How much stress can a Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle frame take?
In January 2009, Suzuki recalled 26,082 GSX-R1000 (GSX) motorcycles manufactured in 2005 and 2006. Reportedly, the fractures are occurring behind and below the steering neck of the GSX-R1000 K5 or K6 frame. Suzuki’s recall notice places the blame on riders who use the GSX to perform repeated hard landings after lifting the front wheel off the ground. Suzuki also reports that collisions may result in the front wheel fork assembly fracture. However, one GSX owner reported hearing of lots of broken frames right in the vacinity of the welds that hold parts of the frame together; his own GSX fractured at the weld joints. The official Suzuki “gixer” forum features posts from GSX owners and service people. In one blog thread, a GSX service manager noted that since January 23, 3009, Suzuki has been supplying its dealerships with dye kits to check for cracks in the frame. The service manager mentioned the if a dealership should find cracks, the GSX frame would have to be replaced, and if no cra
