This was, of course, followed by a stunning win in 2016 at Silverstone. With fresh faces and new riders, Suzuki bagged themselves 21 top ten finishes and a highest placement of 6th – with Vinales crowned ‘Rookie of the Year’. The undoubtable benefit of Suzuki’s return to MotoGP in 2015 is that they had the chance to see what works – and what doesn’t. What MotoGP goodies can we expect on the 2016 GSXR 1000R? It’s also got more racing tech than you can wave a flag at, making it the most technically accomplished GSXR to date. The 2016 GSXR 1000R has upped the ante again, with an estimated 200bhp matching the competitors’ offerings. The K5 was truly competitive, with 175bhp and a muscular engine to gallop away from its rivals. The fuel tank is low like the K5, drag and lift has been reduced… even the fairing mounting bolts are flat! The focus is on a lightweight, narrow, aerodynamic bike that will cut through the air to set blistering lap times. Handling was one of the K5’s strengths, and its new great-grandchild is expected to be just as nimble. The Japanese manufacturers have decided to blaze a trail again, re-defining the class with the first VVT system seen on a superbike engine. 11 years after the launch of the stonking K5, Suzuki have gone back to the spirit of innovation and road/track balance that made the 2005 GSX-R so fantastic. How does it measure up against the GSXR 1000 K5? Well, take a sneak peek at the new Gixxer and decide for yourself. A bold claim – particularly when you pit it against the like of the K5 GSXR 1000, but of this we’re quite certain. The 2017 GSX-R1000R L7 might just be the best GSX-R ever made. These bikes will be few and far between so pre-orders will be absolutely essential. We are now taking pre-orders for the incredible GSXR 1000 L7, which will be arriving in our showroom in early 2017.