was overlooked and generally shunned. It wasn’t the fastest in its class, it lacked any whizzbang electronics, and it even looked a bit old-school - and to top it all off, K9 sounded a lot like 'canine' when you said it, earning the bike an unwelcome and unfair reputation as a dog. When you delve a bit deeper, you quickly discover that this generation is actually well worth considering if you are after a litre sportsbike...

Despite looking very similar to the previous generation of GSX-R, under its skin the K9 is a very, very different animal.

Featuring an all-new motor, the K9 is far more advanced in terms of its chassis and engine when compared to the older model. And these changes make it feel a completely different beast to ride and far more appealing!