October 5, 2007
US - It's not the traction control that helped Ben Spies win the 2007 AMA Superbike Championship, but Suzuki is expanding availability of its Suzuki Drive Mode Selector system, which lets riders choose from among three different engine control maps on the fly. The system debuted on the 2007 GSX-R1000, and for 2008, Suzuki is adding it to its two other sportbikes, the GSX-R750 and GSX-R600.
S-DMS lets the rider choose from three different engine maps using the mode switch on the right handlebar housing. On the instrument cluster (below), next to the gear indictor tucked inside the tachometer, A, B, and C lights indicate which mode is selected.
The system, which Suzuki calls S-DMS, lets the rider choose from three different engine control maps, depending on conditions and rider preferences. The rider can switch from one mode to another on the fly with a flick of a switch.
On the street, the advantage would be the ability to choose a softer power delivery in wet or cold conditions, when traction is reduced. But Suzuki even touts the system as being useful on the track, suggesting that a rider could switch from one mode to another to suit different portions of the course.
Other notable performance features on the 2008 GSX-Rs include:
Redesigned front and rear lights, with three headlights and an LED taillight.
Electronically controlled steering damper.
On the 750, both the Showa rear shock and the inverted, 41mm cartridge fork are adjustable for preload, rebound damping, and both high-speed and low-speed compression damping. The 600 has the same adjustments except for having only one compression damping adjustment on the fork.
Back-torque-limiting clutch.
Provided by the American Motorcyclist Association.
