Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Owners Manual: Starting off

Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Owners Manual / Riding tips / Starting off

Warning

Riding this motorcycle at excessive speed increases your chances of losing control of the motorcycle. This may result in an accident.

Always ride within the limits of your skills, your motorcycle, and the riding conditions.

Warning

Removing your hands from the handlebars or feet from the footrests during operation can be hazardous. If you remove even one hand or foot from the motorcycle, you can reduce your ability to control the motorcycle.

Always keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footrests of your motorcycle during operation.

Warning

Sudden side winds, which can occur when being passed by larger vehicles, at tunnel exits or in hilly areas, can upset your control.

Reduce your speed and be alert to side winds.

Make sure that the side stand is in the fully up position. Squeeze the clutch lever and pause momentarily.

Engage first gear by depressing the gearshift lever downward. Turn the throttle grip toward you and at the same time release the clutch lever gently and smoothly. As the clutch engages, the motorcycle will start moving forward. To shift to the next higher gear, accelerate gently, then close the throttle and squeeze the clutch lever simultaneously. Lift the gear shift lever upward to select the next gear and release the clutch lever as you open the throttle again. Select the gears in this manner until top gear is reached.

Note

: this motorcycle has a side stand/ignition interlock switch. If you shift the transmission into gear when the side stand is down, the engine will stop running.

Starting the engine

Before attempting to start the engine, make sure: The transmission is in neutral. The engine stop switch is in the "" position. Note: this motorcycle has a starter i ...

Using the transmission

The transmission is provided to keep the engine operating smoothly in its normal operating speed range. The gear ratios have been carefully chosen to meet the characteristics of the engine. The ...

Other materials:

Drive chain inspection and adjustment
Inspect drive chain initially at 1 000 km (600 miles, 2 months) and every 6 000 km (4 000 miles, 12 months) thereafter Drive chain visual check With the transmission in neutral, support the motorcycle using a jack and turn the rear wheel slowly by hand. Visually check the drive chain fo ...

Steering damper maintenance
Keep the steering damper shaft 1 clean at all times. Wipe off any oil residue with a cloth. Do not confuse the grease-like residue on the steering damper's shaft with an oil leak. Collection of this residue is normal and is from oil seal lubricant used in the damper. Yo ...

Camshaft sprocket
Inspect the camshaft sprocket in the following procedures: remove the intake and exhaust camshafts. Refer to “engine top side disassembly” . Inspect the teeth of each camshaft sprocket for wear or damage. If they are worn or damaged, replace the sprocket/ camshaft assembl ...