This is the first picture of the new Suzuki GSV-R, which John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts 𒊎Jr will race in the 2004 MotoGP world championship.

Suzuki finished the 2003 season with a best result of just seventh, claimed by John Hopkins at Jerez, helping them🐼 to a mere 43 manufacturers' points by the end of the year.

That put the 2000 world champions just fifth in the constructors' bat🎃tle - behind Honda (395), Ducati (225), Yamaha (175) and Aprilia (81) - after failing to score any points in five of the sixteen rounds. In terms of the riders' championship, Hopkins was 17th, two places ahead of Roberts.

As such, much is expected of the new machine - which retains its V4 powerplant a🍒nd the silenced exhausts re-introduced late last ye๊ar - but will use Bridgestone rather than Michelin tyres and have a predominantly light blue livery.

The🧜 2003 spec GSV-R is shown below for comparison. Cli♈ck on each picture to enlarge.

2004 GSV-R specification

Engine Type - Four-stroke, water-cooled, V4Displacement - 990ccMax Power - 220+ ps @ 14,500+ rpmValve Type - DOHC four-valve Carburation type - Fuel injectionLubrication system - Wet sumpClutch - Dry multi plates (back torque reduce type)Transmission - Six-speed constant meshFinal drive - ChainFrame type - Twin spar aluminum alloy frameSuspension front - Inverted type telescopicSuspension rear - link typeTyres - BridgestoneWheel front - 16.5 inchesWheel rear - 16.5 inchesBrake system front - Double carbon disc (carbon)Brake system rear - Single disc (steel) Overall length - 2060mmOverall width - 660mmOverall height - 1150mmWheelbase - 1450mmWeight - 145kgFuel tank - 24L